Mid-Caucasian Tur

One species of Caucasian tur inhabits the eastern part of the Caucasus and is called the Dagestan or Eastern tur, the other species is distributed in the western part of the Caucasus Mountains and is called the Kuban or Western tur.
The Central Caucasian or Mid-Caucasian tur is considered to be the tur that inhabits areas where the two above-mentioned species mix and is considered a transitional species from the West Caucasian to the East Caucasian tur.
This subspecies includes the severtzovi and caucasica varieties.

Compared to the Kuban tur, the severtzovi variety, distributed west of the Elbrus summit, is described as taller. The height of the animals at the withers reaches 110 cm. Their black horns are somewhat smoother than those of the Kuban tur, with less pronounced transverse rings, and the ends can be closer together. The beard is shorter, of moderate length. There are also differences in coloring: the forehead and chin are darker than those of the Kuban tur, the front of the legs are also darker, and near the hooves it is almost completely black. The belly and inner thighs are dirty white. The dark stripe along the ridge may be absent.

The caucasica variety, common to the east of the Elbrus summit, is described, in fact, as a hybrid of severtzovi and the Dagestan tur (cylindricornis). The shape of the horns can vary from short, thick and somewhat triangular in cross-section, with some semblance of transverse scars, to long, narrower, more or less tetrahedral, with rounded edges of the ribs and a smooth surface. The horns are sometimes so similar to the horns of the Dagestan tur that it is impossible to determine their belonging without knowing where exactly the trophy was taken. The variety caucasica is generally darker in color than severtzovi, and a dark stripe along the ridge is always present.

Habitat
From the upper reaches of the Belaya and Laba rivers in the west to Mount Dykhtau in the east. The border with the area of ​​distribution of the Kuban tur is uncertain.

Area

Russian Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, Caucasus Mountains, Baksan and Chegem valley

Route

You will arrive to an international Moscow airport. Our PRO interpreter will meet you at the airport and assist through customs. You will be taken to the hotel. Next morning we will take you to the airport for the flight to Nalchik or Mineralny Vody (about 3 hours flight), then by car to the hunting area (about 2 - 3 hours).

Camps & Accommodation

Hunting lodge is at the bottom of mountains, tent camp is during the hunt.

Hunting season

August 1 to November 1, optimal time is from September 1 to October 15.

Climate

Weather is quite unpredictable. Day and night temperatures have big amplitude because of altitude and surrounded glaciers. Afternoon fog is a normal condition. August – mid - September: Daytime highs are 77 to 80 ˚F (22 to 25 ˚C), with lows of 35 to 40 ˚F (3 to 10 ˚C). In mid-September – October daytime temperatures are 50 to 60 ˚F (10 to 15 ˚C) with about 20 ˚F / -5 ˚C at night. Snow can be expected at the tops in the end of September.

Hunting

Hunting starts from the fly camps. Backpack hunting is customary in the most areas with small portion of horse back riding. This is really mountain hunting. The terrain is difficult and steep. We encourage spike camping. A temporary tented camp is set up at 8,000 feet / 2,700 m. Rams are generally located in very remote country at 9,800 feet / 3,000 m or sometimes in lower timbered country at 7,500 feet / 2,300 m. Be in good shape as it is an important factor in the stalking part of the hunt.

Shooting distance is 330-550 yards (300–500 meters) on average.

Schedule

Day 1      arrival in Moscow, flight to Nalchik, arrival in Nalchik, overnight at hunting lodge

Day 2      transfer to the hunting area, set up in the tented camp, possible hunt

Day 3–7   5 days hunt

Day 8      return to the base camp, overnight

Day 9     flight to Moscow, departure home