MARCO POLO ARGALI & HUME ARGALI
HUNTS
The Marko Polo ram is one of the
finest argalis and it is a very enviable and prestigious
hunting trophy. It lives high in mountains and not all
hunters can adapt to these heights because of the rarefied
air. One must not go hunting without preliminary medical
examination. Three subspecies of argali are found in Kirghizia:
Humo argali (Ovis
ammon humei) and Marko Polo ram (Ovis
ammon polii) and ram Karelini argali
(Ovis ammon karelini). Hunting demands skills
of riding from hunters as it makes moving in the mountains
easier. You will need special equipment: climbing-boots
and warm clothes (especially underwear), a sleeping bag,
a rug. The height of mountains changes from 2500 to 4000
m. The landscape of mountains is so various, that it is
almost impossible to pick words for their description.
Argalis prefer relatively gentle slopes of mountains and
rather wide river valleys; wild mountain goat, on the
contrary, lives in rocky mountains. You have a chance
to learn about the unique flora and fauna, traditions
and national culture of natives of these places. Hunting
camps have comfortable, cosy houses and jurts for rest
with electricity and tap water. You will be served by
affable and attentive employees of this hunting camp.
Experienced huntsmen will be your guides. Hunting is carried
out on horses or on foot, "on hot scent" or
from "ambush". One can get additional trophy
of a wild mountain goat. The hunter should have a rifle
with a strong cartridge. As a rule, a shooting distance
is great. The weapon should be well adjusted and it is
desirable that it is has a scope. In severe conditions
of Pamir the Marco Polo Argalis choose optimum sites for
the dwelling. The places these are where vegetative Alpine
lawns are naturally combined with naked rocks of mountains.
The platforms covered with small rubble are used by the
Argalis for daytime rest. Animals lie so that before them
was opened the wide circular review. In conditions of
winter with steady having a large snow, on altitude of
4200-4500 meters and above, animals try to choose for
bed the places protected from a wind and lie under cover
of rocks and boulders. Marco Polo Argali is a large long-legged,
thin-boned ram. The maximal weight of man's individuals
seldom exceeds 150 - 160 kg. The longest registered horns
of the Marko Polo Argali - 75 inches or 190,5ñì. (1895
year). With sunrise Argalis go down to graze in lowlands
on open sites between mountains. After twelve o'clock
in the afternoon Argalis, not ceasing to be grazed, slowly
rise on slopes of mountains to places daytime bed. Hunters
can see grazing herd of the Argalis moving slow step.
The distance between separate animals can reach up to
50 m. At pasture each animal for a while stops feeding
and, having lifted a head, within several seconds listens
and looks round. The Argalis have good vision and ear
and much worse sense of smell. In the winter, Argalis
give daytime rest not enough time. It is connected to
deterioration of food, reduction of light time of day,
and also with increase of frosts that demands intensive
movement.
About this feature of a life of the Argalis very well
know local the huntsman, using time daytime for the approach
to them on distance of a correct shot. The majority of
huntings for Marco Polo Argali pass very hardly and tensely.
It is connected to huge physical loadings. In fact for
full adaptation of an organism of the person in conditions
of high mountains it is necessary not less than three
months. And coming hunters already next day participate
in hunting. And so, it happens all ten days allocated
for the hunting trip. Therefore, the hunting for Marco
Polo Argali is perfect and tempting that, what not each
hunter will sustain the big height. It is impossible to
go in high mountains without preliminary medical survey
and advice of the doctor. But if nevertheless you managed
came to Pamir for the most beautiful in the world the
Argali horns, necessarily take with yourself a telescope,
a range-finder, a white camouflage dressing gown, sunglasses,
a cream from sunburn, warm easy clothes, footwear, and,
certainly, the sack for trophy.
Travel duration
is: 11 days (Moscow/Moscow)
9 days of hunting;
Regions of hunting are:
Kirghizia, Tajikistan;
Accommodation:
the hunting camps, yurts, campsites;
Travel route:
Flight by plane from Moscow to Bishkek (4 hours), then
by motor transport (8 - 12 hours), or helicopter (2 -
4 hours) to the hunting camp;
Additional charges:
tickets Moscow - Bishkek - Moscow; Hotels are paid according
to the fact; Additional service is paid according to the
fact;
