Are there any hunting bargains in Asia?

Among the craggy textures and extensive scope of Asia’s mountain ranges live some of the world’s greatest and most premier big game animals. Multiple species of Argali, Markhor, Urial, Ibex, and other premier Ovis and Capra “exotica” call out to adventurous hunters and collectors alike. Asia is the final frontier for purists impassioned by raw, free-range big game hunting.

Having what it takes mentally and physically to successfully hunt Asia’s mountain game involves a unique type of victory over self. Hunting up high always feels worth it. And for any hunter who really wants to hunt, Asia delivers.

WHAT DOES ASIAN HUNTING COST?

Remote mountain hunting will never escape the inherently significant costs and operational complexities of high-quality outfitting, the effect of hunters driving up demand for permits, limited quotas, and inflationary economies.

But certain Asian hunts represent very high value when compared to other hunts worldwide. For example, as grand as North America’s wild sheep are, some of Asia’s hunting values really sink in. Not to dimmish the grandeur or desirability of any non-Asian game species, and comparison made here simply provide eye-opening context for the value and adventure that some Asian hunts offer.

IBEX

Ibex are widely regarded as Asia’s most cost-effective mountain game species. The backward-sweeping and deeply ridged horns of these mountain dwellers can be found in Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and Mongolia.

Ibex hunts across these territories will cost less than high-quality hunts for Rocky Mountain Goat, Alaska-Yukon Moose, many private land Elk hunts, and certainly almost any of the North American sheep. And there will be plenty of change left over for taxidermy, too.

We’ll cover Bezoar Ibex separately as it technically found in Eurasia, better known as Turkey, a game-rich country that bridges Europe and Asia.

MARCO POLO

Once a hunter recognizes that nothing else is a Marco Polo, it becomes a “bucket list” trophy. They are among the most sought-after Ovis species and considered by many to be one of the Top 10 game animals in the world.

A Marco Polo hunt in Kyrgyzstan is arguably one of the world’s greatest sheep hunting bargains. Averaging only 3-6” less in length than the average Tajikistan Marco Polo is worth saving $15,000-$20,000.

If the aura of hunting Tajikistan overtakes financial logic, a hunter will not be disappointed. Tajik rams are simply bigger and easily worth the difference in difference in price to many.

And regardless, a Marco Polo hunted in either country compares favorably to the cost of North American sheep hunts, and it will make an outsized impact in a trophy room.

TUR SLAM & CAUCASIAN CHAMOIS

Dedicated sheep hunters have always been drawn to hunt Tur, even though it is a species of goat. With Azerbaijan presently closed and no substantive hint about it ever re-opening, the Dagestan Republic of Russia, has emerged at the go-to destination for Eastern Tur, the largest of three Tur species. It is the same Tur that is found in Azerbaijan, living in the Caucasus Mountain range that forms the border between Azerbaijan and Dagestan, Russia.

Only Russia offers two other species of Tur – the Mid-Caucasian, and Western Tur. Hunting any of the three Tur will cost less than a quality hunt for Rocky Mountain Goat, Mule Deer, Elk, and Caribou hunts while providing a unique adventure. And the challenging Caucasian Chamois is a Tur hunt option that ticks another Capra Slam box.

SNOW SHEEP

Russia’s snow sheep cost far less cost than expected while delivering full-voltage mountain hunting adventure. With costs roughly ranging between $24,000 to $40,000 depending on the species, Russia is a big draw for both Ovis collectors and hunters simply wanting to continue hunting sheep more affordably.

As its name implies, the Kamchatka snow sheep is found in the mountains on the eastern side of the peninsula and further north in the Palana region. A healthy population and limited quota translate to high success.

Further north of the Kamchatka Peninsula is the Koryak snow sheep. And further into the Far East mainland are the Chukotka, Kolyma, Okhotsk, Yakutia, and Kharaulakh snow sheep. Combo hunts are possible to leverage time and travel investment. Every snow sheep hunt symbolizes pure adventure in an unspoiled land. Our Russian sheep guides know their craft!

COASTAL BROWN BEAR

While speaking of Russia and not typically labelled as “mountain game”, the Kamchatka Peninsula and Magadan regions hold the largest populations of Coastal Brown Bear. These are the most productive hunts for trophy Brown Bear in the world. Full stop.

These hunts will force a hunter to re-think previously held assumptions about hunting them! These areas will produce 10-feet square bears with much higher predictability and lower cost than hunts in Alaska. Everyone takes a good bear, let alone 2 per hunter, which is the 25-year average.

Imagine what it would be like to see 10-15 legitimate trophy-class shooters per day. The hunt is easy by necessity. Spring snows are so deep that snow machines are the only way to penetrate the areas and locate bears.

MARAL STAG

Big Maral stags, Asian Wapiti (Elk), are found high in the forested mountains of Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Mid-Eastern Red Deer (Anatolian stags) is Turkey’s premier antlered species. Hunts for either during the “roar” are especially productive and compare with the cost of quality hunts for many antlered big game species in North America or good Red Stag hunts in Argentina and New Zealand.

QUICK SUM-UP

Reimagine remote hunting. Covering over 30% of Earth’s land mass, much of it un-spoiled and game-rich, Asia is a priority destination with affordable options.

A hunter with just one taste of Asia always regards it as a priceless and irreplaceable experience. With trustworthy advice, early planning, disciplined savings, and making a few trade-offs now and then, Asian hunting is within reach.

Together with Caprinae Safaris, we specialize in Asian outfitting. Our teams process uncommon skills and operational capabilities to outperform the expectations of the world’s most demanding hunters.

Contact Pantheon Hunters for the latest insights and recommendations by email at info@pantheonhunters.com or by phone/WhatsApp at +1 (585) 267-9724.