Hunt of markhor in community-based conservancies in Tajikistan



Experience a memorable hunt and contribute to nature conservation!

Introduction

Community-based wildlife management is a recent development in Tajikistan. The aim of this approach is to offer revenues to local people and their families through conservation and sustainable use of wildlife, to refrain them to hunt unsustainably and motivate them durably to protect their wildlife resources. Since 2008 game management areas that are protected by families or associations of local hunters have been established with the support of a nature conservation and development project. Revenues generated from guided hiking, game-viewing, wildlife photography and hunting are to support the work of local rangers and nature guides, and any surpluses are invested into local development projects.

The Tajik or Heptner’s markhor is found only in two scattered populations in the Kugitang Mountains at the border between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and in the mountains along the Pyanj River at the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Thanks to the conservation efforts by private and community based conservancies the population has recovered in recent years and in 2012 a total of 1018 markhor was counted, among them a healthy percentage of mature males. To stimulate further conservation efforts the Government of Tajikistan has issued a hunting quota of six markhor for the period until February 2014. As markhor have not been hunted for trophies mature males with excellent trophies are numerous.

Additional hunting opportunities include the Asiatic ibex and wild boar. The Asiatic or Siberian ibex is distributed from southern Siberia (Altai) to the Himalayan chain. Due to harsh environmental conditions horns of ibexes in Tajikistan rarely reach the size of their relatives in the northern neighbouring countries. Nonetheless, horn lengths of more than 100 cm are the rule for large adult males older than 8 years.

The highlands of southern Tajikistan offer an excellent habitat for wild boars. Because this species is rarely hunted by local people, many huge animals can be found in this area. Usually tusks are in the range of 21 - 23 cm, and may sometimes exceed 26 cm in old specimens. Only adult males are targeted.

Although they cannot be hunted, other species such as the Isabelline brown bear and the Bukhara urial sheep can be observed in these community-based conservancies. In Tajikistan healthy populations of ibex and markhor are the main prey source for the magnificent snow leopard which is a very important predator in the ecosystem. The presence of this secretive cat species is most often detected by the tracks it leaves in the snow but it has also been seen on rare occasions during hunts and hikes.

When and where?

The hunting season for the take of the markhor was defined by the Decree of the Government of Tajikistan until End February 2014. The late winter provides favourable hunting conditions as markhor will concentrate in the lower parts of the mountains with the first green herbs and grasses. This period is as well suitable for hunting the Asiatic ibex and the wild boar.

A ten-day-trip including eight hunting days is usually sufficient to achieve success.

The areas where markhor hunting is taking place are located in the south of Tajikistan, in the provinces of Khatlon and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO). The conservancy of Morkhur Ltd. is located in the southwest of Shuroabad district, near Dastijum Strictly Protected Area, the conservancy of NGO Muhofiz consists of several sections in the east of Shuroabad district and the conservancy of M-Sayod Ltd. is located in Darvaz district at the slopes of the Darvaz Mountain Range. All three conservancies offer along with markhor hunting opportunities on wild boar. Ibex hunts are only offered by M-Sayod.

Location of the markhor conservancies of M-Sayod Ltd., NGO Muhofiz and Morkhur Ltd.

In Tajikistan the journey starts from the international airport of Dushanbe connected by Somonair carrier once a week from Frankfurt, Germany, three times a week from Dubai and by Turkish Airlines twice a week from Istanbul. Because of the remoteness of the hunting areas, poor road infrastructures and sometimes difficult weather conditions, especially in winter, a relatively long travel by road is necessary. The markhor areas can be reached from Dushanbe in half-a-day drive, but after arrival several hours might be necessary to obtain the permit for entering the border zone, where all markhor areas are located.

Hunting

Markhor are hunted at altitudes between 800 m and 2000 m a. s. l. and hiking at steep mountain slopes, supported by experienced guides will be necessary. Prior to the arrival of the hunter the local rangers recognize the best hunting sites. In good snowy conditions the markhor stay at least in the morning and afternoon hours in the lower slopes. Usually an overnight stay at the hide is not necessary, but the hunter may prepare himself for such an option. Since there is no poaching in the area, it is not unusual to approach the desired animal to less than 100 m. However, more frequently the shooting distance is closer to 200-300 m. It is a demanding and adventurous mountain hunt, and success depends strongly on the physical condition of the hunter. Sturdy shoes, warm clothes, a warm sleeping bag and a well-to-carry backpack are required. We also recommend range finders and binoculars.

Typically ibex hunts take place at higher elevations than markhor hunts, altitudes ranging between 2200 and 4000 m. Wild boar hunts take place at lower elevations ranging between 1000 m and 2000 m. The wild boar hunt requires a high level of endurance and quickness when shooting. Guns with bolt action (no combined arms) of a calibre suitable for wide shots (e.g., .300 WM) are recommended. Range finders and binoculars are recommended



Service, accommodation and meals

For the journey a cross-country vehicle is rented. On site hunts usually take place on foot, with the help of guides and, where suitable, donkeys. Local rangers are very experienced traditional hunters who know very well the area, speak Russian as well as some basic English. The hunters are also accompanied by a translator for English. Accommodation is organized either in traditional family guesthouses in villages located at the edge of hunting areas, or in simple isolated guest houses. For the overnight stay in the field, if necessary, a solid clean South African safari tent is available. Communal lodging is the rule. Hunters should bring their own warm sleeping-bags and insulating mats. Depending on the location the sanitary facilities include WC and sauna or are rather simple (dry-toilet and bucket shower).

Weather

Expect cold and sometimes wet weather with ambient temperature around freezing point. Mild temperatures can sometimes be accompanied by significant rainfall or snow.

Visas and permits

European hunters can apply for visa for instance at the Tajik embassy in Berlin, http://www.botschaft-tadschikistan.de or in Brussels (http://www.taj-emb.be). Be sure to apply for tourist visa (invitation not required). Alternatively issuing of visa upon arrival at Dushanbe airport can be arranged. For hunting in the border areas and in GBAO a special permit is required which can be requested with the visa at the embassy or obtained after arrival. The weapon import permit is obtained within Tajikistan in advance and is sent by e-mail. CITES import permits have to be obtained by the hunters, export permits are issued by the Tajik authorities. Trophies can be carried by the hunters or are shipped by an EU-registered company.

Prices

The price is for the entire hunting trip cost from / to airport of Dushanbe including car transportation, accommodation in the hunting area, meals, guides, interpreters, and weapons export, hunting permit, veterinary certificate, initial handling of trophies. It does not include international flight cost, excess luggage cost, visa cost, sight-seeing program, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tips, trophy shipment cost, food and hotel accommodation in Dushanbe.

Tajik markhor:

- Up to 10 hunting days
80,000 €
Deposit:
40,000 €

Additional options

Siberian ibex:

3,000 €
Deposit:
1,500 €

Wild boar:

1,000 €
Deposit:
500 €

including the boar with largest tusks, above 18 cm length
- Each additional boar
1,000 €
- Sow, young
150 €

- If the client does not get a suitable animal for take, no additional costs above the deposit are charged.

Contact :


SUDBRACK & BIERE Jagdreisen GmbH & Co. KG
50996 Köln, Mainstr. 38, Germany

PH.: +49 (0)221-3798546
Fax: +49 (0)221-2763945
Mail: sb-jagdreisen@netcologne.de
www.sb-jagdreisen.de