Is Iran open to US hunters?

I was told that it is open just last night. More species of wild sheep than any other country in the world .

There are somewhere between 4 and 7 species in Iran.

Scientifically there are probably just 3. The Armenian Mouflon, Trans Caspian Urial and a Southern Iranian Urial. There are about 4 races of Urials in Southern Iran.

SCI has them chopped up pretty good, the Iranians like that because it adds to their financial bucket.

The first few years it was open it was a bargain, could have been doing for under $9000 per ram. Those days are gone, but I think it's an interesting hunt to a part of the world most folks will never visit.

I have spent a lot of time in the near east, I think that there is a huge risk going over there as an American. But if you know that going into it, and are working with a good company and have deep pockets to get yourself out of a mess you should be fine.

Last time I did the math most of the hunts for sheep were around $18-30,000 per ram. Ibex hunts are nearer the $10,000 price.

At the time it was affordable to me I couldn't go because of my security clearance at work.

Now that I am retired from the military I can't go because I can't afford it.

Oh well, there is more to life than that.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6108036/m/1741036881


Here is the thread from May along with a price list from Ken Wilson.

The hunting itself is open to everyone but I believe Americans aren't allowed in. I can check with my contacts over there, but, unless things are going to change with the recent good news regarding the nuclear talks, I wouldn't hold my breathe over it.

The prices have jumped significantly this season and they have added a new "conservation fee" that is on a sliding scale. The more desirable/rare the species, the higher the fee. Trophy fees have also went through the roof as compared to the prices they were going for before the closure last season.

If I were an American, I would not enter Iran with al the animosity going on.

Santa Claus

quote:

Originally posted by Santa Claus:
If I were an American, I would not enter Iran with al the animosity going on.

Santa Claus

I take it Iran is on the "Naughty List"?

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Santa Claus:
If I were an American, I would not enter Iran with al the animosity going on.

Santa Claus

And you have been there? You have first hand knowledge?

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

quote:

Originally posted by Santa Claus:
If I were an American, I would not enter Iran with al the animosity going on.

Santa Claus

And you have been there? You have first hand knowledge?

Are you kidding? That's Santa you're talking to...

quote:

Originally posted by Antlers:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

quote:

Originally posted by Santa Claus:
If I were an American, I would not enter Iran with al the animosity going on.

Santa Claus

And you have been there? You have first hand knowledge?

Are you kidding? That's Santa you're talking to…

He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for Christ sake!!!

Brett

I forgot. The Jeddi Mind Powers of Santa Claus are strong!

I prefer to get info from someone first hand, however.

I have spent considerable time in the Middle East but not Iran, Iraq or Saudi. Just trying to get solid intel before I go.

Dogcat, I'm just waiting for my contact to get back to me…I think he's in the field. I'll be there at the end of january and will be able to give some more details on the situation.

read the entire article- it certainly implies that doing ANY business in Iran can be a problem- and hunting is definitely a business
http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_...costs-iran-sanctions

All else being equal, I'd hunt Iran tomorrow.

But all else ain't equal these days.

it would be a fun trip in a fully equipped Comanche. I had a cousin that died in the embassy siege. He was a good Marine.

Visa's are not available to Americans is what I have been told by the outfitter. As I said, I'll be there hunting in a couple of months time and I'll be able to give some firsthand experience. Hope this helps.

What are you going to be hunting Peter....sounds like an awesome adventure!

Would be awesome...

It's been three years in the making but I am finally getting to go! I was originally booked for last fall but, as many of you know, the season was closed. It reopened this year after they overhauled the wildlife department. In all the flurry, they decided they should take the route of charging much more than previous seasons and adding a conservation fee for each species. I was to hunt several animals last year but due to the amount of notice I had about the hunting reopening and hunts in the meantime, I cut back to one specie. It was to be transcaspian urial but I've recently switched it to the Persian desert ibex. He's much more endemic and I'm hoping to make it back next year for the sheep.

As many of you know, a hunt in this area of the world is about so much more than just pulling the trigger. I think it will be an excellent adventure and a good hunt. I can taste the lamb already!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH3uUg2gqRc


Video of Jim Shockey in Iran