RUSSIA4 11 In this article, Link’s Wild Safaris General Manager Cyndy Boyce reminds us that the Cold War is over INVITED GUEST and the Iron Curtain has been removed, granting HF STAFF hunters access to the incredible opportunities CYNDY BOYCE, provides. It’s a good bet that reading this article will REMARKS whet the appetite of any adventurous hunter who is LINK’S WILD SAFARIS looking for an unforgettable experience while a wide range of species in a country that welcomes GENERAL MANAGER U.S. citizens with open arms.

any of us grew up in a world Treaty. Shortly thereafter, in 1991, the it is one of the world’s largest surface where the was Soviet Union collapsed, making way water resources and contains 25% of Mconsidered the enemy. The for literal and psychological barriers to the world’s fresh water. Due to the threat of nuclear war was so palpable crumble away. Why the short history enormous size of Russia, temperatures that bomb shelters were common lesson on the Cold War and collapse vary drastically, from frigid Siberia discussion and the original “preppers” of the Soviet Union? In order to fully with a record low temperature of 96 made sure they had the necessary appreciate the opportunity to hunt in degrees below zero to other parts supplies to survive an imminent attack. Russia, it is important to set aside years of the country that feature a humid, The first major relief in the Cold War of mistrust and fear to realize that subtropical climate, heavily influenced came on December 3, 1989 when Russia has become a destination for by warm air masses from the Indian Mikhail Gorbachev and George W. many hunters to experience amazing Ocean. Bush signed the START I Arms Control culture, geography, people, and hunting trophies. Preparing to travel to Russia is not unlike any other international travel, with a Geographically speaking, Russia is few exceptions. Your U.S. Passport the largest country in the world with must be valid for at least six months more than one-eighth of the earth’s beyond the date of entry to Russia inhabited land area. In fact, it is so and it needs to have at least two blank large that Russia spans 11 time zones! pages available for stamping. Also, a With thousands of rivers and lakes, traveler needs to obtain a Tourist’s

12 Visa, which requires an invitation in the Kamchatka Peninsula, it is for tipping the guide, skinners, drivers, letter that is obtained by jumping recommended to fly direct from translators, cooks, and other staff who through a few simple hoops. Once the Anchorage to Petropavlovsk. A less assist with the hunt. invitation letter has been obtained, it expensive but longer alternative to this is necessary to submit your Passport, flight would be to fly to and Like many countries around the world, two passport-sized photographs, then catch one of the daily flights to safety concerns in Russia vary based the Russian Visa Application Form, Petropavlovsk. Due to the length of the on the city or region you are visiting. the Invitation Letter, and a Consular flight and the number of time zones you The major cities in Russia have seen fee to the Russian Consulate. In case cross, you will arrive in Petropavlovsk a significant increase in tourists and that sounds intimidating, Link’s Wild the day after departing Moscow, and embrace the financial benefits brought Safaris works closely with our clients on the return trip, you will arrive back to local communities. As such, crime throughout the entire Visa process and in Moscow at nearly the same time you and risk to tourists is extremely low in we have wonderful partners assisting departed Kamchatka. As a result, you these areas. With that being said, Link’s our traveling hunters at every step. should book a flight leaving Moscow Wild Safaris highly recommends travel It is actually a very straightforward the day before you need to arrive in insurance for all international trips. procedure that takes 15-30 days to Kamchatka. Alternative routes to Organizations like Global Rescue are complete. Upon your arrival in Russia, Moscow can be achieved by departures available 24/7, 365 days a year should you will register your Visa with the from the east coast and routes through an emergency unfold, and they have Russian authorities in an experience Seoul, South Korea. Again, the route is a ground team for assistance in nearly that is akin to clearing customs at any dependent on what part of the country all cases. For more information, check international destination. is to be hunted. Link’s Wild Safaris will out Global Rescue plans at https:// work with each client to fit their travel ss.globalrescue.com/partner/linkswild/. From the U.S., there are several needs and recommend the best route. As an added piece of mind, all Link’s routes that have regularly scheduled flights to major The official currency of Russia is the cities in Russia. Due to its Ruble, and exchanges can be done size, the route you take at most airports or in advance will likely depend on through any national bank. Credit the location you will cards are used in most larger cities; be traveling to. For however, it is not uncommon example, if you to find them unacceptable in will be hunting some of the smaller, more rural moose, sheep, communities. Planning ahead , or reindeer with Rubles is a good idea 13 Itelmen, Koryak, and , for , Russian grizzly such as Kamchatka fish cutlets – bear, moose, six species of Telno. Large cutlets from red fish with sheep, Asian black bear, Amur mashed potatoes inside are a frequent bear, Tur, reindeer, Roe deer, wolf, dish. Freshly caught sockeye salmon, capercaillie, and more. All packages Wild Safaris clients are under the care chinook salmon, and chum salmon are include lodging, meals, transportation of a professional guide, translator, tour used for fish mince mixed with onion during the hunt, professional guide guide, or other certified individual from and garlic. Forget the common false service, in-field preparation of trophies, the moment they arrive at the airport belief that caviar must be red. When delivery to a local taxidermist, meet in Russia until the moment they head you try Kamchatka caviar, you will find and greet at the appropriate airport, back through security to fly home. many different kinds from different and the services of a translator. Most types of salmon. packages do not include lodging With a country the size of Russia, the before or after the hunt, international ethnicity of food offerings is vast from Hunting in Russia is as long of a travel expenses, export documents, one end to the other. Of course, many tradition as any, and the variety and and shipping of the trophies to the U.S. chain restaurants exist there, quality of species is truly something final destination. Depending on the like McDonalds and Starbucks, but special. Bringing firearms into Russia package, some will include the trophy how much fun is it really to eat a Big requires a completed CBP 4457 form fee and some will not. We will be sure Mac or drink a frappuccino while in and a Russian Firearms permit that is to thoroughly explain all expenses Russia when you can try something easily obtainable. Link’s Wild Safaris associated with any hunt. new? You can try the Russian chain of Certified Outfitters will have this cheap cafes, like Yolki-Palki or Moo- completed upon arrival. As with all of Not surprisingly, the hunt experience Moo, where it is possible to taste our hunts, we are happy to recommend can differ vastly among the species. Russian traditional salads (vinegret and our favorite calibers of rifle for each The Asian black bear and Amur selyodka pod shuboy, also known as species available to hunt in Russia. are hunted in one of the “dressed herring”), soups (borscht and Unfortunately, at this time, archery most unique places in the world. okroshka), blini (Russian pancakes), hunting is not allowed anywhere in The Nanaiski District of Russia is a pelmeni, kotlety, and famous drinks Russia. In order to export hunting rainforest and home to one of the (kvass and kisel). Yolki-Palki is also trophies, it is necessary for some largest populations of Siberian tigers. famous for its all-you-can-eat buffet. An species to have a CITES permit. Our Imagine seeing a Siberian tiger stroll absolute must-eat when in Russia are outfitters will provide the necessary by while you are sitting in your tree the stuffed pies, the most famous being papers for the trophy shipment, such stand waiting for a bear. It’s truly an mushroom and cabbage, often served as CITES, veterinary certificates, and experience like none other. at Russian tea drinking ceremonies. other documents that are required. If your sights are set on a brown While you are in the Kamchatka region, When it comes to available species, bear, Russia is far and away your best 14 expect to taste national dishes of the Link’s Wild Safaris provides hunts option in terms of price, size of the When it comes to the Kamchatka Snow sheep, there will likely be a fun ride on a large military ATV that culminates in a comfortable log cabin near a salmon-filled river. Many clients add a Kamchatka brown bear to the Kamchatka Snow sheep and make a dynamic combo hunt. Link’s Wild Safaris Certified Partner has rediscovered an bears, and quality of the experience. amazing area for this hunt, taking The spring hunts are adventurous and place in the local Nature Park ESSO, exciting as they are conducted on sleds commonly referred to as Bystrinsky. towed behind snowmobiles where you The last time this area was hunted will most likely track a giant bear in was almost 15 years ago, resulting the spring snow. The fall hunts for all in an incredible hunt opportunity for species, including brown bear, grizzly our clients with our very experienced bear, and moose, are less arduous but team of guides who worked the area still full of heart-pounding adrenaline. in the past.

Most Snow sheep are hunted from Russia truly has something for six remote mountain base camps on everyone, and Link’s Wild Safaris has approximately 2.5 million acres in the everything to help make your hunt a wildlife-rich Magadan region. Access to success. The Cold War is long over, this vast, scenic, and unspoiled land is by and Russia has opened its doors to helicopter and is coordinated in advance the international hunting community, to ensure that hunters are in good offering some of the best and most hands from the time they land in the varied hunting opportunities on the Magadan airport until they climb into the planet. Don’t let fears of years gone helicopter to head into the spike camps. by prevent you from this amazing It is not uncommon to travel from one location. Contact Link’s Wild Safaris spike camp to another, depending on today and plan your Russian the number of trophies sought. adventure! 15