Civet Cat Hunts
The Civet Cat, despite its cat-like appearance and name, does not belong to the cat family. It is a member of the Viverridae family, which includes small omnivorous creatures that are adept climbers, even though their claws are not fully retractable. Various species of Civet Cats can be found in Asia, Madagascar, and even the Iberian Peninsula, but it is the African populations that offer hunting opportunities.
Where to Hunt Civet Cats
Legal hunting of Civet Cats can be pursued in countries such as Cameroon, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. There is no specific optimal period for hunting Civet Cats; they are typically hunted opportunistically during general "plains game" hunts or when they visit bait laid out for other animals. Although many African countries have year-round open hunting seasons, the period from November to March is often too wet and hot for comfortable plains game hunting.
Hunting Methods
If a hunter is determined to obtain trophies from all legal Civet Cat species, they will find this animal to be a worthy quarry despite its small size. Outfitters usually do not specify the exact species of Civet Cats present in their territories, so if you have a specific target in mind, it is best to inquire in advance. Civet Cats are scavengers, so hunting over bait is a viable option. In areas where it is permitted, hunting at night using night sights or artificial light is perhaps the most effective method for capturing Civet Cats. Some South African outfitters possess special licenses and specialize in such hunts, which may include other nocturnal creatures like Servals and Caracals.
Africans hunt Civet Cats for their fur and meat. Unfortunately, illegal harvesting and habitat loss pose significant conservation threats to these animals. Hunting concessions help combat these threats by reducing poaching and protecting wilderness areas from deforestation and conversion into farmland. Moreover, they play a crucial role in assigning value to wildlife for local communities. However, this approach only works if the species has value, which can be achieved through regulated hunting. If you undertake the pursuit of a Civet Cat, you will discover that this small creature will challenge your hunting skills like few other trophies you have encountered before.
Discover why thousands of people have trusted Outdoors International to help plan their hunt.
Outdoors International has a team of hand-selected hunting experts to help you book your next hunt. Our job it is to help you in researching, booking and planning a great hunting trip with one of our amazing outfitter partners around the world.
My hunt was absolutely top notch.
The outfitter is a fantastic man and incredibly hard working and knowledgeable, there is no doubt he will do everything within his power to make peoples hunts successful and enjoyable. I plan to do it again with him next year for sure.
Wade Zuver
Our hunt was excellent.
We saw bucks every day along with all other sorts of wildlife. Mountain goats, bears, and foxes were common sights. Fishing and crabbing was special bonus. The food was excellent, the crew was amazing. Outdoors International did a great job of finding exactly what we were looking for.
Jesse Neveau
What an amazing experience!
The hunting lodge was out of this world!, Rooms, food and the scenery were all A+. Our guide was exceptional and had us on Shiras moose all five days. We saw over 30 total with at least 10 bulls. They had a plan for everything including taxidermy and game processing.
Kayla Redmon