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Hunt Report by David Sutton Dec 04, 2004 through Dec 06, 2004 Bulgaria - European (Russian) Boar - 22.7 CM average length of lower tusks - Gold Medal I flew into Sofia, Bulgaria on December 4, 2004, arriving just before 14:00. I was informed that I would be met by my driver, Petia, who would be holding a sign with my name. I was pleasantly surprised that Petia turned out to be my translator, and that she would arrange transportation (via taxi, price included in hunt fee) to the beautiful hunting lodge in the mountains, approximately 90 minutes away. We arrived, I unpacked my gear, and was told that after a quick shower, I could hunt that evening with my guide, Lubo, who looked everything like the quintessential former socialist soldier. After having a quick (but delicious) appetizer with Petia, I left with Lubo for the high country in a 4-WD Lada. If you haven’t ever sped up 45 degree inclines, lined with trees growing closer together than the narrowest jeep, in upwards of 6” of mud (it had rained constantly for several days prior to my arrival), then you are definitely in for a joy of the mechanical kind. The Lada probably had 9” of ground clearance at the differential, and Lubo had the kind of off-road driving expertise that one would expect to find on the Dakar rally. The ride was as invigorating as the scenery! After navigating the tangle of crossroads and hairpin turns, we arrived, some 45 minutes later, at the high-seats we would hunt from that evening. As light turned to dark, we listened for movement in a clearing some fifty meters in front of the comfortable, wooden-blind we sat in. After an hour or so, grunts were heard below, and we shined a mag-light on the area we expected to see “Papa”. Just sows and small boars were seen this first night, and as it was overcast with no moon, we departed back to the lodge. A note to those that follow me to Bulgaria: the shaking of one’s head left to right means yes in Bulgaria. Shaking one’s head up and down is a no! This fact definitely had an impact on my hunt at shoot time! I arrived at the lodge, having a similarly exciting ride through the dark forests of this region, with an appetite the size of the boar I was seeking! I was asked what I wished to eat that evening, and Petia described to me that anything I wanted would be prepared. I had noticed some clear-running creeks and large lakes in the area as I landed at Sofia Airport, and I asked for a local fish. I was not to be disappointed, as the local trout was prepared stuffed and smoked, and was absolutely delicious. I spent the next several hours enjoying some very nice local red wine, and learning of the local customs from Petia. Did I mention she was delightful? Early the next morning, I was met, after a lovely breakfast, by Lubo in front of the lodge, the Lada ready as well. After a trip into Greece (no border-controls) to reach a shortcut through the mountains back into Bulgaria, we arrived at a different blind, and we entered the high-seats for the morning hunt. Although we glassed extensively, there were no boar to be seen, and I began to wonder if this would end up being one of those hunts that is memorable for the hunting experience, but not the trophy. We did see, on the way back, many Red-deer does, so the opportunity for trophy stag is definitely a possibility in this area. The sheer size of the hunting area was also very impressive, with many valleys and draws that reminded me of places I had hunted in Northern California. After returning to the lodge for a splendid lunch, I took a Siesta until 16:00, where I again met Lubo for the evening hunt. We took the shortcut to Greece back into the mountains, arriving a short distance from a different blind, and shortly after night fell, the grunts of many animals were heard. We checked with the mag-light several times in the next two hours, but although there were upwards of a dozen animals to be seen in the clearing, none was “Papa”. We disappointedly left for the famous hunting vehicle, but Lubo was able to communicate to me that we would check out one more blind before we returned to the lodge. We climbed the steps silently to the high-seats, and as we settled in, Lubo shown his light in front at the clearing, excitedly whispering: “Papa!” I nervously brought my rifle up and through the window, scanning the opening for some movement, any movement, of which I could find none! I looked at Lubo, imploring him for some hint as to the location of “Papa”. He kept shaking his head, left to right, “Papa, Papa!” was all he kept whispering. I implored him “Shoot?” and again he shook his head violently left to right, but by now I realized the real meaning. I again scanned the opening for any movement, finding none. I rested the rifle, and raised my twelve year old Leica 10-42 binoculars, quickly finding “Papa” sleeping, his black body laying at an angle on the nearly black ground! I raised my rifle, found that the only thing I could see through the scope was the boar’s tusks, gleaming in the light from Lubo’s torch, and adjusted my line of fire to what I estimated would be the boar’s heart, and fired. We waited about ten minutes, departed the blind and began to search the area for a blood trail. Several drops, leading into a thicket, were all we needed to know that we must return in the morning to find the boar. That evening, a celebration meal that was unparalleled in this hunter’s experience at hunting lodges was prepared and served, delicious dishes and wines from the region, and a visit from the lodge owner expressing his congratulations. I retired late in the evening, unable to sleep as the jet-lag and the anticipation of the morning’s search swept over me. After breakfast, Lubo and I returned to the final blind, but waited for others to arrive with a tracking dog. The dog, looking a lot like a drauthauer, quickly found the scent and located the boar, a beautiful animal, dead in a creek bed a quarter mile downhill from the clearing. The boar was perhaps 150 kilos, and possessed great, gnarly tusks which turned out to average 22.7 cm per side, nearly 9” each! These were in fact presented to me, several days later, at the airport by a representative of Rada Fileva, the operator of Ropotamo Hunting, the outfitter that arranges the hunt. They were in a very nice, presentation quality case, which I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to carry through several airports on the way back to the USA. Rada also arranged for the taxidermy, which will be shipped to me sometime in the Spring. A few words about Corporate Leisure Specialists, especially Gabrielle Conea: nothing could have been done better! From the arranging of the hunt and translator, driver and guide, to the lodgings and meals, and everything that one worries about when traveling out of country, Gabrielle left nothing to chance. She continues to check on the status of my trophy, and was very interested to know of my approval rating of my hunting experience in Bulgaria. Gabrielle, it was fantastic! I should also say that Sofia is a very cosmopolitan town, replete with extraordinary hotels and restaurants, and perhaps best of all, is without a doubt the best value in Europe. Their local currency, the lever, is pegged at about one-half Euro, about $0.70 US. A cab ride across town is maybe 3.50 levers, and a very nice meal, anywhere in town, is generally less than 15 levers. The people are friendly and accommodating, and although most of the buildings still show their former soviet-style drabness, that too is changing, as companies from all over Europe, Asia and the USA come to a very good economic climate for business. Gabrielle Conea can be reached at:
Corporate Leisure Specialists
David Sutton San Francisco, CA Ph: 415-596 9566
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