Kyrgyzstan Marco Polo & Mid-Asian Ibex

[NIGHTHAWK]

Thank you! Glad the report was helpful. To answer your first question, we were there in late November.

Regarding gear, a lot will depend on your exact dates and whether you’ll be spike-camping or returning to a lodge each night. That said, here are the non-negotiables in that environment:

Cold Weather Protection (“Polar Desert” reality):
A proper neck gaiter, balaclava, beanie, and genuinely warm gloves are critical. Don’t underestimate sunscreen, moisturizer, and lip balm — the wind and altitude will wreck your skin.

Outerwear:
Lightweight but high-performance waterproof and windproof layers are key. Pair them with solid gaiters to keep snow and debris out of your insulated boots.

Optics & Electronics:
Rangefinding binoculars with angle compensation are a must. Don’t rely on anyone else — range everything yourself. A spotting scope or a high-zoom camera helps a lot with judging at distance. Bring spare batteries for everything — the cold drains them fast.

Core Essentials:
A good backpack, a comfortable rifle sling, and a reliable headlamp for late returns.

Snacks:
Bring some of your favorite snacks. Good food is hard to come by in these remote mountain areas.

Pro tip:
Padded cycling shorts — sounds minor, but they make a huge difference on long days in the saddle. They worked really well for me.

On ballistics:
Don’t just zero at 100m and call it done. At altitude, it’s very common to be dead-on at 100 and then hit noticeably high at distance compared to sea level. Confirm your drops (out to 500+) once you’re there if you can.

Let me know which month you’re planning and whether you’ll be mobile or lodge-based — happy to give more tailored advice.

I appreciate it. I’ll send you a DM for the remainder of the questions and details.

November 25th.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Congrats! It’s nice the USFWS reversed course in 2025 and allow them to be brought into the U.S.

 

[dchum]

So incredible, congrats.

 

[youssefchagoury]

Thank you for the report & photos.
Excellent animals you took on the hunt.

I must also say those photos are incredible in the quality & focus, what were you using as a Camera.

Nearly all my photos are self taken as I normally hunt on my own, very hard in steep country or when knackered from the hunt, dark is approaching or you have to attend to the trophy/meat prep.
But when in wild places with wild/foreign helpers/guides it’s very hard to get a good out come on trophy photos !

Thank you! I used a Sony A6300 with a Sigma 16mm f1.8 lens for most of the photos... I always take a drone as well, it's very useful when you don't have any help taking photos.

 

[LWood]

Congratulations. I’d love to do that hunt someday.

 

[BryceM]

Fantastic hunt and write up. This is a hunt that I’m seriously considering, but maybe not in November. Sounds cold, and I grew up in a place where school was regularly cancelled when it was below -20F.

I’m not surprised to see dislike for Bergers in the African hunting community. When shots at significant range are expected, high BC bullets and precision are required. As you say, shot placement trumps bullet construction every day of the week. I’ve used them with tremendous success at ranges that most here wouldn’t think is a good idea. They’ve worked fine even when contacting bone on pretty big animals. If I could get mono metals or A-frames, or even Accubonds to fly like Bergers, I’d maybe use them instead. Glad you had a successful hunt.

 

[Kharn]

This is a hunt I need to go on as both species are personally highly desired!
Congrats!

 

[youssefchagoury]

Here are a few more pictures I tried to upload with the report, but for some reason, they didn't show up.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Great pictures. What was the altitude

 

[LimbNoMo]

Was this with ProfiHunt?

 

[youssefchagoury]

Great pictures. What was the altitudel

Thank you! Base camp was at 3250 meters (10,663 ft). We rode the horses up to 4100 meters (13,451 ft) max.

 

[youssefchagoury]

Was this with ProfiHunt?

No, it wasn’t with ProfiHunt. I’ll send you a DM…

 

[DAK]

Congrats on an amazing hunt and thank you for the great write up and pics! I’m headed to Kyrgyzstan next Nov for Hume and ibex as well. For some reason I can’t start a DM with you but would love any additional advise and expertise you have about the hunt and your recommendations are greatly appreciated!

 

[youssefchagoury]

Congrats on an amazing hunt and thank you for the great write up and pics! I’m headed to Kyrgyzstan next Nov for Hume and ibex as well. For some reason I can’t start a DM with you but would love any additional advise and expertise you have about the hunt and your recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Really appreciate it—thank you! Kyrgyzstan can be an incredible experience; you’re going to love it, assuming you're going to one of the right places.

A few quick pointers that make a big difference:

1 - Focus on getting comfortable shooting at longer distances and from field/angled positions. Don’t wait for perfect conditions—train in the wind and push beyond your comfort zone (this varies from one hunter to another. If you have a solid setup, I’d suggest practicing out to at least 600 meters, and even out to 1,000 meters). You won’t shoot an ibex at extreme long range, but when you’re faced with a 400–500 meter shot, it will feel easy. Your first cold bore shot at those ranges is often the biggest driver of success.
2 - Make sure you're comfortable riding a horse. You don’t need to be an expert—but basic comfort goes a long way. You’ll be spending a lot of time going up and down.
3 - Being in good shape helps a lot. The altitude is manageable, but it shouldn’t be underestimated.
4 - Take your time judging animals from a distance—patience usually pays off.

I couldn’t send you a DM either, but if you have any specific questions, feel free to drop them here—happy to help.

 

[DAK]

Really appreciate it—thank you! Kyrgyzstan can be an incredible experience; you’re going to love it, assuming you're going to one of the right places.

A few quick pointers that make a big difference:

1 - Focus on getting comfortable shooting at longer distances and from field/angled positions. Don’t wait for perfect conditions—train in the wind and push beyond your comfort zone (this varies from one hunter to another. If you have a solid setup, I’d suggest practicing out to at least 600 meters, and even out to 1,000 meters). You won’t shoot an ibex at extreme long range, but when you’re faced with a 400–500 meter shot, it will feel easy. Your first cold bore shot at those ranges is often the biggest driver of success.
2 - Make sure you're comfortable riding a horse. You don’t need to be an expert—but basic comfort goes a long way. You’ll be spending a lot of time going up and down.
3 - Being in good shape helps a lot. The altitude is manageable, but it shouldn’t be underestimated.
4 - Take your time judging animals from a distance—patience usually pays off.

I couldn’t send you a DM either, but if you have any specific questions, feel free to drop them here—happy to help.

Awesome advice Youssef, thank you again!! Curious if you rechronographed your muzzle velocity at the basecamp for altitude?

 

[youssefchagoury]

Awesome advice Youssef, thank you again!! Curious if you rechronographed your muzzle velocity at the basecamp for altitude?

I did it was almost the same... It was sending the Bergers at an average of 3040 fps

 

[coreydb]

Great pics! Like others here, A hunt I really want to do.

 

[Cecil Hammonds]

Awesome hunt! Congrats and thanks for the write up! I am heading there in October of 2027 for Marco Polo (Hume Argali). I am booked thru Hunting Consortium. Would love to pick your brain on this some time.

 

[youssefchagoury]

Awesome hunt! Congrats and thanks for the write up! I am heading there in October of 2027 for Marco Polo (Hume Argali). I am booked thru Hunting Consortium. Would love to pick your brain on this some time.

Thanks Cecil, really appreciate it! Always happy to help… Feel free to reach out anytime!

 

[KevinNC]

I can't help but notice that this is the same valley where Pedro Ampuero took his archery Marco Polo. Can you DM me the location and outfitter? Ibex is on my list before I get old.