American hunting duo returns empty-handed after search for wild goats

Two U.S. citizens, who spent some $20,000 for wild goat hunt in Turkey's Black Sea province of Artvin, returned back to their country empty-handed as they were unsuccessful in a 10-day hunt.

Arriving at Artvin through an Antalya-based hunting tourism agency, which secured a hunting tender from the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs' Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, Nancy Schindler, 42, and Eric Schottens, 48, spent their holiday around the rugged terrain of Artvin's Ortaköy district.

In their daily eight-hour search for wild goats, the duo was accompanied by hunting tour guide Ahmet Aygün ?im?ek and a park official. Despite several encounters, Schottens said he was unable to shoot any wild goats.

"The terrain was very tough as was the climbing. However, the nature is very beautiful. We got so close to our target but could not shoot it. We are planning to come again," said Schottens, a real estate agent in the U.S.

Local Çoruh Hunting and Marksmanship Club's President Gökhan Soydan said they hope Artvin will generate a large income from hunting tourism, adding that he was doing whatever needed for its development.

People will be allowed to hunt wild animals such as bears, wild goats, mountain goats, deer and gazelles, across 21 Turkish provinces, the Forestry and Waterworks Ministry announced in April last year, listing prices for each animal.

The tender allowed for the hunting of 15 bears, 109 wild goats and four mountain goats.

A goat hunt was priced at 6,500 Turkish Liras.
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