describe in more details on spreading a population of ibex throughout the country.
Having a zoological background and holding a Bachelor degree from Kazakh State University I conducted a detail analysis of different types of ibexes and create a map of they habitat.
First I need to mention that there is two species (subspecies ) of ibex lives in Kazakhstan.
It’s a middle asian or tyan-shan ibex and altay or siberian ibex.
As you can see from the name this two species have a different area of habitation.
I would like to start with siberian ibex since population of this subspecies is lower and area of habitation in Kazakhstan is limited. Today this type of ibex live in central part of Altay mountains (Kazakhstan part) and almost all population is located on territory of Katon-Karagay national park and just few animals spreading into territory of Regional Hunter Society.
This high mountain carved valley is known for a lower snow level during the winter therefore it’s become attractive for ungulates. The champion of this region was taken in Mongolia and it’s reach 135 centimeters (cm). My trophies there were 124 and 112 cm.
This area is a truly Terra Incognita. For decades no one rose beyond the first mountain pass !
I’m confident that actual number of Siberian Ibex there is underestimate. Only for one day of observation in the valley we counted 250-300 animals. So it’s a very promising area for a trophy hunting. Hopefully one day the National Parks will reopen for hunting again.
In my opinion the Altai-Siberian Ibex is undoubtedly the most beautiful ibex in the world. Winter coloring is simply beautiful. Dark brown chocolaty collar on a light, almost white skin looks pretty impressive!
Mid Asian Ibex.
Even though our neighbor country Kyrgystan holding a trophy world champion, population of ibex in Kazakhstan surely more largely. There are three main areas of habitation mid-asian ibex.
North-west of Tyan Shan mountain, North Tyan Shan mountains and Dzhungarian Alatau (the largest population).
South Kazakhstan Ibex:
this is primarily a group that lives in the territory of the Aksu Dzhabagly and bordering Sairam Ugam national park. Aksu Dzhabagly is one of the first reserves in the country with an excellent security system.
While hunting in Sairam Ugam I noticed that trophy sizes there is excellent. I managed to hunt a trophys ranged 136 and 137 cm. And one lucky client who was brought by Prohunt outfitters got an ibex with 145 cm !
In fact since last year hunting in all Kazakhstan National Park is banned,so we can just hope that it will be resume.
The protected areas are highlighted in green, and hunting area is terracotta.
Zailiysky Alatau is fully included in various protected areas (specially protected natural area) - three national parks: Kolsai, Ile-Alatau and Charyn, several reserves and the Almaty Reserve.
Proximity to the megapolis (Almaty) make this area more accessible to poaching and hunting with use of autos or helicopters. As a result- a really large trophy size is available only in a remote “backpacking” hunt conditions. Back in time I got an 130 cm ibex there.
But according to some information there was a champion with 156 cm. It was hunted while the National Parks were still open for hunting.
Long-term observations of the populations of ibex in the wild have revealed the main reasons for creating the prerequisites for the appearance of super trophies. Let's talk a little about this.
1.Genetic abnormalities associated with large body size.
The number of genetic giants general is small, the proportions for different species of mammals are approximately the same, but in any case it is not more than a couple of percent of the total number. Obviously the more population- the more number of extremely large animals!
2. Genetic predispositions
Ibexes unlike the deers are not change their horns during lifetime so the size of the body and the horns depends directly from the age. And the age is directly related to the winters conditions and food availability after the rut.
3.Severe winter weather.
The rut of the Ibex falls on the middle of November and lasts about a month. In the mountains it is already winter at this time. According to founded pickups I can certainly say that males of 12 years and older are the majority of not survivors of the winter conditions. Due to weakness they become easy prey for predators, primarily wolves and snow leopards.
We have a continental, cold climate throughout the country , but with different amounts of snow in different areas. It’s depends of a land features and breeze directions.
A typical example is the spurs of the northern Tien-Shan, Boguty mountains- elevation is not too high with barely any vegetation and very dry air . This territory is rich in ungulates, primarily ibex.
Another example - the western spurs of the Dzhungar Alatau, the Altyn Emel Mountains - a place known to hunters as a largest population of the Central Asian Ibex.
Very small amount of snow in winter causes a very high survival rate of animals of all ages and, as a result, a good density and a trophy series.
A 149 cm trophy was taken there and held the championship for a few years!
Similar sites exist in the southern part of the Dzungarian Alatau
It seems like that air masses, which bring precipitation from the north are come out on the first ridges and bring little snow to the southern spurs.
The world champion was hunt in Kyrgyzstan in the area with same, similar conditions.
Champion with 160 cm
4. Sexual dysfunction or hermaphroditism
Observation of harvested animals divided them on ruting and not ruting.
The first are marked by a sharp smell and breeding behavior, the second,often large males act indifferently during mating period.
I personally know about two cases of hunted ibex with the genitals of females and males, both of which have beautiful horns of 120-130 cm.
5. All these prerequisites do not include the anthropogenic factor and the first place here, is the hunting press.
The distance from megacities, summer cattle breeding places, off road conditions- all this is the key to a low factor of concern from hunters and poachers.
Border control also has a positive role in all these factors, primarily through the admission regime. Engineering facilities can influence both positively and negatively.
Kungey Alatau
These spurs of the Tien Shan with the Ketmen ridge and the Karatau and Sarytau mountains are relatively promising hunting area. Firstly, there are no PAs,(protected areas) and there are quite a few good hunting facilities on the territory. Secondly, a large territory goes along the mountains is the country border with China and there are almost no dividing lines, which makes it easy for animals to migrate.
Green- is the National park Kolsay and canyon Charyn.
Thirdly, it is the highest and hard-to-reach mountains in Kazakhstan and as a result, a small hunting press and an anxiety factor. Unfortunately, this does not apply to all hunting facilities, but in this region 148cm ibex was hunted several years ago and there are frequent trophies for 130. Cons- a lot of snow.
Dzhungarian Allatau
I think it would be right to devide it to a few geographic zones:
The western spur of Dzhungaria, Altyn Emel Ridge is the Ibexes “Paradise" .
2500 ibex in a compact area on not that high (maximum 1880m) mountains. The area surrounded by steppe and countryside areas. But even with these unfavorable factors ibex population reach such numbers! The secret in a special microclimate: on average, the height of the snow cover on the southern slopes is no more than 10 cm,which is almost nothing.
For twenty years this is the National Park, and this year it was closed down for hunting, as all others Government Parks in Kazakhstan.
Next is the section from the valley of the Koksu River to the Khorgos River, along the state border. I explored this territory in details during a 2 weeks horse riding expedition.
The number of Ibex is small, apparently migrating in winter, the bulk of the territory is pristine and uninhabited. This area meets severe winter cyclones that move from the northwest, and as a result, there is very high snow in the winter, up to several meters.
Area from the Koksu River to the northeast has not been fully investigated by me yet.
In particular, the valley of the Kora River and the Aizaz natural boundary have been traversed many times, and the assessment of the population of Central Asian Ibex in these parts is also not high.
The site is further east, up to the territory of the Dzungarian National Park, is still a white spot for me.
More east, up to Lake Alakol, along the state border with China is the homeland of the Central Asian Ibex. This is Dzhungar Alatau in all its glory. The territory with the highest bonitet of wild animals in Kazakhstan, higher is only in Altyn Emel.
Green zone is Zhungarian National Park ,Tokhtinskiy and Lepsinsky reservations.
Depending on the geographical location, terrain and microclimate, the numbers and trophy qualities are differentiated. Closer to the large settlements Sarkand, Ucharal, Glinovka, Dzerzhinskoye, Lepsinsk, the number is lower.
On this territory hunting about 70% of all hunters coming to the region.
And it is the cherry on a cake for trophy hunters! The southernmost areas allows to hunt almost until the end of the season due to low snow cover. And , what is important, during the rut as well.
I meaningfully did not specify the names of the outfitters, not wishing to offend anyone.
There are not many proven organizers of hunting in Kazakhstan, only a couple of companies. I have been friends with Prohunt company for many years, and have traveled with them not just the country, but much further.
After hunting in National Parks was banned, I am sure there will be "organizers" who will try to go around these obstacles, in which case an innocent hunters may become a victim of circumstances.
Therefore, ask for the coordinates and locations of the hunts. In Kazakhstan hunting in Protected Areas is a criminal offense!
And most importantly, in search for the trophy of your dreams, do not forget that the world of wildlife into which you are going to dive during the hunting tour is your main trophy! Welcome to Kazakhstan, the birthplace of mountain ibex, whom we call Tau teke!