Ibex Hunting
The Capra ibex, which is also known as the mountain or alpine ibex, is a grand graceful animal with powerful backwards-curving sable horns. The habitat of the ibex is mountain regions of Altai, Central Asia, Alps, at an altitude of 3,500 m (11,480 ft) above sea level. Males have dark brown coat that changes to gray in the winter. The mass of a male can reach 100 kg (220 lb), body length is up to 150 cm (60 in), and height at the withers is up to 90-100 centimeters (35 to 60 in). The ibex has excellent sense of hearing and smell. You can get close to him at 300 to 200 meters (1000 to 650 ft) but it is very difficult to do this at 100 or 50 meters (300 to 150 ft).
Ibex Hunting in Kyrgyzstan
In Kyrgyzstan the ibex hunting is conducted usually from early September to mid-December. The period from mid-September to late November is considered the best time for hunting. During this period the Tien Shan Mountains are home to a large number of ibexes, there are comfortable daytime temperatures: in September 17o C (63o F) and in October-November it is gradually reducing from 12 to 2o C (54o F to 36o F). At this time there is a small amount of snow, it lies only on passes, the animals live relatively low, and you can easily go up by car and get a trophy during 1 day.
Ibex Hunting in Altai
Duration of the ibex hunt in Altai is identical to Kyrgyzstan, the same three months, but they are shifted towards the winter. The season lasts from mid-November to mid-January. The hunting is conducted above the forest limit, in the mountainous areas with steep rocky cliffs, narrow cracks at heights of 1,000 to 3,000 meters (3,200 to 10,000 ft) above sea level, with horse or motor rides to location from a base camp accompanied by a guide or a game keeper. Helicopter delivery of hunters to alpine meadows where ibexes feed is in common practice.
Restrictions and Requirements
The cost of an ibex hunting license changes from year to year in Kyrgyzstan, the average price is USD 1,000 (refundable in case of not shooting an animal), the hunt in an organized group costs about USD 5,000. Hunting documents and documents for weapon import and export should be legal; otherwise, hunting is considered poaching. You must have a license for weapon and a permission to shoot animals for the ibex hunting in Altai. Weapon type is not limited by rules, except officially banned.
Hunting Methods
Adult ibex males have a habit to live separately and they graze in alpine meadows in the distance from females and young ibexes, being higher in the mountains compared with a flock, and only occasionally they descend to valleys in the mating season. The ibex hunting methods are stalking, tracking or ambushing in the morning or in the evening when animals go up from resting places for feeding. In search of a big ibex you need to be careful when moving upward by gentle pastures to prevent female goats from giving a signal of danger to males.
Trophies
The main ibex hunting trophy is its horns, average size of which can reach up to 1 meter (3.2 ft) from the base of the skull but you can meet ibexes with more impressive horns of 120 to 140 cm (47 to 55 in) in length. The ibex horn is a prestigious interior feature and a pride of a hunter. Valuable trophies include meat and fat which become extremely tasty after the autumn fattening, especially when it is grilled. First taste of the meat is traditionally arranged in the evening at the base camp.
Our Offer To You
We offer an organization of ibex hunt in Altai, Sajan Mountains and Kyrgyzstan.Hinting Location | Season | Approx. cost | |
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Altai | Anytime | from 4 200 euro | more info |
Kyrgyzstan | September-December, February March | from 4 400 euro | more info |
Sajan | September-January | from 2 600 euro | more info |