Himalayan Ibex hunting in Pakistan

Himalayan Ibex Hunting, is a hunt for one of the most popular species in Pakistan. Pakistani Ibex is a symbol of the rocky & arid mountains of Karakoram, the western Himalayas, and the Hindukush of the Gilgit-Baltistan Province of Pakistan.

The Himalayan Ibex is indigenous to Karakoram & Himalayan Range of the Gilgit-Baltistan Region of Pakistan. A good number of the ibex population is occupying most of the Karakoram Range of Northern Areas of Pakistan. There are several community-managed hunting areas in Baltistan; the upper side of Skardu & CKNP are the immediate regions well known for ibex inhabitation. The Himalayan Ibex could be found from 3,500 to over 5,000 meters high altitude, they live right above the tree lines of the mountains. Ibex comes down up to 2,000 meters due to snow during winters and to search for food.

The Himalayan Ibex is quite different from the alpine ibex in the horn shape that grows much longer and makes a curving arc in males. A head with horns over 40 inches in length would be considered a good trophy and anything above this would exceptionally be great.

To avoid a negative impact on the ibex population in Pakistan, they are offered in limited numbers each year. According to a local survey, the large number of ibex presence in the Gilgit-Baltistan region is a good sign of a healthy ecosystem. Yet, to make sure minimal hunting trophy impact on the ibex population, our team would concentrate on old-class bulls about 8-10 years old. It would be an amazing adventure to hunt at over 10,000 feet on horseback, you would be surrounded by a wonderful alpine panorama. It is our job to make your hunt interesting, safe, and 100% successful.

  • Animal in Package
    Himalayan Ibex
  • Hunting season
    October to April – Hunting season
  • Best Hunt Time
    The best hunting time is 15 December to 15 January
  • Easy Hunt Time
    February & March – Easy hunt months
  • Horn Length
    The average ibex horn length is 38-40 inches
  • Success Rate
    100%
  • Opportunity Rate
    100%
  • Trip Type
    Guided (Regular trip)
  • Hunt With
    Rifle
  • Hunting Method
    Stalking
  • Hunt Type
    Mountain Hunting
  • Fence type:
    Open – Not Fenced
  • Structure by elevation
    Plains: 10%, Hills: 10% & Mountains: 80%.
  • Duration
    8 To 14 Days 
  • Level
    Professional 
  • Comfort
    Hard

ITINERARY

DAY 01: ARRIVAL ISLAMABAD
Arriving in Islamabad city, after a short rest, visit the Ministry of Tourism in Islamabad for necessary formalities and to obtain the permit.

Fly to Skardu if find the flight and the weather is okay, otherwise, stay overnight in Islamabad. 

DAY 02: SKARDU
Reach to Skardu, Overnight stay in Skardu.

 
DAY 03: JEEP TOWARD HUNTING STARTS

5-6 hours Drive by 4×4 Jeep towards the hunting area, reach the remotest Askole Village in North Pakistan, staff will make final arrangements for the expedition and you will make a hunting plan ready with the local hunting guide. Overnight in the village house.

DAY 04 – 09: HUNTING AREA
Early morning leave for the nearest hunting area by stalking with a local professional guide for the ibex trophy hunt. Overnight in tents. All meals are served by our staff. 

Hunt Himalayan Ibex – will stay in the area until the successful Trophy Hunt!

DAY 10: Drive to Skardu

Drive back to Skardu on 4×4. overnight in Skardu.
 
DAY 11: Fly to Islamabad
Fly back to Islamabad. stay in your hotel.
 
DAY 12: FLY BACK
Fly back to your home country.  goodbye and transfer to the airport for your international flight.
 

what we offer
Hunting Services Include 

      • Visa invitation
      • Custom handling
      • Hunting arrangements (up to mentioned days)
      • One trophy fee for Himalayan ibex
      • Hunting license
      • Gun import permit
      • Area Fees & Taxes
      • Transfers from/to Islamabad and Skardu airports
      • Full board accommodation in the hunting area
      • Professional Local Guide & Hunter
      • Porters
      • Complete camping equipment
      • Two-men tent for hunter
      • Kitchen tent/dining tent
      • Camp stools and table
      • Kitchen equipment (complete cook-wares, kitchen crockery, utensils, stove, kerosene oil etc.
      • Field trophy preparation & measurement
      • Guiding by a professional Guide & hunter
      • Transport in the territory (4×4 or horse)
      • Food at camp (breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner)
      • Paperwork involves customs clearance & gun import permits etc.
The Hunting Package Does Not Include the Following Services:
      • Domestic air flights
      • International airfare/ flights
      • Road transportation on domestic flight cancellations or no seats in Skardu or Islamabad.
      • Hotel accommodations in Skardu and Islamabad
      • Personal use items i.e. sleeping bags, mats, gloves etc.
      • Items required for Hunting i.e. Gun Rental, Spotting scopes etc.
      • Trophy handling out of the country or delivery
      • Export papers for Trophy (Vet Certificate, Cites and Trophy Shipment)
      • Tips & Gratuities
      • Insurance
      • Hotel costs before/after the hunt
      • Alcoholic Beverages
      • Personal expenses
      • Observer fee (1900$)
      • Unexpected Expenses (Costs such as road blockage delays, vehicle breakdown,  domestic flight cancellation because of weather, unavailability, and insurance, or telephone calls, etc.
Early Planning
An ibex hunting trip in these inaccessible areas requires very careful planning. The trip requires several types of permits from the local Gilgit-Baltistan government and the federal government. It includes import and reexport licenses for firearms; permits to use and carry these weapons for hunting. Most of the permits require several weeks to process and should be obtained in-advanced by the hunting party.
 
Accommodations
During the hunt, accommodation is mainly in village houses with very basic facilities. It can be in shepherd huts and sometimes, it is in camps.
 
Wounding
A wounded or not found animal is to be considered as taken.


Cancellation

Upon late cancellation, all deposited amounts will be non-refundable.

Payments

A deposit of 50% of the trip price would be deposited within 10 days from the booking vis a  Bank transfer.
The final payment of 50% would be made at least 45 days before the hunt.

 

Himalayan Ibex Facts

Ibex Size & Weight

Himalayan Ibex big male stands about 40 inches tall or 102 cm at the shoulder.
A big male could weigh over 110 kg or over 240 pounds. Average Body height: 2’6″-3’3″ ft / 80-100 cm. Weight: 190- 265 lb / 86-120 kg

Ibex Color

Ibex coat gets thick and woolly during winters and gets shed in at the start of the summer.  Himalayan Ibex have variable colors, that rang from pale brown to dark brown. They have a darker dorsal stripe with bit whitish neck patch and usually with a lighter saddle patch. Ibex are usually darker in color during summer compared to winter.

Inhabitant

Pakistani Ibex lives on the rocky dry mountains of Karakoram, the western Himalayas, and the Hindukush of the Gilgit-Baltistan Province of Pakistan. Its geographical range is from Chitral in Pakistan, eastward to upper Hunza, remote Karakoram mountains, the upper Shyok River , and Central Karakoram National Pakistan in Gilgit Baltistan Province of Pakistan.

Ibex Dwelling

Himalayan Ibex lives in a high alpine zone and could be found at 3200 to 5000 meters or 10000 to 16,000 feet altitude. Himalayan Ibex is a higher dweller animal compared to Markhor. Snow during winter can bring them down. Ibex has spread around at almost every location on Hindukush and Karakoram as well as on the Himalayan mountain range.

Ibex Dwelling

Himalayan Ibex lives in a high alpine zone and could be found at 3200 to 5000 meters or 10000 to 16,000 feet altitude. Himalayan Ibex is a higher dweller animal compared to Markhor. Snow during winter can bring them down. Ibex has spread around at almost every location on Hindukush and Karakoram as well as on the Himalayan mountain range.

Hunting Season

Ibex hunting season starts in October and last till the month of April. The best hunt time is from 15th December to 15th January each year.  The easy hunt time is considered during the months of February and March.

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION

 Order:  Artiodactyla
 Family:  Bovidae
 Subfamily:  Caprinae
 Genus:  Capra
 Species:  Capra sibirica
 Subspecies:  Capra sibirica sakeen

Do you Plan your Hunting Trip to Pakistan

Some Important Answers

A. The best Ibex hunting time starts from December till the end of January.