Thoughts on Tajikistan

[GKNOX]

Hey guys
Currently I am booked in for an Ibex hunt in Tajik for Jan 2023. Looking for some opinions as to whether this would still be feasible with the current situation in Russia? It is my understanding that Tajikistan is fairly reliant on the Russian economy. I know a lot will change between now and then (hopefully for the better and not worse) but in your opinions should I be looking at postponing/cancelling and trying to book a different trip for 2023?
I do plan on talking to my outfitter but looking for other opinions as well.
Any insights would be much appreciated.
thanks

 

[375Fox]

This won’t be a great answer, but my Dad has hunted there twice. He considers it among the top hunts he has done. From his photos the cities are already in extreme disrepair, even the mosques were not well kept. It’s already a poor country so I’m not sure what would change with the outfitters catering to American hunters? I believe he flew through Istanbul to get there.

 

[GKNOX]

Thanks for the reply 375Fox
The hunt looks like a great adventure. I have been planning for a long time. Just a little concerned about safety with the Russian influence over the country. As I said in original post I know a lot will change between now and then. Just looking for opinions from people that have travelled/hunted a lot more than myself before I decide to pull the pin.
thanks again.

 

[Philip Glass]

Hey guys
Currently I am booked in for an Ibex hunt in Tajik for Jan 2023. Looking for some opinions as to whether this would still be feasible with the current situation in Russia? It is my understanding that Tajikistan is fairly reliant on the Russian economy. I know a lot will change between now and then (hopefully for the better and not worse) but in your opinions should I be looking at postponing/cancelling and trying to book a different trip for 2023?
I do plan on talking to my outfitter but looking for other opinions as well.
Any insights would be much appreciated.
thanks

Keep your plans and make sure you have travel insurance. Have you bought plane tickets yet? If not I’d advise buying ripcord with the “cancel for any reason“ policy. You must buy this policy right when you buy the flights however.
Plan for high altitude and cold. Diamox is an RX for altitude sickness That you will need. Make sure you can range and dial with a Kestrel or the new range finding binos with the atmospherics built in. I have the new swaros and can range and dial in an scenario in seconds.
have a great trip!
Philip

 

[GKNOX]

Thanks Philip
I have not purchased my flights yet. Thanks for the tip on the jnsurance. I will definitely do that. I do plan on taking Diamox along. Currently I use the Sig range finding Bono’s but practice a lot out to 1100 yds but will need to adjust my dope chart for the change in altitude. Will practice more this summer shooting at different angles vs a flat range.
thanks again for the great tips.

 

[Red Leg]

Kamchatka in spring of 2023.

Tajikistan odds look a lot better than transiting Moscow a year from now. @Philip Glass ’s advice about travel insurance and it’s purchase date is spot on.

 

[Hunter4752001]

It's quite possible the current mess will impact Tajikistan. The Russians have major military bases there and if I read the reports correctly, they are now pulling troops from those bases to shore up the losses in Ukraine. If correct, its likely that Tajikistan may end up wearing future sanctions. (Even though they have little options)
Life's too short to cancel everything on the basis of 'what ifs', however the insurance would definitely be worthwhile. As would having a plan B, C, etc. I would certainly avoid anything that involves traveling through Moscow, or even Russian airspace, as that may not be an option for a considerable time.

 

[Cecil Hammonds]

Hey guys
Currently I am booked in for an Ibex hunt in Tajik for Jan 2023. Looking for some opinions as to whether this would still be feasible with the current situation in Russia? It is my understanding that Tajikistan is fairly reliant on the Russian economy. I know a lot will change between now and then (hopefully for the better and not worse) but in your opinions should I be looking at postponing/cancelling and trying to book a different trip for 2023?
I do plan on talking to my outfitter but looking for other opinions as well.
Any insights would be much appreciated.
thanks

How did your hunt go? We just booked for October 2025

 

[Mark Audino]

We have hunters in Tajikistan now and since the season began in September without issue. Hunters are actively planning to hunt Tajikistan 2025 and beyond. Same for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia - no issues, and great experiences getting there, being there, and getting back all through 2023 and no de-stabilization forecasted. American hunters have been hunting Russia in 2023 and are steadily increasing resumption of trips there (particularly snow sheep beginning in August and the Kamchatka bears this Spring). They are being welcomed because the good Russian people on the ground appreciate mankind rising above geopolitics to have faith in them. A few helpful hints on Russia. Most hunters are getting there via Istanbul because of direct flights from USA now under sanction. They fly to Moscow and then connect to destinations in the interior. The gun-friendly, hunter-friendly airport among the 4 in Moscow is Sheremetyevo Airport. As for Tajik, Turkish Airlines has been serving it well via Istanbul. Reception in Dushanbe has been excellent. Going forward, we are not seeing issues as best as we can determine. It's dynamic as the original question implied, but good eyes and ears to the ground and working it daily give decent forward visibility. Best wishes to those who dream and go.

 

[GKNOX]

I went on my hunt last January and had an amazing time. All the Tajik people were extremely friendly and I spent a few days touring Dushanbe after the hunt. It is a beautiful city. As for the hunting it was extreme to say the least. We had a very large snowstorm when we were there which had us layer up in the tent in the high country for a few days. Once the storm broke we shot a nice billy. The mountains are very steep and getting in the best condition you can before going is important.
The interpreter we were supposed to have in camp got sick before we arrived so communicating was a bit difficult but the friendliness and willingness of the guides and packers to help made this a non issue really.
I said to myself this is a once in a lifetime trip when booking but already thinking about going back. If you love hunting the mountains this is a great option.

 

[dchum]

I went on my hunt last January and had an amazing time. All the Tajik people were extremely friendly and I spent a few days touring Dushanbe after the hunt. It is a beautiful city. As for the hunting it was extreme to say the least. We had a very large snowstorm when we were there which had us layer up in the tent in the high country for a few days. Once the storm broke we shot a nice billy. The mountains are very steep and getting in the best condition you can before going is important.
The interpreter we were supposed to have in camp got sick before we arrived so communicating was a bit difficult but the friendliness and willingness of the guides and packers to help made this a non issue really.
I said to myself this is a once in a lifetime trip when booking but already thinking about going back. If you love hunting the mountains this is a great option.

Thank you for sharing your experiences

 

[Cecil Hammonds]

Thanks for sharing this!. I am excited about my trip next year. I have to get busier on my workouts!

 

[PARA45]

I went on my hunt last January and had an amazing time. All the Tajik people were extremely friendly and I spent a few days touring Dushanbe after the hunt. It is a beautiful city. As for the hunting it was extreme to say the least. We had a very large snowstorm when we were there which had us layer up in the tent in the high country for a few days. Once the storm broke we shot a nice billy. The mountains are very steep and getting in the best condition you can before going is important.
The interpreter we were supposed to have in camp got sick before we arrived so communicating was a bit difficult but the friendliness and willingness of the guides and packers to help made this a non issue really.
I said to myself this is a once in a lifetime trip when booking but already thinking about going back. If you love hunting the mountains this is a great option.

Did you write a hunt report? Any pictures of your hunt? Thank you for sharing.

 

[LivingTheDream]

I went on my hunt last January and had an amazing time. All the Tajik people were extremely friendly and I spent a few days touring Dushanbe after the hunt. It is a beautiful city. As for the hunting it was extreme to say the least. We had a very large snowstorm when we were there which had us layer up in the tent in the high country for a few days. Once the storm broke we shot a nice billy. The mountains are very steep and getting in the best condition you can before going is important.
The interpreter we were supposed to have in camp got sick before we arrived so communicating was a bit difficult but the friendliness and willingness of the guides and packers to help made this a non issue really.
I said to myself this is a once in a lifetime trip when booking but already thinking about going back. If you love hunting the mountains this is a great option.

Sir, can I send you a PM? Thinking about doing this trip in 25.

 

[poco]

My buddy went last year.
his hunt was short term @ altitude and super long distance shooting ( 600+ meters) and he had all his cites permits expedited to bring home the cape and horn in his trunk
the lady is his interpreter and was very cruciAl to success on the hunt and export of the ibex

 

[Mark Audino]

Sir, can I send you a PM? Thinking about doing this trip in 25.

Absolutely. And if you happen to also be at SCI in Nashville, I will be at the Arcqos Safaris booth. #2606.
Thanks, and take care.
Mark

 

[Jfet]

View attachment 584433View attachment 584434View attachment 584435My buddy went last year.
his hunt was short term @ altitude and super long distance shooting ( 600+ meters) and he had all his cites permits expedited to bring home the cape and horn in his trunk
the lady is his interpreter and was very cruciAl to success on the hunt and export of the ibex

We hunted there over Thanksgiving of 2023. Latifa was our interpreter as well. She did an amazing job.

We had a superb hunt! My son got a nice ibex. Sadly my hearing aid charging system crashed and wisdom said get off the mountain because that is not a place to be if sense of balance is compromised.

We flew DFW to Istanbul to Dushanbe. No problems getting there and back.

 

[Tgood1]

An absolutely awesome dream hunt. Congratulations. Beautiful animals

 

[Trophyhunter01]

I have gone down the rabbit hole watching a bunch of these hunts on You Tube in the last few weeks and those adventures really look amazing. I think the drive in is the most dangerous part on those mountain roads. Congrats to all that have been or are going.

 

[Mark Audino]

The drive has been getting better with fully paved roads for about 6 hours of the journey. However, construction starts and stops at certain scheduled hours of the day. So, outfitters plan the drive accordingly.