Guys who've made the journey, fill me in on what you thought of the journey? How was the hunting, the experience, etc?

I have the itch for this hunt really bad and I have half a mind to cancel any hunts I have planned for 2013, save like a mad man, and go on a personal dream hunt in the fall of 2014.
If I go that far, I am going to try and maximize my time there and go for a trifecta hunt. Kamchatka snow sheep, brown bear, and giant moose, all on one trip (if that is possible).

At this point, its all a learning curve and I am trying to get as much info to read on the subject as I can.

Any outfitter recomendations?
Any info I should know beforehand?

I went to Kyrgyzstan in 2011 through Arjun (and Renaud) and whilst in Bishkek, I spoke a bit with Renaud about this hunt.. So naturally, I have emailed him about this to see what he has to say and offer..

Any other outfits on here who specialize in this hunt, please chime in and help me learn more about this hunt(s).

Thanks, guys!

I"m not sure how up to date he is, but you might touch base with Bob Hodson owner of Barney's Sports Chalet here in Anchorage. He use to guide throughout eastern Russia and has shot a number of bears, sheep and moose himself. Sounds like a cool adventure. Good luck!

Brett

Thats a big wish list mate!! and if you haven't been to Russia hunting don't try and bite off to much at once. I would recommend you do a spring bear hunt first to break the ice. Depending on who and how you hunt with there a moose can be a VERY expensive hunt wiht helicopter time at around $4000 an hr now.But it does get in you blodd I have been there four times now)

So, Scottyboy, did you find out anything on Kamchatka lately? from this seasons shows, if you attended?

quote:

Originally posted by 415sbaird:
So, Scottyboy, did you find out anything on Kamchatka lately? from this seasons shows, if you attended?

Yes, I learned that they wanted to do the hunt(s) in too short of a timeframe (8 days). I said thanks but no thanks and I ended up booking an AK peninsula brown bear hunt for this Oct instead.

I went to Kamchatka a couple of years ago with Denny Geurink's Outdoor Adventure's (DGOA.com). Living in Alberta, Canada and having to fly all the way around the world was a pain but it was a cool adventure. This outfit did a bang up job. There were no problems. I can't recommend them enough.

You need an invitation and a Russian Visa. Russians and Americans who can guide you through Customs are a must( I repeat, A MUST!). Even the most backward African state can make Russian Customs look bad. They are unbelievable. Firearm permits for Frankfurt and Russia, plus the ATF nonsense.

The Russian's have wildlife. It is possible to see dozens of brown bear each day. No where else in the world has concentrations of these brutes like the Russian's. But, where there are bears there is nothing else. Nothing can live beside these brutes. They eat fish, plants, and each other. There is nothing else. They have 80% of the world's salmon stock. That is brown bear food.

The moose in one area have hit 88 inches. No typo. To get to them will cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, your desire for moose, sheep, and bear on the same trip will cost you more than you think. This is a vast unpopulated country. It was explained to me that many parts of this country have never been seen by a man yet. I believe it. The Russian's have a very poor road system. Plane or train travel for the most part. That way Big Brother knows where you are at all times. The highway between Moscow and St. Petersburg is not paved or even all weather. They still fear invasion. No roads and they feel safe.

If you live in a warm climate,and don't know what ice, mud, and snow can do to your barrel once lodged in it, please tape your muzzle with electrical tape. It will prevent ice, mud,and snow from ruining your barrel. I carried some duct tape and a sharpie pen for some home made tags, heavy industrial garbage bags (prevents leakage of critter fluids on the airplane and through customs), and a 4 roll package of premium toilet paper that was worth its weight on Unobtainium in Siberia. The Russian stuff will make you appreciate what we have here. Carry some sharp knives for your guides so they can skin and flesh your trophy with a sharp knife. They make good gifts. I also gave my outfitter a Zeiss lens cleaning system(Zeiss cleaning fluid and Zeiss cloths) and a lens pen. They can't get that stuff there and they will use it. I also gave my outfitter a gun cleaning kit with some extra patches and some synthetic gun oil. The calibres used are 7.62x39 or 7.62 NATO. A .308 Winchester is a big gun over there. They just punch a lot of holes in the critter

They only take virgin paper money. If your bill or bills in USD are creased or folded in the slightest they think they are counterfeit. Only bring new bills. The guides don't require the tips that African PH's require. But they work hard, so give them a few Green Backs and a cool toy like a good flash light from the rich world once you are done with it. I would love to go back.

Don't they have horses over there?

no horses to use on hunts in Kamchatka that I have been on it was either helicopter or truck/4wheel drive to area, crocodile (which is an armoured pers carrier thing) or foot.........

quote:

Originally posted by Scottyboy:

quote:

Originally posted by 415sbaird:
So, Scottyboy, did you find out anything on Kamchatka lately? from this seasons shows, if you attended?

Yes, I learned that they wanted to do the hunt(s) in too short of a timeframe (8 days). I said thanks but no thanks and I ended up booking an AK peninsula brown bear hunt for this Oct instead.

I talked to VERY few people (and I talked to lots) that did this hunt who didnt shoot the first couple of days. A couple were last minute. I also didnt talk to anyone that didnt get a bear. Im sure it happens. 8 days seems like plenty of time.

Scottyboy,
Congrats on booking your bear hunt.
I've had a hankerin', for one of the sheep over there, which started decades ago and hasn't diminished.
I'd better plan to go in the next handful of years. I'm not getting any younger!
Zeke

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6108036/m/4761037131

It's long, but read throught it.

You made a good decision booking in AK over Kamchatka.

Kamchatka is a beautiful place, I would love to go heliskiing there.

I had a nightmare experience there and you have to be extremely careful with the Russians.

There are a lot of individuals there in the hunting business who cannot be trusted, and when you are in Russia, you have no grounds to make any claims or complaints, and when you get back, they couldn't care less about any claims you might care to try and make.

I have travelled the world hunting, before my Russian experience, never, ever have I spat on the ground and cursed the place I found myself in, and I have visited some places people call third world hellholes.

If a friend was set on going to Russia, I'd make sure he booked with Hunting Consortium or didn't go.

Kamchatka Bighorn hunts are currently priced at $22,900 from arrival in Petropavlovsk. There are non-stop flights available from Anchorage to Petro (cost is about $1800 r/t). Our hunts are 10 full days and with the way the flight schedules are (thursdays only), you can plan on a 14 day schedule and expect to spend a night or two in Petro.

We opened this part of the world to hunting and know it well. ALL of our hunts are fully escorted from arrival by one of our Moscow office staff.

If you would like details or a brochure on this, contact me -

Clark Jeffs
Safari Outfitters
(307) 587-5596
www.safari1.com
clark@safari1.com