HOW TO ARRIVE

There are direct daily flights of Turkish Airlines from New York and Chicago to Istanbul. In addition to these Turkish Airlines also have direct scheduled flights from L.A., Houston, San Francisco, Miami, Dallas and D.C. to Istanbul. Istanbul also can be reached from many major European cities easily. As Turkish Airlines has connecting flights to South of Turkey where we conduct our Bezoar hunts, we recommend our hunters to fly via Turkish Airlines as they can get the advantage of checking in all the way through to the last destination.

After you arrive in Istanbul, main gate of the country, our representative will escort you to the domestic flights terminal where you will board on a flight which will take you either to the town of Adana or to Antalya. Both cities can be reached within 1 to 1 ½ hour flight. It is up to you if you would like to book your own flights until the last destination. But we may as well arrange your domestic flight on request.

After you arrive south of Turkey, we drive you to the hunting area directly which takes 2 to 4 hours depending on the area. Please notice that you will be accompanied by some of Optimum Hunting staff throughout your stay in Turkey. You will never be left alone from the moment you step into the country until the last minute.

AREAS, ALTITUDE, METHOD

Bezoar ibex has a wide distribution and is hunted in many areas in the southern part of Turkey (Mediterranean coast), on Taurus mountain range which extends from west all the way to the east provinces of Anatolia namely Mersin, Adana, Niğde and Erzincan.

The hunting grounds in the Taurus, covered with maquis and forests of pine and altitude varies between 2000’-4500’. Many areas can be reached from the airports in 2 to 4 hours with a smooth drive.

In all of the areas with Bezoar hunting, spotting & stalking type of hunt is the main method. Obviously some of the areas are easier compared to many others. But one should always keep in mind that as a general rule, older billies live in rougher terrain where hunting requires good physical condition.

SEASON, WEATHER, ACCOMMODATION

The season for this hunt runs from September through to the end of March. Depending on the area, late November and December are the rutting season and these months, along with January & February are the best period for hunting. Snow is to be expected after mid December on higher areas. Success rate is higher on these time frames but regardless of period we have been almost 90% in recent years. We recommend our hunters to come any time but especially from late November through the end of December as well as January and February for a successful hunts.

Although it is hard to make a general statement about weather conditions, the temperature should be around 45 – 50 F ( 7 – 10 C ) during the day in November while it is cooler in December and onwards due to the snow fall on tops.

Depending on the area, we provide different type of accommodations, such as; small and nice local hotels, hunting cabins, village or guest houses.

Mainly 7 actual hunting days are required for the Bezoar hunt, although it can be practically completed in 3-4 days. However we always reserve 7 days to be on the safe side.

As it is mentioned below, when you arrive in Istanbul, our representative will meet you at the airport and you will not be left alone until your departure time. Our representative is also going to take care of rifle handling in Istanbul.

Day 01: Arrival to Istanbul, fly to south; Antalya or Adana airports, transfer to the area (2 to 4 hours drive) same day.

Day 02-08: Hunt Bezoar Ibex.

Day 09: Drive back to airport and fly back to Istanbul and home.

The season for this hunt runs from September through to the end of March. Depending on the area, late November and December are the rutting season and these months, along with January & February are the best period for hunting. Snow is to be expected after mid December on higher areas. Success rate is higher on these time frames but regardless of period we have been almost 90% in recent years. We recommend our hunters to come any time but especially from late November through the end of December as well as January and February for a successful hunts.

Although it is hard to make a general statement about weather conditions, the temperature should be around 45 – 50 F ( 7 – 10 C ) during the day in November while it is cooler in December and onwards due to the snow fall on tops.

Depending on the area, we provide different type of accommodations, such as; small and nice local hotels, hunting cabins, village or guest houses.

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