Sportsman Travel Insurance




Hunting in Turkey for Bezoar Ibex, Anatolian Chamois and Anatolian Red Deer

Hunting in Turkey mapThe Republic of Turkey is a Eurasian country situated on the Anatolian peninsula which is bounded by the Black Sea to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Aegean Sea to the southwest. Turkey is located in western Asia and eastern Thrace, which is located in southeastern Europe. I addition o being bordered by seas to the north and south, Turkey also shares a common border with eight different countries including Bulgaria to the northwest, Greece to the west, Georgia to the northeast,; Armenia, Azerbaijan (the enclave of Nakchivan) and Iran to the east; Iraq and Syria to the southeast (see map).

The Republic of Turkey en-compasses a land mass of approximately 302,535 mi2 (783,562 km2) and is the 37th largest country in the world with an estimated population of 72.6 million people based on their 2009 census. An estimated 75.5% of the pop-ulation of Turkey lives in urban areas, with +12.9 million living in Istanbul, +4.6 million in Ankara (the capital of Turkey), +3.8 million in Izmir, +2.5 million in Bursa, and +2.0 million in Adana.

Provinces in Turkey usually bear the same name as their provincial capitals. Of the 81 provinces in Turkey, 19 have populations that exceed one million inhabitants, 20 provinces have populations between 500,000 and one million inhabitants, with only two provinces having populations of less than 100,000 inhabitants.

Turkey’s biggest city and the pre-Republican capital Istanbul is the financial, economic and cultural heart of the country.

The European section of Turkey, Eastern Thrace, forms the border with Greece and Bulgaria. The Asian part of the country, Anatolia, consists of a high central plateau with narrow coastal plains between the Köroğlu and Pontic mountain ranges to the north and the Taurus Mountains to the south. Eastern Turkey has a more mountainous landscape and is home to the headwaters of rivers such as the Euphrates, Tigris and Aras and also contains Lake Van and Mount Ararat, Turkey’s highest point at 16,946 feet (5,165 meters).

The Anatolian peninsula, previously known as Asia Minor, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in the world with the Tigris and Euphrates river deltas considered by many to be the cradle of modern civilization. The first major empire in the are was that of the Hittites, which dominated the area from the eighteenth through the thirteenth centuries BC. The Assyrians colonized portions of southeastern Turkey as far back as 1950 BC and remained dominant in that area of Turkey until 612 BC when the Assyrian Empire was conquered by the Chaldean dynasty in Babylon.

Beginning around 1200 BC, the coast of Anatolia was heavily settled by Aeolian and Ionian Greeks, which resulted in the establishment of numerous important cities including Smyrna (modern Izmir) and Byzantium (later Constantinople and now Istanbul). Anatolia was conquered by the Persian Empire during the sixth and fifth centuries BC and later fell to Alexander the Great in 334 BC. Anatolia was subsequently divided into a number of small Hellenistic kingdoms, all of which had succumbed to the Roman Republic by the middle of the first century BC. In 324 AD, the Roman Emperor Constantine I chose Byzantium to be the new capital of the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it became the capital of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire).

In the eleventh century AD, Seljuk Turks began migrating into eastern Anatolia from their ancestral homelands north of the Caspian and Aral Seas. This migration subsequently gave rise to the Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate, which developed as a separate branch of the larger Seljuk Empire that covered parts of Central Asia, Iran, Anatolia and Southwest Asia. In 1234 AD, the Seljuk armies were defeated by the Mongols and the power of their empire slowly disintegrated. In its wake, one of the Turkish principalities governed by Osman I was to evolve over the next 200 years into the Ottoman Empire, expanding throughout Anatolia, the Balkans and the Levant. In 1453 AD, the city of Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman armies of Mehmed II, marking the abolition of the Byzantine Empire.

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries AD, the Ottoman Empire was among the world’s most powerful political entities, controlling territories on three continents. However, after a century of decline, the Ottoman Empire entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers and was ultimately defeated.. The occupation of Istanbul and Izmir by the Allies in the aftermath of World war I prompted the establishment of the Turkish national movement.

Under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Pasha, a military commander who had distinguished himself during the Battle of Gallipoli, the Turkish War of Independence was waged with the aim of revoking the Treaty of Sèvres. By September 18, 1922, the occupying armies were expelled and the new Turkish state was established. On November 1, 1922 the newly founded parliament formally abolished the Sultanate, thus ending 623 years of Ottoman rule. The Treaty of Lausanne signed on July 24, 1923 led to the international recognition of the Republic of Turkey as the successor state of the Ottoman Empire and the republic was officially proclaimed on October 29, 1923 in the new capital of Ankara.

For his efforts, Mustafa Kemal was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks”. Under his authoritarian (and rather effective) leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging social, legal, and political reforms. In 1950, an experiment with multi-party politics led to election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then - as in many new democracies - there were periods of instability and intermittent military coups, which in each case resulted in the return of political power to civilians. Through it all the unflappable spirit of the Turkish people has prevailed, and in recent years the government has undertaken many reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy, so it can eventually join the European Union.

Location(s) of Hunting Trips

Bezoar Ibex

Ibex are widely distributed throughout the Taurus mountain range that extends from the western Mediterranean all the way to the eastern portion of the country.  There are approximately 30 different locations across the Taurus range where ibex hunting is currently allowed.

Anatolian Chamois

Chamois are found in the northeastern part of Turkey in small pockets of mountains in the eastern provinces.

Anatolian Red Deer

Red deer are only found in the central portion of the Anatolian peninsula.

Arrival/Departure Airport(s)

Hunters will fly to Istanbul and then on to their final destination via a short flight on Turkish Air.  The major airlines that currently provide regularly scheduled service to Istanbul include American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be met by a representative of the outfitter who will assist with your luggage and escort you through customs and on to your last short domestic flight.  The customs officers are very friendly and the entire procedure generally takes just a few minutes.

The scenic drive to the hunting area is over well-maintained roads and usually takes from one to three hours depending on the hunting area.

Mode of Transportation

Ground transportation consisting of a four wheel drive vehicle will be provided to/from and within the hunt area.

Lodging

Accommodations differ from one area to another.  In some areas it will be possible for our hunters to be accommodated in the best nearby hotels or village houses.  In the more remote areas, lodging will consist of tented camps or small hunting cabins.

Food and Beverages

A hot breakfast and dinner will be served each day during your hunt.  The variety of these meals will depend, in part, upon your accommodations and the amenities available for meal preparation.  In other instances, the hunting party will stay out all day and packed lunches consisting of sandwiches, snacks and drinks will be provided.

Even though Turkey is predominately a Muslim country, you will find it to be very secular and amenities such as alcoholic beverages are not as issue at all.  If you notify us of your favorite beverages prior to your hunt, arrangement can be made to have them available to you.

Hunting Overview

Following is a typical hunt itinerary for Bezoar ibex:

Day 1:       Arrive in Istanbul, clear customs, short flight to final destination, spend night in a local hotel in either Ankara or Antalya.

Day 2:       Travel to the hunting area, sight rifle, potentially begin to hunt.

Day 3-9:   Your seven day hunt (see note below).

Day 10:    Return to Istanbul, clear customs and catch flight home.

Please Note:  Anatolian chamois and red deer hunts are five days in length rather than seven.

On a typical hunting day, breakfast will be served early and the client will start out by either 4X4 vehicle or on foot, depending on the hunting area, to an appropriate location to begin glassing for game.  Once a suitable trophy has been located, the final stalk will be made on foot.

All hunts are fair chase hunting utilizing spot and stalk techniques.  Access to the hunting area will be by four-wheel drive vehicle, but the final stalk will always be on foot.  All guides are fluent in English, very knowledgeable regarding the local flora and fauna, and are very experienced with the CIC and SCI scoring systems.

Species Available

Turkey is a land rich in game, both in type and abundance and offers favorite big game animals such as  Armenian sheep, Bezoar ibex, Anatolian chamois and red deer, Eurasian brown bear, Konya mouflon, roe deer, wild boar and wolf.

Bezoar Ibex Hunting

As a big game animal, the Bezoar ibex is one of the most sought after trophy animals in the hunting world.

Bezoar Ibex HuntingMature Bezoar ibex are singularly beautiful, with long, sweeping, scimitar-shaped horns that grow up to 50’’ (longer in extreme cases). The Bezoar sub-species is considered by many to be the best looking of all the ibex family.

For more than two decades, Turkey has hosted trophy hunters from around the world who were pursuing this elusive species. Today, Turkey is considered to be the top destination for hunters seeking trophy males.

Bezoar maintain good numbers across the country and are widely distributed throughout the Taurus mountain range, which extends from the western Mediterranean through the eastern provinces.

There are about 30 different locations in Turkey where ibex hunting is currently allowed for trophy hunters. As each area has its own characteristics, the ways the hunts are carried out also vary, but as a general rule, the hunts are almost always conducted on foot. The most prominent difference between areas is trophy size.

All of the hunt areas have trophies up to 45 inches but some have trophies up to and occasionally exceeding 50 inches. Some of these areas offer relatively easy hunting as the terrain is generally moderate, while the hunting can be somewhat more challenging in the other areas due to terrain.

Anatollian Red Deer HuntingAnatolian Red Deer Hunting

The Anatolian red deer is the World’s largest free range stag.  It is a cross between the European red deer and the Asian maral stag.

Hunting in Turkey for these deer was closed in 1937 and remained closed until 2004 when the hunting ban was lifted.  For the past several years hunts have been carried out in Turkey with great success and the trophy quality has proven to be excellent. Currently, there are several areas throughout the country where the red stag can be hunted.

 

 

Anatolian Chamois Hunting

Anatolian Chamois huntingThe Anatolian chamois is solely indigenous to Turkey and is one of the eight huntable sub-species of chamois in the world.  Until recently, hunting for this species was only allowed on the Kackar Mountains - which form the northern portion of the Anatolian mountain range.  The chamois is now found in the northeast part of the country as well, with some small localized populations found in the mountains of the eastern provinces – with healthy herds in all of these areas.

Season(s) and Optimum Dates

Ibex:  August 1 - March 31 (with best hunting from November through January).

Chamois:  August 1 - December 31 (with best hunting in November).

Red deer:  September 1 - December 31 (with best hunting in September).

Gear Recommended

Any caliber from the .270 Winchester upwards should be sufficient for most of these game species; however, we recommend a .flat-shooting caliber such as the 7mm Remington Magnum or equivalent if available – particularly for longer shots at ibex.  The bullet selected should be a premium bonded core soft point.  Specific recommendations can be made upon request.

We would also recommend a variable power scope with a low power setting somewhere around 3X to 4X and a high power setting somewhere around 10X.  A scope with good light transmission properties and visible crosshairs will be needed for shots taken under low light conditions.

1)   Backpack or daypack
2)   Binoculars
3)   Spotting scope
4)   Camera, extra battery and memory card
5)   Toilet kit and personal gear
6)   Rifle and 50 rounds ammo (maximum legal amount)
7)   Good-quality sleeping bag (mummy style best) with at least 3 lbs. fill
8)   Medium duffel bag for each trophy for your return flight home
9)   Hunting gear
10)   Knife
11)   Laser rangefinder

Take a small digital camera that you can carry in your shirt or vest pocket for your trophy photos and learn how to use the camera before your trip.  I would also recommend taking a slightly larger camera such as the Canon PowerShot SX-1 IS or the PowerShot SX-10 IS, both of which have a 20X optical zoom (equal to a 560 mm telephoto lens) for shots of wildlife while you are out hunting.

Clothing/Equipment Suggestions

Clothing/Equipment Suggestions

Take a small digital camera that you can carry in your shirt or vest pocket for your trophy photos and learn how to use the camera before your trip.  I would also recommend taking a slightly larger camera such as the Canon PowerShot SX-1 IS or the PowerShot SX-10 IS, both of which have a 20X optical zoom (equal to a 560 mm telephoto lens) for shots of wildlife while you are out hunting.

1)    Good quality mountain boots with lug soles
2)    Pair of socks and shorts for each day of hunt
3)    Two pair hunting pants and shirts
4)    Dull color or green camouflage hunting jacket (very heavy cold weather clothing is not needed)
5)    Several pairs of long underwear
6)    Gloves
7)    Sunglasses
8)    Good hat with ear flaps and ball cap
9)    Raingear or gortex shell

Climatic Considerations

Bezoar Ibex Hunting

As previously stated, the ibex season runs from August 1 through March 31, with the best hunting generally occurring from November through January.  The weather is usually very nice during the ibex hunting season, with temperatures ranging from 40 to 65°F during the day and 30 to 40°F at night.  The chance for snow increases in January and February, but snowfall can often help to concentrate the ibex at lower altitudes, providing the hunter with shorter distances to walk.

Anatolian Chamois Hunting

The chamois season runs from August 1 through December 31, with the best hunting generally occurring in November. The weather is usually very nice during the early hunting season, with daytime temperatures and chances for snow as described above.

Anatolian Red Deer Hunting

The red deer season runs from September 1 through December 31, with the best hunting in September. Again, the weather is usually very nice during the hunting season, with daytime temperatures increasing to a maximum of 75° during the day.

Difficulty/Health level

Hunt Difficulty/Health Level

Hunting in TurkeyAs with any mountain species, hunting chamois and ibex in the mountainous terrain of Turkey will require some walking and climbing.  As indicated above, four-wheel drive vehicles will be used as appropriate to the greatest extent possible, but all hunting is fair chase, the final stalk will always be on foot, and the hunter will need to be prepared for some walking in mountainous/semi-mountainous terrain for these species.

The red deer hunting will generally occur in the lower slopes (forested areas) of the country and the terrain should be less difficult (steep) as the areas where chamois, ibex and mouflon are hunted.

On a fitness scale of one to ten (with one being very poor physical condition and ten being excellent physical condition), I would rate the physical level of the hunting in the Turkey at five for red deer and wild boar and six for the mountain species including chamois, ibex and mouflon.  Make sure that your hunting boots are well broken in before your safari!

Keep in mind that your guide will be very happy to gear the pace of the hunt to fit your particular physical abilities – so don’t hesitate to advise if he is moving too fast, walking too far, etc.  After all, it is your hunt, so don’t be afraid to speak up and advise your guide of your expectations, physical abilities or physical limitations!



Trip Cost & Trip Length


Trophy Animal Hunt Duration Costs
Bezoar Ibex 7-Days $9,000, Taurus Mountains and Eastern Anatolia (up to 90 cm or 35.4 in).
Bezoar Ibex 7-Days $13,500, Taurus Mountains (trophy up to 110 cm or 43.3 in).
Anatolian Chamois 5-Days $8900, North and East Anatolia (any size).
Anatolian Red Deer 5-Days $15,500, North and East Anatolia (any size).

By Request: Armenian sheep, Eurasian brown bear, Konya mouflon, roe deer, wild boar and wolf.

License fees, Including Any Additional Expenses

Bezoar Ibex Surcharges (one inch = 2.54 centimeters)

Taurus Mountains and Eastern Anatolia:  $375/centimeter over 90 cm.

Taurus Mountains:  $450/centimeter over 110 cm.

Please note that these surcharges are mandated by the Turkish Government.

Additional Expenses

$ 200/day – non-hunting observer

The cost of the hunt includes:

  • Formalities including Letter of Invitation and full visa support, firearms permit, hunting permit, state fee and veterinary certificate.
  • Transportation including meeting and drop off at airport, transportation to and from hunting area and all transportation (horses-jeeps) during the hunt.
  • Accommodations, food and lodging during the hunt.
  • Professional guide for each hunter, interpreter and service personnel for each camp.
  • Professional field preparation of trophies and assistance shipping trophies home.

The cost of the hunt DOES NOT include:

  • International airfares to/from final destination.
  • Extra hunting days.
  • Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and items of a personal nature.
  • Gratuities.
  • Trophy shipment costs.
  • Hotels and meals before and after the hunt.
  • Excess/over weight baggage charges by airlines.
  • Sightseeing program.
  • Cost of additional trophies.
  • Non-hunter fee.

Payment Requirements (Deposit, etc)

A 50% deposit is required on booking with the balance due 90 days prior to your hunt.

If you would like to cancel your hunt nine months prior thereto, your deposit will be refunded less a service charge based on the deposit paid.  If the cancellation occurs three to nine months prior to our trip, the entire deposit will be forfeited.  Should the cancellation occur less than three months prior to the hunt, the full cost of the hunt will be forfeited.

In those cases where there is no success (except in cases of missed shots and/or a wounded animal), 30% of the total hunt cost will be refunded.

Bob AndersonPlease contact the following GSS Hunting Consultant for any questions on this destination:

Bob Anderson
toll free: 888-850-HUNT (4868) ext. 15
local: 307-473-1268
cell: 307-253-0270
email:
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