Introduction to Marco Polo Argali 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, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan, but may only be hunted in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 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.

Throughout large portions of Kyrgyzstan, the predominant species of argali is the Tian Shan (Ovis ammon karelini). However, in hunting areas south of the Naryn River Valley, bordered on the east by China and on the south by Tajikistan, true Marco Polo (Ovis ammon polii) are found.

Hume Argali and Tian Shan Argali:

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes all sheep taken south of the Naryn River as Marco Polo argali. Safari Club International, Grandslam Club OVIS, and other hunting organizations, make an additional distinction, for trophy recording purposes. Argalis from the northernmost region, South of the Naryn River, can also be considered Hume argali, because of their horn conformation and intermediate pelage, between the Marco Polo sheep and the Tian Shan argali, found North of the Naryn. We also have an excellent area North of the Naryn River for hunting the Tian Shan argali. At the moment these sheep are not importable into the United States, but are, however, importable into Canada, Mexico, European Union, and many other countries. The Tian Shan argali is a somewhat smaller sheep than the Marco Polo sheep, with slightly shorter horns.

Whether you want to collect a Marco Polo argali, Hume argali, or Tian Shan argali from Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan, we can accommodate you.

Largest Outfitter of Marco Polo Argali Hunts:

The Hunting Consortium Ltd. is the world’s largest outfitter of hunts in central Asia and we have arranged and executed more Marco Polo sheep hunts during the last twenty years, than most of the other outfitters combined. We have been working in central Asia since 1987, and we are confident that we provide the very best hunting opportunities and service in that developing part of the world. Experience counts and the results we have delivered for our clients are unmatched by any other organization.

The results of recent Marco Polo sheep hunts reflect the many improvements which we have made to the hunt for this highly sought after sheep. All of our hunters have been successful (more than 500 hunters). Recent trophies have measured between 54 and 67 inches of horn-length. Our continuing success rate of 100%, in a volume of more than 30 hunts each season is unequaled in the hunting industry. Our hunters have taken more Marco Polo 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 during the best period for Marco Polo sheep.

Guides and Staff:

The Hunting Consortium Ltd. offers Marco Polo sheep hunts in both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and spend a great deal of time and energy making sure that our clients hunt in the best areas available and with the most competent guides, in whichever country they select. After exhaustive scouting we have selected and contracted the best hunting areas for Marco Polo sheep, at the best time of year, exclusively, which other companies do not have access to. Over the last twenty years we have built a team of professional hunters and service personnel that is unlike those of any of our competitors. A Hunting Consortium team member escorts every hunt in Kyrgyzstan and in Tajikistan and is the only American company that has its own full-time staff in Tajikistan.

Our employees ensure that your hunt is conducted without a hitch. We have full-time service staff in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) to handle all administrative functions, such as licenses, visas, firearm permits, etc. Every camp has a professional hunter employed by Hunting Consortium, who acts as an interpreter and liaison with local guides. It is his responsibility to take care of and look after the interests of every client.

Marco Polo Argali Hunting Camps:

The hunts in Tajikistan are conducted in an area called the Gorno-Badakhshan. It is located in the triangle between the borders of Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan. Our several hunting areas lie close to each other in the heart of the Pamir Mountains, at higher elevation than the hunting areas in Kyrgyzstan, in some places over 15,000 feet. This famous region contains approximately half of all the Marco Polo sheep population of the world. Hunters routinely see between 1,000 – 3,000 sheep each hunting day! The base camps are located at an average altitude of about 13,000 feet and the primary hunting areas are adjacent to the famous Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan. Our camps are outfitted with modern equipment including camp beds, stoves and first-aid equipment. Camps situated at elevations above 12,000 feet are equipped with “Gamow” bags (portable hyperbaric chambers). Our team of experts coordinate all details, including the necessary trophy preparation and export papers. Stalking is done on foot as soon as the game is sighted, but long distances (up to 100 kilometers or more per day) are traveled by jeep, in search of old, trophy quality rams. The largest Marco Polo sheep ever recorded have come from Tajikistan.

Marco Polo Argali Hunting Itinerary:

Travel to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is generally accomplished via Istanbul, where convenient flights are available on Turkish Airlines to Dushanbe and Bishkek. The Hunting Consortium has a full-time service representative stationed in Istanbul to meet every client passing through this famous city, providing assistance in transit procedures and guided sightseeing, and escorted shopping service when desired.

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1	Arrival in Dushanbe or Bishkek
	Reception by Hunting Consortium staff
Day 2	Transfer to camp
Day 3-10	Hunt (6 to 8 days)
Day 11	Return to Dushanbe or Bishkek
Day 12	Departure from Dushanbe or Bishkek

Publicity:

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 literally hundreds of positive reports and references.

Experience and Travel Services:

We are a full-service travel agency. As a service to our clients, we make all travel and transportation arrangements, including air tickets and hotel reservations, as well as assistance in the procurement of the required visa and firearm import permit. We ensure that the necessary export permits for trophies taken are issued. Each of our sheep hunters receives detailed information about the hunt, country, customs, required equipment and other details, as well as detailed maps for the areas he/she is about to hunt. A member of our professional staff meets every client in Istanbul en route to Dushanbe or Bishkek and upon arrival in the destination country. We also assist with all entry and exit formalities.

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. 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.

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.] These are issued by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). Generally, 60 import permits are available for Tajikistan and 20 permits for Kyrgyzstan each year. 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 any argali sheep. A license must be allocated for an individual hunter, by name, before the import permit application will be accepted by the USFWS. These licenses are issued to 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.

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 and the period most convenient for them. As we operate 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.