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

[TOM]

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?

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Haven't hunted one, no particular desire to hunt one. They do have unusual and cool looking horns; if you like the look of the horns and can afford it, why not. Can always do a European mount if it is just the horns you find appealing. There are people who specialize in mountain hunting and it is a huntable species, so I can see why someone would want one to "complete the set". If you hunt it in its native land, you have been somewhere most people (other than the people who live there) haven't been and probably overcame a fair amount of difficulty to do so; I think that makes for an interesting story. And there are always people who want to have something that their buddies don't have.

 

[Red Leg]

Just wondering if Ibex fall into the "stinky goat" category? I have hunted the Spanish Gredos, and will again next year. One of my bucket list goals is a Mid-Asian. They are typically hunted, like the Markhor, in some of the most incredible geography on the planet in places that put the "T" in Third World. And year after next I'll be hanging on by my finger tips to a lot of nearly vertical British Columbia to take a North American mountain goat. I assume they stink as well. I will never hunt a markhor, but their rarity and the challenges of mounting an expedition to take one, would seem a very enticing challenge to a hunter who can afford it. The argali, similarly, would seem to be the ultimate goal for a sheep hunter. Though I am told they smell as well.

 

[TOM]

I am going after Gredos in January. I guess i'm not really explaining my question/statement.

Lots of people seem to see Markhor as the "holy grail" of hunting. To me, there are a lot prettier animals and prettier places to hunt (like BC for your goat hunt). To each his own, i just don't understand why the Markhor is on such a pedestal.

 

[BRICKBURN]

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

 

[TOM]

Stinky goat

 

[ScottG]

I like them. Would be quite the adventure to the countries you need to go. The terrain adds to it but I think it comes down to a basic question. Blonde, brunette or a red head. The eye of the beholder.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I watched one of Jim Shockey's shows this week where he went for one in Pakistan. To say the least, it was truly an adventure. I can see why if one has the money and the fortitude to travel to a destination not exactly friendly to westerners a hunter would want to give it a go. Personally I think the horns are awesome.

But to your point Tom, there's far more other species I'm interested in at this point.

 

[Aaron N]

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

What a beautiful trophy.....

 

[Red Leg]

I am going after Gredos in January. I guess i'm not really explaining my question/statement.

Lots of people seem to see Markhor as the "holy grail" of hunting. To me, there are a lot prettier animals and prettier places to hunt (like BC for your goat hunt). To each his own, i just don't understand why the Markhor is on such a pedestal.

With whom are you hunting? I presume Ibex? Beautiful country - nothing like the verticality of the Alps or coastal BC, but just lovely country (and fabulous people, food, and wine). As I said, once was not enough.

 

[Pheroze]

For me it is the terrain looks incredibly challenging, the location is very exotic, the horns are unique, and, most importantly, the fact is that I will never get a chance to do so. It these thing plodded around in my backyard I may feel differently - I had an aunt that raised stinky goats, so I get that! But, put a stinker of a goat in an area that boys adventure books are made of...

 

[TOM]

With whom are you hunting? I presume Ibex? Beautiful country - nothing like the verticality of the Alps or coastal BC, but just lovely country (and fabulous people, food, and wine). As I said, once was not enough.

Agreed. I hunted Red Stag and Mouflon last year with Acornland hunts. I booked the Gredos Ibex hunt shortly after my return home.

 

[Nyati]

If my knees were in better shape, and I had the necessary cash, I would certainly go after a stinky...markhor. Those horns are just beautiful.

 

[mrpoindexter]

Some people like the big horn sheep. I think I would rather have this kudu goat.

Seriously, I like the concept of challenging hunts. I tried to get a cheetah with a bow, but in my 10 days in Namibia, permit in hand, I never saw one for a stalk or shot opportunity. I would do a Markhor hunt in a heartbeat if it wasn't so expensive. I would actually go for the entire Pakistan Big 9 with a bow. 4 sheep, 3 markhor and 2 ibex - that would be an accomplishment. I think only one markhor has ever been taken with a bow.

 

[flatwater bill]

I priced a hunt while in Asia................at $280K. While it sounds ridiculous to me.................I also watched as someone bought a mule deer hunt for exactly that............$280,000 5 months ago. So,..................if that kind of money was nothing to me, I would rather hunt a Markhor than a deer...........and the horns are like nothing else. ...................................FWB

 

[enysse]

If I had the money I would hunt every goat, ibex, markhor...etc. I would absolutely love to do it!!! But for the time being I enjoy watching the Outdoor channel or Sportsman Channel to see other's adventures in the mountains.

 

[Hutch01]

Tom- Not sure why you can't appreciate the absolute magnificence of the Markhor. Hell, all the critter we hunt are 'stinky' as you put it. No other animal on the planet has ribbon like horns and are a true mountain hunt where you have to pay the govt substantially to hunt the them. Sounds like they may be out of your price range and your grouchy about it?

 

[Bert the Turtle]

And they don't stink once the taxidermy is done. No way in hell they smell worse than a honey badger and those are fine mounted.

 

[TOM]

Tom- Not sure why you can't appreciate the absolute magnificence of the Markhor. Hell, all the critter we hunt are 'stinky' as you put it. No other animal on the planet has ribbon like horns and are a true mountain hunt where you have to pay the govt substantially to hunt the them. Sounds like they may be out of your price range and your grouchy about it?

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.

 

[enysse]

I know when buffybr showed me pictures of them in 2004, I thought they were drop dead gorgeous!!! But due to limited numbers and the way the hunt is actually carried out......I find it a less appealing hunt. The army of people they bring up the mountain to spot and hunt them is a turn off for me.
But in a dream world with less people and the clocks turned back 100s of years...I would love to hunt one