“I and my family owe many thanks to Bob, Margarete, Rob and the expert staff at the Hunting Consortium for so many memorable hunts in so many countries. It is hard to believe, but every hunt and trip has been characterized by the same qualities - superior service, with a can-do attitude, excellent operators, all arrangements on time and fulfilling everything promised. This is a great organization! I am looking forward to my next hunt with the Hunting Consortium.” -Francisco Vizcaino Gutierrez
“In all aspects an awesome experience. Everything was above expectations, from the hunt preparations to the actual experience and hunt, and post-trip. The recommendations pre-trip were extremely helpful. Thank you!” -Marvin Kottman
“What a tremendous experience we had in the Pamirs.. Especially the excursion in Istanbul you arranged on the way to Tajikistan. Special thanks to Bob Kern and the Hunting Consortium for organizing everything.” -Mike Axelrad
“Everything about my many hunts and the coordination was first class! – Accommodations, hunting areas, equipment, service, etc. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and capable. An absolute pleasure to hunt with every time!” -Frank Pullano
“Bob, Rob and their crew are experienced professionals. Every trip is meticulously planned with true military precision. I have very much enjoyed my trips with Hunting Consortium and would not trust anyone else to outfit my international hunts!” -Craig Boddington
“Bob Kern and the team at The Hunting Consortium are the “A-Team” of international hunting in the world today! I depend on Bob’s intensive research and the exceptional experience that he and the members of his staff have accumulated working in the farthest reaches of the hunting world. My own business occupies most of my time, so I depend on Bob to keep me abreast of the latest developments in hunting and to get my trips right the first time, every time. They have never let me down!” -Jon Arn
“Nobody can appreciate the effort Bob Kern and his staff at the Hunting Consortium make to satisfy their clients’ requirements better than me - they have arranged more than 100 hunts for me over the span of 40 years! Bob is the leading expert and explorer in China and Russia and has helped me travel to the most remote places in the world in the search for the rarest of the rare big game trophies. This company has made very difficult travel arrangements seem easy - they have always exceeded my expectations. Many of the finest trophies in my collection are due to the hard work of Bob and his professional team. This is the best hunting travel company in the world!” -Hector Cuellar
“These guys are the best in the business, bar none! I have hunted the world for more than 60 years, and the hunts I’ve done with the Hunting Consortium were always perfectly organized. No matter whether in Europe, Africa, or Asia - even in Russia, Tajikistan, and Iran, everything is ready to go and there are no surprises. I really appreciate their travel services - they do my visas, air tickets and everything else I need for an easy trip. One stop shopping!” -Dial Dunkin
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Marco Polo Argali
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Introduction to Marco Polo Sheep Hunting:
Arguably the most beautiful and prestigious of all the argali, or giant sheep of Asia, is the Marco Polo argali (Ovis ammon polii). It is found in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and China, but may only be hunted in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The majestic flaring horns of the Marco Polo sheep can exceed 70 inches in length, making it the most impressive wild sheep trophy in the world. We are the world’s largest outfitter of hunts in central Asia and we are confident that we provide the very best hunting opportunities in that developing part of the world. We have been working in central Asia since 1988. Experience counts and the results we have delivered for our clients are unmatched by any other organization.
Our Marco Polo sheep hunts take place in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. We have been arranging more Marco Polo sheep hunts during the last thirty years, than most of the outfitters combined. We spend a great deal of time and energy making sure that our clients hunt Marco Polo sheep in the best areas available with the most competent guides, whichever country they select.
Please note: We are the only American company that has its own full-time staff in Tajikistan, who will accompany you on your Marco Polo sheep hunt. On Marco Polo sheep hunts in Kyrgyzstan you will have one of our experienced professional hunters with you.
Hunting Marco Polo Sheep
Over the last thirty years, after exhaustive scouting in the areas where Marco Polo sheep hunts are conducted, we have contracted exclusive areas where we hunt Marco Polo sheep. We encourage hunters to book their Marco Polo sheep hunts as early as possible in order to secure a license for the year they want to hunt Marco Polo sheep and the dates which are most convenient for them. Since we operate Marco Polo sheep hunts in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, the venue of the hunt makes no difference to us. We will be happy to arrange your hunt in either of these countries.
The single most defining characteristic about Marco Polo sheep hunting, is hunting in the best areas, at the best time of year. No other companies have access to our areas during the best time of year. Over the last thirty years we have built a team of professional hunters and service personnel that are unlike those of any of our competitors. We have full-time service staff in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) to handle all administrative functions, such as licenses, visas, firearm permits, CITES certificates, etc. Every Marco Polo sheep camp has a Hunting Consortium manager on location, who acts not only as an interpreter, but also as a liaison between the hunters and the local guides and officials. It is their responsibility to take care of our Marco Polo sheep hunters and look after the interests of every client.
We are proud of our continuing success rate on Marco Polo sheep hunts of 100% (over 500 hunters), which is the best record in the hunting industry. Our hunters have taken more sheep over 60″ than those of any other hunting company. Several of the largest trophies of the Marco Polo sheep (over 65″) have been taken in our hunting areas in Tajikistan and we usually manage to take several sheep over 60 inches each season. We built the famous Hot Springs Camp and we have exclusive use of it for our hunters from the middle of October until the middle of December (the best period for Marco Polo sheep hunting). Before those dates, the Marco Polo sheep migration has not yet finished, and after the middle of December, the weather becomes too cold and snowy. As the conditions worsen in the sheep area during the late season, stalking becomes too difficult as the snow and snow drifts are too deep. Temperatures can drop to -30 °F / -40 degrees °F (-34 °C / -40 °C) with wind averages around 10mph.
Our Marco Polo sheep hunts have been described in numerous outdoor magazines and hunting publications in America and in Europe, and several of our Marco Polo sheep hunts have been televised. Several famous outdoor writers and television personalities have hunted with us (including Jim Shockey and Craig Boddington) and we have hundreds of references.
For residents of the United States, a federal import permit is required. [This has to do with the U.S. Endangered Species Act – nothing to do with CITES.] Generally, 60 import permits are available for Tajikistan and 20 permits for Kyrgyzstan. We assist our clients in applying for these import permits, but before this process can begin, the hunt itself must be booked. A special license is required to hunt this sheep. A license must be allocated for the hunter, by name, before the import permit application will be accepted by the USFWS. These licenses are issued to the outfitting companies, by area. A license is reserved, by name, when a hunter books his/her hunt and we send that information to the USFWS. Our office in Virginia is only a short drive from the USFWS headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia, which allows us to track each application and help expedite its approval.
The largest of all ibex, the Mid-Asian ibex, is found in abundant numbers in some of the same regions where we hunt Marco Polo sheep. Many of our clients have chosen to hunt ibex following the successful sheep hunt, as no camp change is usually required. Ibex hunting can be challenging, however very rewarding also. For those clients who have more time available, Afghan urial sheep and other game can also be hunted in Tajikistan.
It is important to note that hunting in central Asia requires a sense of adventure and is not for the hunter who wishes to be pampered, although we will do everything we can to accommodate any requests. Nevertheless, traveling in Asia has never been easier and hunting any more likely to end in success. For the adventurous sportsman in search of great trophies, it is a fascinating destination.
Marco Polo Sheep Hunt Itinerary:
| Day 1 | Arrival in Dushanbe, Tajikistan (or Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) |
| Met by Hunting Consortium manager / professional hunter | |
| Fly or Drive to Marco Polo Sheep Camp | |
| Day 2 | Finish Drive to Camp or Begin Marco Polo Sheep Hunt |
| Day 3-9 | Hunt Marco Polo Sheep |
| Day 10 | Return to Dushanbe |
| Issue Export Documents | |
| Day 11 | Depart Dushanbe |
Travel Arrangements
As a full service travel company, the Hunting Consortium will make all necessary flight and hotel arrangements as well as procure any required visas and firearm permits. Hunting Consortium will assist you in getting the most efficient airfare routing that best suits your desired itinerary and destination. When you are ready to book a hunt, we will construct a custom itinerary plan for you, designed specifically for you. Hunting Consortium will advise you about the hunt, type of equipment, immunizations, trophy shipping, and a host of other necessities. Each of our hunters receives detailed information on the hunts, country, inhabitants, and travel formalities. The firm also provides every hunter with a map, equipment checklist and many other articles designed to prepare them for the hunt. Our staff is available to you seven days a week to answer any questions you may have concerning the organization or execution of the hunt.
We at the Hunting Consortium pride ourselves in planning hunts that deliver the best results for every client, according to his/her own individual taste, budget and trophy quality aspirations. Marco Polo sheep hunting is a very complex theme, so we encourage those interested to contact us for a thorough briefing and consultation, in order to determine the right hunting option.
Marco Polo Sheep Hunt Cost:
Approximately $40,000