Sergey Ikrennikov and I arrived to Azerbaijan for the second time. We had already had the negative hunting experience with one of the local outfitters and were thankful to Alexey Kim who recommended us Asif Ilyasov. Alexey showed us his trophy with 103 cm horns and gave Asif's contacts. I called him before the departure and asked about future hunting with him.
We agreed all details and flew to Baku once again. It happened in May, 2014. Asif met us at the airport and helped with weapons papers on the custom. We followed his advice and accommodated in the small but cozy hotel and later in the evening he invited us to his famous restaurant. Azerbaijani cuisine is magnificent! It’s worth to be mention in Scheherazades tales!
Next morning we drove to Ismail. Asif has two hunting areas in that region. We moved to one of them, known under the name Kal Dag or the Stag mountain. It's the exclusive area and the number of permits for hunting there is limited. Telling the truth, we didn’t believe Asif’s and his chief guides Nariman words that the hunt would be fast. They told us about the high density of animals population in that region but we remembered our last year hunting in Sheki and didn't trust them.
It took us three hours’ drive to the village where the guides waited for us already. Then we drove three hours more on KAMAZ and we arrived to the base.
Next morning, we got up early and rode by horses to the mountains. The sun had risen and outlined the rocks silhouettes effectively. The weather was fine and we felt as if were invited on the party. We were hiking about five hours and weather had changed several times. It was strong wind with the gasp of snow when we set the tent camp at the end of the day. It was storm when I fell asleep. Next morning, we left the tent and saw the enchanting view- the orange sun shined in the blue sky and everything was covered by snow.
It is harder to ascend by snow then by dry rocks but everything depends on the hunters’ physical condition. We were there not to relax but to overcome all obstacles.
When we reached one of the edges, Nariman showed us the place where Alexey Kim got his monster last year.
I liked to talk with Asif and Nariman. They both spoke Russian and it’s important when you can use you own language in the foreign country. Our guides Sasha and Alik spoke to each other in Azerbaijani but if also knew Russian well.
Nariman said with regret that expected to detect the turs in the morning but it was a half of the day and we hadn’t seen any yet. I took these words with a fair amount of skepticism because remembered the negative experience and based all impression on it. But in an hours, I changed my opinion. We spotted the group of thity-five animals. They dispersed by small groups along the lower slope near the waterfall. I was amazed by the number of animals and their trophy characteristics! All alike beyond belief!
There were about 800 meters to them.
We began to discuss how to approach them. It was not an easy task to come close. We should have to descend by the slope when any rock could roll under our feet. Moreover we had to take is so that the animals which had sharp eye and ear didn’t hear us.
We stood in line Asif, Nariman, Sasha, Alik and Mubariz. Sergey and I were at the very end and went down very carefully. It took us a half of an hour.
At last Nariman suggested us to wait in the hollow while he and Sasha would rise and examine the group.
Soon they came back and said, the group of 5-6 good size males were just in front of us on the opposite slope. The distance to the group was 160 meters. The other animals were further away. We were not upset because the nearest group was very good. Sergey and I decided to shoot together on the count of three because we both wanted to take the trophy. Let someone be lucky, and someone would have to look for animals tomorrow.
We took the position, found the animals and took them in the crosshairs. Here they were, at a glance. All six! They laid and chew. Each of us aimed his own trophy. Sergey chose the one on the far left when I preferred from the right. They both had nice horns.
I guessed that our maneuvers had not gone unnoticed because the males stood up and went slowly to the right along the ridge. I was ready and asked Sergey if he prepared for the shot. Then I calculated to three In a whisper and pushed the trigger. The bullet hit to its spine and I saw how it happened clearly. I even noticed the white smoke, rose above the Tur’s back. The animal fell and rolled to the other side of the ridge.
Then I heard Nariman’s voice:
- The second is nice. Really nice!
But the second one was more experienced and immediately hid behind the ridge.
Why Sergey didn’t shoot?
The other Turs ran down after the shot. They were in a hurry and were moving clinging each other by horns. Suddenly one of them separated from the others and stopped in 120 m from us. It did few steps and finally stopped. Then stepped a couple of times and stopped. I heard Sergey's shot. I didn’t know what it was thinking at that moment about but the bullet finished its musings. The Tur collapsed like a log.
Joy, cheers, congratulations!
But then we detected the group of Turs with huge horns which almost created the number eight on their heads. They ran on snow rocks up and up. Twice I tried to use optics to examine them but it was hard, they were constantly moving and the distanced changed every minute. I didn’t shoot.
The trophies were taken. But we had to come to them. First of all, we reached Sergey’s goat, made lots of pictures and the guides stayed to skin the trophy. While I and others went to my trophy, laid near the small waterfall. One more photo session, congratulations and emotions.
And after those pleasant chores we went to the tents, located upper us. It was getting dark when we reached the mobile camp. Dinner was ready and waited for us. What a pleasure it was to drink hot soup and tea after such hard, busy day!
Next morning we packed the camp and rode back to the Base came. That way back took us six hours. There we did everything to regain strength, we took hot shower, ate shish kebab, and proposed toasts for lucky hunting. We liked to stay there. There was an atmosphere of benevolence and friendly participation. We were lucky to meet people who loved what they did, had excellent hunting area and ready to help hunters to realize their dreams. Asif and I discussed hunting plans for the next year.
Next day we went back to Baku. I's still impressed by this town which is the combination of the modern architecture together with respect to ancient Eastern traditions. Asif invited us to his trophy -room. What kind of trophies were not in it! I highly estimated the quality of taxidermy. He also introduced us to Faik Babanly - the very interesting person and the avid cat hunter.
We both have only positive impressions after that trip. Thank you very much to Asif, Nariman and other guys who helped us! I hope to meet them not once and not only in Azerbaijan.
