Caprinae Safaris only came on the scene last year, but its principals are well-known and well-liked among numerous international hunters. Riza Gozluk and Mehmet Alkan worked a number of years with Shikar Safaris as PH and general manager, respectively. Gozluk guided extensively for Shikar Safaris throughout Central Asia, especially Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Turkey. Alkan also did some guiding as well as run the main office.
In 2005, they both decided to leave Shikar for personal reasons and start their own hunting company, taking with them a number of previous co-workers. They reasoned that enough international hunters knew them and enjoyed hunting with them that they would be able to establish their new company quickly. Indeed, it seems they are succeeding. Last year, they hosted 42 hunters in seven destinations. This year so far, they have 127 hunters confirmed and have added other countries to their menu, including Kazakhstan, Iran, Armenia, Russia, Romania, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Slovakia.
I spent some time recently with Alkan, discussing Caprinae Safaris and what sets them apart from other operators in Central Asia. Alkan says simply that it is their personal attention. No matter where they send a client, a Caprinae representative, often Gozluk himself, will be there throughout the hunt. Also, in a number of the destinations they offer, Alkan says they are the actual outfitter, controlling every aspect of the hunt. That is the case specifically in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan, where both men cut their teeth guiding international hunters. All of their hunts include an escort through Customs, gun import permits and assistance with clearances, as well as an interpreter and local guides.
Right now, Caprinae's main business is assisting US hunters. The........(continued)
