OUTFITTER:

ABOUT THIS HUNT:
When I began to mentally prepare myself for hunting in Russia I had romantic vision of what was to come. I guess I was thinking of Dr. Zhivago or some classic novel we might have been forced to read as kids. Firearms, clothes and gear went ahead of me and getting all this through Moscow proved to be quite an ordeal.

This might have been just me but what I was asked what I remember most of the Russians I met on this trip. Oddly enough it was the shoes and hats! All were very different and everyone seemed to have the best of both!

We staged at "Bishkep" (sp?) where I learned my luggage was still at JFK with my ammo. There was good news. I had my rifle! I had no ammo but at least I had my rifle!

There was a 27 hour van ride to the most southern part of Russia which was practically in China. There was heavy snow and sleet all the way. We bogged down here and there crossing rivers with the trucks in our little convoy taking turns pulling each other out.

We spotted this animal from 1 mile away (approx 2000 yards). There was big canyon/gully in our way. I felt this animal knew we were there but felt we were a safe distance. One of our guides took a pony (stronger than a mule) and tried a diversionary tactic. It worked. The herd split in two. Some dropped down into the valley in front of us and some came up the mountain on the other side.

We manuvered about 100 yards to get into better position and waited. The herd seemed confident that the diversion of the outfitter and pony had subsided. A group of 15-20 Ibex passed behind us. All different shapes sizes and sexes.

I picked out a respectable male in the group and ranged the shot at about 200 yards. I hoisted my Browning Synthetic Stock/ Stainless Steel A-Bolt with the BOSS system (nice for dialing in different ammo). I prefer to use Winchester/Nosler 180 grain ballistic tip ammo. My Swarovski rifle scope has gradiated lines within the optics that correspond to prescribes distances. I was pleased to be able to line up the shot, squeeze the trigger and down went my first Russian Ibex! Sweet!

We skinned him on the spot, quartered up the meat and loaded everything on the ponies to pack it all out. The guides look forward to the meat and altogether there were 25 different people from truck drivers to skinners to fire tenders to a physician to check blood pressure. Everybody had a job to do on this expedition and mine was to make sure I didn't miss!

At 10,000 feet this is definitely not a typical whitetail hunt but wow, the stunning views are not something I'll soon forget!

ABOUT THIS ANIMAL:
Ibex
Challenging hunt and completely respectable animal!

EQUIPMENT USED:
Browning Stainless Steel A-Bolt 300 WSM