Mid-Asian Ibex Outfitter Recommendations

COSA

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 29, 2012
Messages
211
Location
Montana
Starting to research an outfitter for Kyrgyzstan or possibly Tajikistan in 2019. Would appreciate feedback from anyone whose done one of these hunts. Also would really appreciate what outfits/booking companies to avoid. Please PM if you don't feel comfortable posting negative feedback on the forum - thanks!
 

JP100

WKR
Joined
Dec 20, 2013
Messages
1,227
Location
South Island New Zealand
Have a chat with Bryan from Asian Mountain outfitters, even if you dont book with him he has a alot of knowledge on all things Asia.

I just guided one of the owners of Pro Hunt Kazak( I know its not Kyrg or tajik) last week and he is a very nice guy. I am over there this October for Mid Asian. Have talked to a few guys who have hunted Maral and Ibex with them and all had very good hunts.
They have private areas(national parks closed 2 years ago in kazak) and take some very good billies. Their best Ibex area averaged 128cm last season he told me, and took 4 billies over 132cm.
this is their web site Hunting in Kazakhstan – Hunting for Siberian Ibex, Maral and Roe Deer

Kazak seems to be missed off the map a little bit, but they have just as good hunting as anywhere else, and very good Maral as an add on. Kazak is maybe a little more pricey than Tajik and Kyrg but I think some of this is due to country generally being 'richer', ie higher wages for guides etc.

Come October I will do a write up on our hunt
 

Kimbersig

WKR
Joined
Oct 11, 2016
Messages
305
Starting to research an outfitter for Kyrgyzstan or possibly Tajikistan in 2019. Would appreciate feedback from anyone whose done one of these hunts. Also would really appreciate what outfits/booking companies to avoid. Please PM if you don't feel comfortable posting negative feedback on the forum - thanks!

I’ve been researching this aswell. I’ve talked to Mirbala with extreme mountain hunts and was very impressed. The biggest name is Asian mountain outfitters but I’ve emailed several times and never got a response but I’ve heard mostly really good things about Bryan. I will probably wait and go to the sheep show next year and talk to them all before I make my decision.
 

robie

WKR
Joined
Mar 7, 2013
Messages
846
Location
Houston, TX
My buddy and I are looking into it as well.

He started this thread on monster muley last year LINK

He has it narrowed down to these two for the price conscious: Global Sporting Safaris, Links Wild Safaris

If you can afford it or find a deal these 3 have great reputations: Caprinae, Shikar, Hunting Consortium

I'm curious to hear what guys on here have done and suggest.
 
Joined
Jul 17, 2013
Messages
567
Neal and Brownlee get my vote. Great experience on my trip to Kyrgystan last year. They are starting a new community based hunting program in Tajikistan this year that has me itching to try there as well. Kyrgystan was such an adventure, best hunting experience Ive ever had.
 

Capra

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 18, 2012
Messages
175
I was fortunate to hunt in Kazakhstan in 2004 with Erdogan Avci and had a great hunt. As I understand it things have changed there, in any event I think that a true horseback hunting KZ is the creme de la creme of Mid Asian Ibex hunting. A poor mans stone sheep if you will. However I hear many mixed stories about trophy's not making it home.

Having just returned from Azerbaijan with Mirbala of Extreme Mountain Hunts I can vouch for his professionalism. I would book with him again without hesitation. As I understand it he is friends with the Minister of Wildlife in Kyrgyzstan and that is why the hunts he arranges there have gone well. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.
 
Joined
Sep 6, 2014
Messages
14
Location
Nebraska
Great write up, Capra74!! Really enjoyed reading that. What month did you hunt and if you could do it again would you recommend going any earlier or later then you did?
 

idig4au

WKR
Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Messages
708
Location
On one of the 7 continents….
Spent lots of time in that part of the world. There are only so many local hunting guide companies in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Many of the booking agents book with the same local guide companies so you are not typically picking up any advantage. The booking agents just provide help with some of the logistics. Some local guides have access to better areas than others. The quality of hunt and hunting area needs to be researched well to ensure you will have a quality experience.

I've hunted with Mirbala as well and can recommend. He will sometime go on the hunts and escort.

I've also hunted with Shikar and Caprinae in various countries. You pay a premium with these outfitters but the hunts were very well organized leading to memorable experiences. These outfits have many repeat customers so that says something. I'm hunting with Caprinae again this December.

Hunting in Central Asia takes patience. One has to go with the flow as things don't work the same as in N. America. You just have to go with the flow and understand its all about the experience!

Feel free to PM with any specific questions.
 

Capra74

FNG
Joined
Dec 15, 2017
Messages
31
Location
Victoria
We were the first people in the area for the year, which I think was a good thing. While the weather was somewhat unpredictable, it was never really cold. We had snow a couple of times, but it was above freezing for the most part.
 
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Messages
777
Location
Tulsa, ok
Another vote for Neal and Brownlee. My hunt would have been a disaster if it wasn't for Greg and his knowledge about international hunting.
 
Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Messages
777
Location
Tulsa, ok
@capra74, that was a perfect write up. I was on the trip with Greg before you guys went. I definitely want to go back and redeem myself, but definitely going to take MH, and not let the guides tell me when to shoot. The language barrier was the toughest part of the trip
 

HenryC45

FNG
Joined
Sep 17, 2019
Messages
7
I was fortunate to hunt in Kazakhstan in 2004 with Erdogan Avci and had a great hunt. As I understand it things have changed there, in any event I think that a true horseback hunting KZ is the creme de la creme of Mid Asian Ibex hunting. A poor mans stone sheep if you will. However I hear many mixed stories about trophy's not making it home.

Having just returned from Azerbaijan with Mirbala of Extreme Mountain Hunts I can vouch for his professionalism. I would book with him again without hesitation. As I understand it he is friends with the Minister of Wildlife in Kyrgyzstan and that is why the hunts he arranges there have gone well. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

Hey Capra. Could you give me any info from Mirbala and your Tur hunt. I was somewhat dead set on Asian Mountain but have seen a few scary negative reports. Want to know who the ”right” guy is. Ha
 
Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Messages
35
Does anyone have a link to the contact info for Mirabal? I keep seeing that name pop up but can’t find any info
 

Cynoscion

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 11, 2021
Messages
293
Location
South Texas
Mirabala Manafov
[email protected]

I hunted with him, through Asian Mountain Outfitters, in Azerbaijan. I have his cell phone info also but didn’t feel right posting it. Send me a message if you want it.

As was said above, there are only so many local outfitters in these countries so everyone is using the same guys. Bryan Martin, Asian Mountain Outfitters, and/or Mirabala will get you in the right areas, with the right locals and make sure all of the details are handled.
 
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