There are 3 huntable Markhor species in Pakistan:
- Kashmir Markhor: have the longest horns relation to body size among all Markhor species around the world. Kashmir markhor horns have slight to moderate flare with 3-4 spiral kudu like twists, however, straighter horns of the Kabul type have occurred in the Chitral District. Its horns have grown up to 65 inches in few extraordinary cases in the past although their horns are usually 40’’- 48’’, a mature Kashmir Markhor weighs btw. 175-230lbs. Kashmir Markhor can be hunted from Late November to end of March. The most efficient time to hunt is btw early December to mid February. Hunters need to fly to Chitral airport from Islamabad, which is 1-3 hours drive from Kashmir hunting areas. Kashmir Markhor hunting is mostly conducted from roads which allows us to reach most parts of our areas, making this hunt most enjoyable for everyone in any physical condition. Of course we can hunt more remote areas with the ‘’Sheep Shape’’ hunter in search of a monarch.
- Astor Markhor: This species don’t have horns as long as their Kashmir cousin,Typically, the horns of the Astor Markhor flare very widely just above the base and have 1-2 twists. Body size of the Astor is similar to Kashmir however the colour of their coat is usually lighter.Their horns have grown up to 60 inches in few extraordinary cases in the past; although their horns are usually 36’’- 44’’, they can be hunted from early December to late March. The most efficient time to hunt is btw early December to mid February. Hunters need to fly 45 minutes to Gilgit airport from Islamabad, which is 0.5-2 hours drive from Astor hunting areas. Astor Markhor hunting is mostly conducted from roads which allows us to reach most parts of our areas, making this hunt most enjoyable for everyone in any physical condition. Of course we can hunt more remote areas with the ‘’Sheep Shape’’ hunter in search of a monarch.
- Suleiman Markhor: The coat is short, coarse and thick in winter, short and smooth in summer. The male’s ruff is much shorter and less conspicuous than in the northern races. The horns are straight, forming two to three complete spiral turns that can have either a tight twist resembling a corkscrew or a more open twist of the Kabul type. The Sulaiman markhor was first given subspecific status on the basis of its tightly spiralling horns. Paradoxically, such horns appear to be in the minority in most of its range. Schaller found that 100 percent of the markhors he examined from Gadabar Ghan had open spirals, as did 89 percent from Toba-Kakar and 65 percent from around Quetta. He was unable to distinguish an open-spiraled Sulaiman horn from a normally straight, open-spiraled Kabul horn. He also found a very small percentage of Sulaiman markhors with slightly flaring horns somewhat similar to those from Kashmir. This species have shorter horns than their cousins,Typically, the horns of the suleiman markhor are straight very tight curls looking like a corkscrew sometimes slightly more open curl like the Kabul Markhor and have 2-3 twists. Body size of the Suleiman is much smaller than its cousins and coat shorter colour much lighter like sand. Suleiman horns have grown up to 40 inches in few extraordinary cases in the past; although their horns are usually 30’’- 36’’, they can be hunted from early December to late March. Hunters need to fly to Quetta airport from Islamabad, which is 2-3 hours drive from Suleiman hunting areas. Suleiman Markhor hunting is mostly conducted from roads which allows us to reach most parts of our areas, making this hunt most enjoyable for everyone in any physical condition.
Himalayan Ibex:
This type of Ibex look similar to their cousins in Kyrgzstan and Tajikistan with a larger and lighter colured saddle. Body size also similar being up to 250lbs.
Its horns have grown up to 55inches in few extraordinary cases in the past, our trophy average over the last years have been over 4o inches. Himalayan Ibex can be hunted from mid-November to end of March. The most efficient time to hunt is between 01 December to late February . Hunters need to fly to Gilgit airport of Turkey, which is an international airport within close proximity of our ibex hunting areas. Himalayan Ibex hunting is mostly conducted from very well roads which allows us to reach most parts of our areas, making this hunt most enjoyable for everyone in any physical condition. Ofcourse we can reach very remote areas with the ‘’Sheep Shape’’ hunter in search of a monarch.
Sindh Ibex:
This type of Ibex look similar to their cousins in Iran with a smaller body and lighter colured coat.
Its horns have grown up to 55inches in few extraordinary cases in the past, our trophy average over the last years have been over 4o inches. Himalayan Ibex can be hunted from mid-November to end of March. The most efficient time to hunt is between 01 December to late February . Hunters need to fly to karachi airport , which is an international airport within close proximity of our ibex hunting areas. Himalayan Ibex hunting is mostly conducted from very well roads which allows us to reach most parts of our areas, making this hunt most enjoyable for everyone in any physical condition. Ofcourse we can reach very remote areas with the ‘’Sheep Shape’’ hunter in search of a monarch.
Blanford Urial:
(Ovis vignei banfordi)Blanford Urial is also called the Baluchistan Urial. This sheep lives in the foot hills of Sindh Province and Balochistan Province, south of the country, at an altitude between 500 and 1000 meters (1500 – 3000 ́feet).
The Blanford Urial is one of the most beautiful species of wild sheep in the world. They weight up to 25 to 35 kg(50 -75pounds)Rams with horns measuring 65-90cm (26”-35”)
Physically, this can be probably one of the easiest mountain game to hunt. Hunting area is 2 to 4 hours away from Karachi Airport, with a very nice lodge and great food representing local cuisine.
Punjab Urial:
The Punjab urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) is endemic to northern Punjab, Pakistan,The distribution of this wild sheep sub-species in Pakistan at elevations of 250 -1,500 m primarily in the Kala Chitta and Salt Ranges. The dominant habitat type in the area is dry sub-tropical, semi- evergreen scrub forest..
The rams have horns 25-34 inches and weight 50-75 pounds. Hunting area is 2 to 4 hours of drive from Islamabad.
Chinkara Gazelle:
The Chinkara (Gazella bennettii) is type of gazelle native to various regions of southern Asia including Pakistan. An adult weighs in at about 23 kilograms (50 pounds) horns are 7 to 12 inches. It shares lower habitat of blandford urial. Hunting area is 2 to 4 hours from Karachi.
