TO CATCH A MOMENT

Few things can be such an intense and rich experience as hunting. Deep among pristine mountains and forests, by crystal rivers or among endless fields, it makes us face nature and its tough laws and brings us back to long gone times when hunting was an integral and life-saving part of humanity's existence.

With its mountains, thick forests and diversity of ecosystems, Bulgaria is an excellent place for hunting. Here live hare and fox, quail and pheasant, red and fallow deer, mouflon, boar, wolf and many more.

For the ancient Thracians, boar hunting was the king's sacred privilege and medieval noblemen entertained themselves by hunting big and small game. Ottoman sultans would visit the Bulgarian lands on long hunting expeditions.

The modern idea for hunting organisations that take responsibility for preserving the species diversity appeared in Bulgaria as early as 1898, which makes the local organised hunting and fishing movement one of the oldest in Europe. King Boris III himself, an ardent nature lover, was a passionate hunter. The tradition continued after 1944 as well. In the 1970s and the 1980s the government created new hunting facilities and imported some new species in order to turn Bulgaria into a hunting tourism destination.

Today, the organised hunting and fishing movement in Bulgaria is among the most popular organisations in the country, and its members and hunting preserves carefully work for maintaining species diversity. Thanks to their efforts and tireless work, Bulgaria today is a top destination for hunting tourism in Europe, with abundant trophy animals and a diversity of places where to meet them.

Deep in the picturesque slopes of the Rhodope near Chepelare there is a place where you will find tranquility, clean nature and contact with valuable and interesting local and imported species. Boar and red deer, fallow deer and mouflon, bezoar ibex and Barbary sheep, and Bulgaria's only population of Himalayan tahr inhabit the territory of Zabardo Hunting Preserve (information, inquiries and reservations: Engineer Svetloslav Krastev, phone: +359 88 855 1413, www.huntzabardo.bg). In Zabardo you will find as well comfortable accommodation, options for recreational fishing and photo safari, delicious local food made of products from the region. In the preserve's environs are sites of interest such as the Wondrous Bridges nature phenomenon, Pamporovo and the mineral springs of Narechenski Bani, and Plovdiv is only 60 km away.

When the hunter is equipped with the best hunting weapon, optics and clothes, the experience is on a completely new level. In the three weapon and ammunition shops and the website of Aleksis Optics (www.aleksis-optics.com) you will find everything you need for an unforgettable and good hunting. Established in 1995 in Veliko Tarnovo, the company specialises in the sale of the best of optics industry – binoculars, night vision devices, thermal imaging devices and weapon accessories. Aleksis Optics also offers a rich selection of assault, hunting and cold weapons; ammunition; clothing, shoes and accessories. The company will help you take good care of your weapon with options to purchase spare parts, a repair shop, weapon inspection, optical and thermal devices mounting, ballistic profiling.

Equipped with the best on the market and inspired by ideas for places where to use it, you are ready for a close up of Bulgaria and its wild nature. The encounter will definitely leave lasting and pleasant memories.