Kyrgyzstan Hunting and Extortion

[Mekaniks]

This is not always helpful either, because there can be very big differences between the test hunt of the outfitter and what his clients will thereafter experience. I have taken part in test hunts or hunts that were carried out for advertising purposes. Perfectly smooth process when the upper authorities of the various administrations are there.

That may very well be true...

But there is a lot of potential power in social media....

 

[Rare Breed]

I have heard nothing but horror stories lately about hunting in Kyrgyzstan. My own trip in 2022 with an Australian Outfitter was a disaster in many ways.
The in country hunting guides behaviour was atrocious, complaining to us about the lack of tips, despite the fact we had tipped them over 9K US collectively, constantly hum bugging us for free gear and more money and then having our rifles confiscated at Bishkek when we went to leave because our licences were not correctly dated, Then the Australian Outfitter got in on the act and extorted us, thousands to get our trophies back, despite the fact we were initially told we were bringing our trophies back with us. I have an email from him where he literally tells me to ' pay up or he will sell my trophy to cover his expenses'

The only positive was that I did actually shoot a nice Ibex and have it finally in my living room.

I have heard from at least three other parties this year that have gone with different Outfitters and had similar experiences. Mostly around not being able to get their trophies back home and then being extorted for more money to have their trophies released. These are not unknown Outfitters either i'm talking about. The ones I'm referring to have a big social media presence and YouTube Channels as well.
Maybe their Russian and Indonesian customers have no problem getting their trophies back but with NZ, Australia and the US it seems to be a big problem.

Another gripe is the VIP lounge in Bishkek which to me seems just a place where authorities and airline staff target hunters for extortion. Mostly around around oversize baggage, where they will ask for (I have heard in one case 2K US) us dollars to check in your bags. Also BS fees for bogus visas that are not even required in many cases.
I was wondering has anyone recently had a seamless extortion free hunting trip to Kyrgyzstan that they can report? Does such a trip exist, If so, I’d love to hear from you.

For those that are thinking of going. I strongly recommend that you budget accordingly. An Ibex hunt might sound cheap at say 9K US. But what is the point of doing it if you can’t get your trophy back? Also not including air fares, I would strongly suggest budgeting another 5K US at least, in case you get extorted.

It's such a shame because aside from the Outfitter and the senior Guides, I had a great time in Bishkek. I found the people on the street friendly, and kind and it was a cultural experience I will never forget.
The highlight for me was glassing a Snow Leopard on the side of a mountain while glassing for Ibex,
I’d love to go back to Asia, but I’d be avoiding that VIP lounge. Perhaps I'll try my luck with Tajikistan or Kazakhstan, at least they dont have a VIP lounge where they see you coming...

To your point, to me no trophy is worth that type corruption. Therefore I would never ever go there but congratulations for your perseverance !!!!

 

[Datchew]

Sucks to hear and I'm grateful you shared the Intel and in a concise and detailed fashion that was also discreet.

I'd love to go and see and hunt the region but it falls lower on the priority list due to corruption crap like this.

There are just so many beautiful places to see and hunt and dealing with that crap isn't worth it.

 

[Green Chile]

Every time I get close to deposits/dates for hunts like this, I end up backing away. There are many good and bad experiences recently. The good ones sound amazing and the bad ones are horror stories. I would go with someone like Bob Kern if I ever tip over the edge and go. I have a friend who is a booking agent who can't get his Marco Polo back but that's due to US issues with their paperwork. I would use Conservation Force for Marco Polo permits and/or Bob Kern's knowledge.

 

[CBH Australia]

Corruption sucks.

I understand that tipping makes up part of the income received by staff and outfitters but using extortion to get more than was quoted , budgeted, agreed or fair should be dealt with by the authorities, unfortunately there might be corruption in the ranks supporting this behaviour.

Presumably a lot of hunters and foreigners might appear wealthy to the locals and outfitters but members across this forum range from Blue Collar workers to business owners to retirees with various degrees of wealth.

The bloke who books a $5000 hunt deserves what he asked for and agreed to and the fella who can fund a $100,000 hunt does not deserve to be ripped off anymore than the next person to their perceived or actual financial position. The trip was quoted and budgeted the rest is corruption.

A person spending even 50k might only have just been able to finally accomplish that once in a lifetime experience or give themselves a retirement gift before returning to their modest life.

 

[avon_7]

Can you tell us who your outfitter was?? How you booked your hunt?

There is an Outfitter in Australia, he's a fringe famous Bow Hunter, I booked based on his reputation of being a famous Bow Hunter rather than an Outfitter. People in Australia will know who he is.
Since I did my trip I have heard the same thing from other hunters who have used him. Lots of more hidden costs, most which seem arbitary so sat the least. No reciepts and no accountablity.
If you challenge him you get told to Get F*(X(Ed.
He must be running out of bridges to burn now.

 

[avon_7]

Would love to get a Marco Polo ram but these stories and my overall hatred of all things Russian will prevent me from getting one.

HH

I would suggest a Marco Polo hunt would be a big dissapointment with regard to the aspects of the hunt.
Charging around in a 4WD in an attempt to cut off some rams, piling out of the car and being told to take 700 meter shots at running animals off the bonnet off a Russian Jeep, all while the guides are shouting " shoot shoot" Not my idea of a $20,000 US Hunt thats for sure.

 

[375Fox]

I would suggest a Marco Polo hunt would be a big dissapointment with regard to the aspects of the hunt.
Charging around in a 4WD in an attempt to cut off some rams, piling out of the car and being told to take 700 meter shots at running animals off the bonnet off a Russian Jeep, all while the guides are shouting " shoot shoot" Not my idea of a $20,000 US Hunt thats for sure.

My Dad has previously taken 2 in Tajikistan along with ibex and wolf in same area. That was not his experience. The hunting was done on foot and shots were inside 300 yards.

 

[avon_7]

Agreed, your milage may vary, however the risk of it turning into a truck hunt is there.

 

[375Fox]

Agreed, your milage may vary, however the risk of it turning into a truck hunt is there.

A few phone calls with references should identify the type of hunt pretty quickly. That was a Norwegian outfitter my Dad hunted with that (at least at the time) specialized in mountain hunts in that region. My Dad also hunted ibex in Russia with him.

 

[DillonG]

A very controversial post. I do appreciate reading the responses. Asian goat/sheep hunts always seemed to be within grasp. It seems like I should scratch them off the list for now.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have heard nothing but horror stories lately about hunting in Kyrgyzstan. My own trip in 2022 with an Australian Outfitter was a disaster in many ways.
The in country hunting guides behaviour was atrocious, complaining to us about the lack of tips, despite the fact we had tipped them over 9K US collectively, constantly hum bugging us for free gear and more money and then having our rifles confiscated at Bishkek when we went to leave because our licences were not correctly dated, Then the Australian Outfitter got in on the act and extorted us, thousands to get our trophies back, despite the fact we were initially told we were bringing our trophies back with us. I have an email from him where he literally tells me to ' pay up or he will sell my trophy to cover his expenses'

The only positive was that I did actually shoot a nice Ibex and have it finally in my living room.

I have heard from at least three other parties this year that have gone with different Outfitters and had similar experiences. Mostly around not being able to get their trophies back home and then being extorted for more money to have their trophies released. These are not unknown Outfitters either i'm talking about. The ones I'm referring to have a big social media presence and YouTube Channels as well.
Maybe their Russian and Indonesian customers have no problem getting their trophies back but with NZ, Australia and the US it seems to be a big problem.

Another gripe is the VIP lounge in Bishkek which to me seems just a place where authorities and airline staff target hunters for extortion. Mostly around around oversize baggage, where they will ask for (I have heard in one case 2K US) us dollars to check in your bags. Also BS fees for bogus visas that are not even required in many cases.
I was wondering has anyone recently had a seamless extortion free hunting trip to Kyrgyzstan that they can report? Does such a trip exist, If so, I’d love to hear from you.

For those that are thinking of going. I strongly recommend that you budget accordingly. An Ibex hunt might sound cheap at say 9K US. But what is the point of doing it if you can’t get your trophy back? Also not including air fares, I would strongly suggest budgeting another 5K US at least, in case you get extorted.

It's such a shame because aside from the Outfitter and the senior Guides, I had a great time in Bishkek. I found the people on the street friendly, and kind and it was a cultural experience I will never forget.
The highlight for me was glassing a Snow Leopard on the side of a mountain while glassing for Ibex,
I’d love to go back to Asia, but I’d be avoiding that VIP lounge. Perhaps I'll try my luck with Tajikistan or Kazakhstan, at least they dont have a VIP lounge where they see you coming...

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This is a very nice trophy and I am sorry to hear of your troubles. Yes this is common and also there are horror stories of the same in Tajikistan.
I had a seamless hunt in 2014 with the Russian booking agency Profihunt. The ViP lounge was great and no one ever bothered me there or anywhere else for tips. On that hunt I saw first hand the even better service to other clients from The Hunting Consortium. After that I booked the Mongolia hunt with them. It was excellent.
I will go to Tajikistan one day and here is where the much bigger problems are (and much more $$$ involved). I have found out he had news that many outfitters go shoot the sheep and have them frozen and posed for pictures for the clients. I will divulge by PM the one popular agency that I know of first hand who is doing this but it seems to be common place. A good friend related his story to me this year that he was the only on in his hunting group that actually shot his sheep!
When I go to hunt Marco Polo one day it will certainly be with Bob and Rob Kern of The Hunting Consortium!

 

[Philip Glass]

If (and that's a BIG if...) I was hunting in any country ending in "stan" I would go with Bob Kern from the Hunting Consortium. Quality people, they know the guides and outfitters and have long-term relationships with all of them.

Ditto that

 

[Philip Glass]

Would love to get a Marco Polo ram but these stories and my overall hatred of all things Russian will prevent me from getting one.

HH

Go to SCI and book with The Hunting Consortium. This is the answer to everyone's questions.