Richard Sand (Denmark) - OVIS Summer 2011 - Page 36-37
We recently received a report from Richard Sand (Denmark) stating that he had completed his Ovis World Slam by taking his 12th species, a Kuban (Western) tur. Richard writes:
"I am happy to confirm that I have now fulfilled my Ovis World Slam with sheep number 12! I came home yesterday from my second Kuban (Western) tur hunt in Karachaevo-Cherkessia. It was arranged perfectly in all aspects by ProfiHunt in Moscow by Artem Veselov, who has just been promoted to be General Director for ProfiHunt. My personal guide was Alexey Maximow, who is great. Local guides were Ali Kochkarov and Ivan Yvkin. As you know, the West Caucasus Mountains are no place for old hunters. I was glad to still only be 51 years old!
This spring hunt was different from my previous fall hunts in the Caucasus. I decided one more time to stick it out and continue only to look for a really old one. We saw many mature male tur this time, in all 21 tur from nine years and older (28" and larger), but hunting them in April is tougher than in the fall if you aren't very lucky. The tur are on the very tops because that is the only place with snow. The jeeps cannot go into the deep valleys and the local people will not use horses because of danger from heavy snow and avalanches. We saw and heard five to ten avalanches every day. The whole hunt was walking and climbing.
After judging and turning down 20 tur from 9-13 years old (28- 32 ") we finally spotted a really old one on the top. One glimpse in the Swarovski spotting scope at 1,600 meters distance, and we knew immediately that it was this one or no one. We had to wait one day for good weather, then we climbed to the top. I was luckó to take him while he was climbing the vertical rocks at a distance of 472 meters with my Weatherby 30-378. This was just as he and his three companion tur were climbing the last 10 meters over the top of the mountain after they had scented us.
Alas, he skydived vertically in the air 360 meters down before hitting the first rock, then another 200 meters further down from rock to rock, then 550 meters down with a snow avalanche/glacier to the bushes; in all, more than 1,000 meters distance. Incredibly, both horns made it unbroken, but the whole body apart from the skull was smashed. He was 15 years old, and both horns measured 37 1/2 " x 12" with a score around 150 SCI. This was a dream trophy for me.
On top of that, it was a happy hunt with lots of good fun with Alexey who is jolly good company. Well, now I guess the Capra World Slam must be the next if my knees can still make it. Right now they feel mostly like jelly. I am up to nine Capra animals so far; who knows if I live long enough".
Congratulations, Richard! We hope to see you in Reno for our 2012 convention. It will be an honor to present you with your Ovis World Slam award plaque. |
