Tajikistan - Marco Polo

[Cynoscion]

Yessir but I wasn’t speaking as to the legalities of importation. I was talking more about the different subspecies that are found in the different mountain ranges and how geographic isolation has resulted in them looking slightly different.
In my example above, just compare photos of the average Hume argali in Kyrgyzstan versus the average Marco Polo from Tajikistan and I think you’ll see the differences I was getting at.

 

[Northern Safari]

GSCO lists the following as unique argali.

1. Altay Argali
2. Gansu Argali
3. Gobi Argali
4. Hangay Argali
5. Hume Argali
6. Kara Tao Argali
7. Karaganda Argali
8. Karuktag Argali
9. Littledale Argali
10. Marco Polo Argali
11. Matisoni Argali
12. North China Argali
13. Sair Argali
14. Severtzov Argali
15. Tian Shan Argali
16. Tibetan Argali

I had only heard of 6 of those before.

 

[alaska_bou]

There is also a "new" specie in Mongolia as of last year, the North Altai.

If you are an American hunter, and you want an importable sheep, the Hume in Kyrgyzstan is going to be the most affordable, and Kyrgyzstan is quite a bit less expensive than Tajikistan.

 

[Dan Davis]

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!

Went with H.C.. Can’t say enough good about my whole experience. Everything went exactly as expected. I had heard disparaging comments regarding the Hot Springs camp. What I saw was a top notch outfit that truly tried to make it a once in a life time experience. I actually enjoyed the travel. Yes it is two days of driving once you get Dushanbe-but I love road trips. Always felt extremely safe, H.C. Had representatives with us in Istanbul and from Dushanbe to camp and back. (Sonny and Elgar)

 

[Short Track]

The guide looks comfy. the hunter looks pretty cool with the googles, and subzero gear. What were the temps in F? 2 days of driving would kill me... otherwise I'd do it.

 

[Dan Davis]

The guide looks comfy. the hunter looks pretty cool with the googles, and subzero gear. What were the temps in F? 2 days of driving would kill me... otherwise I'd do it.

Actually the guy with the googles was my head guide “Surruge”. Great guy most of the guys were educated and spoke some English. We didn’t have any snow and temps were @ 0 F. At night @-10 and up to high 20’s in the day.

 

[Short Track]

couldn't you have flown there, instead of 2 days driving? Float planes like alaska..

 

[S-3 ranch]

couldn't you have flown there, instead of 2 days driving? Float planes like alaska..

Way too high and rough to fly into the Pamir mountains,
Camp is usually at 11,000+ feet high
“”with camps often set at 10,000-14,000 feet, making physical fitness and acclimatization crucial due to thin air, strenuous terrain, and rapid weather changes in the Pamir Mountains.

Altitude sickness is a huge concern even if you could easily just helicopter or fly in and not acclimate

 

[BCDJR]

I’ve been to Tajik. Call a bunch of folks who have been with the outfits you are considering. Nothing like speaking one on one as usually you will uncover some things. Follow medical directives and the recommendations. My camp was too high for a air medic and the towns are many many hours away