Marco Polo is probably the most publicized mountain game animal in today’s hunting world. It is a dream to be fulfilled for many.

Despite of the fact that Marco Polo can be hunted successfully in a number of countries, Tajikistan has the reputation for producing the biggest rams in the SCI record book. Indeed here on the Pamir, Marco Polo sheep sports bigger horns than those of neighboring Kyrgyz sheep. The national game surveys indicate that both Kyrgyzistan and Tajikistan has a population of 10.000 argali, while the sheep is more concentrated in Tajikistan, especially in the southwestern part of the country.

Hunts in Tajikistan take place at higher altitudes, which may be inconvenient for some. Famed Hot Springs camp is located at 14.500’ and provides all the necessary amenities and more for a comfortable hunt at high altitudes. Hunting area can elevate up to 17.000’ or more at times.

However, in contrast to most Kyrgyz hunts, hunts in Tajikistan are conducted by vehicle and on foot. It can require hours of rides until the rams are located at which point a stalk that brings you within shooting range begins. When compared with Kyrgyz hunts, during which long hunting hours are spent on horse back, it may seem to lack the spirit of alpine hunting; nevertheless, this way, hunts are more productive and can be completed within a shorter time.

Hunting season runs from mid August through March. Choosing the best period may be a compromise since the weather conditions can change significantly between the early and late season hunts.

Some of the game species of Kyrgyzstan has been a controversial issue for many years. Only recently trophy classification committee of GSC / OVIS has decided to classify the Hume argali as another subspecies in addition to Marco Polo and Karelini (Tian Shan), while organizations like SCI and USFWS recognize only the latter two subspecies.

According to SCI, true Marco Polo exists in a small area in Kyrgyzstan and remainder of the country is occupied by Tian Shan argali. USFWS draws the boundary along the Naryn River and accepts any argali north of this line as Karelini, whereas the southern side is considered to be the Marco Polo country. However, Ovis club uses the Naryn River as the northern boundary for the Hume argali and Fergansky mountains as the southern stretch.

Marco Polo ( Ovis amon polii )

Marco Polo argali is indigenous to a number of countries like Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and China, and can be hunted in all three countries except in Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan also holds a healthy population of Marco Polo. However, unlike Tajikistan, the sheep here is scattered across the country, which causes the misconception of thinned out population. Nevertheless, national game survey carried out by the Kyrgyz Game Department shows that the country is home to approximately 10.000 argali which is equal to population on the Pamir.

On the other hand, hunting in Kyrgyzistan is handled differently than the neighboring Tajikistan. Here, elevations are moderate compared to Tajikistan and hunts take place almost always at less than 13.000 feet, sometimes even as low as 10.000. These hunts require long hours of horse riding for ten consecutive days in search of a trophy of a lifetime, though they are completed usually on the 3 - 5 days into hunting.

Hunters stay in camps consisting of stove heated traditional felt yurts or hunting cabins. Most of the camps are furnished with saunas to ease the tiredness of a hard hunting day.

PHOTO GALLERY