Pakistan Hunts

Hunting in Pakistan

Pakistan, or the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran to the west, China to the north, and India to the east. It is at the center of numerous geopolitical and cultural conflicts. Somewhat larger than the state of Texas, with a high population of 170 million people, Pakistan struggles with the problems of terrorism, poverty, illiteracy, and corruption. However, there are wild places in this country where local authorities have protected wildlife, and hunting is allowed for specific species, some unique to Pakistan.

From the remote heights of the Karakoram and Hindu-Kush Mountains to the arid lands of the Sindh Desert, Pakistan offers the traveling hunter a variety of ecosystems, each with its unique fauna and flora. It is a curious mixture of the old and new, with modern cities, such as the capital, Islamabad, and remote mountain villages that take days on foot or horseback to reach. Because of the tribal cultures and regional autonomous government, it is unique amongst Asian countries.

There are four distinct hunting regions in Pakistan. In the high mountains of the Northern Areas, inhabited by the peaceful Balti people (Baltistan), the Himalayan Blue Sheep and the Himalayan Ibex can be hunted. Hunts for Blue Sheep and Himalayan ibex occur at high altitudes and are physically challenging, similar to hunting in neighboring Nepal.

The lowland agricultural Punjab Province in the country's east provides the richest environment for wildlife with the greatest variety of animals. Still, it is also the most heavily populated. Here, hunters will find the Punjab urial, as well as hog deer, boar, blackbuck, nilgai, and Chinkara gazelle. Hunting is mostly on private reserves where local princes have protected and managed the wildlife, and forestry reserves are controlled by the state government. With the exception of wild boar, which are hunted without limit, and Punjab urial, for which the government auctions permits, permits for other species are limited and difficult to obtain.

In the arid deserts of the southern and southwestern parts of the country, in the Sindh and Baluchistan provinces, the Blanford urial, the Sindh ibex, and the Kennion gazelle are found. Game numbers in this area are excellent.

Finally, in the tribal areas of western Pakistan, in the Northwest Frontier Province, the coveted markhor are found. The spiraled horns of these goats are unlike any other wild goat species. Markhor are rare and great effort has been expended to bring them back from near extinction. Hunters alone are responsible for the recovery of the markhor populations and are a textbook example of what can happen when the resources of the international hunting community are brought to bear on behalf of nature conservation. Today, a limited number of permits for markhor are auctioned each year by the federal government, and the funds derived from those auctions pay for the ongoing conservation of this majestic species.

Pakistan is a fascinating country to visit, and for the mountain-hunting enthusiast, it is an absolute “must-do.”

Ibex Species

Himalayan Ibex

The Himalayan ibex, as the name suggests, inhabits the Himalayan mountains, the highest mountain range in the world. Hunting opportunities exist in Pakistan in some of the most remote and wildest corners of the country, where the lifestyle of the local communities has changed very little over the last few thousand years. People who have hunted there report that the area's scary reputation is greatly exaggerated. Himalayan ibex hunting is the classical mountain hunt. It starts with the hunter and guides climbing above the animals and glassing for them. Then, it ends with a careful stalk and long, challenging shots. Occasionally, a drive may be undertaken, with the guides pushing the animal to where the hunter hides. Most mountains in the country are too steep even for horses, so the hunter should be prepared for considerable physical effort.

Sindh Ibex

Sindh ibex live in the hills around Jamshoro-Durejji, 3 hours from Karachi in the Sindh Province and close to the Indian Ocean. They live at an altitude of 1,500 to 3,000 feet. Sindh ibex horns run between 36″ and 44″. Obtaining excellent trophies within a few days of hunting is possible while staying in a very comfortable camp. Anything above 40 inches is considered to be a very good trophy.

Urial Species

Aghan Urial

The Afghan urial is a sub-specie of urial. Overall coloration varies from dull red to yellowish-brown. The rump patch and underparts are white, the face a bluish-gray. Rams have a white bib, black neck, and a small black saddle in the winter coat. The horns are triangular in cross-section and strongly wrinkled. The longest recorded horns measured 41-1/2 inches (105 cm) (Rowland Ward, 1909). Females have small, straight horns. It is native to Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, west of the Indus River and north of Quetta but south of Chitral. Boundaries with the trans-Caspian urial to the west have not been determined.

Blandford Urial

Blandford urial is found in Sindh province (southern Pakistan). This subspecies of urial is found only in Pakistan. It is considered the most beautiful urial species in the world. The best time to hunt this sheep is December, January, and February because the weather becomes hot and uncomfortable for hiking at the end of the season. Blandford urial with horns between 26”- 30” can easily be found. This size is considered to be representative. It can be hunted in a combo deal with Sindh Ibex.

Punjab Urial

The Punjab urial (Ovis Orientalis Vignei) is an endemic subspecies to Pakistan and is protected under Federal and Provincial laws. It is known to have a restricted distribution range and is found only in the Salt, and Kala Chitta Mountain ranges in Punjab. It is confined by a coniferous forest belt in the north, the Jhelum River in the east and south, and the Indus River in the west.

The main threats to the Punjab urial population include habitat degradation (timber, firewood), encroachments on protected forests, lamb theft, and conflicts with livestock because of competition for grazing. Illegal hunting of urials has also been a significant factor in its decline in the past. However, hunting of urials is now more regulated.

The primary objective of the hunting program is the conservation of large animals along with their habitats. This is achieved through a system that benefits local villages by providing incentives to conserve their wildlife resources.

Markhor Species

Astor Markhor

Astor markhor is the sub-species of markhor found in Gilgit-Baltistan, a province of Pakistan. Animal body size is larger than all other markhor subspecies, and hair coats are long and thick in winter. This animal has a beautiful beard patch from the chin to the front legs, and the horns of Astor Markhor grow very wide. This markhor is found in the Gilgit, Sakardu, and Astor regions of Northern Pakistan and the valleys of the River Indus. Hunters should be in good physical strength, and it’s possible to hunt Himalayan Ibex, Blue Sheep, and Astor Markhor in a combo hunt.

Kashmir Markhor

Kashmir Markhor is the sub-specie of markhor, also known as Pir Panjal markhor. These are found in the Chitral valleys of Khyber Pakhtun Khawa province of Pakistan. They are hunted under a community-based hunting program. In the past, in a survey conducted by CITES and WWF with the help of the Wildlife Department KPK, only 300 markhors were seen. Then, the government started a community-based hunting program and issued only four hunting permits for Kashmir Markhor per year. Then, 80% of the revenue collected through trophy hunting is donated to the local community, encouraging them to stop poaching it as a food source. This hunting program succeeded, and 4,000 markhors were counted in a subsequent survey. It’s easier to hunt than an Astor markhor or Suleman markhor, but a hunter must be prepared to climb. A 40-inch horn is considered representative.

Suleiman Markhor

Suleiman Markhor is the sub-specie of markhor found in Torghar Hills, accessed by a 6-7 hour drive from Quetta. The Suleiman markhor is also known as straight-horned markhor. It has the most beautiful screwed shape horns as compared to other subspecies of markhor. In the past, it was not a huntable or exportable species, but in 1999, a delegation of USFW and IUCN visited STEP (Society of Torghar Environmental Protection) and initiated a community-based hunting program, and as a result, the number of Suleman Markhors are increasing. The hunter requires excellent physical strength, as most hunting will be vertical. The hills are not as challenging as the Hindu Kush or the Himalayas, but they are a bit of a hike. A set of 26-32 inches horns is considered very good.

Blue Sheep

In Pakistan, the Bharal, also known as the Blue sheep, inhabit the remote and almost inaccessible mountains of the Karakoram in Northern Pakistan at 10,000-18,500 ft. Blue sheep are not as agile as ibex and are typically found in more open and grassy areas. Blue sheep are also found in the Chat Pirt and Ghujerav areas of Shimshal in Baltistan. They are also found in Khunjerab National Park. Shimshal marks the westernmost limit of their range in the Himalayas. Bharal is believed to be common in the Shimshal area, but overall, they are very localized in Pakistan. 

The Bharal was discovered by Hodgson in 1833. Bharal is a Hindi name, while "blue sheep" refers to the coat's color. The coat is slate grey, sometimes with a blue sheen. The belly and back of the legs are white, while the chest and fronts of the legs are black. Separating the grey back and white belly is a charcoal-colored stripe. The ears are small, and the top of the nose is dark. Both sexes have horns that are ridged on the upper surface. In males, they grow upwards, then turn sideways and curve backward, looking like an inverted mustache. They may grow to a length of 80 cm/ 32 in. The horns are much shorter and straighter in females, growing up to 20 cm / 8 inches long.

Also available

• Wild Boar
• Blackbuck
• Nilgai
• Hog Deer
• Chinkara Gazelle
• Kennion Gazelle
• Golden Jackal

Travel insurance to protect yourself and your valuables is recommended. Trip cancellation insurance protects your deposit against unforeseen illness, injury, or other problems that may cause you to cancel your trip. Therefore, comprehensive coverage plans are available to protect you if the unthinkable happens. Insurance of your baggage, firearms, and personal belongings is a great asset when traveling. No matter how good the planning or how precise the execution of a trip is, there are many incidents of damaged, stolen, or lost baggage.