The time has come to summarize the results of the 2017 trophy hunting season in Kazakhstan. For the hunting industry in the country, the year was full of challenges and innovations that inevitably affected our company as well. After a brilliantly successful 2016 season, we successfully sold most of our tours at hunting conventions in Dortmund and Paris in the spring. However, towards the end of summer, we received unexpected news: hunting in National Parks would be closed!
Instead of allowing the season to finish, the authorities abruptly closed hunting in these areas. This primarily damaged Kazakhstan’s image, as international clients could not understand how such a situation was possible after schedules had been agreed upon and tickets purchased. Nonetheless, we managed to renegotiate with clients and change hunting locations, albeit not fully compensating for the inconvenience.
Fortunately, we had timely access to four new hunting grounds, mentioned in our 2016 annual report. In the new reality, our company continues to actively expand the geography of its hunting areas, and we hope to add even more next year! For now, let’s review our new and established hunting territories.
Eastern Kazakhstan
Belozek Hunting Grounds
Hunting here takes place at altitudes of 2,000-2,500 meters above sea level. Moderate physical fitness is sufficient for navigating mountainous and forested terrain. Horseback riding skills are highly useful, and 2-3 overnight stays in mountain camps are possible. Shooting distances range from 200 to 300 meters.
Approximately 35,000 hectares of the hunting grounds are located behind the “System” (barrier structures), effectively making the area inaccessible to poachers, livestock herders, and amateur hunters. The density of maral populations here is pristine, with dozens of animals observable in a single day. This season, all hunts in these grounds were successfully completed with excellent trophies harvested.
Additional species available in this area include wolves, lynx, wolverines, bears, moose, Siberian roe deer, and wild boar. The region is also rich in game birds, such as capercaillie, black grouse, and white partridge.
Naryn Hunting Grounds
Located in the mountains of southern Tarbagatai, this area is a true paradise for argali. The high density of argali gives us hope that this territory will soon be included in the program to open argali hunting, which has been widely discussed. Let’s hope for the best!
Statistics on Calibers Used by Trophy Hunters
As usual, there were no surprises in caliber preferences this year:
.300 Win Mag — 30%
7mm Rem Mag — 25%
Other .300 calibers — 17%
.270 WSM — 13%
Other calibers — 15%
.300 calibers continue to dominate, with 7mm Rem Mag firmly in second place. Short magnums were represented by .270 and .300 calibers. The weakest caliber was .308 Win Mag, the most powerful was .338 Lapua, and the most exotic was .30-378 Win Mag.
Dzungarian Alatau
Tastau and Kendyrsakal Hunting Grounds
Located in the southern Dzungaria mountains, these territories are nearly entirely surrounded by protected areas and border China to the south. Currently, these are the best locations in Kazakhstan for harvesting both a 120 cm ibex trophy and a 13 kg maral trophy within the same tour.
The largest ibex trophy this year measured 136 cm, and the heaviest maral antlers weighed 15.6 kg.
The ibex trophy range was outstanding, with four trophies exceeding 130 cm, and the average size across all hunts was 123.8 cm. I am confident no other ibex hunting organizer worldwide can boast such trophy sizes! For more details on ibex populations and trophy quality in Kazakhstan, see the material “Assessment of Trophy Qualities and Habitats of the Kazakhstan Ibex Population.”
Maral trophies from Dzungaria have replaced the outstanding trophies previously harvested near the Kolsai Lakes, where hunting has been closed since this year.
Incredibly, three hunters managed to achieve a maral-ibex combination hunt this season! Hunting in this area continued until mid-November, increasing the capacity of the hunting grounds. Due to the proximity of border control zones, wildlife disturbance is minimal.
There are no livestock or herders here, and poachers are absent—this territory is used exclusively for trophy hunting. Tastau is a unique hunting area, home to records included in the SCI trophy book.
Hunter Demographics
The geographical distribution of hunters has changed significantly compared to last year:
USA: 30%
Russia: 30%
Spain: 10%
Latvia: 10%
Other countries: 20%
Many Russian hunters continue to visit the budget-friendly maral hunting program at the Dardamty hunting grounds, which has become well-known and popular among our neighbors. This area is within walking distance of the city, and the new highway makes the journey even easier. Mountain connectivity allows for efficient time management, enabling hunters to quickly reschedule flights and return to the city if needed.
Ketmen Region
This season saw the first combination hunt using traditional firearms and golden eagles in this area. A group from the UK experienced the nomadic lifestyle of Kazakhs and learned ancient secrets of eagle hunting. We plan to actively develop this direction in the upcoming season.
Weapons Used by Hunters
Most hunters used rifles from brands such as Merkel, Blaser, Christensen Arms, Sauer, Heym, McMillan, Winchester, and Remington Custom. There were also custom rifles of unknown make, presumably American.
As before, our company continues to develop new directions actively. In the upcoming season, we will introduce new territories focusing on Siberian roe deer, Central Asian ibex, maral, and game birds. These new grounds in the Almaty region will cater to the needs of trophy hunters and enthusiasts alike.
