for the last 100 or so years < or at least it seams that long, I have been putting in on the Ibex permit with no success, but I will keep trying , I want to start applying for the bighorn also , any opinions on what area to apply for on bighorn ? I would hunt with a gun or muzzleloader ,my shoulder is still bad so no bow for a while, Thanks ,Mark

Can't say which bighorn area to apply for, but I have some opinions about the Ibex. I think the non-resident license is $1750. That is probably pretty close to Airfare that will get you to Mongolia. Another $4000 or so to hunt an Altai Ibex there. I know everyone's finances are different, but overtime here and there will probably pay for a foreign Ibex hunt faster than most anyone can draw in the US.

On another note, if someone just wanted the hunt, last year they had "harvest objective" hunts with licenses sold over the counter for two female or immature male ibex on the Florida Mountains to control the population. I would find that hunt severely tempting. Great chance to take a rare species on the cheap!

JMHO

You must purchase a $68 Game Hunting License to apply. The ibex draw tag costs $1610 but if you are not drawn you get the tag cost refunded.

It is well worth taking the chance. I drew an ibex rifle tag on my first try. Applying for muzzleloader tags greatly increases your chances of being drawn.

Tendrams, I believe the days of that type of Mongolia pricing are gone. The new wildlife commissioner/czar/overlord has drastically cut ibex and sheep permits. It is now around double the amount you stated. Another hunt that I am kicking myself for not doing sooner.

Penetrater, I feel your pain on the ibex draw in NM. I guess all we can do is keep trying.

In regards to bighorn units, you didn't state whether you are after a Rocky Mountain bighorn or Desert bighorn. All NM tags for sheep are Any Weapon hunts, there are no special primitive weapons hunts. I don't think you can go wrong with any sheep tag in NM really. For RM bighorn you have a choice of 4 hunts in 3 units. Pecos is split in to 2 hunts, both in August. Wheeler Peak is in September and the Latir Mountains is in August. Last year bigger rams came out of Wheeler and Latir but again, I don't think you can wrong with any sheep tag in NM.
For Deserts you have a few more options since 2012, when we only had 1.
Peloncillo Mountains, Hatchet Mountains (split in to 2 hunts), Caballo Mountains (split in to 2 hunts), Ladron Mountains, Fra Cristobal Mountains and the White Sand Missile Range.
Keep in mind that the WSMR can alter it's access as it pleases.
A giant came out of the Ladron unit last year. Dates are all over the place with some in October, some in November and some in December.
I would recommend finding the season that works best for your schedule and go with that option.
Good luck.

You may be right about Mongolia...but I did see some Tajikistan hunts in the 4000 range last season. Either way, sometimes saving is easier than drawing.

quote:

Originally posted by tendrams:
You may be right about Mongolia...but I did see some Tajikistan hunts in the 4000 range last season. Either way, sometimes saving is easier than drawing.

Correct, Tajikistan is cheapest/most difficult to get to, but can be done for around $4,500 for base hunt cost. Kyrgyzstan is a little more expensive but easier to fly to, and Mongolia has gone off their rocker on prices (basically $11500 for an ibex now with their new "community fees").

This is my 15th year applying for ibex and RMBH in NM.
I am fortune enough to be able to go on several ibex hunts every year over there although I have yet to draw my own personal tag..

As for the sheep, I always apply for the Wheeler Peak tag.

Thanks guys, I would love to hunt them elsewhere ,but for now I still need this one . I have been looking into using a tag application service ,the Hunting fool looks to be reasonable and you don't have to have all the cash loaned out to all the game departments for months on end .

I thought I would try for a sheep in a few states just to see if I get lucky .

Thanks again for taking the time to respond so quickly with good advice .