Tian Shan Marco Polo hunt - Kyrgyzstan

In association with my partner Renaud we offer Tian Shan Marco Polo and Ibex hunts in Kyrgyzstan.

USFW classify argali from Kyrgyzstan as Marco Polo and they are imported as Marco Polo into the States.


Areas in red are our Marco Polo areas



A superb Tian Shan Marco Polo

Hunt cost and program as follows:

Cost of hunt:
Marco Polo: 17,000 Euros
Ibex only: 4.500 Euros, 2nd Ibex 1500 Euros
Wolf if exported: 1000 Euros (free if not exported)
Combination hunt: 18,500 to include one Marco Polo and one Ibex

Number of full hunting days:
Ibex: 5 days
Marco Polo: 7 days
Combination hunt: 8 days


Should I shoot!



Great mass and character!

We can take it easy now.

Typical itinerary for Marco Polo/Ibex:

Day 1 arrive Bishkek early AM, clear customs and immigration and drive to basecamp - 9 hours
Day 2 ride to fly camp, hunting on the way
Day 3-10 hunt marco polo and ibex (8 full days MP and Ibex. Ibex only 5 days, MP only 7 days)
Day 11 return to basecamp
Day 12 return to Bishkek and check into hotel (not included in hunt cost)
Day 13 depart Bishkek early AM flight


Renaud admires a clients Tien Shan Marco Polo.

Seasons: August to November

The Tien Shan Marco Polo is virtually identical to the true Marco Polo from the Pamirs in Tajikistan. The only difference being in the horn length. They are shorter with more mass. A really good head here would be 55-56. An average trophy is an 8 year old mature ram measuring 48-52".

A word about the hunt: Unlike in the Pamirs where one is gasping for breath due to the high altitude, the hunt for Tian Shan Marco Polo is done at lower altitudes so the hunt is much more enjoyable. Hunters can take time riding into the high country spotting herds of sheep and selecting the one they want to shoot. Overall it is a much more pleasant and enjoyable hunt, at a far more affordable price!

On this hunt you can also take two Ibex. In our area you can expect to shoot Ibex in the 40"+ range. We have taken some in the 50" range but those are not behind every rock!


52.75" Mid Asian Ibex!


Ibex are found in all areas that have Marco Polo but not the other way around. FYI, Marco polo need open areas to run so they escape from the wolves, whereas Ibex seek shelter in the cliffs and rocky places, safe from wolves, but the snow leopards can still get them. So the main predator of the MP is the Wolves and Snow Leopards for the Ibex.

As far as importing MP into the States goes, this is the situation:

1. You book the hunt
2. We get your name on the Kirghizstan government's hunters MP list which they will send to USFW
3. You apply for the CITES import permit. USFW will verify that your name is on the government list and issue your permit. IF there are more applicants than permits USFW will have a lottery, if your name is not drawn, we can refund the entire amount or you can just hunt Ibex and we will refund the balance.

There is no import restrictions as far as Ibex goes and you can bring the trophies back with you.

Marco Polo and Wolf trophies will have to be shipped later as it takes time to get the CITES permit, etc.

Included in the hunt:
Local guides
Food, drink
Vehicle and horses
Field care of trophies

Not Included:
VIP meet in Bishkek (incl gun permit and visas) - 150 euros
Personal expenses
Tips
Air travel
Cost of extra baggage for shipping trophy home

Getting there: Daily flights from US to Istanbul and connecting flights to Bishkek on Turkish airlines. Rifles will be checked directly through to Bishkek.

Pictures of more trophies and camps

Safety concerns: Egypt, Libya and Bahrain are a world away from Kyrgyzstan and there is no cause for concern. If there is ever any slightest cause of concern for our clients safety we will cancel the hunt and offer a full refund. Kyrgyzstan is a very hunter friendly country and the people are very friendly.

Thank you for looking.

For more information contact:

Arjun Reddy
www.huntersnetworks.com
30 Ivy Hill Road
Brewster, NY 10509
Tel: 845 259 3628 (NY)

Very interesting!
Is the argalis from Kyrg. what GSCO classifies as Hume Argali?
Looks a bit more brownish in fur colour than regular MP's. Is this a right observation in your opinion?

I would love to do a hunt like that. Sometime in the next few year I think I will start to think about it more serious. looks like they get some nice rams.

quote:

Originally posted by Anders:
Very interesting!
Is the argalis from Kyrg. what GSCO classifies as Hume Argali?
Looks a bit more brownish in fur colour than regular MP's. Is this a right observation in your opinion?

Anders,

Please refer the GSCO website http://www.wildsheep.org/sheep/international.htm they mention the Naryn river as a boundary between various species. In reality the Naryn river is 20 meters wide in some areas and frozen over for many months of the year so sheep freely cross over. So depending on which side of the river you decide to hunt you can call them different names!

As far as color goes you are right they are more brownish than the MP from the Pamirs which are more blackish. The Tian shan MP, are lighter colored in the earlier season and become more brown later on.

Regards,

Arjun

Thanks!
PM sent