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Tian Shan Ibex

We have been working with a fantastic outfitter for Tian Shan Ibex hunts since 1999 and have sent over 100 clients on these high altitude adventures with him. He received the Atcheson’s Professional Hunter of the Year Award in 2012. These hunts take place in both Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Tajikistan is mostly known for its fantastic mountains. The Pamir Range is often called the roof of the world. The Pamir’s have a strange and exotic beauty. Only by traveling through these breathtaking mountain areas can you experience this surreal landscape. The Karakul Valley is hunted only by foot or horseback and the base camp can only be reached by a very long horseback ride or helicopter. This location is in the heart of the best Ibex hunting in all of Tajikistan.

The camp is heated by coal or oil furnaces and has electric power and even satellite TV. Spike tent camps may be used if needed. The rugged mountains have little in the line of grass and while the ibex do use the mountains as a daytime bedding ground, they generally move to the valley floors and foothills to feed and can be hunted in relatively gentle terrain in early mornings and evenings. Pamir Argali (Marco Poli) share the same valley and a combo hunt is very successful in Karakul Valley.

Base camp is located 11,500 feet above sea level. To get the best trophy we may climb up to 16,500 feet above sea level. Each hunter has his own guide. The tour will take 8 -10 days, of which 6 to 7 days is actually spent hunting.

In Kyrgyzstan, another location for Tian Shan Ibex, hunting trips can be scheduled within the period of October 1 to March 31. Hunters fly to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan commercially. Visas are issued on arrival. Firearms permits must be obtained in advance. Hunters may fly to the camp via helicopter or drive 8-10 + hours to reach the horses, then head to camp.

Tian Shan Ibex in this area grow quite large horns, many in the 40-45″+ range, they have very heavy based horns, often 10-11″. The largest taken have horns over 50″ in length. A hunter can take 2 or more Ibex. Pamir Argali can be included in the bag, but must be organized at the time of the booking.