What should you know before going hunting in Turkey?

Turkey is the paradise of many hunters who go in search of large trophies of various emblematic species that can only be seen in its steep mountains, hunts that push the human being to the limit and that always leave you with a good taste in your mouth. In this transcontinental country you can find many species of big game that are a dream for any hunter, such as large wild boars, large roe deer or the majestic berzoac ibex. As for small game, pheasant or rabbit hunting is popular.

Despite how exciting this type of hunting trips may sound, you have to make sure you are well informed about what the country is like and don't forget that each place you go has very different laws and requirements than those found in Spain. Let us remember that not long ago, six Toledo hunters were trapped in this country due to an incident while hunting wild boar in Turkey.

What should we know before taking a hunting trip in this country?

1.Hunting regulations in Türkiye and necessary permits

You must obtain a hunting permit, which you can obtain through an authorized agent. In addition, hunters must comply with the regulations established by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests of Turkey, among these regulations is that you can only hunt in authorized areas, you must respect safety regulations and, above all, take into account species such as the wolf or bear that may be prohibited or restricted from hunting in certain areas.

As for documentation, if you are Spanish you only need a valid passport and DNI. If you are of another nationality, you must consult it and you can issue it at this link https://www.evisa.gov.tr/es/info/ 

2.Hunting seasons

Depending on the species you want to kill, we will find some seasons or others. It is advisable to travel to Turkey from March to October, with full moon days being the best to stalk large wild boars. In the last three months of the year you can hunt the characteristic mountain goats that can be seen among the steep mountains due to their heat. The roe deer season is from May to August and the pheasant or rabbit season is from October to February.

3.It is recommended to go with a specialized agency

We recommend De Onis Safaris who have a wide range of hunting packages and who will offer you more than 30 years of experience with natives and in proven and guaranteed hunting areas. By hiring these hunting agencies you avoid bureaucratic or any other type of problems, since they are specialists in the field. It must be taken into account that there are many fraud companies or that try to sneak in exorbitant prices, which is why we recommend that you inform yourself very well about the hunt and the organizing company.

4.Appropriate clothing, weapons and ammunition

The hunting clothing we wear must be warm, since when hunting in mountain areas and at night on many occasions, the temperature is low. In addition to being warm, it must be comfortable, there are stalks in steep mountains in which you have to make a great effort, clothing is essential.

As for weapons, it must be taken into account that the species are usually very large, so a 300 caliber or higher is recommended, as well as a bullet that ensures good results. Nobody would like to puncture the berzoac of your dreams or leave a large mountain berzoac badly injured.

If we bring weapons with us, these cannot be semi-automatic and we will also have to bring the hunting invitation as well as the supporting documentation for the introduction of these. Rifle scopes must go inside the rifle case and under no circumstances in hand luggage, since when taking the connecting flight in Istanbul the Turkish authorities will not let them through.

5.Renting weapons is PROHIBITED

The rental of weapons is strictly prohibited in Turkey and constitutes a crime for both the organizer and the hunter. Some operators illegally offer this option, but those hunters who unconsciously choose to rent should know that if something happens they could have a serious problem, and could even be arrested and imprisoned in Turkey. There is no point in taking any risks when taking weapons to Turkey is a very simple and inexpensive procedure.

6.Best geographical areas

Wild boar hunting in the Taurus Mountains is especially exciting. These animals live in mountainous and forested areas, which requires a strategic approach. Waiting and hunting techniques are effective here due to the density of the vegetation and the stealthy nature of the wild boar.

Another special area for the ibex can be the Aegean region, the steep mountains and challenging terrain make this hunt a real challenge of skill and endurance. The best time to hunt ibex is during the fall, when males descend to lower altitudes in search of food.

7.Medical and assistance insurance

You must take into account medical insurance with a lot of coverage, you must be prepared for this type of trip. In high mountains there is a greater chance of suffering a trip that requires assistance and, we assure you, if you are not well insured, a fall will cost you dearly.

8.Take tips into account

In this country it is very common to leave tips in general, so on a hunt it will not be different. The forest guards of the reserves, agents and companions are going to need that money. The tip for hunting or browsing of €150 stands out.

We ourselves lived the experience of the wildest Turkey firsthand in our series “Dreams between mountains.” Do you want to know how we fared after the bezoar on its peaks? You can watch episode 4 at this link: https://plus.cazavision.com/suenos-entre-montanas 

Author: María Balletbó