Morning,
I do a lot of hunting in the UK and a little within Europe.
The UK isnt exactly known for its mountain ranges...
I have the mountain hunting bug, and want to start it with either a Tur or a Mid-Asian Ibex.
I was looking for guidance on what you more experienced guys would do as a first hunt.
I'm 32, reasonably fit and love a challenge.
I'm a teacher so get 6 weeks off in July and August.
Thank you
Simon

Hi Simon! I've hunted the Mid Asian ibex and I don't believe the season opens in Kyrgyzstan until August. That said August is not the ideal time to go from what I've heard. I'm not sure about Kazakstan or Tajikistan. I haven't hunted Tur, but I seem to remember the ideal hunt time is a bit earlier, so perhaps July or August would work. The outfitter I went with Seladang hunts both and is represented by Arjun Reddy. Perhaps he can give you some feedback.

Brett

Hi Simon,

I've done both hunts and both are excellent experiences. The ibex can be hunted during the summer months but it is not an ideal time to hunt them. They generally hang out at the tops of the mountains to stay cool. The air is quite thin up there and the peaks are rugged which makes the hunting very difficult. When you hunt them during the fall and winter they are at lower elevations and easier to get to.

Tur are generally hunted during the summer and early fall. Prime months are July and August (I did my tur hunt in july). This hunt is more physical than the ibex hunt in my opinion but horses can be used if you need them (the ibex hunt is mainly horseback). The tur hunt is hands down the best overall hunting experience that I've had and I plan to do the hunt again.

I represent outfitters for both species and if you're interested in the tur I can nearly guarantee you will not find a better price. The outfitter is great and his team makes the whole experience an ease from the moment you arrive in Baku(same goes for the Kyrgyz company). The ibex price is more along the lines of average with others but the outfitter is top notch in a place full of bad deals. Feel free to send me a PM and I can give you some more info on either hunt.

Brett -thank you. I had already corresponded with both Arjun and Renaud (I live in Europe - so would deal direct with Renaud). I got the distinct impression that Ibex was viewed as the best choice for a first hunt from them, but then had a few friends tell me that they had done both and the terrain for Tur wasnt that much harder...

Bwanawannabe -thank you.

The hunting season in Kyrgyzstan is opened on 15th of August, but the animals are quite high in summer time. So if you are in a good phisical shape you can come.

quote:

Originally posted by sws:
Morning,
I do a lot of hunting in the UK and a little within Europe.
The UK isnt exactly known for its mountain ranges...
I have the mountain hunting bug, and want to start it with either a Tur or a Mid-Asian Ibex.
I was looking for guidance on what you more experienced guys would do as a first hunt.
I'm 32, reasonably fit and love a challenge.
I'm a teacher so get 6 weeks off in July and August.
Thank you
Simon