CENTRAL ASIA
TAJIKISTAN
MARCO POLO ARGALI
The Marco Polo Argali is the signature species of Tajikistan; it's considered by many as the greatest game animal in the world.
High-altitude hunts are conducted from September through February each year. Permanent base camps are usually located between 12,000-13,000 feet in elevation, and most Marco Polo are taken between 14,000 to 16,000 feet. About 70% to 80% of the rams taken in Tajikistan will average 3-4 inches longer than the Marco Polo taken in Kyrgyzstan.
These are vehicle-assisted spot and talk hunts. Specially equipped SUVs function as mechanized horses to cover the vast reaches of hunting concessions, stopping at various high-potential glassing locations along each day's journey. Hunters don't shoot from vehicles but may use them to get as close as possible for a final stalk on foot.
In the earlier part of the season, during September and most of October, snow can be light, heavy, or even non-existent. The rams are more scattered during these months. More walking and the occasional use of a spike camp could be beneficial when conditions allow, and scouting indicates the need.
From about mid-November through the third week of December, the rut actives and congregates herds. A hunter may see hundreds if not a thousand sheep in a day. The rams scatter after the rut and the weather turns colder. But hunts in January and February for isolated groups or single big rams are successful.
Tajikistan's Marco Polo populations are very strong, and hunts have historically been 100% successful. As a matter of professionalism and pride, guides are motivated to hunt selectively for large rams.
PANTHEON HUNTERS+ CAPRINAE SAFARIS
We are a joint team of experienced full-time advisors and active hunters who understand the intricacies of hunting elite species in Asia and Europe.
Amazingly, Marco Polo hunts in Tajikistan cost less than half of what a stone sheep hunt costs and just slightly more than a high-quality Dall sheep hunt in the great Northwest Territories.
It will only be a matter of time before this pricing relationship changes. Marco Polo hunts will become more expensive as the cost of permits and outfitting increases. So, the best advice to offset this price trajectory is to hunt Marco Polo and all other Asian sheep as soon as possible.
BUKHARAN MARKHOR
These impressive Markhor are exportable and access to their range is easier with a 6-hour drive north from Dushanbe. Most are taken around 7,000-9,000 feet in elevation.
BUKHARAN URIAL
Many consider this sheep among the more beautiful of the urial family. Its long white frontal bib and sweeping horns project elegance. They are huntable as a single species but are more frequently combined with hunts for Bukharan Markhor.
MATISON ARGALI
The record books recognize this Marco Polo variant for its unique characteristics. They are estimated to represent only 3-4% of the Marco Polo population and are sought by prolific Ovis collectors. Extensive pre-scouting is what enables success on Matison. They cost more than a Marco Polo hunt simply because of the time and resources allocated to pre-scouting.
PAMIR & BUKHARAN IBEX
Pamir Ibex are offered in combination with Marco Polo in our Pamir camp. They will be found at the higher end of the Marco Polo elevation range, usually around 15,500-16,000 feet. Bukharan Ibex are offered as a single animal hunt. Regardless of the choice, Ibex are one of Asia's most iconic trophies while costing less than a high-quality mountain goat or mule deer hunt.
KYRGYZSTAN
MARCO POLO ARGALI
Hunting this signature Asian sheep in Kyrgyzstan costs about 20-30% less than Tajikistan and for roughly the same cost as a solid Dall sheep hunt. Sometimes less.
For the difference in cost with Tajikistan, horn length in Kyrgyzstan may be shorter by 3-4 inches on average, but a massive-bodied ram with 48- to 53-inch horns is still a very imposing trophy.
Many Marco Polo hunts in Kyrgyzstan are booked as a combination hunt with Mid-Asian Ibex, the largest of the Ibex species, making this combo hunt an exceptional value for the two most iconic trophies of Asia. This combo hunt may be Asia’s greatest hunting value.
Success rates are also virtually 100% thanks to the high density of game and our expert guides who scout the hunting concessions year-round.
The method of hunting differs from Tajikistan in that we use outstanding mountain horses instead of vehicles to penetrate the areas. The Kyrgyz are known to be the most skilled horsemen in the world, and the horses we use are proven and steady. You don't have to be a horseman to hunt Kyrgyzstan. Usually, your guide will lead them with a rope and the horse oblige without issue.
THE SAVANT
Visit The Savant for a special article that will help guide the choice between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for hunting Marco Polo.
MID-ASIAN IBEX
Hunting Ibex in Kyrgyzstan is how many hunters experience their first hunt in Asia. Ibex terrain will challenge hunters regardless of the country where they are hunted. They are the biggest in body mass of all the Ibex and horn length of those found in Kyrgyzstan can average up from the mid-40s. But several trophies of 50 inches or greater are taken annually. For focused and patient hunter-athletes with long-range shooting skills, there are special “trophy hunts” targeting 50+ available.
Note: We also hunt Mid-Asian Ibex in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Both countries are capable of producing trophies of equivalent size to those taken in Kyrgyzstan, only slightly higher in cost. We hunted both countries again recently and the trophies taken were exceptional.
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan is the most under-hunted of all the countries in Central Asia. It's a truly wonderful country with friendly people and customs. it's steadily coming into vogue
MID-ASIAN IBEX
We hunt Mid-Asian ibex range in the Tien-Shan Mountains. Our base camp "home" is located in a farmland valley reachable in 4-hour drive from Tashkent.
We run a very specialized trophy hunt in July that utilizes helicopter insertion to reach a tented camp at about 8,000 feet in elevation. Hunters hunt up and out from there on foot to find ibex that will range from 8,000 to 12,000 feet. Many exceptional trophies have been taken during this time period for physically fit hunters. A hunt in July 2024 netted one that exceeded 51 inches.
Ibex move further down in altitude in the later part of the season, and they can often be spotted in the low hills from access roads. During the October/November timeframe, we utilize a comfortable farmhouse with amenities as a base camp for hunting lower altitudes. Wild boar is an option on a trophy fee basis.
KUGITANG MARKHOR
This “newly minted” Markhor (Capra falconeri ognevi) was previously classified as Bukhara. But recent taxonomic evaluations spearheaded by our world-class outfitter resulted in GSCO declaring a new classification.
A high population and easy access into their territory, the Kugitang Ridge, (located about 435 miles from the capital city of Tashkent), makes this a very productive hunt for a member of the super elite Markhor family. This will be an attractive adventure for aspiring award winners and species collectors. And there is talk of this Markhor being exportable in the future. Stay tuned for news.
BUKHARA URIAL
Some of the range of these beautiful sheep overlap with the Kugitang Markhor. The region is Surkhondarya, in particular the Turkmen (eastern) slope of Kugitana. These sheep migrate in and out of Uzbekistan, and they are plentiful in July/August.
Hunts are based out of lodges, and normally take 2-3 days of hunting, and they are available in combination with Markhor.
BUKHARA DEER
This is a sub-species of the red deer that inhabits Central Asia. They are hunted in the riparian forest and the grassy perimeters of rivers and lakes in Uzbekistan’s Horezm region. The hunting area is reachable by car (600 miles from Tashkent) or just a 1 ½ hour drive from Nukus International Airport.
Hunts normally take just 1-2 days to find a trophy stag. Hunters are accommodated in comfortable luxurious yurts.
BLACK-TAILED GAZELLE
Gazelle are found in the desert and semi-desert regions of many countries, including Iran, Armenia, Afghanistan, West Pakistan, Southern Mongolia, China, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Mongolia has huntable populations of white-tailed gazelle. But collectors take note that Uzbekistan is home to the only known huntable population of black-tailed gazelle.
Hunts of 2-6 days in duration take place in the Jizzakh Region, reachable by a 6-hour drive from Tashkent. Hunters will be hosted in modern, comfortable lodges.
SEVERTZOV ARGALI
This smallest of the argali species is found in the Jizzakh Region, Nurata National Reserve, in particular, the central portion of Nuratau Range. Perhaps appealing only to species collectors, their population is large and healthy thanks to anti-poaching efforts of our outfitter in collaboration with the wildlife department.
Hunts range from 2-6 days in duration and are based out of modern comfortable lodges. The hunting area is reached with a 4-hour car ride from Tashkent.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan's nineteen big game species and a very professional outfitting industry have made it one of the most attractive places to hunt in all of Asia. Its terrain varies greatly from the Himalayas in the north and the deserts in the south. The Markhor conservation programs initiated by local villages is a true success story.
SINDH IBEX & BLANDFORD URIAL
Combination hunts for Sindh Ibex & Blandford Urial are among the most popular, but both species can be hunted individually if the hunter prefers. This is a high-success hunt that takes place in the desert region reachable with a 2-hour drive from Karachi. This is also a low-altitude hunt, with most game taken between 1500-3500 feet in elevation. Accommodations are exceptional. Guides are very professional.
BLUE SHEEP & HIMALAYAN IBEX
Of high importance to award seekers and species collectors, a Blue Sheep hunt high in the northern reaches of the country is Asia’s equivalent of the old, classic portered safaris of Africa. Imagine a 2-day trek into the mountains along with 15 local village porters who are carrying your camp. Blue Sheep populations are thriving, and three days are allocated to hunt once you reach their territory. We only select conservancies that we know hold a plentiful population of sheep.
The price of the hunt is an outcome of permit cost secured at highly competitive auction among outfitters. And when we go to auction on your behalf to bid on a permit, we utilize a completely transparent process that puts you in control of the price of the permit and hunt overall. We will explain this, so you have an understanding about how we mange through a free-market economy stoked by high demand from hunters for this grand species.
Combining Himalayan Ibex with Blue Sheep is a popular and logical choice, but Ibex can be hunted individually. Among all the Ibex species, the Himalayan “feels” exotic because of the journey into their realm. In late season, they can often be spotted from the main roads. Hunters are accommodated in nice country hotels and villas. And as with all Pakistan hunts, local guides are very experienced and professional trophy hunters.
MARKHOR
We serve the goals of species collectors intent on hunting what many consider the most elite of all Asia’s elite species. We hunt Astor, Kashmir and Sulaiman Markhor and each hunt is an entirely bespoke process first involving participation in permit auctions. Similar to the Blue Sheep hunts, the price of each Markhor hunt is a direct outcome of the cost of the permit secured at auction. Again, when we go to auction on your behalf to bid on a permit, we utilize a completely transparent process that puts you in control of the price of the permit and hunt overall.
KAZAKHSTAN
MID-ASIAN IBEX
The Tian Shan Mountains that are home to Mid-Asian ibex in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan also extend into neighboring Kazakhstan and hold some magnificent Ibex. The confluence of borders of these 3 countries touches the Tian Shan and essentially produce the same genetically strong specimens of the iconic mountain trophy.
We hunt them on horseback from lodge accommodations and tented camps and find them up as high as 12,000-13,000 feet. In the November timeframe, Ibex will move to a much lower elevation. One attractive point about hunting Ibex in Kazakhstan is the opportunity to hunt them in combination with big Maral stag.
MARAL STAG
The mountains sound out in September with the bugling of the noble Asian wapiti. We center our focus on areas that have largely been off limits to hunting or under-hunted over the years. Many Maral grow to full 6X6, heavy-mass maturity.
This is a thrilling hunt by horseback that enables the hunting team to cover a lot of ground searching for exceptional trophies. The Maral's mountainous terrain is laced with patches of forests and open meadows and horses do a lot of the work. This is big country requiring the ability to walk and possibly shoot beyond 400 yards.
September and early October is perfect timing for a combination with Ibex in the same or nearby territory.
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