Bukharan Urial

To the South of Tajikistan capital Dushanbe the areas of habitat of very rear specie of wild ram—Bukharan Urial (Ovis vignei bocharensis) are located. Population of this majestic animal is very limited and government of Tajikistan gives only few permits per year for the whole country.

Shoulder height is about 32 inches. Generally a small sheep weighing around 100 pounds.

Overall color varies from reddish to yellowish-brown. Rump patch and under parts are white, the face a bluish-gray. Rams have a white bib, long black neck ruff and a small black saddle spot in the winter coat. The horns are homonymous, triangular in cross section, and strongly wrinkled.

Route

The best option to fly to Dushanbe is with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Turkey. You will be met in Dushanbe by our VIP service and our crew and assisted at the customs. Then you will be driven by Toyota Land Cruiser about 3 hours to the area of Bukharan Urial.

Hunting season

The season is from September 1 to the end of February.

We recommend the dates in late November and early December.

Climate

Usually, during the hunting period weather is favorable and  predictable in this region. During daylight hours in November and December the temperature is from 50 to 68⁰F (10 to 20⁰C) and during nighttime can drop to 32⁰F (-about 0⁰C). Windy conditions.

Hunting

In the morning you get out by jeep with one driver, two guides and PRO-interpreter, drive along the canyons to the place for spotting, then you make a stalk—it can be up to 5 miles a day hike, though at the Urial place mountains are not steep. For lunch in the field we offer you hot drinks, sandwiches, salami, dry fruit and nuts. Once the trophy is located you complete your stalking on foot. You will hunt at around 5,000 feet/1,500 m for Bukharan Urial and 6,500 feet/2,000 m for Markhor. Physical condition is a factor on the stalking portion of the hunt. A long range shooting, up to 400-500 yards/ up 360 to 450 m is usual this type of hunt.

Field treatment and shipment

The skin of the trophy will be carefully treated, ears turned off, lips and nose opened and salted, the scull boiled and cleaned. The trophies are properly packed.

Camp & Accommodation

Camps are comfortable houses with double accommodation, shower, WC, dinning room. You will find good food and high quality service. Satellite internet connection is available.

Schedule

Day 1        early morning arrival in Dushanbe, customs formalities, 3 hours drive to the hunting area for Bukharan Urial, or 6 hours to the area of Bukharan Markhor, accommodation, rest

Day 2-6     5 days hunt

Day 7       return to Dushanbe, overnight

Day 8       departure home