Argali Sheep Hunting
Sergei Shushunov and the Russian Hunting Agency offer argali sheep hunts for discriminating mountain hunters. Argali is the largest and most magnificent sheep in the world. Several subspecies of argali sheep populate territories of Russia, the Central Asian Republics, China, and Mongolia. The only argali sheep subspecies on Russian territory is Altai argali, which is protected.
Location: Issyk-Kul district, Kyrgyzstan
Season dates: August 10 – December 3
Hunting method: Spot and stalk
Accommodations: Cabins, electric generator, satellite phone, radio
Number of hunters: 1-2
Price: $32,000
Included in the price:
Reception and assistance in Bishkek airport; Ground transfers; Accommodation in the hunting area;
Meals and soft drinks during the hunt; Transportation during the hunt; Horses; Services of 1 guide per hunter; Services of 1 interpreter in a camp; Dedicated cook in a camp; Field trophy preparation; Gun permit; Hunting license; Trophy export permit; CITES permit; 1 ram.
Not included in the price:
Insurance of any kind; International and domestic airfare; Hotel and meals in Bishkek before or after the hunt; Shipping trophies from Kyrgyzstan; Cost of sightseeing tours; Gratuities.
Itinerary:
Day 1: arrival to Bishkek, a car ride to the hunting area.
Day 2-9: 8 days of hunting
Day 10: return to Bishkek, overnight in Bishkek
Day 11: flight home
Details:
Kyrgyzstan argali is on average smaller than Tajikistan. However, trophies well over 50 inches and up to 60 are not unusual. A car ride from Bishkek to the hunting area takes about 7 hours. The base camp is located at 3,200 meters (10,500 ft.) above sea level. The camp has warm cabins, an indoor toilet, running water, and electricity from the generator. There is a satellite phone for emergencies. Hunting takes place at altitudes of 3,000 – 4,000 meters (9,500 – 12,500 ft.) and requires good physical endurance. Hunters should expect to spend up to 6-8 hours per day riding horses. Daytime temperature is around +10C (+50F) in the fall and –20C (-4F) in the winter, at night it can drop to -40C (-40F). Hunters are required to bring sleeping bags, camo clothes according to the season, sunglasses, spotting scope, binoculars, and sunscreen. Shots are expected within 300-600 yards range, therefore flat shooting rifles with good optics and a range finder is necessary.
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Location: Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan
Season dates: March 1 – December 31
Hunting method: Spot and stalk
Accommodations: Cabins, electric generator
Number of hunters: 1-2
Price: $100,000
Included in the price:
Reception and assistance in Tashkent airport; Roundtrip transfer to the hunting area; Accommodation in the hunting area in heated cabins; Meals and soft drinks during the hunt; Services of 1 guide per hunter; Services of 1 interpreter in a camp; Dedicated cook in a camp; Field trophy preparation; Gun permit; Invitation letter and voucher; Hunting license; Veterinary certificate; 1 ram.
Not included in the price:
Insurance of any kind; International and domestic airfare; Hotel in Tashkent before or after the hunt; Preserving and Shipping or transporting trophies from Uzbekistan; Cost of sightseeing tours; International phone calls from the camp; CITES permit; Gratuities.
Itinerary:
Day 1: arrival in Tashkent Day 2: ground transfer to the hunting camp Day 3-8: 6 days of hunting Day 9: return to Tashkent, overnight in Tashkent Day 10: flight home
Details:
The camp is located at 4700 ft. (1500 m) above sea level on the border of the wildlife preserve, which is home to 2000 sheep. Hunters can expect to see several rams during the trip. The hunt is not physically demanding, requiring walking about 6 miles daily. Shots are usually taken from a distance of 450-550 ft (400-500 m). Trophy size, on average, is from 32 to 36 inches. Hunters who can walk longer distances tend to get better trophies. The daytime temperature hovers around 80°F (27°C) in July, and around 35°F (2 °C) in December. Precipitations are rare. The occasional nighttime snowfalls towards the end of the season usually melt in a few hours.
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Marco Polo argali in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan
Littldale argali in Kazakhstan and China (Tibet)
Gobi argali in Mongolia
Altai argali in Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan
Karaganda argali in Kazakhstan
Severtsov argali in Uzbekistan
Tian Shan argali (Karelini) in Kyrgyzstan
Karatau argali in Kazakhstan and China (Tibet)
Marco Polo sheep, with the largest and widest horn span, is the most magnificent wild sheep in the world. It is found at altitudes between 2,500 to 5,500 meters (7,500-16,000 ft.). Hunting is relatively easy physically for Gobi and Altai argali, found at lower elevations. The hunt for Marco Polo sheep in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in Tajikistan, can be very demanding due to the high elevations. Physical conditioning, several weeks in advance of the hunt, is strongly recommended. Stalking sheep requires a great deal of patience. Shots are usually taken from 200 to 500 meters (320 to 550 ft.) and occasionally beyond. A significant advantage is familiarity with handling a horse. Local horses are easy to handle and well-adapted to high altitudes. Travel on horseback enables one to cover longer distances, with less physical pain, in search of the perfect ram. Strict regulations by local governmental and international agencies allow the Argali population to remain stable. A limited number of hunting licenses are issued annually for Marco Polo argali, Karelini argali, and Severtsov argali. In contrast, permits for Karaganda, Littledale, and Karatau argali licenses have not been available for many years.
Marco Polo sheep hunting
The largest Marco Polo is found in Tajikistan, where the best trophies, reaching 60 inches and more, are hunted. However, this hunt is very hard and, for many unprepared hunters, is almost impossible due to extreme elevations. For price-conscious hunters, the Arpa River Valley of Kyrgyzstan offers an opportunity to get a 60-inch trophy at a fraction of the cost of the Tajikistan hunt.
Argali hunting info
For more information on argali hunting, including Marco Polo hunts and mid Asian ibex, please visit www.argalihunt.com or contact Sergei Shushunov at this site.
