Marco Polo Sheep

The Marco Polo Sheep hunt is one of the last true adventures in hunting. At present this species (Ovis ammon poli) can be hunted in the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and China (the United States currently only allows importation of trophies taken in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan). All three of these Asian Republics have primitive infrastructures in the regions where sheep are found and this hunt is considered one of the most exclusive and adventurous expeditions in the world. Considerable preparation is needed for this hunt and licenses for these highly prized sheep are strictly limited. Because of the improved political situation in these countries, all areas are now open to us for hunting. Our own scouting teams select our hunting areas very carefully and we have secured what we believe to be the best available for our customers. We have opened some of these areas to hunting by foreigners.

The results of recent hunts reflect the many improvements which have been made to the hunt for this highly sought after sheep. All of our hunters have been successful (more than 250 hunters!). Recent trophies have measured between 52 and 67 inches of horn-length. Our continuing success rate of 100%, in a volume of more than 20 hunts each season is unequaled in the hunting industry. Hunting varies from area to area. Throughout large portions of Kyrgyzstan, the predominant species of argali is the Tien Shan sheep (Ovis ammon karelini). Both of our hunting areas in Kyrgyzstan, however, lie south of the Naryn River Valley, bordered on the east by China and on the south by Tajikistan, and are inhabited only by true Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon poli). In these areas sheep are abundant, as are Mid-Asian Ibex. The surrounding mountains are between 10,500 and 14,500 feet high. The camps are usually situated at an altitude of less than 11,000 feet. The arrival airport is Bishkek, the capitol city of the Kyrgyz Republic. From here hunters are driven by jeep to the base camp, which lies approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Bishkek. Hunting is done both on horseback and on foot. The terrain is not as difficult as that in which previous Marco Polo sheep hunts took place. The sheep population in this region is approximately 4000 animals and normally a hunter will see several hundred sheep during the course of a hunt. In general, the hunt in Kyrgyzstan is slightly easier than the hunt in Tajikistan.

Safari Club International and the United Sates fish and Wildlife Service recognize all sheep taken south of the Naryn River as Marco Polo sheep. Ovis and other hunting organizations, make an additional distinction, for trophy recording purposes. Sheep from the northern most regions, South of the Naryn River, can also be considered Hume’s argali, because of their horn conformation and intermediate pelage, between the Marco Polo sheep and the Tien Shan argali, found North of the Naryn. Whether you want to collect a Marco Polo argali or a Hume argali from Kyrgyzstan, we can accommodate you!

We also have an excellent area North of the Naryn River for hunting the Tien Shan argali. At the moment these sheep are not importable into the United States, they are, however, importable into Canada, Mexico and many other countries. The Tien Shan argali is a somewhat smaller sheep with slightly shorter horns.
Marco Polo sheep hunts in China are very similar to hunts in Kyrgyzstan. The primary hunting area is located south of the town of Kashi, which is approximately 200 kilometers south of the Marco Polo sheep hunting areas in Kyrgyzstan. Accommodation is had in yurts and the hunts are carried out on horseback and on foot. Base camp altitudes are usually around 12,000 feet, while hunting requires climbs to over 14,000 feet. Hunters arrive in Beijing and are flown to Kashi the next day, from which point the transfer to camp is accomplished with jeeps.

The hunt in Tajikistan is conducted in the area south of the village of Murgab, in the triangle between the borders of Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan. Our 3 outfitting areas lie close to each other in the heart of the Pamir Mountains, at higher elevation than the hunting areas in Kyrgyzstan, in some places over 15,000 feet. This famous region is known as the Gorno Badakshan. All argali from Tajikistan are classified as true Marco Polo sheep. The base camps are located at an altitude of 13,000 feet and the primary hunting areas are adjacent to the famous Vachan Corridor in Afghanistan. The point of arrival will be Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. From Dushanbe our clients fly to the town of Khorog, depending upon the prevailing weather. From there hunters are taken by jeep, into the hunting area. Upon request and at additional cost the transfer can be accomplished by charter helicopter. As in Kyrgyzstan, we have our own transportation (jeeps) at our disposal. Helicopter flying hours (if requested) must be paid separately before the commencement of the hunt. Stalking is done on foot as soon as the game is sighted, but long distances (up to 100 kilometers or more per day) are traveled by jeep, in search of old, trophy quality rams. The largest Marco Polo sheep ever recorded have come from Tajikistan.

In both Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, our camps are outfitted with modern equipment including camp beds, stoves and first-aid equipment. Camps situated at elevations above 12,000 feet are equipped with "Gamow" bags (portable hyperbaric chambers). Our team of experts coordinate all details, including the necessary trophy preparation and export papers. No company has more experience hunting Marco Polo Sheep than we do. No company has delivered more BIG trophies than we have.

Normally we can accommodate two to four hunters per camp. Each hunter has his own guide and vehicle, and each will be taken to a different area each day. Each camp has one of our highly trained camp managers to oversee the hunt and a skilled interpreter.

Marco Polo Prices for 2008

Tajikistan: 10 day program: $ 36,000.00
Kyrgyzstan: 10 day program $ 25,900.00
China: 12 day program $ 29,000.00
Itinerary planning fee $ 50.00

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrival in Bishkek, Dushanbe or Kashi
Reception by a Hunting Consortium representative
Day 2 - Transfer to camp
Day 3 - 8 - Hunt (6 to 7 days)
Day 9 - Return to Bishkek, Dushanbe or Kashi
Day 10 - Departure

In Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan hunters may take Mid-Asian ibex after taking the Marco Polo sheep for the additional trophy fee of $ 4,000.00. The average ibex trophy quality is between 42" and 50". In China the trophy fee for ibex is $3,000.00.

The Fall season begins in September and extends into mid-December. We regard October and November to be the optimum period, with regard to weather conditions, to hunt this species. The rut begins in mid-November and lasts through December, for those willing to accept harsher weather conditions in the hope of a superior trophy. Hunting is also possible in the Spring, if the harvest quota for the respective area was not reached in the fall. The spring hunting season starts at the end of February and extends through the end of March. Often inclement weather conditions interfere with Spring hunts. Any expeditions which cannot be undertaken due to weather conditions, are simply postponed to the next appropriate opportunity. As a full service travel agency, we gladly arrange all necessary international and local flights and assist our clients in obtaining the necessary visas and firearms import permits. Our competent, experienced staff in Moscow handles CITES permits and licenses. Trophies will be shipped as soon as the export documents are issued. Reception representatives are on hand in Moscow, Istanbul, Dushanbe, Beijing and Bishkek to handle all details of entry and exit procedures. One of our competent, experienced translator/escorts accompanies every group of hunters throughout the entire program. For United States residents we also provide assistance in completing the application for the required Federal Import Permit and track the application from our office.