Kyrgyzstan

Encompassing parts of the Pamir and Tian Shan mountain ranges, Kyrgyzstan is almost entirely mountainous. Over half the country lies at 8000 feet (2500 meters) in elevation. Well before the country's present day borders were drawn, its nomadic culture regarded mountains as sacred protectors of its people and royal game, most notably the Marco Polo Argali and Mid-Asian Ibex.

In the early 1270s, the Venetian explorer and trader, Marco Polo, documented a stunning wild mountain sheep in the "high plateaus" at several points along the Old Silk Road. But exactly where he made his first sighting is unknown. Back then, Central Asia was a massive borderless geography and his namesake sheep could have been sighted almost anywhere in what is now Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. But many historians believe his first sighting was within the borders of modern day Kyrgyzstan.

That would be entirely logical because Kyrgyzstan still holds a large thriving population of the wide-flaring, golden-horned Marco Polo. In any of its recognized forms, either by the US Fish & Wildlife Department or the various hunting organizations (SCI and GSCO) for record-keeping purposes, by any name, the Marco Polo, Tian Shan, and Hume Argali is Kyrgyzstan's signature game animal.

Many hunters choose Kyrgyzstan for their Marco Polo hunt because the cost is approximately 30-35% less than what Marco Polo hunts cost in Tajikistan, making it one of the world's greatest sheep hunting bargains. In regard to size differences, Kyrgyzstan's Marco Polo average 3-4 inches in length less than Tajik rams. But any focus on horn length is quickly abandoned once the hunter gets immersed in the conformation and mass of a big Kyrgyz ram. They are trophies in the own right at the average horn length harvested, but they can also exceed the 60" mark. And when such a noble trophy, perhaps one of the Top 5 game animals in the hunting world, can be hunted for appreciably less than a Dall sheep, success on a Marco Polo hunt in Kyrgyzstan is all the sweeter.

We should not leave this brief comparison of the destinations without noting the predominant method of hunting Marco Polo in Kyrgyzstan. Imagine a classic horseback hunt though wild, pristine, high-mountain territory, going where the sheep go. This takes on a special meaning when a hunter experiences a Kyrgyz hunting team in action; they are hunters and horsemen extraordinaire. While many of the hunting methods across Asia depend on equestrian skills, the Kyrgyz seem to stand apart. And their horses do, too. They are calm and mountain-capable of the highest order so that hunting time is used as efficiently as possible.

Thankfully there are choices for those aspiring to hunt Marco Polo Argali. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan each have their undeniable merits, and the choice of one destination over the other is a good choice regardless. As hunt advisors and planners with time-proven outfitting capabilities in both countries, Caprinae Safaris will explain the differences in detail so the most informed and confident decision about where and when to hunt Marco Polo can be made.

Kyrgyzstan's other major attraction is the Mid-Asian Ibex, which is prevalent virtually everywhere across the Tian Shan. A hunter will hunt for Ibex but the horses will probe deep into their domain and expose pockets of billies. Hunters often return from hunting the alert and agile Ibex with a newfound definition of mountain hunting. In light of the challenge they present, all Ibex are all trophies. But Kyrgyzstan is noted for producing some colossal Ibex trophies annually and it could easily be rationalized as the go-to destination for Ibex.

Like our Marco Polo hunts in Kyrgyzstan, it's hard to beat the value delivered for the cost of an Ibex hunt. Many mule deer hunts cost more! And the Ibex hunts signifies adventure in a part of the world considered to be the last frontier of big game hunting!

Hunting for Marco Polo and Ibex typically occurs at elevations of 10000-14000 feet but they can descend below 10,000 feet in the late season and during in harsh winters. Base camps consist of traditional yurts and permanent structures, offering comfort and proximity to hunting grounds. On occasion, spike camps are used to minimize daily travel time and more easily intercept pre-scouted or mobile groups of animals. Shots range from 300 to 700 yards, requiring long-range shooting skills adaptable to impromptu positions and steep angles.

Kyrgyzstan's otherworldly terrain and mythic hunting quarry creates a surreal, almost mystical backdrop to what feels like a primordial world. To hunt there is nothing short of high-altitude grandeur, evoking a sense of transcendence and a communion with nature's ancient rhythms. Contact us for more insights about the hunting opportunities in this alluring country.