Prepping for ibex hunt in Tajikistan

[Optics world]

Dear all,

After years of waiting (and negotiation with the long-haired general!) I am finally going on my first hunting trip to Asia. I will be going after mid asian ibex in the province of Bukhara, in southern Tajikistan in January. I have chosen ProfiHunt as my outfitter, who seem reliable.

I have hunted in the mountains several times in Europe (chamois, mouflon, red deer), but never been this far and for so long and as such want to make sure i'm packing all that i need (but not too much either) and have trained correctly. There wont be any horses on this hunt but I will be accompanied by two guides who will assist with carrying things. The trip is 10 days long, with about 7 days hunting I believe.

Would you change anything to the list below? Stuff from the brand Kuiu is a little over represented as get it through a friend.

• Rifle:
  • custom job in 7mm PRC with mod and bipod as well as tripod attachment. Small beanie bag as a rest for the rifle if shooting prone.
  • scope: Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 with turret - i've practiced shooting up to 600m / 660 yards
  • 40 rounds of Hornady ELD-X - same batch
  • soft case and hard case for air travel
• Optics
  • binos: Swarovski EL Range 10x42 with RF - spare batteries and a cheaper 12x42 pair for the guide
  • scope: Swarovski ATS 25-50x65 with carbon tripod and iPhone attachment
• Clothing
  • Trousers: 1x Kuiu Attack + 1x Kuiu Talus Hybrid (slightly insulated / knee pads)
  • Base layer: 3x Kuiu Merino zip + 1x merino bottoms/long johns + 3x merino boxers. Couple of t shirts for travelling/sleeping
  • Mid layer: 1x Kuiu fleece + 1x Kuiu Guide vest
  • Insulation: 1x Kuiu Down jacket + 1x Kuiu Kenai jacket for active + down trousers
  • Feet: 1x AKU walking boots (broken-in) + 3x merino socks + 1x pair camp shoes (which camp shoe do you recommend? Can’t bring myself to buying Crocs!)
  • travel clothing
  • wool beanie hat + merino neck gaiter
  • White overalls
  • Rain: 1x Kuiu Yukon trousers + 1x Kuiu Chugach jacket
• Equipment
  • Bino harness + collapsible trekking poles + ammo pouch for belt + wind checker + Leatherman tool + 1x tent lamp + 1x head lamp
• Packs
  • was thinking of packing 1x large North Face bag to be kept at base camp, 1x Kuiu Pro 3600 pack with rifle harness (to be folded into the NF bag during travel), and then a smaller backpack for travelling
• Sleep
  • -20c rated duck down sleeping bag + Sea-to-Summit mattress + bivy bag
  • not sure about tent yet, any advice? Decathlon or need something techier?
• Misc
  • comprehensive travel insurance
  • Electronics: Garmin inReach sat/GPS tool + Garmin watch + solar panel/power bank
  • Medkit: antihistamines, paracetamol, pills for "Delhi-belly" , antibiotics, contact lenses, disinfectant, blisters kit. Do you recomend Diamox? understand max elevation to be about 3,200 m
  • AirTags, padlocks and tags for trophy
  • folded bog roll, wetwipes
  • Food: 3x freezedried packs + 2x cereal bars /day
  • folded ductape
  • Mug and fork/spoon
  • spare batteries for all electronics

Also, how do you prepare for "judging" what a good ibex is, apart from watching hunting videos? I seem to understand local guides tend to push you with repeated "shoot shoot" as soon as you spot an ok one, which might be hard to argue with..!

If anyone had similar experiences, would really appreciate any pointers that may come to mind. Looking forward to it!

Best,
CoopT

lots of batteries as we went for Ibex in the Himalayas and power drain was a big issue
also anything that can freeze did freeze

 

[CoopT]

Did you guys take Diamox? Going at 3500m (7 days hunting) and on the fence whether needed or not.

 

[Optics world]

We didnt take them and we climbed to 4600m, going up was hard for my poor asthmatic lungs but coming down was hard on the ankles so wear good supportive boots

 

[Tralle]

In Kyrgystan we went to aprox 4200m, believe basecamp was in high 2000s
Had headache, ibu fixed it, didnt take diamox.

Would add sunscreen/lipbalm with sun protection, the sun is unforgiving at that altitude, even when its overcast.

Some tape or similar to keep the muzzle clear of snow.

Make sure you have some backup photo equipment.
My single biggest regret is that I didnt bring backup and of course my camera died! i have no photos from my hunt

Dont be too proud, unless you are extremely fit and used to altitude, the guides will (most likely) absolutely humble you, running up the mountains in rubber boots.
Share the load with them.

Tipping is probably expected in some way, maybe try to ask former customers what to expect.



For reference this is a 130/127 cm ~50" ibex,
I had no idea at the time, but apparently thats a rather large one in Kyrgystan (lucky me it was fixed price trophys)

Enjoy your trip! I envy you alot