Sports Afield has a great article on commune based hunting organizations and how the international community was engaged to set up these entities. The result has been an increase to 1900'animals from a population of 350 markor in Tajikistan. This article should be the blue print on how to engage the international community in favor of hunting.

The protection and vale afforded by Sport Hunting has allowed the snow leopard to rebound as well.

If anyone thinks ethics do not matter they should read this article. It was written by a German biologist.

Definitely will check it out. Agree the markhors are a true success story!

Just as a American success
Look at what we accomplished since the wholesale slaughter of turn of the century

What I find most important about the article is how the international and scientific community was brought to the table on the front end to establish this hunting program that has allowed such growth in Markhor and other species.

That up front interaction and integrated ground game with international, scientific actors, I think demonstrates what needs or should have been done in Africa and British Columbia.

I see the article as an overview of how hunting should be engaging these important actors in wildlife management. Instead of ignoring them and condemning them as useless, illogical threats to hunting.

Look how folks have reacted to the 6 year lion rule. The overarching complaint is less lions are being shot, and it was a conspiracy to end lion hunting. No, it is science based. Of course, less lions are being shot under the rule. That was the point to make sure only the right/old lions that would not affect the population. Better to pass a lion that is a maybe than shot a 4 year old or pride holder. That should be celebrated.

I wish some mechanism could be built in to allow local citizen hunters to hunt Markhor. It is their country after all. Maybe a lottery with a four year freeze on any citizen hunter who draws a tag.

Or x number of tags every other year for locals who have provided the ground support tied to numbers of Markhor in their area to award and further incentives their effort/support.