Most Overrated Hunt and Most Underrated Hunt

For me, one of the most underrated hunts is any chamois hunt or mountain red stag hunting in Spain—these are hunts with relatively little demand, they are truly wonderful. An overrated hunt would be the Marco Polo in Tajikistan; it’s much better to hunt it in Kyrgyzstan, even though they don’t grow as big and it’s a different subspecies.

Pablo Carol said:

For me, one of the most underrated hunts is any chamois hunt or mountain red stag hunting in Spain—these are hunts with relatively little demand, they are truly wonderful. An overrated hunt would be the Marco Polo in Tajikistan; it’s much better to hunt it in Kyrgyzstan, even though they don’t grow as big and it’s a different subspecies.

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This is the answer I’ve been waiting for. Three hunts that are high priority for me. What is your reasoning for Kyrgyzstan over Tajikistan?

Pablo Carol said:

For me, one of the most underrated hunts is any chamois hunt or mountain red stag hunting in Spain—these are hunts with relatively little demand, they are truly wonderful. An overrated hunt would be the Marco Polo in Tajikistan; it’s much better to hunt it in Kyrgyzstan, even though they don’t grow as big and it’s a different subspecies.

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I’ll be hunting red stag and chamois near Leon next September. My outfitter says it’s his favorite hunt in Spain.

Pablo Carol said:

For me, one of the most underrated hunts is any chamois hunt or mountain red stag hunting in Spain—these are hunts with relatively little demand, they are truly wonderful. An overrated hunt would be the Marco Polo in Tajikistan; it’s much better to hunt it in Kyrgyzstan, even though they don’t grow as big and it’s a different subspecies.

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Is it the Hume argali? I can hardly tell the difference in pictures other than the Tajik Marco Polo usually is a bit longer in the horns?

So is the Hume argali in Kyrg not really a Marco Polo?

Why do you like that hunt more?

Thanks!

I guessing that it comes down to Horses vs Jeep. I have heard people say they enjoy the Kyrgyzstan hunt more, even though the Tajikistan rams were bigger.

chuckwellington said:

This is the answer I’ve been waiting for. Three hunts that are high priority for me. What is your reasoning for Kyrgyzstan over Tajikistan?

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I’ve been several times as a guide in both countries, and this is just my point of view, but in my opinion hunting in Tajikistan is 100% focused on trophy size, with a lot of hunting done by vehicle. In contrast, in Kyrgyzstan it’s a pure hunt on foot or horseback, camping or staying in shepherds’ houses, which makes it a much better overall experience in my eyes.


Another thing to keep in mind is that in the Pamirs (Tajikistan) you’re hunting at 13,000–16,500 feet, so any physical effort is extremely demanding. Meanwhile in Kyrgyzstan you’re hunting at around 11,500 feet, which means that with just a day of acclimatization you can already perform physical efforts much more comfortably.

dchum said:

Is it the Hume argali? I can hardly tell the difference in pictures other than the Tajik Marco Polo usually is a bit longer in the horns?

So is the Hume argali in Kyrg not really a Marco Polo?

Why do you like that hunt more?

Thanks!

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According to SCI, in Kyrgyzstan there are two Argali: the Tian Shan Argali (Ovis ammon karelini) in the north and the Marco Polo Argali in the south. However, in reality what exists in the south is the Humei Argali (Ovis ammon humei), which technically is not a Marco Polo (Ovis ammon polii). The only place where Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii) truly exist—at least where they can be legally hunted—is Tajikistan. That said, it is true that in certain areas in the far south of Kyrgyzstan, along the border with Tajikistan, Marco Polo and Humei overlap and hybridize.

Pablo Carol said:

According to SCI, in Kyrgyzstan there are two Argali: the Tian Shan Argali (Ovis ammon karelini) in the north and the Marco Polo Argali in the south. However, in reality what exists in the south is the Humei Argali (Ovis ammon humei), which technically is not a Marco Polo (Ovis ammon polii). The only place where Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii) truly exist—at least where they can be legally hunted—is Tajikistan. That said, it is true that in certain areas in the far south of Kyrgyzstan, along the border with Tajikistan, Marco Polo and Humei overlap and hybridize.

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Thank you so much for your detailed response.
I love to learn more always.

Your are obviously very experienced and love the mountains of the world.

Cheers