I was curious if any one has hunted for Kuban Tur? This particular Tur seems at least to me not to be hunted often and has not been on any report in recent times?

Is there a reason to why this species is not sought after, I think it looks spectacular?!

I haven't hunted them yet...but they are up there on my mountain hunting wish list. They are a beauty of an animal and look like and ibex on steroids. I think they are fairly specialized and therefore not hunted too often, which maybe explains the lack of reports. Think of how few Dagestan tur hunt reports there are and they are hunted fairly regularly compared to the kuban and mid-caucasian varieties. They are really only hunted in a small area of Russia and the season is only open in october I believe. If you want some info on the hunt I have a couple contacts that have been on the hunt before and had a great time.

I had a friend go this year and he said it was a good hunt but he was unsuccessful.

Very high on my to do list.

quote:

Originally posted by AR MAN:
I was curious if any one has hunted for Kuban Tur? This particular Tur seems at least to me not to be hunted often and has not been on any report in recent times?

Is there a reason to why this species is not sought after, I think it looks spectacular?!

IMHO that's because you can hunt Kuban tur only in Russia. Not very quiet region. Local guides may be different...

It is like Roman BGH says - certain area in Russia in the Kaukasus Mountains. Near Tjetsjenia ! Normally you fly to Mineral Vodny or Vladikavkaz.

Check with Profi Hunt in Russia or Westfalia jagdreisen from Germany.

I've had a few friends hunt for Kuban Tur and kill giant animals, they booked thru Profi. Kuban Tur are located West of Mt Elbrus. I hunted Mid_Cauc Tur a few years ago and it was also booked thru Profi and it was not a well organized trip....in fact it sucked! From what I know the area that they hunt for Kuban Tur is much better and I believe the head guide in that area is Ali.

I suppose the worst fear for me would be to go all that way spend what is needed and like sheephunterab said go home unsuccessful. Obviously long range shooting rifles are an absolute must but logistically speaking Russia might not be as fine tuned as say North America or even Africa. I've also wondered does one have to be of celebrity status ie Boddington or shockey to be placed in the right area with the right people??
I would be interested in hearing why sheephunterabs friend was not successful?

Any additional thoughts or pm's would be appreciated.

Thanks

He was very fit and a very good long range shot.....my understanding is that he just never saw a mature animal. He wasn't upset with the quality of the hunt but obviously disappointed in the lack of game.

I'd say Dagestan Tur are a better option if you are looking for nearly 100% chance of success. Not that it's an easy hunt...far from it but there are loads of mature rams.

There is an excellent article, entitled Russia Once More, in the most recent Safari magazine, by George Latham Myers II, about his (and his fellow hunter's) successful hunt in the Caucasus, near the Georgian border, for Kuban tur.

He hunted with ProfiHunt.

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
He was very fit and a very good long range shot.....my understanding is that he just never saw a mature animal. He wasn't upset with the quality of the hunt but obviously disappointed in the lack of game.

Also the big problem of that region is a poaching. Outfitting company could do their best for camping and for hunting, but they can not control poachers. That's why you can have great hunt without trophies. Poachers could hunt in this territory the day before you come.

quote:

I'd say Dagestan Tur are a better option if you are looking for nearly 100% chance of success. Not that it's an easy hunt...far from it but there are loads of mature rams.

Agree.

quote:

Originally posted by Roman BGH:

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
He was very fit and a very good long range shot.....my understanding is that he just never saw a mature animal. He wasn't upset with the quality of the hunt but obviously disappointed in the lack of game.

Also the big problem of that region is a poaching. Outfitting company could do their best for camping and for hunting, but they can not control poachers. That's why you can have great hunt without trophies. Poachers could hunt in this territory the day before you come.

quote:

I'd say Dagestan Tur are a better option if you are looking for nearly 100% chance of success. Not that it's an easy hunt...far from it but there are loads of mature rams.

Agree.

Agree me too ! Unless the Kuban in the only missing goat on the wall

As with anywhere…it could be hunted/poached out. If you're looking for a proper mountain hunt that will push you to your limits than any of the tur will provide you with that. Like sheephunterab said, the Dagestan variety is an incredibly successful hunt. If you are enamoured with the kuban type, just make sure you are going with the right folks. Going all that way and spending the hard earned money is a tough proposition when failure is a distinct possibility. It happens to hunters every year and I've had it happen to myself…not killing something is not necessarily a bad hunt, it is just tough to swallow. As an extra bonus of hunting the areas with the kuban variety, there is also the caucasian chamois and a variety of red deer to hunt as well. If you want to do the hunt than go!! Just do your homework and you'll have a blast.

Thanks for all the advice regarding Kuban Tur hunting. I feel at least for myself this hunt is to great a risk at coming home empty handed. It is especially concerning when so many great sheep hunters have failed in there attempts at a trophy and poaching seems also to be a real problem compounding matters worse!
I thought of all the sheep, goat and ibex in the world this one particular species caught my attention, largely in part due to the mass which it seems to commonly support.
Perhaps it is not to be.....

I wouldn't discount the Dagestan tur AR MAN...it's an awesome adventure for a very impressive trophy as well.

Like sheephunterab said…consider the Dagestan type. Adventure, great food, challenging terrain, excellent guides, the price is tough to beat when compared to similar hunts, high success rates, you will see plenty of animals, plus you will more than likely get a very unique and impressive animal.

What would you say its the average success rate with kuban tur. Some agents (Profihunt, professional russian outfitters, etc.) claim to have a 95%, so it has been a surprise for me to read that a lot of people come empty-handed and the poaching issue...

quote:

Originally posted by Bharal76:
Some agents (Profihunt, professional russian outfitters, etc.) claim to have a 95%...

Caucasus mountains are very hard for hunting. As I know some hunters have trophies taken by guides. That happens...

Also there are some other tricks to make hunter happy

Sorry to say, but tricks and trophies taken by guides is not uncommon in former Sovietunion states when mountain hunting. Hunters do not realize that hunting in these mountains are hard stuff !

Sure! but assuming that I can walk myself up the montain, what would you say is the success rate and the best areas?

Those guys all want their hunters to go home with a trophy and I suspect a lot of things go on but I've found that if you are forceful and explain exactly how it is you are only willing to hunt that you can enjoy a great hunt that really is no different from a mountain hunt in North America. No doubt there are some guys that don't care how they get their trophy though.

quote:

Originally posted by Bharal76:
Sure! but assuming that I can walk myself up the montain, what would you say is the success rate and the best areas?

If you can walk and shoot and use well reputed outfitters that know the area you should have good odds of connecting. To hunt Kuban tur you have to hunt the Russian side of the Caucasus as far as I understand. Dagenstan Tur can be hunted several places and you have more to choose from, but I suggest that Azerbajan is a good spot. But pick the experienced outfitter here too.

I'd say picking a region is almost more important than the outfitter in Azerbaijan. Each region is run by a individual and regardless of who you book your hunt with, you will be hunting through that individual's company with his guides and staff. I'm not sure how things work in Russia.