Grizzlies in Russia

[leatherneck]

Anyone ever hunted Grizzlies over in Russia? I read about hunting them acrossed the pond a while back and was wondering if anyone had. If so, could you post any info you may have? Thanks.

Mike

[steadman]

There is a good story or two from Don Thomas in "Longbows in the Far North"
Great read. A dream hunt for sure.

[leatherneck]

Thanks Ryan. Anyone got a copy I can borrow for a couple weeks?

[cacciatore]

I had some friend that are gone there,they where rifle hunting for Ibex,and the situation is changed since Don is been there.They overkilled those Grizzlies and now they are not so common animore.This is what it is been said to me.

[Zenzele]

I read somewhere that it's rifle's only out there at the moment! However I stand to be corrected. I do know a lot of the satellite countries do bowhunt some of the 'stans' and I know Latvia does...
Think you would be talking BIG money though, might be better spent locally?

[Mike Bolin]

Mike, I can send you my copy to read if you want it. Let me know if you want it and send me your mailing address. Mike

[Follower]

Doug Borland may know better than anyone.  Doug was the guy who opened the door for bowhunting in Russia and was the point man on those early trips when Don and those guys hunted over there.  My buddy Tom Martini killed a bear on one of those trips.  

I contacted Doug several years ago and he told me that it became very corrupt and that was the main reason they backed away from it.  I suspect that may still be the case.

[leatherneck]

Thanks for the input folks. Keep it coming. Sounds like things have changed since I read about hunting over there. As far as price, it used to be half the price several years ago. At least the little research I did back then.

Mike, Thanks for your kind offer, but I already have one coming.

[mater]

I know a guy that went there. He lost 18# in 10 days. The meals were part of the deal with the outfitter. Ill try to get the outfitters name. Be careful.  Mark

[Gerardo]

You'll love the book!!!! how do they compare to the local ones, I hear they are very big in Russia?

[FerretWYO]

I am not sure about hunting in them in russia now. I know that there was an overkill on them. I bbelieve that Romania has the largest population in Europe.

[Lefty]

Hey Devil Dog, if you need a copy of Don's book to read, just shoot me a PM, as I have copy you can borrow.  Semper Fi brother!
Chris

[cacciatore]

not sure that Romania has Grizzly bear but most a kind of smaller browns,not sure you can hunt them either.In the former Yugoslavia it is possible to hunt bear but they are not huge and i think they hunt them with the hounds.Maybe I can give you same more info for Siberia with in few days.Felix

[foudarme]

there's a french bowhunter who killed a kamtchatka's grizzly 3 years ago. He wrote an article in "charc" the french bowhunters magazine. You can see its huge bear here, in the starrflight gallery :

     http://starrflight.com/gallery/v/Russian+Brown+Bear+Taken+by+Paul-Jean+Achard.gif.html?g2_enterAlbum=0    

He said that cause the ph are not at all familiar with bowhunters needs they ask to shoot at distances which cannot be reached with a classical bow. The PH who was with him was very afraid to be so near of a bear and if I remember well the shot has been done at 50 yards.
if not, it's a true adventure in a very wild country with animals which have never seen a man before you!
In europe there are no grizzly but brown bear which are just a little bit bigger than your black bears.

[Jack Shanks]

When I checked with an outfitter about the possibility of bow hunting Brown bears in Russia a few years ago I was told by him bow hunting was no longer allowed there. Since that time I have learned that isn't exactly correct. Take it for what it is worth but from what I have heard anything is possible for a price there. You just need to pay the right people.

[cacciatore]

Jack that is correct this is part of the reason while the Bear num.is declined so much.

[Al Kidner]

After working in Afghan and with locals from all part of that area I can certainly tell you that you'll need to 'pay' the right people. It is how it works in that part of the world. Always has, always will be.


Don's book is a good read on that hunt though...


ak.

[leatherneck]

Alot of great information here folks. I've been checking some outfitters out that book in Russia from the US and they CLAIM the numbers are not bad. The sizes are superior to our s in the US. These are their claims that is.
 
I'm looking forward to reading Dons book. Thanks to all who offered one to me.

[slivrslingr]

Sent you a PM.

Chris

[leatherneck]

It appears from the info I have been gathering here, and elsewhere, that the money saved is not outweighing the quality of the hunt. Heck, I've had people tell me they shoot them out of helocopters! The shot angle may be a little steep.lol It was something I wanted to look into anyhow. I have some info coming in the mail that I will analyze with a fine tooth comb. I just may have to save a couple more years and hunt here in the states. My moose hunt plans are coming together and I'm gettin alot of good contacts. It appears it will happen within the next 2 years.  Looks like my grizzly hunt will have to wait a while longer. But it will come, I promise you!!!    

Thanks to all for the good info.

Mike