Dagestan Tur Hunt summary

Date of Hunt: September 24-30, 2006

Location: Badadag Range, Caucasus Mountains, Azerbaijan

Animals Harvested: Dagestan Tur

Animals Seen But Not Hunted: Caucasian Roedeer, Caucasian Brown Bear

Outfitter: Musado Hunting Company
Website: http://www.musadohunting.com.

Guides: Nariman, Nehman, Natig, Alihan, Sadig, Rafael, Aydin and Sarvan
Interpreter: Emilio
Hunt Cost: $5,600

Misc Costs: $40, 7 days Single Entry Azerbaijan Visa

Commercial Flights To Baku: Turkish Airlines from Madrid to Baku, 802 Euros round trip via Istambul


I travel to Azerbayjan from Spain. I’d take with me a Blaser R93 rifle with a 6.5x68 barrel. I reloaded 50 RWS cases with Barnes 120 grs. TSX BT.and 66.5 grs. of RL 22., ten of them was used to sigh the rifle and 40 to the hunt.
Arrived in Baku at 04:00; there was a Musado representative who cleared all the rifle papers and after a few last minute arrangements at the Outfitter Office, where I met Sabutay Nasirli, Director of Musado Hunting Company, together we travel to Ismaily and then to main camp (under construction). There I was introduced with my guides and cook (Saleh).Finally arrived to Hunting Camp at 18:00.
Next day, I waked up at 06:00, and after a light breakfast, I was offered a horse and two hours later we where at the base of the mountain. What a beautiful mountains¡, my feelings were a mix of fear, challenge and joy to be there.
Let me say that my guides did not speak English and of course I don’t speak a word of Turkish or Azeri. So I try to establish that I would only shoot if we could spot a big ram and that I preferred stalk hunting instead of drive.
I shot my Tur the very first mourning; the Tur was standing about 120 yards below; the bullet hit the ram from behind and exits the chest and even broke the right forefoot. The Tur, roll down about 70 yads.
Next day, Sabutay offer me a Roedeer and a second Tur for a trophy fee, so I hunted every day. Day 4 and 5 was focused in Tur, so once again to climb the mountains; we did not see a better Tur, but the scenery was wonderful.
Day 5 was very special for me; I could reach the top of the mountain and spot a bunch of Tur, too far away to try a stalk so we decided to initiate the descent. I was very tired, my legs weak and I was very afraid to fall down. When I finally could walk down to the river bottom, I was covered in sweat, for a minute I knelt down and whisper a pray, then I pulled off all my cloths and took a shower in a waterfall.
I enjoyed the hunt so much that I will go back next year to try a bigger Tur and take a chance for a Roedeer and Chamois.
Thanks Sabutay. See you next year¡

Here are some photos

Beautiful. The Blaser is the way to go on a long trip. I don't own one but wish I did.

Great report and super trophy! Thanks for posting... one of these days I'll finish in Africa and settle in to hunting Asia. Looks like a nice area for tur.

Great pictures and a wonderful adventure, congratulations!

In case anybody else is curious, here's the location of Azerbaijan from Musago's website:

Great trophy, they make beautiful mounts!

You were lucky to get such a close shot too.
Were there any other hunters in your camp? Did you every try the driven hunting?

Thanks for the great report. Congratulations on the tur!

excellent---great pics and story--impressive moutains---congrats---chris

That was a great adventure...Looks like a great hunt for a reasonable price.

Thank you for the report. Very beautiful scenery!

Great Trophy and a fantastic mountain scenery !
Well done !

Man thats an Interesting Hunt.

Ok Questions ???

Did you fly from the U.S. To Spain.
Did you fly back to the U.S
Did the Hotel cost before and after the hunt.
How much was an Extra Trophy.
If you came back to the U.S how did you ship
your Hides and Horns.
Very nice Tropy, Congrats.

When I was young and still happy to dream about and chase destinations closer to home my employer had a big project in Azerbaijan. How stupid of me not to realize the opportunities!

Frans

Very nice report! I`m very interested in trying for a tur as well..
Do you have to travel far to try for chamois and roebuck? It would be nice to combine several species.. Do you know what kind of chamois there is by the way?

Hey Anders
As I know the Chamois is the Caucasian variety and is not too far from main camp; In fact you must horse ride for about 3 hours and then climb on foot.
I was told that the best time for a combination hunt that may include Tur, Roe Deer Chamois and Reed Deer could be the second week of October. By the way I will be there a that time with two close friends.

Thanks, Kechutti!
The combination you mentioned is very interesting. I don`t think I will have the opportunity this year, though.. Planning a combi ibex/brown bear in Russia next spring.. Are you trying for all four this october?

No.
My focus will be in Chamois and a larger Tur. If I have time I will try a Roe Deer.