Paul is working with a company called Scorpio, Ltd., the principles of whom were our hosts during our exploratory visit. Scorpio has been booking hunts in Bulgaria for five years now, but heretofore had been dealing exclusively with European clients. Merzig, like Ron Young of Expeditions, has convinced the Scorpio people how important it is to have fixed-price hunts for Americans, and they have agreed to offer them. I'll tell you more about them in a moment.
First, though, let me point out that our recent 10-day trip was pretty much a whirlwind journey. It took us to six different hunting areas scattered about the country. Most of the facilities we stayed in could best be described as ski chalets. These were constructed before the overthrow of communism in 1990 for the exclusive use of high government officials. They are quite luxurious for the most part. Both the accommodations and food were superb. Red stag, of course, is the number one trophy in Bulgaria, with wild boar, roedeer and chamois ranking close behind. The heaviest stags generally come from the rolling hill county, but to my mind the prettiest racks are the thinner and more symmetric ones that come from the country's more mountainous areas. And if there's one thing Bulgaria has, it is mountains. Much of the country is extremely rugged with steep, rocky peaks rising to 9,000 feet or more.
Hunting Report subscriber Ed Edwards, who accompanied us, had no problem getting his rifle and shotgun through customs.........(continued)
