Markhor....what's the big deal?

[Timbo]

This is what the current world record markhor looks like. A simply beautiful trophy! (If I won Lotto a markhor hunt would definitely be on my list!) Reason why they're so expensive is because the government only issues about 12 tags per year - which then makes for very stiff competition to secure one. I think this guy paid over US $300K for this hunt.

 

[johnnyblues]

Simply magnificent trophy IMO..extremely physical hunt.

 

[Timbo]

I agree, but what I'd be worried about is if after taking the shot, he tumbled down those jagged outcrops and busted a horn!! Horrifies me just thinking about it!!

 

[gizmo]

I agree, but what I'd be worried about is if after taking the shot, he tumbled down those jagged outcrops and busted a horn!! Horrifies me just thinking about it!!

If you win the lotto and get a Markhor and that happens, holler at me. I know a good taxidermist that can fix the horns.

 

[Rick Cox]

For a horn hunter, it looks like they might have something to offer.View attachment 198245

That is one magnificent looking specimen! Totally deserving of a full head or body mount...

 

[Rick Cox]

Hutch,

I dont know either, i just dont find them appealing to the eye. You sound like the type of guy who is very fond of goats. Im not sure you are aware but there are several subspecies so not all have a true ribbon style horn as you say. My dislike of them has nothing to do with grouchy, if a guy wants to spend a million to shoot a three toed gazork in Ubekistan i say go for it. I just dont think they are that cool and i seem to be alone with that opinion...and im perfectly ok with that.

Heh - you want stinky? Ever shot a big mule deer buck deep in the rut? Rutting bull moose can be aromatic as well.

 

[Timbo]

If you win the lotto and get a Markhor and that happens, holler at me. I know a good taxidermist that can fix the horns.

Oh don't worry, Gizmo, if it ever does happen to me you'll certainly hear me hollering from way up those mountains!! However, I read here that you have Markhor on your ranch: certainly a much cheaper option by far!

 

[Dr Ray]

I will start off by saying I enjoy all hunting and would never criticize or otherwise be negative about someone's choice in hunting. That being said, I don't get why hunting Markhor is so cool?

The animal itself looks like a stinky goat to me (you know they have to smell awful), the countryside that it resides in is rugged but not overly beautiful (at least from my research), and the cost of the hunt is exceptionally expensive (six figures plus).

What is the draw to the hunt? Is it the relative rarity of the hunt? The experience of the mountains? I would just think that there are a lot of awesome places and amazing animals to be hunted for the same or lesser cost than a stinky goat hunt in the middle east....but that's just me!

Anyone here hunted one?

The answer us in the difficulty of the hunt particularly so in the high rugged mountains. Personally the animal does not appeal to me.
To others its twisted horns are great.

 

[Rick Cox]

This is what the current world record markhor looks like. A simply beautiful trophy! (If I won Lotto a markhor hunt would definitely be on my list!) Reason why they're so expensive is because the government only issues about 12 tags per year - which then makes for very stiff competition to secure one. I think this guy paid over US $300K for this hunt.View attachment 212244

What a beauty! My understanding is that Markhor were brought back from the verge of extinction, and the population is growing thanks to the value they give back to the community through trophy hunting.

 

[Travis2282]

I think it would be an incredible adventure that dreams are made of! Half the fun would be trying to figure out which gun/ammo to take!

 

[gizmo]

Oh don't worry, Gizmo, if it ever does happen to me you'll certainly hear me hollering from way up those mountains!! However, I read here that you have Markhor on your ranch: certainly a much cheaper option by far!

I don’t havr any at the moment but can get them if needed. I don’t keep them because they are just too danged expensive to buy and risk death loss on.

 

[Travis2282]

I don’t havr any at the moment but can get them if needed. I don’t keep them because they are just too danged expensive to buy and risk death loss on.

Just curious, if you were to buy some do you buy them young and let them grow many years before hunting? Or are they already grown when purchased?

 

[gizmo]

Just curious, if you were to buy some do you buy them young and let them grow many years before hunting? Or are they already grown when purchased?

Ideally I would want to buy a herd of them and let them breed etc... more than likely they would be brought in young and they would grow up on the ranch etc... the problem with Markhor and a few others is that it is not even remotely cost effective to do it that way for me and I would never get a return on my investment. Soooo..... if one was to want to hint Markhor with me I would buy a mature trophy billy and release it well in advance of the hunters arrival. Once the hunter arrived we would spot and stalk it through the canyons.

 

[gizmo]

On a place like the 777 where the have at least a million dollar a year budget to work with it’s a bit different. They can afford to buy a herd of them. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to buy a starter herd? Right now I’m working on trying to get my Dybowski Sika herd going as well as hopefully a Pierre David Deer and Addax herd next year.
My Scimitar have really taken off and I have two that have already been born on the ranch this fall.
Blackbuck, fallow, axis, red deer, and Aoudad will start having babies again In The spring.
Most of my sheep and goat species, with the exception of Aoudad, are only males as they readily cross breed to bad.
On the Dybowski sika I brought in a breeder pair last spring. I hope to add to it this Spring.

 

[Travis2282]

Ideally I would want to buy a herd of them and let them breed etc... more than likely they would be brought in young and they would grow up on the ranch etc... the problem with Markhor and a few others is that it is not even remotely cost effective to do it that way for me and I would never get a return on my investment. Soooo..... if one was to want to hint Markhor with me I would buy a mature trophy billy and release it well in advance of the hunters arrival. Once the hunter arrived we would spot and stalk it through the canyons.

Understood!

 

[jeff]

There are several different species of Markor and some have horn types that appeal to me more than others.

 

[Foxi]

For a horn hunter, it looks like they might have something to offer.View attachment 198245

Brick.
Can't help me .
When I see this Markhor, I associate it with something else

Regards
Foxi

 

[npm352]

I think they are awesome and applaud anyone willing to put that kind of money into conservation.

It would be neat, but I think those monster Asian sheep are even cooler.

 

[Red Leg]

I can't afford Markhor or justify an Argali - and at my age, not sure I could handle Argali altitudes. However, a Mid-Asian Ibex may just be in the cards in 2020 - assuming I survive my mountain goat hunt in '19!

 

[evamitabha]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post on this forum.

Markhor is an animal that needs to be seen to be believed. Its is an animal that takes your breath away.

and we must not forget the scenery