It’s hardly a secret that Russia is the biggest country in the world in terms of land area. With some 6.3 million square miles of territory and a wide variety of climate zones, Russia has rich opportunities for hunting all the way from its western border to its easternmost point, the Kamchatka Peninsula.
The Kamchatka Peninsula, in particular, has in the last two decades become a mecca for trophy hunters from all over the world. This region has magnificent volcanoes, hot springs, vast areas of tundra, numerous rivers filled with salmon and, of course, excellent hunting for Kamchatka snow sheep, brown bear, and giant moose.
How to get there
There are three different ways of getting to Kamchatka.
1) Years ago, there were direct flights from Anchorage to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (PK), but this route was discontinued for a time. In 2014, to the delight of hunters, Yakutia Airlines reopened this route, running flights only from the middle of July to the middle of September. This has been a real boon for American hunters, since they no longer have to fly three-quarters of the way around the world to get to Kamchatka. There is only one flight a week, so careful planning is a must. These flights work especially well for hunters coming to Russia for snow sheep, since the hunting season begins August 1.
2) International flight via Moscow. There are different nonstop flights from Moscow to PK, a flight that normally takes 8 hours 30 minutes. Flights are available year-round. This is a good option for European hunters.
3) International flight via South Korea to PK. This option is good for North American hunters traveling to Kamchatka to hunt moose in the fall or winter.
About The Hunts
Kamchatka Snow Sheep
Hunting starts in early August and lasts till the middle of September. Officially, the season runs until the beginning of October, but by late September snow can cover the mountains and make the hunting extremely difficult. Snow sheep are a challenge to hunt; the rams are extremely wary, have sharp eyes, and can spot movement from a mile away.
An average trophy is 35 to 37 inches with occasional 40-inchers taken every season.
Approximate cost of hunting package for Kamchatka snow sheep is about $12,000 per hunter. Please note that there are some extra expenses; you can learn more in the detailed description of this here.
Kamchatka Bear
Kamchatka brown bears are hunted both in the spring and in the fall.
Spring Hunting:
Spring hunting runs April 25 to May 25. Most outfitters divide this season into three hunts, so hunters can plan their trips accordingly. Hunt 1 is April 25-May 5, hunt 2 is May 5-15 and hunt 3 is May 15-25.
Spring hunting is very popular since the hides are of the best quality during this time. Every hunter is accompanied by a personal guide. The guide drives a snowmobile while the hunter sits in a sled behind. The snowmobiles allow hunting in areas that would be physically impossible to access during other times of the year. Early in the morning the hunters drive around the area and glass for big boars. Once a suitable bear is found, the hunter and guide stalk the bear.
Fall Hunting:
The fall hunting season starts on August 25 and ends on October 15. The season is divided into two parts. From August 25 to September 15, hunting is done along the rivers, as most of the bears are concentrated on the riverbanks, eating fish.
From September 15 to October 15 hunts are conducted in the cedar brush. When the salmon runs are over, the bears move into the mountains where they feed on cedar nuts. This hunt is similar to a true mountain hunt, but with bears as the quarry.
An average trophy is 8 to 9 feet with occasional 10-foot trophies taken every season.
Approximate cost of hunting package for Kamchatka bear is $8,500 to $10,000 per hunter. There are various options, depending on the area and number of hunters in the group.
Please visit the following link to learn more about this hunt, including any potential extra expenses.
Kamchatka Giant Moose
Moose season starts in September and runs until December 15. It is divided into two parts.
During the first two weeks of October, when all the leaves off the trees, hunts are conducted from horseback. Moose can be spotted from great distances.
After that, most hunts are conducted from snowmobiles, similar to spring bear hunts. This is a picturesque time to hunt, as many hunters are impressed by the sight of moose moving through clouds of snow sparkling in the sun.
An average moose trophy is 60 inches, with occasional 65- and 70-inchers taken.
Approximate cost of a hunting package for Kamchatka giant moose is from $10,000 to $11,000 per hunter depending on area and the number of hunters in the group. And you can learn more by visiting this link.
Combination Hunts
Outfitters sometimes try to earn more money by offering combination hunts for all three species during the one trip. Be careful when discussing combination hunts and don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions. Clients should be aware of certain limitations:
- The best combination hunt is for snow sheep and bear since they can be taken during the same trip.
- The full combination of all three species is theoretically possible, but takes a lot of time, and you will be required to travel to different areas. It’s risky.
- In a bear and moose hunt combination, the moose will be the main goal. Bears are normally harvested only by chance on these hunts.
Without a doubt, Kamchatka is a wonderful place to return to again and again. Why not make three different trips to get the most out of this region’s magnificent hunting and wilderness character? Hunt bears in the spring for the best chance at a magnificent hide; visit in summer and fall to see the beautiful fall colors and hunt Kamchatka snow sheep and bears; and come back in the winter to hunt the biggest moose on the planet.
You can learn more about each of these hunts on BookYourHunt.com, where we will help you to discover all of the big-game hunting in Kamchatka. We work only with reliable outfitters, and every hunting trip is planned and carried out with the utmost care. Go ahead – Kamchatka is waiting for you!
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