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NOTE: China is closed to hunting now. Look to reopen
after the Olympics. China is one of our favorite destinations
and is the major destination for Blue Sheep hunts. China has many
different types of Sheep, many which are only found there. Unfortunately
all but the Blue Sheep are non-importable to Americans at this time.
Canadians, The people and scenery are something every hunter should experience at least once in their hunting experiences. We have made several trips to China and Mongolia with groups of clients and have never had any troubles of any kind. We can arrange many sight seeing trips after your hunt such as: Great Wall, Terra Cotta warriors, Tiananmen Square, Ming's tomb, the Forbidden City, Panda Bear Research center and many others. Many wives go on these trips and love the sights and shopping in Beijing. We assist you from start to finish on your trip with all documents and permits, travel, etc. Location 1: Dulan,
Maduo, Qinghai Blue
Sheep in Gansu -- Low Altitude Location: Dongda Shan,
Gansu Location 1: Subei and
Arkesai County, Gansu Shaanxi
Gold Takin Altitude: 4,900-8,200
feet Sichuan
Gold Takin Altitude: 4,900-9,500
feet Gansu
Argali Location 1: Subei /Arkesai,
Gansu Gobi
Argali Location: Mazongshan,
Gansu Sair
Argali Location: Burqin/Tuoli,
Xinjiang Littledale
Argali Location: Hami, Xinjiang Tian
Shan Argali Season: March 10-April
20, September 10-December 15 Marco
Polo Argali Location: Pamir, Xinjiang Tian
Shan Ibex Location: Tian Shan,
Xinjiang Location: Tianquan,
Sichuan Adametzi
Argali Location: Kuluke, Xinjiang Location: Tonghe County,
Heilongjiang Location: Xiao-Xing-An-Ling
Mountains, Heilongjiang Grebe, Ducks & Goose Combination Hunt package includes... Not included... Location: Batang,
Sichuan The Blue Sheep and Ibex are the most popular animals for sheep hunter. Normally the hunter must get one in one country then travel to another country for the next trophy. Here there is only 6-7 hours drive between 2 areas--avoid flights/train, hotels and customs. The trophy quality is first class. Location: Dunhuang,
Gansu Tibet/Qinghai Plateau Combo-NEW Location: Qinghai Himalayan
Blue Sheep Location: Pamir, Xinjiang Location: Helan Mountain,
Ningxia Though connected with Tibetan Plateau, Mongolian Plateau and Northeast China, Mt. Helan is already an isolated "forest island." Blue Sheep on Mt. Helan can be considered as an isolated population group because Mt. Helan is the east edge of Blue Sheep distribution. The unique geographic characteristics of Mt. Helan may be an important factor which makes Blue Sheep here an independent subspecies. Hunt Cost (including 1
blue sheep trophy): While we can arrange hunts for Himalayan Blue Sheep and Ibex in Pakistan, our recommendation is in China and areas controlled by the Chinese government for safety issues and the ease of hunting in China. The price is more favorable in China as well. There is a good amount of travel involved in all of the hunts in China, but our partners are very experienced and you will be accompanied almost all of the way from start to finish during your trip. USFWS is issuing a limited number of CITES importation
permits for Ovis Ammon from Kyrgyzstan this year (2008). We are booking
hunts there now. Permits are limited. Ibex hunting is not a problem.
If you are serious about adding a huge Mid-Asian Ibex
now--we have several groups going this year and have some group specials. Location: Kosh-Tau
range, Atbashi area Central-Asian
Mountain Goat Traditionally, Kyrgyzstan has taken the biggest trophies of Central-Asian Mountain Goat (Mid-Asian Ibex). The last world record trophy Central-Asian Mountain Goat was taken in October 1997 by Antonio Guel Del Val from Spain. The length of the trophy horns were 148 cm. Location: Kyrgyz range;
Chui region Hunting and traveling in the
remote parts of Mongolia is a true test
of courage and endurance and a real adventure
lover's dream come true. The sight of wild
sheep and Ibex Altai
Argali Largest of all sheep, the Altai Argalis are found in the West Altai mountain range stretching from northwest Mongolia to the south. Hunting Season: July
20-October 31 Mid-Altai
Argali The Argali that exist in the southwestern part of Hangai mountains, the central Mongolian mountain range that covers the largest area, were previously regarded as the same species as Gobi Argali. Mid-Altai Argali are smaller than Altai Argali and larger than Gobi Argali, more or less in the middle of both body and trophy size. Hunting Season: July
20-November 15 Gobi
Argali Gobi Argali are found in the mountain ranges of the Gobi desert in south/southwestern Mongolia. Gobi Argali are smaller than their close relative Altai Argali in both body and trophy sizes; however, the largest recorded horns of this sheep were measured 54 inches long. Hunting Season: July
20 - November 15 Gobi Ibex is scattered throughout a number of separate mountain ranges in south/south-western Mongolia that form the Gobi Altai section of the great Altai mountain chain. The best Gobi Ibex trophies hit a length of over 40 inches. Hunting Fee: $4,500 Black-tailed gazelle inhabit the plains of the southern Gobi desert and Trans Altai desert in large numbers. Although Black-tailed gazelles are comparatively small in body size (about 25 kilos), they produce rather long horns compared to other species of gazelles. Hunting Season: June
1-November 15 White
Gazelle Hunting Season: September
1-December 1 The Siberian Roe Deer in Mongolia is much larger than its counterparts in Europe and Scandinavia. The hunting season lasts from September to December. The Mongolian Elk is similar to the Rocky Mountain Elk. It has been estimated that Mongolia has the largest population of Maral Stag in Asia and produces good trophy values. We hunt areas with a very good population and they are not over hunted like some areas. Hunting Season: September
1 - December 31 The Asian wolf, otherwise known as the gray wolf, is one of the widest spread animals in Mongolia. Wolves can be hunted all year round and are mostly offered as additional trophy. Hunting Season: All
year There are other adventures we can arrange for clients wishing to travel to Mongolia. These adventures include Taimen fishing, camel or horse trips and hunting with eagles in the mountains of Mongolia with Kazahk Falconers. Astor Markhor is found on the valley slopes of the greater Karakoram Mountain range. These Markhor live in lower altitudes than Himalayan Ibex that also occur in this mountain range. We would rate this hunt, as mountain hunts go, as moderate in physical requirement, but obviously the clients should be in the best physical shape possible. Our hunt will begin in Rondu Valley on the banks of the river Indus. Both sides of the river may be hunted. If river crossing is necessary, a local river craft known as "Zakh" will be used. This form of water craft has been used for several hundred years here in the upper reaches of the Indus. There are two separate population groups of Astor Markhor in this region that are easily accessible out of the total population. We will stay at the local rest house in Rondu Valley. The hunt is expected to take 4-6 days. The hunt can be combined with Himalayan Ibex in the higher slopes or wild boar in the lower plains. The hunt will take place at 8,000 to 9,500 feet or 2,500 to 3,000 meters. Temperatures range from -10 to -15°C with possibility of light rain and even snow. Please note the northern areas receive very little precipitation. However, chances of rain in these months exist. Therefore clients will need warm woolen and down jackets. Hunting Dates: The
hunt can take place any time from December
to March. Hunting Schedule: Costs & Conditions: Price on request Cost includes: License (Trophy) Fee--Please note trophy fee is fixed. 20% of this fee is retained by the government and 80% is distributed amongst the local community for their development and welfare. Please note that 100% trophy fee is forfeited if the client has a shot and misses. We advise all clients not to take risky and chancy shots. In event of a miss all endeavors will be made to offer a second or even third chance for a shot. We want all hunters to go home with a trophy. Cost does not include: Deposits: Balance payment: Mature males are spectacularly beautiful, with long sweeping scimitar shaped horns over 102cm (40") in length and almost silver white bodies offset by a sooty gray chest, throat and face. The Sindh Ibex can survive almost at sea level and in fact do so in some of the remoter cliffs around Ormara. They inhabit mountain crests upto 3,350m in the Koh-i-Maran Range. Wild goats are found in all the higher and more extensive mountain ranges of southern Balochistan from the Makran coastal range at Pasni right across to Sindh Kohistan and the Kirthar Range in the east. Altitude: 200-1,800m Hunting Schedule: Costs & Conditions: (Price on request) Cost includes: License Trophy) fee--Please note trophy fee is fixed. 20% of this fee is retained by the government and 80% is distributed amongst the local community for their development and welfare. Please note that 100% trophy fee is forfeited once the animal is sighted and the hunter has fired, irrespective of missing, killing or wounding the animal. Cost does not include: Deposits: Balance payment: Blanford
Urial Blanford Urial are found in
Balochistan and Sindh provinces of Pakistan.
They generally inhabit lower slopes but
may occur as high as 9,000 feetif there
is vegetation present in the form of Juniper
thickets (in Balochistan). Hunting Schedule: Costs & Conditions: (Price on request) Cost includes: License (Trophy) fee--Please note trophy fee is fixed. 20% of this fee is retained by the government and 80% is distributed amongst the local community for their development and welfare. Please note that 100% trophy fee is forfeited once the animal is sighted and the hunter has fired, irrespective of missing, killing or wounding the animal. Cost does not include: Deposits: Balance payment: The Himalayan Ibex lives in one of the remotest corners of the world, the mountain ranges of the Karakorams, western Himalayas and the Hindukush. They have been a source of subsistence for the inhabitants of these remote valleys since early times. Our proposed hunt will take place in the Hushe valley, the gateway to the Karakoram Range. It is generally agreed that a billy with over 40 inches of horn length is a good trophy and that anything over 44 or 45 inches is excellent. The hunters will fly to the town of Skardu and then about a 4 hours drive to the Hushe valley. The Karakorams open from the Hushe valley to reveal some of the most magnificent mountain peaks in the world. The K2, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum are only a few of the giant peaks. We believe that most hunts will not take longer than 3 or 4 days because once the first permanent snow falls occur in the higher elevations the Ibex tend to descend into the lower slopes. It is not unusual to see Ibex from the streets of Hushe village in the winter months. The Ibex hunts will not require a lot of climbing. From November to the end of March the Ibex are within relatively easy reach. The best time to hunt is from December to mid-January with peak rut occurring from December 20 to January 10. Altitude: 3,000-3,500m
(10,000-11,000 feet) Hunting Schedule: Costs & Conditions: (Price on request) Cost includes: License (Trophy) fee--Please note trophy fee is fixed. 20% of this fee is retained by the government and 80% is distributed amongst the local community for their development and welfare. Please note that 100% trophy fee is forfeited once the animal is sighted and the hunter has fired, irrespective of missing, killing or wounding the animal. Cost does not include: Deposits: Balance payment: Blue
Sheep in Pakistan Day 1: Arrive Islamabad.
Transfer to hotel.
Okhotsk
Snow Sheep The majority of this subspecies are found in the Khabarovsk Region of Siberia. However, within the Magadan Region, the boundary is the southern route of the Trans-Siberian Highway, from the city of Magadan until it crosses the border of Yakutia. The boundary then goes south and follows the border of Yakutia. The area for the Okhotsk snow sheep in Magadan is relatively small. Hunt Cost - 13 Hunting
Days: Yakutia
Snow Sheep The majority of this subspecies are found in the Yakutia Region of Siberia. All the sheep located in the Yakutia Region are considered to be Yakutia snow sheep. Within the Magadan Region, the eastern boundary is the Kolyma River until it intersects with the southern route of the Trans-Siberian Highway. The boundary then runs westerly until the Trans-Siberian Highway intersects with the border of Yakutia. Hunt Cost - 13 Hunting
Days: Kolyma
Snow Sheep This sheep is found only in the Magadan Region, and predominantly in the Kolyma mountain range. The eastern boundary is considered to be the large river valley west of the Koryak Mountains of the Koryak Autonomous Region. The northern boundary is considered to be the Chukotka Autonomous Region border. The western boundary is considered to be the border of Yakutia, from the Omolon River to the Kolyma River. The western boundary then follows the Kolyma River to the Trans-Siberian Highway. The southern boundary is considered to be the Trans-Siberian Highway, which begins in the city of Magadan. This actually runs in a northerly direction. For all practical purposes, the range of the Kolyma sheep is west of the Koryak Mountains down through the Kolyma range of mountains, which are east of the Kolyma River. Hunt Cost - 13 Hunting
Days: A marine launch along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk from the mouth of the Siglan River to the Yama Islands, including the Piagin Peninsula. Brown Bear: Snow Sheep (Okhotsk Snow
Sheep): Brown Bear & Snow Sheep: Accommodations: Transportation: Additional Activities: Weather: Five basic camps located on remote mountainous areas on the inland part of the Magadan region where there is abundant wildlife. Camps are set up on the banks of the following rivers: Ugulan, Topolovka, Bulun, Naslachan or Tumany. Brown Bear: Snow Sheep (Kolyma Snow
Sheep or Yakutia Snow Sheep): Brown Bear & Snow Sheep: Accommodations: If necessary, spike camps can be built 7-12 miles away from the base camp, where a hunter and a guide can stay 1-2 days. They can also be transported to additional remote places by helicopter. Our clients can choose a 2 or 3-day rafting trip from the upper parts of the rivers down to the base camp. Transportation: Additional Activities: Weather: Hunt package includes... Not included... Additional Trophies: Booking policy: Deposits are transferable to the next year (or later) only if we are notified 6 months prior to the beginning of the hunt, unless other conditions have been mutually agreed upon. Prices are subject to change without notice. It is known there are 6 hunting
concessions in Tajikistan, with 3 operating
areas and 3 Outfitters, period. Many others
"sub-lease" parts of an area or
use the camps. We have used and hunted in
all 3 with mixed results; most all hunters
have taken Rams. The Hunt: The schedule is 14-16 days, with 10 days of hunting, and 1x1 guiding. The season runs from late August to mid-December, and late January to the end of March. The first two days of the hunt schedule are generally spent acclimating at the base camp. The remote areas are accessed in the fall and early winter by vehicle or on horseback. Spike camps are used during the early fall hunts. The accommodations in the spike camps are in modern tents. There are two hunters per spike camp, and the hunters have their own tent. Hunters can typically expect to have stalking opportunities on mature rams each day of the hunt. A typical day of hunting begins by finding a location from which to glass. Once a ram you deem worthy is located, a stalk is planned, and the hunt is on! Late October-November snow brings sheep lower for rut and food. Sometimes it is possible to see 50-500 sheep per day at this period. The Camps: We accommodate our clients in an abandoned Soviet Army base where you will have a private room, a dining room and kitchen. In your room there are beds (bring your sleeping bags). The building is heated by a coal stove and you will always have plenty of hot water. Another camp consists of several traditional felt Yurts, each with a heater. There is a shooting range set up just outside the base camp, making it easy to check the accuracy of your rifle. (The typical shooting distance on a Marco Polo and Ibex is between 150-350 yards.) The base camp at Lake Sasykkull is set at 12,800 feet, and hunting typically takes place between 12,000 to 16,000 feet. This high elevation means precautionary measures need to be taken. Diamox is commonly prescribed for exposure to high elevations, and it is highly recommended. (Ask your doctor.) The food provided consists of a mixture of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, bread and nuts. Spring water, bottled mineral water, and lots of green tea are standard beverages. Russian UAZ 4x4 vehicles or similar are used for transportation during the hunt. Travel: The schedule begins with a flight to Moscow, Russia. Clients may use Turkish Airlines, via Istanbul, which flies two 737s each week into Bishkek. Aeroflot, via New York and Moscow, also serves Bishkek. Travel is fairly routine, and can be arranged online or through your travel agent. We recommend Istanbul, Turkey or Frankfurt, Germany as your best routes.
The actual hunt schedule begins in Osh, and all costs are covered from this point on. Our representative meets you at the airport, and then transfers you to the vehicles that will take you into the hunting camp. The area is remote, and for safety a convoy of two vehicles, 4-wheel drive Russian UAZ, or similar vehicle is always used. The route passes several small villages, Gulcha and Sary-Tash, before crossing Kyzyl Art Pass (4,280 meters), at the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The drive into camp takes approximately 9-12 hours.
Permits and Importation Procedures: Like all the Argali, the Marco Polo requires a CITES import permit. Part of the hunt cost is used to purchase the Tajikistan hunting permit, and export permit. When the Tajikistan Ministry issues an export permit in a hunter's name, their name is submitted to the US F&W Service for the issuance of the CITES import permit. The hunter fills out the CITES permit application, and mails it to the US F&W Service office headquarters or we will hand deliver it. The permit currently costs $100 USD, but is subject to change by the US F&W Service. With the CITES import permit in hand, hunters bring their Marco Polo trophies home with them as excess baggage. The excess baggage fees vary from Russia to Kyrgyzstan making it impossible to estimate. The trophies are field prepared for the travel home; this includes fleshing, salting of capes, and boiling the skull after separating the horns. Typically all trophies are brought out in one large canvas game bag. Hunters will fill out the
Argali CITES permit application with our
help (we will forward it to you). Once the
full deposit amount is paid, your name is
placed on a list in Tajikistan that covers
your permit. The Tajik Agency will forward
the approval of your import/export The services of an import broker may be necessary to clear the animals through the US customs. We notify the US F&W Service office 48 hours prior to your return, and an officer will likely be waiting for you at the customs area. (In the case of using a broker, the broker notifies US F&W) The services of a customs broker are very helpful if the trophies are not cleared for one reason or another by either US customs, US F&W Service, or by the USDA. The cost varies from one broker to the next, and we can provide the phone numbers of brokers according to the port of entry. We will assist you with the services of the customs broker unless you have a preference with one you have used in the past and trust. We have used Flora and Fauna and Coppersmith the most, and have had good results with both of them. Hunters pay for the customs broker fees and will be required to sign a power of attorney for the broker. Brokers fees for handling previous sheep trophies have varied from $400-600 USD. We personally recommend that a reputable customs broker be used, as it is easier for them to clear your trophy and ship head and hide to a certified USDA approved facility, and then sent to you or your taxidermist. Please check with your taxidermist for the facility he prefers, as this is where your trophy will be sent to after clearing customs. Marco
Polo Sheep Hunt package includes... Not included... For a limited time hunters who book Marco Polo (Tajikistan), Desert Sheep or Markhor or combination hunts for Punjab Urial & Ibex (Himalayan or Sindh) hunts and a few select hunts for other species will receive: Marco Polo-Asian Sheep
Special... We offer our personal custom filming and guiding services on all the above hunts for our normal daily fee plus expenses to and from the area. For prices contact us at . |
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© 2000 - Crossheart Outfitters L.L.C. |
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Europeans,
Mexican nationals and others are able to take their trophies home
with them.
herds
on the top of snow-covered mountains, maral
stag bugling and the brown bear growling
in the dense forest are experiences never
to be forgotten. Mongolian mountain zones
consists of 3 great ranges such as Altai,
Khangai and Khentii Khordol Saridag Uul
of Khuvsgul, Mongolian Dornod Tal and Gobi
Desert. In these regions, snow leopard,
Gobi brown bear, Roe deer, Argali sheep,
Ibex and Maral stag are found. Hunts for
certain species of these animals are offered
on a limited permit basis by the Mongolian
government. 
There
are three subspecies of snow sheep (Ovis
nivicola) in the Magadan region--Okhotsk,
Yakutia, and Kolyma snow sheep.
Many
of the reports and complaints that are circulated
in the hunting community are true for the
most part. When booking your hunt, keep
in mind a hunt in Asia for Sheep will be
nothing like a hunt in North America, not
everything goes according to plan; this
is the biggest part of the hunt and adventure.
We have chosen to work with one of the 3
Outfitters, and we are the only and exclusive
representative in the US. If you choose
another option that is fine, we can assist
you in this as well. We also offer Markhor
and Afghan Urial in Tajkistan. Our outfitter
was the first to conduct Sheep and Ibex
hunts in Tajikistan. He is a local, and
unlike all other outfitters that hunt all
over the ex-Republic of Russia, he hunts
only in Tajikistan. All clients have successfully
taken mature Marco Polo rams. Most were
exceptional trophies (many were over 60").
He has honed his exceptional guiding skills
over 20+ years, and speaks English quite
well.
You
are met there by our English speaking representatives,
and assisted through customs. From the airport,
you have the option of doing some sightseeing,
or going directly to the hotel. While in
Moscow, our representatives will acquire
the Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan visas for
you. These visas typically cost about $160.
The morning of the second or third day,
hunters are transferred to the domestic
airport for their flight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The airline ticket from Moscow to Osh via
Bishkek can be prepared by the outfitter
at your cost which is approximately USD
$700.00 and the flight takes about 4 hours.
Once you arrive in Bishkek, you are again
met in the airport by our English speaking
representatives. You will be assisted through
customs, and will be transferred to the
domestic airport for your flight to Osh,
Kyrgyzstan. This flight costs approximately
$100 round trip, takes about 1 hour. 
permit. The balance of the hunt is to be
paid 90 days prior to hunt date.