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Hunters Wanted by Tajikistan Community Conservancy

(posted December 03, 2015)

Remember that new markhor hunting opportunity in Tajikistan we reported in the October 2014 issue of The Hunting Report? (See Article 3567) You'll recall several local communities had established a conservancy project and were offering a limited number of guided hunting opportunities for markhor. Well, we just learned that the program is moving forward and has several openings left for this season. We got word from Regina Lennox of Conservation Force, who is working with the conservancies there. The information came in too late to make The Hunting Report's December issue (which you should have gotten last week) and the opportunity may be gone by the time you get the January issue. So, we are sharing the news with Email Extra subscribers now. Mind you we are not "recommending" this hunt, as it is almost-certainly not right for every hunter. But for those with a highly adventurous spirit interested in taking a markhor and in directly supporting a local community's conservation projects, this could be a perfect opportunity. Here's what Lennox told us about the hunt:

"The hunting season lasts through the end of February, 2016. There are two to three markhor left on the scientifically set quota, and the revenue goes directly to the communities to sustain their conservancy project, research and anti-poaching efforts.

"This is a homegrown conservancy project located in a remote area of Tajikistan along the Afghan border. The trophy quality is very good, and the direct benefits of the hunting are high. Full utilization of the quota is vital to keep the conservancy system going.

"Interested hunters can call Conservation Force (504-837-1233), and we will put them in contact with outfitters and the conservancies. We also have detailed information on our website about the project, including the first import permit application filed with USFWS and the supporting documentation. Hunters should note that the USFWS import permit application is pending, and EU imports have been allowed for the past two seasons. Notably, Tajikistan was not a party to CITES but voted to become one this summer and is finishing the accession process.

"CF will help with any import permit applications as long as the hunter contacts us pre-hunt. There are four community conservancies that provide markhor hunts. The season only opened in 2013/14, so this is a developing market for the conservancies, but in the first several years they saw positive increases in the markhor population in consistent, comparable surveys. This project (the Tajikistan Mountain Ungulates Project) was honored with the CIC Markhor Award for sustainable use and community based conservation in 2014."

Contact Lennox (504-837-1233) for more details. - Barbara Crown, Editor-in-Chief.

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It's always nice to be wanted but I suspect a markhor hunt is a bit rich for my blood (and wallet)!
They are very cool animals and if i had a magic wand....

Zeke