Tajikistan - Marco Polo

[StetsonAnderson]

Hello everyone

My dad is looking to book a Marco Polo and Ibex hunt followed up by a Bezoar ibex hunt in Turkey. Winter of 2026. My dad has dreamed of this hunt his whole life and it’s becoming a reality. The worry? Who to go with! We have talked extensively with the Hunting Consortium and Arcqos. Any one with reviews, info, experiences, etc or even another good experience outfitter please comment or dm me.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[Loper]

Marco…

 

[Cynoscion]

Polo?

I wish I could be of more help but all I can do is tell you who NOT to go with unfortunately.

Good luck and keep us posted. He will have one heck of an adventure!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I was going to mention the hunting consortium, looks like you already talked to them though.

 

[Dexter Grayson]

I would contact Greg at Neal and Brownlee. They are second to none when it comes to Asia.

 

[Fishn4eyes]

I hunted with Kaan Karakaya and Shikar Safaris for Bezoar ibex in Turkey. They have been around a long time and did a good job. I believe they also do the hunts in Tajik so might be able to go through them for it all.

 

[easttex]

There is a thread currently running on AR about a hunter being very upset about tips he was expected to pay on a Neal and Brownlee booked hunt. N and B has a very good reputation, but tips are a potential problem regardless of the booking agent or the country. Personally I would not hunt with any outfit where there was no representative of the booking agent or outfitter present on site. Just do the best you can to get everything agreed to up front. Surprises "over there" are usually not good.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

I would contact Greg at Neal and Brownlee. They are second to none when it comes to Asia.

That’s a second for them here. There’s so much you can’t control, particularly in Asia. Gotta roll with it, tips included.

 

[StetsonAnderson]

I was going to mention the hunting consortium, looks like you already talked to them though.

Did you hunt with the HC for this particular hunt?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Did you hunt with the HC for this particular hunt?

My dad did a hunt with them, I’ve been looking at them for a hunt in 2027.

 

[idig4au]

Booking agents are just middlemen that organize hunts with the local, in county outfitters for premium prices. Many book with the same local outfitters. Keep that in mind….

I’ve hunted them in both Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Both are completely different hunting experiences so might need to decide what you’re looking for first before considering destination.

You can DM if you have questions.

 

[StetsonAnderson]

My dad did a hunt with them, I’ve been looking at them for a hunt in 2027.

DM’ing you

 

[Short Track]

I was looking at Turkey, but I'd go without a rifle, so I can tour around afterwards. I heard touring around Turkey with a rifle is not a good idea.

 

[idig4au]

I was looking at Turkey, but I'd go without a rifle, so I can tour around afterwards. I heard touring around Turkey with a rifle is not a good idea.

I was able to organize my rifle to be securely stored at Istanbul airport with the Police. This was a few years ago so not sure if rules have changed….

 

[Short Track]

I was able to organize my rifle to be securely stored at Istanbul airport with the Police. This was a few years ago so not sure if rules have changed….

I was speaking with Recep, an outfitter in Turkey. He said if I plan to tour Turkey, best to leave my rifle home; or even leave it at his house while I'm touring.

I hunted Spain with an outfitters rifle. Best decision I ever made.

 

[MntHunter]

I was looking at Turkey, but I'd go without a rifle, so I can tour around afterwards. I heard touring around Turkey with a rifle is not a good idea.

You need to bring your rifle, it is illegal to rent one. This rule was changed in the last year. I just got back from there 2 mi ths ago. There is a way to secure it in the airport for touring.

 

[Short Track]

You need to bring your rifle, it is illegal to rent one. This rule was changed in the last year. I just got back from there 2 mi ths ago. There is a way to secure it in the airport for touring.

I have not looked into this since the SCI show. How long were you there for ? and you had a storage locker at the airport, or with Turkish authorities ?

 

[Northern Safari]

Are Marco Polo the most "affordable" of the Argali species? I see there are a few of them.

 

[Cynoscion]

True Marco Polo argali will come from the Pamir mountains in Tajik. Lots of folks will call all of the other mid Asian argali subspecies, Marco Polo, even though they technically aren’t.
Kyrgyzstan will have Hume argali for example. They will be similarly priced. Hope this helps

 

[alaska_bou]

Actually, USFW does not differentiate between Tajik and Kyrgyzstan sheep species, as the import permit for each country is issued as Ovis Ammon Polii.