Hunting Marco Polo Argali

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan

The accounts of hunters who ventured into Afghanistan during the 1960s and 70s to hunt Marco Polo left a lasting impression on destination hunters of the era. They shared intriguing stories in home-made films using voiceovers paired with rough footage from their wobbly over-the-shoulder cameras. The sight of giant rams climbing effortlessly in procession over high snow-covered ridges conveyed the size and agility described by the earliest hunter-explorers Demidoff, Littledale and Morden. A modern era international sheep hunting cult was born.

Hunters began foraying into Afghanistan without any expectation of creature comforts, precision, timeliness, or assurance of success. They would simply hunt with high hopes, and endure whatever hunting on the rooftop of the world presented to them. This wasn’t third world. It was the “middle of nowhere” in the fourth world. Home of these big sheep is the Old Silk Road where the mystique of explorer Marco Polo and Genghis Khan still lives on.

Throughout history, Afghanistan has been a mess. A succession of new wars after the early British debacle squelched hunting in the famous Wakhan Corridor. This narrow sliver of Afghanistan jutting eastward and bordering both Tajikistan to the north and Pakistan to the south was “Grand Central Station” for the early Marco Polo hunts. Present day 2025 geopolitics and Taliban rule will likely prevent hunting ever resuming there again. But, as with many good things that are lost and lamented during a lifetime, an excellent Marco Polo hunting alternative emerged – Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. 

Tajikistan (ovis ammon polii)

Some of the very best Marco Polo territory imaginable sits just north of the Wakhan Corridor in Tajikistan and further east. Marco Polo is thriving. The hunting camps are well established and guides are very professional.

Season

We hunt them beginning in September. The rams are scattered. The weather is decent, snow is unlikely. And spike camps are part of the hunt strategy.

The rut typically begins in November and lasts into mid-late December. It’s not uncommon to see hundreds of rams a day during this time. During this 6-7 week period through to the end of the season, hunters will be hosted in permanent camps usually between 12,000-13,000 feet in elevation. All of them are comfortable but some newly built lodges stand out with more modern conveniences and exceptional creature comforts.

The season extends to mid-February, but most camps end their operations at the end of January. What’s important is that hunting the periods that flank the front and back end of the rut are as successful as hunting the rut. Virtually all Marco Polo guides are very tenured and adept at knowing sheep behavior regardless of hunt timing.

Getting There

Hunters connect to Dushanbe through the main airport hub for Central Asia hunts – Istanbul. Flights arrive in the early hours of the morning. Our representatives meet you and assist with clearing guns with Customs. 

The journey by road from Dushanbe into the hunting concessions typically begins immediately unless a hunter chooses to have a rest-up day in Dushanbe. The road trip to camp will require an overnight stay in Khorog. If you can just “go with the flow”, you’ll be hunting one of the world’s greatest game animals within just 2 to 3 days from almost anywhere in the world.

About the Hunt

Once in camp, hunts rely on specially equipped vehicles ranging from Russia’s version of the Jeep to various makes of SUV. Toyota Land Cruisers rule most.

Seeing a huge herd of rams and getting onto them for a shot is another matter altogether. Shots of 500-600 yards are not out of the question, and, in fact, should be considered typical for preparation. So, Marco Polo hunting is a rightful application for a ballistically-informed, long-range rifle in a medium magnum caliber. The new 6.5s will kill, but the shot you might get on one of these 400-pound animals is often not ideal. After analyzing many hits and misses over the years, the 7mm and .300 magnums will offer better effectiveness with improved wind-bucking ability and penetration.

Most Marco Polo are taken between 13,000-16,000 feet. Their mountain companion, the Pamir ibex, will stretch the high-side average elevation from 15,500 to 16,500. Pamir Ibex average a bit smaller than Mid-Asian Ibex found in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. 

We advise hunters to seek their doctor’s advice on preventing and offsetting altitude sickness should it occur. Doctors usually prescribe acetazolamide (Diamox®) to both prevent and combat the effects of high altitude.

Hunters will set out daily with their team and vehicle and stop at likely locations to glass. 10X binoculars with range finding / ballistics compensating capability is a solid choice, but 12X are even better. Always take a variable spotting scope and tripod. Just a few feet of separation between you and your guide and the ability to glass 360° may make the difference in spotting rams. The spotting scope implies more bulk in your luggage or carry-on but you will not be backpacking. The vehicle does most of the work. Hunters walk from the vehicle to the glassing locations and make approaches either from the glassing location or the vehicle to get in position for a shot.

Most rams are taken between Day 2 and 4. A realistic average for Tajikistan is 53-57 inches. Of course they can exceed 60 inches. But all Marco Polo look “big” and may times it’s the hunter that sees beauty in a ram and decides to take the shot. So, be it. They are beautiful. And this is one of the absolute greatest hunting adventures available today – a real hunt for those under the spell of the grandeur of one of the greatest mountain sheep.

Kyrgyzstan (ovis ammon humei)

Kyrgyzstan’s sheep are Marco Polo according to most of the world’s taxonomists and government wildlife agencies. GSCO has declared some differences and refers to sheep found south of the Naryn River as Hume argali. GSCO refers to the sheep found north of the Naryn River as Tian Shan Argali. 

Suggestions: Unless you are a species collector, don’t over-think the classifications. You will be hunting Marco Polo in Kyrgyzstan.

What we believe will be helpful is understanding some of the differences between the Marco Polo hunting between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 

Season

Hunts begin in September and last through early December. The timing of the rut is similar to Marco Polo in Tajikistan. It begins in November. But hunting the Marco Polo rut is over-sensationalized in both countries. Yes, hunters will typically see more sheep, but that does not directly correlate to trophy size harvested. These are naturally nervous sheep and the rut adds numerous pairs of eyes to alert others of danger. Many times, the big rams are found in the periphery of the big herds or simply prefer more isolation. That’s why hunting them before the rut is a good choice.

Getting There

Again, using Istanbul as a connecting hub, the destination is now Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a modern city that has experienced significant growth in the past 10 years. Once you land and are assisted with VIP firearm clearance, you will head by SUV toward Naryn. You will typically arrive at camp that same day and set out hunting the next day. So, the difference between wheels-up time in your home country and boots-on-the-ground hunting is about 1 day shorter if you are hunting in Kyrgyzstan.

About the Hunt

Camps vary between rustic permanent structures and tented or yurt camps. Some of the best areas utilize tented camps. Instead of hunts being vehicle-assisted in Tajikistan, you will hunt by horseback from either type of camp in Kyrgyzstan. 

The Kyrgyz guides are exceptional hunters and horsemen. The horses are exceptional – stable and sure-footed. They will take you places you would otherwise think are impossible to traverse. Just trust your horse.

The problem with all averages applied to anything is that they are averages. There are exceptions to them experienced on one hunt or another. But they are very helpful. In this case, the altitude at which most sheep are taken in Kyrgyzstan is less than Tajikistan. Figure between 10,000 and 13,000 feet is where most are taken in Kyrgyzstan.

In regard to trophy size, the average Marco Polo in Kyrgyzstan will average between 49 to 53 inches. They can exceed well into the high 50s, and can often exceed those taken in Tajikistan. But generally, a ram in the low 50s is a wonderfully respectable and proud specimen in Kyrgyzstan. The difference of 3 to 4 inches in length that Kyrgyzstan averages comes at a price that averages $15,000 to $20,000 LESS, too. And for many hunters, that savings is especially meaningful when 95% of the world would not be able to define its length or even care. Those golden horns will be awe-inspiring regardless.

Shot distances will be similar to those taken in Tajikistan. Prepare to shoot at 600 even though your guide will try to get you closer. The optics and calibers applicable for hunting Marco Polo in Tajikistan also work in Kyrgyzstan.

The ibex are classified as Mid-Asian, the biggest of all the ibex, and Kyrgyzstan is home to some of the biggest. 45 inches into the low 50s make an impressive mount. Most hunters hunt them in combination because they come at such low cost, making the trip efficient for taking 2 of the most iconic species of Asia.

Importing Marco Polo

The US Fish & Wildlife Department is finally approving imports of argali sheep. Each import application must be accompanied by an enhancement report. Our outfitters will assist in making sure the paperwork is completed properly.

Where and When to Go

Answering these questions with the objective first learning about you and then making a “best fit” recommendation is what we do. This foregoing insight offers just a framework for understanding the options. The next step is to experience a dialog about Marco Polo hunting without any obligation. Talk to a Pantheon Hunters advisor for deeper insight and the latest developments.

When we say GO NOW, we say it for one reason. The hunting world faces regulations and forces making it fragile. The prior ban on Marco Polo imports is just one recent example of why none of us can bet on hunting always being there when we are ready. 

Start a discussion with us. We analyze trends and will help you objectively prioritize where and when to go hunting based on these forces that will affect the future.

Contact us today to start planning your next expedition!

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