A year ago I successfully hunted for a Caucasian tur in KCR and promised to come back for a Kuban tur and chamois. My dream was to share that experience with the friend and to be in the real adventure.
Spoiler: all, I dreamed, had happen.
So first things first.
I was happy that my friend and my namesake agreed to join me in his first mountain hunting. I hope he haven’t felt sorry for it. Oleg and Alexey Podtyazhkiny helped us to book a trip in a year before it happened, we even asked to book the guides whom I knew and began to prepare for a future expedition. It meant that each our visit to the hunting shop ended by the new purchase. I wanted everything to be perfect. I dreamed to have the latest modern gadgets and new equipment. We expected it for a year but everything had finished very quick. I write these words to prolong my impressions.
The departure day flashed like a single moment- a morning, working busy day, taxi to the airport, baggage check-in. At last, we could seat in the business launch of Sheremetyevo, relax and say a toast for the beginning of our hunting. All flight to Min Vody we remembered funny hunting situations and talked about similar themes.
The representative of the local company had already waited for us at the airport. He met us as old friends. Each time I surprise their hospitality.
They announced that we would drive to the other guides and I was upset but looking ahead I'd say that the outfitter sent us to the optimal hunting area which suited to our needs. The hunt was supposed to organize in Urupsky district.
We discussed the detail of hunting and the features of turs and chamois life in that calendar time while driving to the hotel. Next day, as we discussed it when I was even in Moscow, we had to be in the hunting area, in the mountains. We left the hotel at 3 am and drove to the mountains, in few hours we’d changed the car to another one, met the sunrise and arrived to the intermediate stop. The rest of the way we should have to ride by horses. We had cut the right poles while driving through the thick, hazel forest. "The third leg" helps always.
After arriving to the fold we got acquaintance with our guides - Issa and Ibrahim. The first thing is always to test the guns. There was a special area near the base where we could do it and to shoot for 200 meters. I affixed the target on the rusty barrel and shot several times. My carbine worked well but we did the correction for Misha’s one. It took us about a couple of hours. When everything is done, we are ready to move to the mountains.
Everything is packed, we saddled the horses. I was trying to argue with Ibrahim, being very delicate, about the small amount of food which we took with us. He asked me not to worry because the expedition would take two days maximum. We’d get two trophies and come back. There was no need to stay longer there. I used all my authority and made him to take more. Later they all thanked me and not once. They showed us horses which would be ours all next week. I took Dobrick while Misha chose “Kolbasa” - what meant the sausage. I guessed that our guides gave those names to horses just before our arrival.
There was about 30 km to the mountains, and we should bum our way through alpine meadows where the herds of horses, sheep and cows were grazing. It was unreal. It was even more beautiful than in Austrian Alps. It was fall but there were lots of flowers everywhere. All ‘lawns” had been cut. The fantastic smells and fresh air filled us with the energy. The team spirit, floating in the air proved my idea that we waited for an unforgettable hunting week. But Misha couldn't find common ground with his horse. Once he even hopped down and almost hang over the abyss, after the second case he dismounted and went on foot. But in common everything was great.
The weather began getting worse... What would be next? Did I want difficulties?
We had reached the point 2000 masl where Issa planned to make the camp, set tents and the fog covered everything. A minute ago, we saw the magnificent peaks then suddenly if somebody put on a shroud and hide everything. We had plenty of time and didn't worry about it that’s why just enjoyed the new impressions and mountains’ smells.
Next morning nothing had changed and the rain began.
The usual guides method, to look for turs while being down and then approach, didn’t work. We discussed the plan and resolved to rise where the fog was not so thick and to try to find animals there. Issa and I went first. Misha and Ibrahim stayed in the camp.
We climbed to the place higher our camp but the fog there was also thick. It was risky to go further because we could frighten the animals off. We agreed to stay on that height till 2 pm but could seat just till 1.30 and went back to the camp. Oh bother, the fog lifted at 2 pm and sky cleared but we had already left the height. OK, no matter we still had many days...
The fog became even thicker while we had lunch. We waited and waited while got zero patience, then defined the destination where the fog could lift as we thought and moved that way. It was almost evening when we hiked around the nearest mountain. We ascended a little and saw the mountain’ peaks. Took the positions not far from the places where turs were used to eat in the evenings. Time had really gone by fast but nobody appeared. One time the stone from under somebody's’ hooves rolled to our side but it was all. All that time I enjoyed by the view of the mountain lake, located in one km below us. The guides told us there was no fish and water is cold all year around. I could see snow on its shores. Once the poor cow which tried to swim it across, frozen and drowned. Also, the guides told us about the crowds of tourist who burn naked on its shores in the summertime. Romantism.
Next evening we saw tourists who went somewhere through the valley near the lake. It was +5o at night. Indefatigable people...
Suddenly a terrible downpour with lightning and thunder had begun and we all began to go down to the tents. We were absolutely wet and didn't hurry. We were descending for two hours and when few hundred meters left, the rain had stopped and wind blew. My membrane clothes dried what surprised Mikhail. He thought we couldn’t dry our things at all.
Next morning met us by fog and drizzling rain. We were tired to wait mercy of nature and I called by satellite to my friend in Moscow and asked to check the weather forecast. He checked the Internet and said that such weather would be for the next three days. We discussed the situation and resolved to wait when the rain would stop and go up to the mountains. The prophecy of Ibrahim, to get two trophies in two days wouldn’t come true in another way. We rode to the altitude 2500 meters above the sea level then dismounted and went the further way on foot. Everybody carried a backpack and a carbine. At last, we reached the nearest rocks. But the fog was there too. The icy rain began. The breeze came into wind and the storm from time to time. Misha asked me several times if it was normal situation and all famous mountain hunts had to be so. I tried to save the face and replied that I told you about and warned but dreamed when I could put on the extra warm layer under the coat. Few times I began to run up and down to get warm and each time returned with the smile on the face. I tried to show that everything was great! But the perspective was not so positive. The fog, grey rocks around us, Avatar...
We waited for three hours. The fog and rain still went on. Then the guides said that the weather didn’t change and we should go back. We went down to the horses but suddenly Issa asked Ibrahim to take horses and move to the camp alone while the rest of our group would stay and wait for a while. Ibrahim went away. We stayed and decided to drink tea with snickers. How tasty they were! In an hour the weather had changed: the fog lifted and the rain stopped. We came back to the viewpoint. Nobody there. Issa thought for a moment and commanded to go ahead. We crossed the ridge and happened on the famous Caucasian talus. We should go about 2 km by it. At that moment I realized the necessity of the right poles and boots.
We went on and on and I saw that Issa was thinking over if we had to go further or to come back because evening was approaching.
But didn’t say a word and we moved. Few times we did stops to breathe or drink water.
We had frightened mountain partridges while hiking and I could manage to make some pictures of them. It was a good sign. Telling the truth, we didn't see any turs, no males or females but I noticed their beds near the mountains tops in the places protected from rain. Probably they detected us first and left away.
Soon we realized that coming further was shorter than going back. Suddenly Issa noticed something and ducked down but we were late and stumbled onto the lonely male which appeared from behind the rock but it noticed us and raw away.
To make clear I should explain that there were two kinds of ways, we hiked - across the scree with different size, sharp stones or by the mountain ridge on the height of 3000 masl. It was not surprise why we didn't react fast to our guide commands.
In three hours, we reached the point where began to descend to the camp. It was getting dark. The guide went in 50 meters ahead of me. Suddenly he ducked down once again and waved at me. I reached him, blending with the stones. and looked from behind the rock. The group of turs grazed not far from us. Then everything happened quickly. Removed the backpack, put the carbine on, watched through the sight. The distance 250 meters, the angle 45 degrees. I detected the male and several females near it. I doubted because wanted to get the biggest one and such males preferred to stay separately from the females at that time. I said Issa about it, he objected me, but not very confidently. I thought he wanted to finish the hunt because it was our fourth day in the mountains. Then Misha crawled, the animals hide under the rock while we were arguing and appeared in 300 meters from us. There were 30 individuals in the herd. I saw Misha was watching to the animals but couldn’t shoot. It was twilight and we couldn’t see the horns even using Leica 3 optics. Why did I need it? Later I would scold myself that prepared a whole year for that hunt and I got a 5-6 years old goat though it was a labor trophy. I refused and saw the disappointed on the guide face. Misha didn't shoot too.
The descend to the camp took us two more hours. We hardly reached the camp, made lots of stops to drink and to have rest while going back. It was 10 pm when we came, drank 2 Liters tea each and went to sleep. None of us wanted to eat.
Next morning it was fog and rain once again. And a wind. I sat in the camp and drank morning coffee, made in the tent. I specially took a stove, gas and coffee with me. I was drinking coffee and wondered what did trophy hunting means for me? What was my priority? The process, the possibility to be alone with nature, the trophy or the biggest trophy which I could show to my friends or to get the record trophy - the biggest in the world? Last time when I hunted there it took just one day to get the trophy. Did I like it or not? I realized that enjoy to be where I was at that moment, to drink coffee sitting in the tent while it was rain and fog outside. I was tired after yesterday's adventure but felt strength to go further. I wanted to get difficulties and got them. But it was the fifth hunting day, it was time to get a trophy.
At 9 o’clock the rain had stopped and the fog lifted. Thanks to God and the wind! I'd grabbed the scope to monitor the surroundings and was raring to go! Fortunately, we detected the big male. It stood in the most impregnable rocks. I could clearly see the massive horns. It pastured in 2km from us, the group of females stood significantly lower it. It was definitely the lonely male.
I knew that had to get it. And told my guides about it.
We packed everything we needed and moved fast not to waste time. The first part of the way we rode by horses, then dismounted and went on climbing on foot. The group reached the altitude 3000 masl and stopped. The guides looked for place where it laid. We spotted group of three trophy size turs in 800m from us. They stood on the opposite ridge. The male, we were looking for, was somewhere on our side of the mountain. We detected two more goats while monitoring the slopes. But my aim is the first one! I was absolutely sure that took the right decision not to shoot yesterday. I was calm and focused on hunting the male, we saw first, and didn’t pay attention to the others.
At last, the guides found my tur, it laid on the small spot with yellow grass against the backdrop of steep cliffs. It was a secret how it could get there. The direct distance to the male was 600 m but if we walked by rocks it’d be about one km. The gusty wind prevented me from shooting. I tried to go around using the ridge like a cover, and to test wind's speed on the way around. The result upset me; the wind would interfere the bullet to reach the aim. I came back to the guides and talked about my doubts. My offer was to approach the male from side of the rocks above it. They tried to dissuade me saying that I wouldn’t see it from that place but I insisted that could come back if it was so. The goat looked calm and was not going to leave that place. Issa and I climbed 3200m. I was really surprised when we came out to the definite place above the tur and could even see it. My guide whispered that I would be the Moscow tur champion if could get it. It inspired me but then I look to it attentively using 16x optics and saw it was not older than 12 years and figured out the idea of the guide. But I wanted to get that definite tur. I desired that trophy. Telling the truth, it looked massive from the place where we were.
I didn’t know why but I was absolutely sure when caught it in the crosshairs. We stood above it and it couldn’t smell or notice us. The shooting distance was 150 meters. The bullet knocked it down from the rock edge, it fell down and rolled. At last, it stopped on the place where we could ride by horses.
It happened to be 11 years old male. I got the nice trophy of the Kuban tur which didn’t have yet.
Ibrahim took horses and went around while Issa and I descended by the talus like on ski.
We cut meat, loaded everything on the horses and moved home. It was totally dark when we arrived. Thus, the first trophy was taken just on the fifth hunting day.
Next day we packed the camp, ate the last meal we had and rode to the base to go on with hunting for chamois. If we stayed for one more day we didn’t have enough food.
Day # 6. Rest. The fog covered the ground when we arrived to koshara and we had not choice but stayed on the place. At the evening the fog became so thick that we couldn’t see further than 10 meters. I took on the duties of a cook and fried fresh meat. Our team was happy, we were tired to eat canned food and instant noodles. The cooked dish was tough but we finished it with great pleasure.
After a dinner we sat on the bench and listened to cows, lowing all around us in the darkness, then tried to definite the deer voices in that noise, it was a rut time and they could be there. What a pleasure it was to seat there, not hurry anywhere, plus one trophy had been taken already.
Next morning, we went for a chamois hunting. The area where we were going to hunt, significantly differed from place where we had been before. The mountains were covered by forest and thick bushes. There were some barenesses covered by grass and small rocks on our way. Chamois could habitat everywhere in the forest or rocks.
We took the comfortable position in the first row- just behind small bushes to watch the whole valley. Everybody got the binoculars and we began to examine surroundings. All I could see was the flat slope on the right, the hollow, covered by yellowness forest on the left and endless forest-covered hills with small rocks just in front of us to the horizon. Some hills were dressed in grass and wild tea thickets. Last year I couldn’t get chamois, I saw it and even tried but had no chance to fire. We spent there about an hours, whispering about everything. Then we heard a crackle from the forest and stood motionless. The female deer and a fawn appeared just in front of us. They were not our “clients”.
Suddenly I heard someone cough. “Chamois”,- whispered Issa and we began to look it using the binoculars. The chamois stood in the wild tea thickets which reached its belly, probably it laid there all time. It was a big, dark colored male. I put the carbine on the backpack and aimed. The shooting distance - 340 m but I didn't look to the second figure with the angle accounting. It was my mistake. Ibrahim told us and not once that chamois wouldn’t wait, I followed his advice and so how it slowly disappeared behind the hill. I missed it. I jumped up, overwhelmed with emotion and Issa and I began to climb.
The next actions reminded me chaos in the madhouse. I overtook Issa and went ahead who was rising from the right side of me. He followed the track, as I knew later, and found the chamois in 20 meters from me but I was not with him at that moment! The guide tried to fright it to run to my side but I didn't’ understand what he was doing. Misha and Ibrahim stood in the wrong place and the trophy size chamois male could maneuver between our stupid company and ran away. I was fully upset that missed the shot, didn't give my friend the chance to make a shot and everything was so clueless. Chamois won in that war.
After that happened, we made a stop to drink water, quarreled and discussed what to do next. Our team divided into two: I went with Issa while Misha stayed with Ibrahim.
Issa led me by the most difficult places - forest, thick thickets on the slopes, and rock in the river hollow. We dismounted several times, went on foot and monitored the opposite slopes. Flies and hot weather made that hike more difficult for me, it differed so much from the first part of our hunting. But I was full of desire to settle the score with chamois. We saw lots of fresh tracks of those animals and bears. Telling the truth, we constantly found the bear’s tracks not matter where they were on the rocks or on the grass slopes.
At last, we detected the chamois. It pastured on the opposite slope in 340 m from us. It had light color not dark and I thought that it’d be a female. Hunting for females is also legal and their horns are even longer. But I wanted to get the male, we lost few hours ago. Moving ahead, they are light on top and black on the bottom. But I guessed that Issa would throw me off the rock if I refused to shoot (and I agreed with him), found the place where I could put the backpack and prepared for a shot. I carefully prepared for that shot, measure and checked everything and shot and heard the bullet’ slap. Issa looked at me, shook my hand and said sarcastically, " rehabilitated.”
It was the real adventure to come to the place where the trophy laid and took us two hours climbing through the thick and wet grass and trees.
How happy I was when found that it was a male with good horns more than 22 sm what means that it could claim a prize among the registered trophies. My suffering and efforts were rewarded.
Next hours we lowered the trophy to the river where cut meat and loaded horses. And on top of everything Misha's horse, I used it that day, fell down twice from the 20 meters cliff to the river and we should nothing to do but saved it. Fortunately, nobody was riding on it at those moments.
Misha got the trophy at the same day. They told us that it happened in such creepy gorge that could not even take meat.
In the evening we had delicious dinner , fried liver, got salt cucumbers and drank a little alcohol. I was really happy!
Next day we visited the Forest Opera! We sat on the bench in the first row and listened on the roaring deer. I hoped to spot one of them and to make video but couldn't find any. They gave the concert two times in a day in early morning in the pre-dawn haze and in the evening, when the mountains fell asleep.
Our trip was almost ended.
We didn’t observe deer but heard them enough, till the next year, to the next hunting. Next time I’m going to fly there for a deer and bear hunting.
I have one more idea for November because there are just two Caucasian hunts in the collection.
