OVERVIEW

Marco Polo Argali is one of the most prestigious and important trophies of all the wild sheep in the world. The population of Marco Polo Sheep is increased enormously and today its population is estimated around 30.000, distributed among the countries of Tajikistan, Kirgizia, Afghanistan and China. Southeastern part of Tajikistan is most probably home to the healthiest Marco Polo population in the world. National field surveys indicate that country holds about 10.000 sheep while some others think that the actual number is a bit higher.

Tajikistan has the reputation of having produced the biggest rams in the SCI book. If your top priority as a mountain hunter is a high quality trophy, there is no alternative but booking your trip to Tajikistan. Here almost every season for the last couple of years, a few 60’’ class rams are collected by hunters. Due to the better genes that the Tajik argali population has and the pre-scouting done by the locals prior to hunt, Marco Polo hunting is more productive in terms of trophy quality than its neighboring Kyrgyzstan.

Although Tajikistan has never been a major destination for the Mid-Asian (Tien Shan) Ibex , in the same camp, within the same hunting period, this specie can be hunted in combination with Argali.

HOW TO ARRIVE

For hunters who want to fly to Tajikistan the options are very limited. Turkish Airlines has direct scheduled flights to Dushanbe twice a week. T.A. also flies to most of the major cities in Europe and if you use one of these connections or Istanbul, your luggage will be checked all way through Dushanbe. Other than this option, national airlines of the country, Tajik Air, offers several flights to Dushanbe from both Istanbul and Munich. As an additional possibility, one can always use Moscow connection in order to reach to the capitol city of the nation. There are several airlines that fly from Moscow to Dushanbe namely Tajik Air, Somon Air, Domodedovo Airlines and Siberian S7.

Once you arrive Dushanbe, you will be met by our representative. Our people will take care of the rifle clearance in the airport and you’ll never be left alone until you leave the country. For the hunters who pursue his/her dreams for the fabled Marco Polo sheep, long trips are inevitable. After your arrival in Dushanbe, you will be taken to the camp by car. This transfer is quite long and tiresome but it helps adjusting to the altitude slowly. The way from Dushanbe to the hunting camp takes about 18 – 20 hours with a one night stopover in a small town named Khorog.

AREAS, ALTITUDE, METHOD

The high platos of Pamir Mountains are the home for Marco Polo and Mid Asian Ibex. We hunt two separate areas in the Gorno-Badakhsnskaya province of Tajikistan, namely Rangkul and Hot-Springs which are 800-900 km / 460 – 560 miles east of Dushanbe. But due to reduced trophy quality in the hot springs area, we tend to take our clients to the new area which is quite promising. Hunts are carried out at the altitude of 3200-3800 m/ 10500-12500 feet in Rangkul area and at about 4800 - 5000 m/ 15,400 - 16400 feet in Hot-Springs. Since the Pamir Mountains is consisted of high plains, almost all parts of the area can be reached by vehicles (unlike Kirgizia where the horses are used extensively). During the day guides and the hunter glass the hillsides and feeding areas. When an old ram is spotted and confirmed, it is stalked until a reasonable shooting distance is reached. It is not so uncommon to observe very big herds of Marco Polo each day. Hunters usually have almost 100% chance to shoot one. Marco Polo hunting is known for requiring extremely long shooting occasionaly. At times barrel stretching shots such as 400 - 600 yards can be necessity. But in many occasions hunters can get a chance within 300-450 yards. Your guide will try to get closer for an easier shot if the circumstances allow.

SEASON, WEATHER, ACCOMMODATION

Although the hunting season extends from September thru the end of the year and then end of February through March, we recommend our hunters to come in October and November. The later has its advantages for being the rutting season although the weather conditions are bound to change by mid November. By the beginning of December there may be too much snow on the ground which may cripple the jeep rides to some degree. Late season hunts in march can also be rewarding.

Camps are quite comfortable and could be accepted as luxurious compared to many other camps in Asia. Electricity is produced by generator and bathing facilities are available.

TROPHY TREATMENT AND SHIPMENT

The skin of the trophy is carefully treated, ears and lips are turned and salted and the scull are boiled and cleaned properly. Later, the trophy is carefully packed for shipment. After all papers are prepared which are necessary for the shipment, the shipment is sent to the address that is provided. Receiving your trophy may take a few months and shipment cost is around US$750 -1,000 depending on the address.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

As a general rule most of our hunts are completed in 2-3 days under normal conditions. But we recommend our hunters to reserve at least 6 days in case of bad weather conditions. A total of 10 days from/ to Dushanbe enough time for this hunt. An example of your day by day itinerary could be as follows;

Day 01. Arrival to Dushanbe. Custom formalities, transfer to Khorog 10 – 12 hours, stay overnight.

Day 02. Transfer from Khorog to the hunting area, rest.

Day 03-08. Hunt Marco Polo ( up to 6 days)

Day 09. Back to Khorog, stay overnight.

Day 10. Back to Dushanbe, overnight or flight home.

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