Blauschaf in Nepal
Blue Sheep or Bharal (pseudois nayaur nayaur) a strikingly handsome animal. Shoulder height 30-35 inches/75-89 cm. Weight 130-150 pounds/59-68 kg. Females are smaller then males. General color is brown-gray in summer, becoming bluish-gray in winter. The rump patch, belly, inside and back of legs, and undersides of jaw are white. There is a conspicuous black stripe down the front of the legs, a horizontal black stripe dividing belly from flanks, and a dark facial mask. In adult males, front of neck and chest are black. The coat is harsh and springly, with thick underwool in winter. The dark, olive-colored, supracervical horns are similar to those of the Dagestan tur of the eastern Caucasus. Smooth and rounded, with havy bases, they curve almost horizontally outward, then down and back above the neck with the tips pointing slightly up. In cross section they are almost square, with four pronounced edges and flat horn. Gregarious, associating in herds averaging 5-20, although sometimes as many as 200-400. Mating season is October-December. Habitat in open slopes and plateaus with abundant grass at altitudes of 9800-18000 feet/3000-5500 m. Distribution from the Himalayas northward across the Tibetan Plateau to the Kunlun Shan and Nan Shan ranges, and from Hunza (Pakistan) and Ladakh (India) eastward to Sichuan and Gansu province of China, and extreme southwestern Inner Mongolia.
Area
Mid-West Nepal, “Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve” (Surtibang, Gustang, Barse and Fagune, Southern Areas of Dhorpatan).
Hunting season
The hunting season in the high mountains is March and April (spring season) and October and November (fall season). Best time is April and end October - beginning November. There is also an optional season in December – February, however it could be very cold and it is advised to check with us before making up your decision.
Route
Many different airlines fly to Kathmandu (Nepal). More convenience way is Qatar Air to travel with arm and ammunition. The hunter will be met in Kathmandu by our representative and accompanying whole trip. Complete all government formalities and transfer to the hotel. Next transfer by helicopter to hunting area (3 hours). Then you will walk up to the Camp (2 days).
Camp & Accommodation
The base camp is located about 11500 feet /3500 m. It is tented camps. We have about 30 people in the camp: porters, skinners, guides etc. We have separate slipping and dinning tents. You will find a very good food and a quality service.
Climate
The higher elevations remain snow-capped throughout the year. Trees like fir, pine, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, oak, juniper and spruce are common in the reserve. It is good to have layered clothes because the temperature is low in the morning and in the evening and higher during the day. Snow and rain can be in early October and some chances of snow and rain in early March.
Hunting
Blue Sheep hunting is a very hard hunt due to the altitude involved. That is why we first complete Sheep hunt, and only if there is time, we look for other game. Due to the altitude we are careful to land with the helicopter at about 9800 feet (3000 m) and from here we take a 2 day walk to the sheep base camp in order the hunters to get acclimatized to the altitude. Hunting is done from a base camp and hunters go out each morning and are back at night to base camp. Each hunter accompanied by 1 hunting guide and 1 local guide goes out at about 3:30 a.m. with a packed lunch. Blue Sheep hunt is organized from about 11500 feet/3500 m to about 14800 feet/4500 m, sometimes up to 18000 feet/5500 m. Tahr hunt is done about 9800 feet/3000 m. Success rate is 100%.
Schedule for Blue Sheep or Tahr with helicopter
Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu in the morning, custom formalities (it takes 2 - 3 hours including all
government formalities ), transfer to the hotel. Sightseeing in the afternoon.
Day2 Transfer by helicopter (1,5 hours) to Dhorpatan, hiking to the camp (it takes 1 day).
Day 3-10 8 days of hunting.
Day 11 - Hike back to Dhorpatan overnight
Day 12 Transfer by helicopter to Kathmandu, overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 Staying Kathmandu, preparing documentation for trophy export, overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 Departure home.
