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HIMALAYAN IBEX HUNT IN PAKISTAN 2020 / 2021

Information: Pakistan is one of the unique countries on the face of the earth that is blessed with a great variety of mountain game animals. But not only rich in diversity, it also holds healthy populations of some of the rarest animals which do not exist anywhere else in the world. Among many hunting trophies, one of them is the Himalayan Ibex. The Himalayan Ibex is indigenous to Himalayan and Karakurm Range of Pakistan. This race with its good number of population occupies most of the Karakurm Range of Northern Areas which is about a few hundred kilometers east of Kashmir Markhor range. Hunting can be carried out in several community managed areas around the town of Gilgit. Skardu side of this immediate geography is also considered as ibex country. A pair of 40” horn considered to be very good representative trophy for this specie. For determined hunters in good shape trophies of bigger size may not be out of question. The hunt requires good physical condition but also animals can be found at lower elevations in some localities during certain periods of the season.

How to arrive to the area; There are daily and direct flights to Islamabad (capital) of Pakistan from many European cities. Lufthansa and British Airways are flying to Islamabad directly from Frankfurt and London.

Once the rifle handling is done in Islamabad airport, hunters need to fly from Islamabad to up north to the town of Gilgit (app. 55 min.flight). We usually book this domestic flight for the hunter. Sometimes, when the flights do not operate due to bad weather conditions, then there is no way but to take a long ride up to the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Once our guests arrive in Islamabad they will never be left alone until their departure time of the country. There is always someone who represents our company to accompany hunters throughout their trip.

Hunting areas & Altitude & Method; Himalayan Ibex lives in Northern Pakistan, spread around at almost every location on Hindukush and Karakurm Ranges as well as on Himalayan mountain chain. Being a higher dwelling animal than Markhor, Himalayan Ibex lives at the altitudes of 2,800 – 3,600 mt (9,000’- 12,000’), way above the tree line in many areas. Hunting usually starts from the village houses where hunters will be staying after a short hike. In some cases a short ride to the area may be needed and then a stalk to get within the shooting range is required.

Season & Weather & Accommodation; The hunting season is from October until the end of March. However, best time for the hunt considered to be end of November, December and January due to rutting time. It is hard to make a general statement on the weather conditions as it varies from year to year. But during December and January the weather may be around +2 /+8 C (+35/+40 F) on a sunny day. When windy it may go down below zero C (32 F). Therefore a late season hunt for this specie may be advisable as the weather will warm up a bit and become more favorable by early spring. Accommodation is at village houses with basic facilities and satisfactory cooking.

Day by day itinerary; Himalayan Ibex hunt requires a 10-12 day program although a hunter in a good shape can complete it within a week time. A tentative day by day itinerary for H. Ibex could be as follows;

Day 01. Arrive in Islamabad, custom handling, (depending on arrival time), fly to Gilgit and if the weather does not allow the flight, overnight in Islamabad.

Day 02. Drive to Gilgit (12-14 hours) and overnight

Day 03. Drive to the area (3-6 hours) and camp and rest

Day 04-10. Hunt Himalayan Ibex

Day 11. Drive back to Islamabad and fly home the next day.

Trophy treatment and shipment; The skin of the animal is carefully treated. Ears and lips are turned and salted and the scull is boiled and cleaned properly. Later, the trophy is carefully packed for shipment. After all papers are prepared which are necessary for the shipment, the shipment is sent to the address that is provided. Hunters might as well take their trophies home with them if there is enough time for the trophy preparation after the hunt. Receiving the trophies could take couple of months (no longer) and shipment cost is around US$750 -850/each animal depending on the address.

Pakistan visa process; European and US citizens need to get their Pakistani visa before the travel. Therefore, in order to avoid any problems, hunters should get their visas issued on the passport before leaving home and the validity should be at least 6 months from the departure date. We provide you a visa invitation letter. Visa can easily be taken from the Embassy of Pakistan in your country.

Price & conditions:

The price of Himalayan Ibex is at US$ 12,500,- any size.

Included:

• Visa invitation
• Custom handling
• Hunting organization up to mentioned days
• One trophy fee of mentioned specie
• Hunting license
• Gun import permit
• Area fees
• Transfers from/to Islamabad and Gilgit or Skardu airport
• Full board accommodation in the hunting area
• Interpreter and local guide

Not included:

• All (international & domestic) air fares, visa, bank & courier taxes, insurance
• Office hunt organization tax and paperwork – US$ 300 / hunter
• Trophy shipment
• Gratuities
• Hotel cost before/after the hunt
• Personal expenses
• Observer fee – US$ 1,900

Movie: possible professional movie shooting during the hunt. Price per request.

Payments: A 25% deposit is required on booking and the rest be paid 2 months before the hunt. If you would like to cancel your hunt 6 months before the trip, the deposit is refunded with $500 less and if cancellation occurs between 6 to 2 months before the trip, full deposit is forfeited. If cancellation occurs 2 months or less before the trip, full cost of the trip is forfeited. In case of no success (except missed shots & wounding the animal), 30 % is refunded.

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