Blue Sheep in Pakistan
Blue Sheep or Bharal (pseudois nayaur nayaur) a strikingly handsome animal. Shoulder height 30-35 inches/75-89 cm. Weight 130-150 pounds/59-68 kg. Females are smaller then males. General color is brown-gray in summer, becoming bluish-gray in winter. The rump patch, belly, inside and back of legs, and undersides of jaw are white. There is a conspicuous black stripe down the front of the legs, a horizontal black stripe dividing belly from flanks, and a dark facial mask. In adult males, front of neck and chest are black. The coat is harsh and springly, with thick underwool in winter. The dark, olive-colored, supracervical horns are similar to those of the Dagestan tur of the eastern Caucasus. Smooth and rounded, with havy bases, they curve almost horizontally outward, then down and back above the neck with the tips pointing slightly up. In cross section they are almost square, with four pronounced edges and flat horn. Gregarious, associating in herds averaging 5-20, although sometimes as many as 200-400. Mating season is October-December. Habitat in open slopes and plateaus with abundant grass at altitudes of 9800-18000 feet/3000-5500 m. Distribution from the Himalayas northward across the Tibetan Plateau to the Kunlun Shan and Nan Shan ranges, and from Hunza (Pakistan) and Ladakh (India) eastward to Sichuan and Gansu province of China, and extreme southwestern Inner Mongolia.
Area
Blue Sheep is found in the northern part of Pakistan, Himalayan and Karakurum Range of Pakistan, province Gilgit-Baltistan.
Hunting Season
The official hunting season starts from mid October till end April. The best time to the hunt for Blue Sheep is between mid December and mid January.
Route
You can fly to Islamabad via many European cities. There are daily direct flights to Islamabad, for example from Frankfurt and London. The hunter will be met in Islamabad by our representative and accompanying whole trip. After arrival in Islamabad you will fly by domestic airlines to Gilgit (app. 45 min). In case of flight cancellation they drive to Chilas. Then you will drive to Hunza. From Hunza you need to drive to Shimshal village, from Shimshal you will transfer to Guest house in hunting area.
Camp & Accommodation
In northern part of Pakistan you should to expect a mountain village houses with basic facilities, comfortable camps or simple huts. Food on all trips is plentiful, healthy, wholesome and varied, prepared by high experienced cook. You will find a very good food and a quality service.
Hunting
Typical stalk and walk hunt. Hunting starts from the camps where hunters are staying. In order to have a good hunt and to obtain a respectable size trophy, one needs to be in good physical shape. Once rams will be spot and the guide will evaluate their size and then you complete your stalk. Be prepared for long hikes starting from early morning. Hunt organized between 11500-13000 feet/3500-4000 m. Long range shooting, 320-380 yards is normally, we recommend caliber 7mm Rem. Mag, 300 Win Mag., 300 Weath. Mag.
Climate
The mountain weather conditions in northern part of Pakistan is variety from year to year. During the winter the temperature can be 35-420 F/+2+50 C on a sunny days with lows of 320 F/00 C. The most preferable weather conditions are in late winter or early spring as the weather warms up to comfortable temperatures
Schedule
Day 1 Arrival in Islamabad, overnight in the hotel.
Day 2 Fly to Gilgit (45 min. flight), drive to Hunza, overnight in the hotel.
Day 3 Transfer by 4WD jeep to the Shimshal village, and to the Guest house in hunting area.
Day 4-5 Packing all staff and we will trek to Arbab Purian camp.
Day 6-9 Hunting/4 day.
Day 10-11 Back to Shimshal.
Day 12 Back to Gilgit, overnight in the hotel.
Day 13 Departure to Islamabad, overnight or departure.
Day 14 Departure from Islamabad.