Preparing/gear list for first Mid Asian hunt

[CoopT]

Dear all,

After years of waiting (and negotiation with the long-haired general!) I am finally going on my first hunting trip to Asia. I will be going after mid asian ibex in the province of Bukhara, in southern Tajikistan in January. I have chosen ProfiHunt as my outfitter, who seem reliable.

I have hunted in the mountains several times in Europe (chamois, mouflon, red deer), but never been this far and as such want to make sure i'm packing all that i need (but not too much either) and have trained correctly. There wont be any horses on this hunt but I will be accompanied by two guides who will assist with carrying things. The trip is 10 days long, with about 7 days hunting I believe.

Would you change anything to the list below? Most of the stuff i've been using for years.

• Rifle:
  • custom job in 7mm PRC (24" Proof barrel, Lone Peak action etc), with Freyr & Devik sound moderator and Spartan bipod and tripod attachment. Also bringing a small beanie bag to be used as a back rest for shooting.
  • scope: Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 with turret - i've practiced shooting up to 600m / 660 yards
  • 40 rounds of Hornady ELD-X - same batch
  • soft case and hard case for air travel
• Optics
  • binos: Swarovski EL Range 10x42 with RF - spare batteries and a cheaper 12x42 pair for the guide
  • scope: Swarovski ATS 25-50x65 with Leofoto carbon tripod and Ollin iPhone attachment
• Clothing
  • Trousers: 1x Kuiu Attack + 1x Kuiu Talus Hybrid (slightly insulated / knee pads)
  • Base layer: 3x Kuiu Merino zip + 1x merino bottoms/long johns + 3x merino boxers. Couple of t shirts for travelling/sleeping
  • Mid layer: 1x Kuiu fleece + 1x Kuiu Guide vest
  • Insulation: 1x Kuiu Down jacket + 1x Kuiu Kenai jacket for active
  • Feet: 1x AKU walking boots (broken-in) + 3x merino socks + 1x pair camp shoes
  • travel clothing
  • wool beanie hat
  • Rain: 1x Kuiu Yukon trousers + 1x Kuiu Chugach jacket
• Equipment
  • Bino harness + collapsible trekking poles + ammo pouch for belt + wind checker + Leatherman tool + 1x tent lamp + 1x head lamp
• Packs
  • was thinking of packing 1x large North Face bag to be kept at base camp, 1x Kuiu Pro 3600 pack with rifle harness (to be folded into the NF bag during travel), and then a smaller backpack for travelling
• Sleep
  • -20c rated duck down sleeping bag + Sea-to-Summit mattress + bivy bag
  • not sure about tent yet, considering Big Agnes' Copper Spur but conditions might be too cold?
• Misc
  • comprehensive travel insurance
  • Electronics: Garmin inReach sat/GPS tool + Garmin watch + solar panel/power bank
  • Medkit: antihistamines, paracetamol, pills for "Delhi-belly" , antibiotics, contact lenses, disinfectant, blisters kit. Do you recomend Diamox? understand max elevation to be about 10k
  • AirTags, padlocks and tags for trophy
  • folded toilet roll, wetwipes
  • Food: 3x freezedried packs + 2x cereal bars /day
  • folded ductape
  • Mug and fork/spoon
  • spare batteries for all electronics

In terms of training, i'm relatively fit and in my 30s (although i do like a beer as much as the next man!). Are 50 pushups/day and going for a 3/4 miles run twice a week enough?

Also, how do you prepare for "judging" what a good ibex is, apart from watching hunting videos? I seem to understand local guides tend to push you with repeated "shoot shoot" as soon as you spot an ok one, which might be hard to argue with..!

If anyone had similar experiences, would really appreciate any pointers that may come to mind. Looking forward to it!

Best,
CoopT

 

[medvedyt]

hello,

did you check the list from Profi hunt? and did you consider their recommendation for white camo for your winter hunt?
did you check with them as well for the diamox?

i will take my shoes with me and not in my luggage and having some hunting clothes with you may save your hunt in case the luggage(s) is/are delayed and i will suggest extra days on the way in for that reason.

even if not related to hunting i got my luggages delayes in istanbul and dushanbe many years ago. they all shown up but it is my experience.

i do not know your tolerance to the cold but i can say that january there in the mountain can be cold even for a yukoner lol ...

enjoy the preparation and the hunt.

 

[chizelhead]

• Ask your outfitter to go through the list. It looks like you're planning a solo trip and my not need the camp stuff like a tent, mug, plates, etc. I'm guessing you'll stay in a hut or small house.
• Puffy pants. It's going to be cold in Jan.
• Face mask
• Warm gloves and/or mitts that can go over gloves
• Bring diamox and start taking it. I'm not sure of your starting elevation. If you feel fine, you can go off it. You can't start it later if you start feeling sick.
• XL NF duffle + day pack is what I've used and it worked well.
• Rifle in soft case in hard case. I used the extra space to pack gear.
• Small lockbox for your ammo. Pelican has one that fits two boxes of ammo perfectly. You can also keep cash in it for tips.
• For travel insurance I used Global Rescue.

 

[LaHunter]

How confident are you in your Swaro rifle scope's durability / reliability? That would really be a problem if your scope decided to shit the bed just before or during your hunt.

 

[BCDJR]

Diamox for sure as your travel route may be higher than camp. I’d take a sleeping bag for sure. I had one night in Tajkistan enroute at a hotel and the hotel had no heat. I would put on your list to call 3 or 4 people who have been on this same hunt at the same time of year with your outfitter and ask them all your questions. I found that to be most helpful.

 

[CoopT]

Really appreciate the insights, thanks all!

Yes it is a solo hunt (i'll be accompagnied by two guides) and on fly camps the outfitter said it isn't certain yet if we'll need them or not - having said this, i'm wondering how feasible it would be for all the different hunters to go out / come back from/to base camp every day, and whether we can cover enough ground each day - especially given its all on foot?

Sounds like Diamox shouldn't be ignored and going the extra mile on warm clothing either. Will add those items to the list! Thanks again

 

[CoopT]

How confident are you in your Swaro rifle scope's durability / reliability? That would really be a problem if your scope decided to shit the bed just before or during your hunt.

Really confident actually. Its the Z8i which is their top austrian-made model and i've used it hunting red deer, chamois and mouflon in the mountains several times and it hasn't failed me yet. Also took it to the range and dialled up and down up to 600m for an entire morning without any tracking issues whatsoever - famous last words..... Appreciate in the US you guys might prefer other makes.