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The quality and many virtues of a Russian hunt for the Eurasian brown bear by Tom Rose of Worldwide Hunting Enterprises, Flagstaff, AZ, were extolled to the sky. There would be plenty of bear, and an outstanding camp. It was touted as this ultra luxurious hunting lodge for the communist hierarchy, though in actuality it was slapped together by the outfitter about ten years ago. We had broken toilet seats, a chronic shortage of toilet paper, garishly exposed plumbing, no hot water, poor bedding and bloody cold. The only conceivable plus for the booking agent was his suggestion to bring sleeping bags to augment the sparse bedding.
The cook tried very hard, but how do you feed eight people with one anorexic chicken? Obviously, with the Russian version of Hamburger Helper. Enough said about the cuisine.
Jack and Helen Malloy, Norm and Ruthie Flayderman, my wife Elly and I very much enjoyed the whole hunting experience. Between us, we've had over 35 safaris (25 for Jack) and many other shared hunts and adventures. This most definitely was not a trip for the ladies, not so much because of the hardship, as the terrible and unrelenting, boredom.
There were no bear. I repeat no bear! Asian, Eurasian, or Teddy!
Why did the guides insist on tree stands in oat fields, when they said the bear were feeding on lignon berries in the woods? Also we were expected to shoot after dark with lights. Excuse me, after dark, with lights!! We never hunted with the same guide twice in seven days, and on occasion, it was somewhat disconcerting to see a guide you hunted with yesterday, fallen down drunk today. At times, your "guide of the day", had no rifle, and when he did, it was a semi-auto of military caliber, with jacketed bullets. Not your ideal backup for the supposed big bear.
The worst part of the "hunt", was a long, uncomfortable, six hour round trip to the hunting area every afternoon, and returning exhausted between two and three IN THE MORNING! One morning after falling into bed, the outfitter, his wife, and two interpreters carried on making a racket until at 5:30 AM when I finally told them to shut up.
We tried very hard, we didn't, we were quiet, we hunted hard, and we did all we were asked to do. All in all, it was a major waste of time and an enormous waste of money.
After three months, I'm still waiting for the promised return phone call from the booking agent. Funny, when Tom Rose was selling the hunt and asking for money he was never off the phone. Had he at least been gracious enough to call, I most probably would not have written this letter.
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To: The Hunting Report From: Norman Flayderman Date: January 10, 2000 Re: Hunt for Eurasian Brown Bear
I'm writing at the urging of my close friend Eugene La Sota of New York City with whom I recently "hunted" in Russia (Vologda Region) early September 1999. In over 40 years of pursuing the sport over most of the world, including many in dreary places under dreary conditions, I have never once found the need to complain or "write up" a hunter or an outfitter until now. Maybe by doing so it will be taken as a good turn by some fellow hunter.
Not being a subscriber (until now) and not having an uncompleted copy of your "Hunting Trip Report Form" I'm taking the shorter path of sending a copy of Dr. LaSota's report on the same trip which goes for me too in spades! And that includes the part about Tom Rose the booking agent (Blair Worldwide Hunting.)
I have to take exception to a report that was printed in your newsletter a year or so ago in reference to the same camp we were in. It was shown to me shortly prior to leaving for the Russian "hunt" (a misnomer on that score.) Your report mentioned that the fellow had hunted the area and the camp was that of former Communist times that had been built for the private sporting/hunting use of commissars. Having hunted Russia a couple of times, the earliest in the Caucasus Mountains for tur in the 1970's, I must correct that poor soul and advise that no self-respecting commissar would have given the place a second look. As poorly as the real McCoy were built and maintained even in the 1970's, this place which I found out was privately slapped together in the last decade by the "Professional Hunter" (another misnomer) would have earned the builder a front seat in the train to the most evil of the gulags.
None of us, including the women, expected anything sumptuous. We've all been on these trips in the backwoods for years. This one was truly a rip-off. The party most to blame after Rose and Worldwide Hunting was the Russian "PH" Vladimir Kaplin. Not only was the condition of his camp deplorable, but also the care given to the clients was the most slovenly it's been my misfortune to experience. He should be drummed out of any professional organization that might number him among their members. Even the most simple amenities, like drinking water, ran out. Much of the food was inedible or barely at best. Again let me assure you we were not in any manner expectant of luxurious conditions or gourmet meals; far from it, especially having experienced Russian sporting camps on four prior occasions since the 1970's.
How about a three hour ride to a bear stand (the most poorly built I ever viewed) and the same three hours to get back. There was never one sign of the critters, either. And to boot all the local entourage were equipped with lights of all fashions; white ones, red ones. It would have been a regular Disneyland light extravaganza had the bears the temerity to show their face. In addition to the varying hand held spotlights, a few of the hunters had special rigs with lights mounted on rifles. It did not have the atmosphere of fair chase in any sense of the word and I have to admit I was quite surprised to see their reaction when I insisted on leaving the stand after there was no longer light enough to scope a target.
Sorry that I've rambled off at this length. I really had no intention of even complaining, as I doubt that it would mean anything. But at Dr. LaSota's insistence I've taken a shot at it, much more than I intended. But, once I was off and running I just gave it my all and let you have it full bore! Sorry if I put you to the task of plowing through all this and, if you've made it this far I stand in awe of your patience.
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To: The Hunting Report From: Vladimir Snigarenko of HUNTREX Date: January 11, 2000 Re: Eugene LaSota's report
Thanks for your letter and your attempts "to be as fair and even-handed as we can" that are, surely, appreciated.
Here are requested comments for "altera pars."
1. (Bears) "Not available in area" Estimated population of bears in Vologda region (145,700 square kilometers) is about 5,000. Each year there are about 500 licenses issued for local and foreign hunters. In 1998, (statistics for 1999 are not available yet) there were 450 licenses issued and 384 bears bagged (rate of success 85 percent). Same year we had nine clients that were 100 percent successful.
2. "No tracks seen" It is a traditional Russian hunt and is organized in oat fields from makeshift blinds that are built at the field boundary ONLY if there are SIGNS of bears frequenting the field (trampled down or eaten oats. etc). Therefore, sometimes it takes time to get to these fields. So, "no tracks seen" is a bit of an exaggeration.
3. "No game sighted" Hunt is usually at dusk or dawn, or even during the night. Absolute calmness and motionless in a blind is a must. Very often PH hears approaching bear(s) but bear(s) do not go out into the field.
4. Poor food No comments. Tastes differ.
And the last. Last year there were, unusually, lot of berries in forests. That, certainly, affected hunts too.
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To: Hunting Report From: Blair Worldwide Date: February 21, 2000 Re: Hunting Protocol Form
Outfitter: HUNTREX Company Hunter's Name: John Malloy Hunting Area: Vologda's Region Duration Of Stay In Reserve: Seven days from September 6 until September 12 Date: 9/13/99 Game Bagged: None Trophy given to the hunter: None
Comments: Hospitable people. Hardworking guides. Too long a drive from camp to blinds (2-3 hours away). Adequate food and rooms. No bears or sign of any.
Outfitter: HUNTREX Company Hunter's Name: Eugene La Sota Hunting Area: Vologda's Region Duration Of Stay In Reserve: September 6, 1999 to September 12, 1999 Date: September 13, 1999 Game bagged: None Trophy given to the hunter: None
Comments: Guides worked very hard but we saw no bears. Accommodations were adequate to good and the food was good. The staff was helpful and gracious.
Outfitter: HUNTREX Company Hunter's Name: Norman Flayderman Hunting Area: Vologda's Region Duration Of Stay In Reserve: Seven days from September 6 until September 12 Date: September 13, 1999 Game bagged: 0 Trophy given to the hunter: None
Comments: I need the opportunity to reflect on my stay at camp. I was impressed by the kindness and patience of my Russian hunters and the staff at camp.
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