Markhor (Capra falconeri)

Unattainable only a decade ago to the international trophy hunter as it was reserved solely as a prerogative for distinguished guests of presidents, this rare trophy animal can now be legally hunted thanks to the conservation efforts of the Department of Wildlife and Forestry, IUNC Pakistan, WWF, UNDP and the mountain communities. Strict conservation and protection measures have led to an increased population of all 3 subspecies of markhor in their respective mountain habitats. Whereas in the beginning only 6 licenses in total were issued annually, 12 licenses are now available to the lucky and well-to-do international trophy hunter, 4 licenses for each sub-species. They include the Kashmir markhor, Suleiman markhor and the Astor markhor. All the organized hunts are strictly in accordance to the CITES agreement which guarantees the importation of the trophy into the home country of the hunter, bar the USA.

Kaschmir-Markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis)
Derives its name from the Kashmir region and survives in the Pakistan sector of Kashmir in a few heavily guarded areas. Such protection measures have led to a steady increase in the markhor population. The main concentrations today are in Chitral, Hindukush and in Kohistan near the Karakorum Highway. The last mentioned concentration borders on the ranges of the Astor markhor and great care must be taken not to confuse the two species. Hunting in the Chitral region is usually relatively easy. The markhor roams here in low altitude areas and often quite near populated areas which makes lengthy expedition unnecessary. Nevertheless, markhor hunting requires good local knowledge and lots of experience. Markhor usually retreat back to steep cliffs. Week long observations of game paths, feeding areas and congregation areas are necessary to secure the trophy for the hunting client. Ideal for hunting is the rutting season when the old rams leave the high altitude retreat areas to come down to the feeding grounds of the females and therefore into the hunter’s range. The height of the rutting season is from December 20th to January 10th. Due to the preliminary observation work done by the local game scout 7 hunting days are sufficient. The hunting trips start with a flight into Islamabad/ Peshawar and on to Chitral with a local carrier. Accommodation in Chitral is in first class hotels and the daily trips into the respective hunting areas are undertaken in a four-wheel drive vehicle. Distant hunting areas require trekking to altitudes where markhor are usually found and nights are then spent in very basic shepherd’s huts. The professional hunter and game scout try to cater for the client here as well as possible.

Hunts for markhor in Kohistan are more difficult than in Chitral, but promises of record size trophies make hunting here very attractive. The mountains are very steep with few paths or treks. The local game scout and the professional hunter have of course scouted the areas in advance and are aware of the game movements. It is recommended to choose the rutting season for a hunt in Kohistan, while in the areas of Chitral the whole season from November 1. to March 31. promises success and markhor trophy sizes of well over 40 inches are possible.

Astor-Markhor (Capra falconeri falconeri),
Derives its European sounding name from the small mountain hamlet Astor, situated in the Astor valley of the Nanga Parbat ( 8125m, 26812 feet) massif in the Azad Province of Kashmir in north-eastern Pakistan. The massive and wide twisted horns of this sub-species are impressive. Its large habitat zone ranges from Skardu in Baltistan across the Gilgit Mountains to Iskanderbad, near the famous massif of the Hunza people, the Rakaposhi (7788 m, 25700 feet).

Hunting Kashmir markhor requires clients to be experienced in mountain hunting, even when carefully assisted by professional hunters and guides. This is particularly true for hunts in the Karakorum. Here every hunt is a true expedition into the impressive mountain ranges of Himalaya and Karakorum. I would go as far as saying that, hunting the Astor markhor in these ranges is the biggest challenge that trophy hunters could possibly face. The mountains are extremely steep, although of solid rock and not brittle therefore permitting good foot and handhold. Accommodation for the hunting period of at least 8 days will consist of only very basic tents and shepherd’s huts.

The foreign hunting client will have to have no fear of heights and be capable of some climbing, although he will not be required to master extreme climbing conditions. He will always be assisted by experienced game scout. The general hunting altitude of the Astor ranges from 2500 mountain porters and helpers in addition to the professional hunter and m to 3000 m (8250 to 9900 feet).

The hunting trips start in Islamabad with local flights to Gilgit or Skardu. The client is then driven to a mountain valley to the waiting team of professional guides in a four-wheel drive vehicle. As with the flights to Chitral, all local flights depend on good weather conditions. In cloudy weather conditions these flights are cancelled which means clients have to make the journey to these locations by car along the Karakorum Highway, which is time-consuming but highly scenic and interesting.

Suleiman-Markhor (Capra falconeri jerdoni)
These markhor are rather smaller in body size and are not found in the high mountain ranges, but in the rather lower Suleiman ranges situated between the Punjab region and Belutshistan. Two well protected areas there require of the physically fit foreign sportsman no particular mountaineering skills. But like in all regions markhor frequent mountain areas which are quite steep. The client should therefore be free of fear of heights. Several options exist to reach these areas, either by local flight or by car. Accommodation will be provided in private homes under particular hospital conditions. Even though the legal hunting period ranges here from end of November to end of March, for best results we recommend always the rutting period from December 20. to January 10.

Due to the geographical location much further south, even during the wintertime temperatures might be quite warm. We however still recommend to the client to come with suitable warm clothing like for all the other hunting areas. The Suleiman markhor doesn’t reach the horn sizes of the other sub- species and 38 inches in horn length are very good. The smaller horns compensate through the elegance and shape of the horns which appear as being carved in a precision lathe.