Two Hunter Critiques On Balkan Chamois Hunting In Macedonia

We recently received two reports from Macedonia praising the Balkan chamois hunting in Mavrovo National Park with Bulgaria-based Ropotamo (www.ropotamo.com). One of these hunts took place in 2009, the other in 2010. These aren't the first reports we've received on this area. In our February 2008 issue, we featured a report from Bill Paulin on a hunt in this same park but with a different operator. (See Report ID 6452.) Paulin detailed a hunt among high peaks, glacial lakes and canyons so steep they seemed to "drop off into infinity." Now, subscriber Brian Gooding has filed a report on a hunt he took in September, 2009 (Report ID 8236). Gooding tells us that his hunt was fairly easy and enjoyable and that the service provided was excellent overall. Before he was able to hunt, however, Gooding had to jump a few hurdles to get his rifle into the country. It seems Ropotamo e-mailed Gooding a rifle importation letter to show at customs upon his arrival in Macedonia. As the letter was in Macedonian and written in the Cyrillic alphabet, Gooding was unaware that he was supposed to have checked his rifle upon entering the country. Failing to do so proved problematic at the first check station, as he didn't have the correct forms. He had also brought 40 rounds of ammunition, when the country only allows 20. Both problems were quickly and easily handled by the outfitter, but Gooding recommends double checking all paperwork and instructions with the outfitter prior to travel. Gooding says he was greeted at the airport by an English-speaking facilitator (who solved the gun-import issues) and driven to the National Park, where he stayed in "a slightly tired but perfectly adequate hotel with en suite room, and very good food." They would rise around dawn, eat a quick breakfast, and ride 20 minutes in a Russian 4x4 to the hunting area. His hunt was all spot-and-stalk, and he says his guide went out of his way to keep the stalking portion to fairly level contours. "This hunt can be made by anyone in reasonably good physical condition," Gooding tells us. Gooding's........(continued)