Kolyma Snow Sheep
Kolyma Snow Sheep (Ovis nivicola ssp) in late 2004 have been highlighted in the trophy classification as a separate species. This sheep is found only in the Magadan Region, and predominantly in the Kolyma Mtn. range. The eastern boundary is considered to be the large river vally west of the Koryak Mountains of the Koryak Autonomous Region. The northern boundary is considered to be the Chukotka Autonomous Region border. The western boundary is considered to be the border of Yakutia, from the Omolon River to the Kolyma River. The western boundary then follows the Kolyma River to the Trans-Siberian Highway. The southern boundary is considered to be the Trans-Siberian Highway, which begins in the city Magadan. This actually runs in a northerly direction. For all practical purposes, the range of the Kolyma Sheep is west of the Koryak Mountains down through the Kolyma range of mountains, which are east of the Kolyma River. Size of trophies taken by clients varies from 34 to 41 inches (length of horns).
Area
Magadan Region
Hunting season
The season starts from August 1 to November 30. Best time is in September to mid October. From August 20 hunting can be combined with Brown Bear.
Route
Now is the only way to come to Magadan is via Moscow or Seoul (South Korea). In Moscow our crew will meet you at the airport and help you to go through the customs and assist to continue with departure to Magadan. Upon your arrival in Magadan you will be meet by our local crew including interpreter. Then you go directly to the base hunting camp by helicopter to the north-east from Magadan. It is 1,5 - 3 hours flight.
Camp & Accommodation
The base camp is big tents that are quite comfortable and have wooden floors and wooden beds with bed-clothes, stove, portable lamp. Spike camps are used during Snow Sheep hunting. In spike camps our hunters usually stay in light tents. Camps are located in mountain valleys at 2,500-3,000 feet (800-1,000 m). Every camp has a cook, who can offer you home style meals. You will find a very good food and a quality service.
Climate
In August during daylight hours the temperature is 50 to 70 oF (10 to 20 oC) and during night from 32 to 50 oF (0 to 10 oC). Late in the season rainy, snowy and windy weather is possible.
Hunting
For Snow Sheep we recommend caliber .270, .300, .308. This is a typical stalk and walk hunt. Each hunter normally will have one guide and one assistant. Spike camp is a mandatory option of hunting for a particular animal. On the second day hunters with their guides are transported to fly camps by helicopter (12-45 miles/20-70 km away from a base camp) for 3-4 days. Then the helicopter picks up the hunters to move them back to the base camp, or (if the trophy has not been taken yet) to another fly camp for a few hunting days. Maximum elevation is 6000 feet, but the hunt itself is usually done on 3000-4500 feet. You should be in comparatively good physical condition. The average success of this hunt is 90%.