Argali Sheep
Marco Polo Sheep, also known as the Pamir Argali Sheep, are found in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. We have been working with Ansten for Marco Polo hunts since 1999, and have sent over 100 clients on these high altitude adventures with him. He received the Atcheson’s Professional Hunter of the Year Award in 2012 and has led many hunters in to the Pamir and Tian Shan Mountains ranges in search of Kyrgyz Argali (Hume Argali) and Tian Shan Argali as well.
Some areas have excellent hunting for Himalayan Ibex and Tian Shan Ibex, so a combo hunt can be arranged. All the hunts are custom designed to the individual goals of each hunter. Hunters are generally based from comfortable cabins in the heart of good hunting; tent spike camps can also be productive at times. Each year pre-season scouting has enabled our guides to locate sheep in excess of 60 inches or better.
Pamir (Marco Polo) Argali
The hunting takes place in some of the world highest altitudes and base camps are often at 10,000 to 14,000 feet and game can use mountainous landscape that reaches 16,000 feet or more. Preparing yourself for the rigors of this hunt can mean the difference between success and failure. It will be a physically demanding hunt. Horses are used to move hunters from the sheep camp far into the mountains. Horses really help you make the climb. Some camps and terrain allow for the use of 4-wheel drive jeeps. In moderate terrain, driving 100 miles a day or more is common. In such open terrain, expect long and intricate stalks. Some camps can only be reached by helicopter and the hunting by horseback or on foot, the same as some sheep hunts in North America.
Kyrgyz Argali
The Hume (Kyrgyz) Argali Sheep is one of the more abundant Argali species. Hunted in the country of Kyrgyzstan, until recently it was classified as a Marco Polo in much of its range. This sheep is importable into the United States if hunted south of the Naryn River. Considered one of the easier sheep species, this sheep is hunted via horseback in most of its range, a much easier hunting trip. Our clients have taken some of the largest Hume Argalis, a number from 59 to 60 inches in length, and currently at least half of the top-placing sheep have come from our camps, personally guided and escorted by Ansten Ostbye.
Most Hume operators begin fielding hunters October 15 onward, with the best hunting in January and February. This gives our clients the opportunity to access the larger rams early in the season.
TiAn Shan Argali
Please note the Tian Shan Argali can not be imported into the U.S. at this time.
Similar to the Marco Polo, but with a tighter curled and thicker horn, the Tian (Tien) Shan Argali (Ovis amon kerelini) is also called Argali del Tian Shan, and Argali du Tian Shan. The Tian Shan argali category is divided into two races: heinsii and karelini. The karelini was described from the Ala Tau range north of Lake Issyk Kul in northeastern Kyrgyzstan and southeastern Kazakhstan, and eastward in the Tian Shan range in Xinjiang, China. The winter coat has light brown upper parts that lighten gradually to the diffuse, grayish-brown rump patch. The yellowish-white belly is separated from the flanks by a wide dark line. A dark dorsal line runs from shoulders to loins. The neck mane is white, shaded with grayish-brown.
Tian Shan Argali hunting takes place in Kyrgyzstan. The hunter has to be in reasonably good physical condition, although usually horse riding is involved on this hunt. Hunting takes place at the altitudes of 10,000 feet and higher. The Tian Shan Argali is distributed on the northern flanks of the Tian Shan mountain range in northeast Kyrgyzstan and southeast Kazakhstan. The easiest time to spot these animals is in winter when they come down from the high mountains to search for food.