Marco Polo Argali

Contribute to the recovery of Marco Polo sheep in the community-based conservancies of the Eastern Pamirs and experience an exclusive and excellent hunt with local traditional hunters, who became guardians of wildlife!

Marco Polo sheep is one of the most famous mountain ungulates of Tajikistan and the country holds the largest population number of this argali sheep – more than 23,000 were recorded during a survey in 2009. High mountain plateaus are the habitat of this argali with the most magnificent horns. The largest numbers of Marco Polo sheep are found in commercial hunting concessions, remote areas of Tajik National Park and in the Strict Nature Reserve Zorkul. In other areas Marco Polo sheep disappeared due to poaching and poorly regulated grazing and associated disturbance and depredation by herders’ dogs.The conservancy in Alichur, managed by the community- based NGO “Burgut”, has experienced an incredible conservation success – when the conservancy was established in 2013 less than one hundred Marco Polo sheep could be recorded, while in December 2015, just after three years of protection by local traditional hunters, already more than five hundred argali were observed, among them several trophy-aged rams! Now the first few permits are available and the hunts will further enable and encourage the conservation of this magnificent wild sheep and its ecosystem in the High Pamirs!

Marco Polo sheep hunts are demanding mountain hunts, and success depends strongly on the physical condition of the hunter. Typically these hunts take place in winter at altitudes above 4000 m in the high mountain valleys.

Prior to the arrival of the hunter the local rangers organize the places of residence and recognize the best hunting sites. The hunting site can be reached after a few miles car drive or hike with the assistance of yaks used for transporting the gear or for riding. Since there is no poaching in the areas, it is not unusual to approach the desired animal to less than 100 m. However, the shooting distance can be up to 200-500 m. Sturdy shoes, warm clothes, a warm sleeping bag and a well-to- carry backpack are required. Guns with bolt action (no combined arms) of a caliber suitable for wide shots (e.g., .300 WM) are recommended. We also recommend range finders and binoculars.

WHEN AND WHERE?

Hunting season is from September 1 until end of February, but the most favorable hunting period is from September to December. A twelve day-trip, including one day acclimatization to altitude and eight hunting days, is recommended to achieve success. Shorter trips are also possible upon request!

Currently the only community-based wildlife conservancy offering Marco Polo sheep is in the Eastern Pamirs (Alichur community conservancy) of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO). This hunt can be combined with Asiatic ibex hunting.

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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 donkeys. Local rangers are very experienced traditional hunters who know very well the area, speak basic English, Russian as well as local languages. The group is also accompanied by a young translator who speaks English. Accommodation is organized either in traditional family guesthouses in villages located at the edge of hunting areas, in simple isolated guesthouses or in solid clean South African safari tent. Communal lodging is the rule. For the overnight stay in the field, if necessary, a small tent available. Hunters should bring their own warm sleeping-bags and insulating mats. For spring hunt of wild boars the weather is usually nice with mild temperatures yet with sometimes significant rainfall. Daytime temperatures in summer are very hot, up to 40°C, nights are cooler but still warm. Depending on location the sanitary facilities of the guesthouses may include WC and sauna or be rather simple (dry-toilet and bucket shower).

Species