Karakuz State Hunting Area
The State Hunting Area Karakuz encompasses parts of the forested massifs of the Danubian Plain – Southern Dobrudzha and the northern extensions of Ludogorie.
The elevation ranges from 20 to 280 meters. Most of the area consists of a vast, gently sloping plain with a slight northern incline. The forests form separate complexes and massifs, interspersed with arable lands. The primary tree species are Turkey oak and linden, found in pure or mixed stands with other deciduous trees and shrubs. The total forested area is 26,346 hectares.
The State Hunting Area Karakuz was established in 1975. Within a decade, it became one of Bulgaria’s elite hunting areas, gaining international acclaim. The total hunting area is 13,044.1 hectares, divided into seven hunting complexes.
In Karakuz, hunters can target red deer, roe deer, and wild boar. Small game includes European hare, hunting pheasant (Korean and Mongolian), gray partridge, and wild duck. Migratory birds include quail, turtle dove, wood pigeon, snipe, and greater white-fronted goose. Predators such as wolves (rare), jackals, and foxes are present, with a significant number of wildcats, which are protected and not hunted.
In 1988, a red deer hunted in Karakuz set an unmatched world record with a trophy scoring 273.6 CIC points (16.2 kg). Other notable trophies include gold-medal specimens scored at 226.41 CIC points (2012), 212.66 CIC points (2013), 220.84 CIC points (2014), and 247.38 CIC points (2015). In 2008, a wild boar trophy had tusks measuring 26.1 cm (128.25 CIC points), and in 2007, a roe deer trophy weighed 416 grams (128.25 CIC points). The high roe deer population allows for significant hunting, with net trophy weights typically ranging from 300 to 500 grams.
The abundant food base makes wild boar hunting particularly successful. Trophy sizes range from 20 to 26 cm, with notable specimens scoring 128.25 CIC points (26.1 cm), 121.10 CIC points (22.7 cm), and 122.85 CIC points (20.75 cm).
Small game hunting offers great excitement for enthusiasts. Karakuz is unique in combining successful hunting of large and small game with fishing along the Danube River. A motorboat is available for hunting and fishing along the Danube and is also used for scenic water tours during the off-season. Trophy fish include catfish, zander, and various species of carp.
Karakuz provides accommodation for hunters and their companions in hunting lodges and small family hotels near the hunting grounds. The Kokiche Hunting Lodge is located 10 km from Dulovo amidst a beautiful oak forest. The three-story building features two apartments and four double rooms, all with private bathrooms and satellite TV, accommodating up to 10 guests.
The State Hunting Area Karakuz organizes hunting and alternative tourism year-round.