Maral Stag & Ibex Hunt With A Kazakhstan Operator Who Delivers

Subscriber Mark Hampton checks in this month with a detailed report on a handgun hunt for maral stag (Asian elk) and mid-Asian ibex in Kazakhstan. This is his 16th trip to Asia. This region offers tremendous rewards and enormous challenges, and any experienced hunter will tell you patience is paramount when hunting in this region. Things take longer than expected, and problems will - not may - come at you sideways. An organized operator who understands the needs of foreign hunters and can keep things on track is a true jewel in this part of the world. Hampton tells us he's found not only an area with good trophy potential but also an outfitter who can deliver well-organized hunts. Here's his report: I wanted to experience hunting in Kazakhstan, and a maral stag and mid-Asian ibex were my excuse to do so. A couple of years ago at a Grand Slam Club/OVIS Convention, I met Erdogan Avci, a Turkish outfitter. He was an unknown at this time, but I told my wife after communicating with Erdogan, that I strongly felt he was honest and straightforward, attributes that most hunters really appreciate. We couldn't get organized for the hunt we wanted that year. But the following year I sat down with Erdogan, and we worked out the details for a Kazakhstan adventure in September, 2011. When my wife and I arrived at the international airport in Almaty (Kazakhstan's former capitol and largest city), Erdogan had our gun permit awaiting us, and clearing customs was relatively painless. We hit the road for a long drive that took us close to the Chinese border. Arriving late in the evening, we were surprised to see such a nice lodge in this remote setting, complete with hot shower, clean, comfortable rooms and great food. We were more than pleased with the accommodations. Early the next morning we began climbing and glassing for stags. From a ridge top, we could see a huge piece of real estate. The weather was warm and didn't help the hunting, as the stags stayed in the timber except for early morning and late evening. Before........(continued)