Join Russian Hunting, LLC for an Asian Ibex Hunt

SIBERIAN IBEX
Capra sibirica sibirica
(Ibice Siberiano, Sibirischer Steinbock, Bouquetin de Siberie)

DESCRIPTION & TAXONOMY
A large ibex is thick-legged and stoutly built, with a long, pointed chin beard and heavy, scimitar-shaped horns. The summer coat is short, becoming long, coarse and brittle in winter with a dorsal crest and thick undercoat. The color is variable, but generally in summer it is a shade of yellowish or grayish-brown with a darker dorsal stripe, dark underparts and legs, and without a lighter saddle patch. The winter coat is yellowish-white and usually there is a large, light saddle patch. The dorsal stripe, tail and beard are blackish-brown. The male's horns are large and impressive, curving around to form three-fourths of a circle and tapering to relatively slender points. Horns are relatively flat on the front surface and have well-defined cross ridges. Races includes altaica (Irtish Altai), fasciata (northeast Altai), Iydekkeri (Katutay Range of Altai), sibirica (Sayan Mountains west of Lake Baikal) and typica (Tunkinskie Belki east of Irkutsk)

DISTRIBUTION
Sayan and Altai mountains of Siberia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

HUNT
The Ibex prefers open, precipitous terrain at moderate to relatively high altitudes. We organize hunting for the Siberian Ibex in the Altai and Sayan Mountains of Russia and Kazakhstan. The hunter is expected to be in good physical shape. The ability to ride a horse is helpful. The hunter has to bring binoculars, range finder, comfortable mountain boots, windproof camouflage jacket , warm sweater, sunglasses sun screen and a sleeping bag. The duration of the tour is 8-9 days from Almaty, Irkutsk or Barnaul. Usual trophy size is 100-110 cm. Cartridge in 7 mm range caliber is adequate.

SEASONS
August 15 - November 30

MID ASIAN IBEX
Capra sibirica alaiana
(Tian Shan ibex )

DESCRIPTION & TAXONOMY
This subspecies is the largest in size and grows the largest horns. Males can weigh as much as 285 lbs (130 kg), or even more. The coloration is very different from that of the Siberian ibex. In winter most adult males have a cinnamon-brown coat color of varying intensity, becoming browner and duller on the flanks, shoulders and thighs. There usually is a dark, well-developed dorsal stripe, and also a light-colored saddle patch that can vary in size, shape and location. A very dark flank band separates the brown flanks from the whitish belly. There is a distinct brown band on the front surface of the forelegs, a lighter one on the hind legs. The head is lighter than the flanks-actually somewhat grayish-and the beard is brown. Mid Asian ibex includes the following races: alaiana, almasyi, merzbacheri, and transalaiana. Ibex from Tajikistan (alaiana race) have been described as light grayish-brown in summer, with a dark dorsal stripe but no saddle patch; and bright foxy red in winter, with a distinct light saddle patch. Those from the Terskey-Ala-Too range in Kirghizstan (almasyi race) have been said to be reddish-brown-fawn in summer, with distinct light saddle and neck patches and tending to gray on the head; turning to some shade of grayish-brown in winter, with a broad dark dorsal stripe and small, dark saddle and neck patches. The horns are very long and relatively slender with comparatively small cross ridges. Ibexes of the Naryn district in Kirghizstan (merzbacheri race) are stated to differ from almasyi by lighter coloration, a more distinctly defined dorsal saddle and a much shorter, more divergent and more heavily knotted horns. The record trophy was obtained in Kirghizstan and had the left horn at 151.4 cm (59 5/8") and the right horn at 152.7 cm (60 1/8").

DISTRIBUTION
The Pamir, Altai, and Tian Shan mountains in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kirghizstan, Kazakhstan, and China.

HUNT
Few offer hunts for the Mid-Asian Ibex in Kirghizstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The hunter has to be in a reasonably good physical condition. Horse riding skills are important, since riding a horse can greatly improve mobility. The hunt takes place at the altitudes of 2,500-3,000 meters (8,000-10,000 ft.) and higher. The hunter needs to bring binoculars, range finder, comfortable mountain boots, windproof camouflage jacket, warm sweater, sunglasses sun screen and a sleeping bag. The duration of the tour is 9 days from Bishkek or Almaty. Best trophies usually come from Kirghizstan, where in some areas animals with horns 130-135 cm (52-54") are common. Shots are frequently taken at 300 yards and over. Cartridge in 7 mm magnum range caliber is adequate.

SEASONS
August 15 - November 30
March 1 - March 31

• Learn more about Asian Ibex hunting.

• Contact us at info@russianhunting.com.