Time flies, and 2018 has come to an end, bringing with it the conclusion of the 2018 hunting season. As is tradition, Pro Hunt, the largest outfitter company in Kazakhstan, has prepared its annual report. The 2018 season once again brought us great results. Firstly, we successfully conducted several large-scale photo safaris during the summer months when hunting in Kazakhstan is closed.
Organizing photo safaris and horseback tourism in the wild, untouched corners of Kazakhstan has been a long-standing goal and dream of our company. These tours were conducted in the Almaty region, the Tien Shan mountains, and the Dzungarian Alatau. With infrastructure including guest houses, newly cleared horse trails and roads in remote areas, riding horses for mountain journeys, experienced guides, and equipment, we have created a unique offering for discerning travelers. Terra Incognita awaits you and your friends for unforgettable adventures.
Secondly, the past season was also highly successful for hunters. Trophy sizes were consistently high, and client satisfaction, based on hunting protocols, was excellent. For example, the average size of ibex trophies was 120 cm, qualifying as gold medal-worthy. However, there were issues with the transit of firearms and ammunition through Russia. Hunters traveling from Europe were required to declare their weapons in Moscow, where they had connecting flights. The airline had not accounted for this requirement, resulting in disrupted hunting tours. In such cases, we refunded all expenses, including tickets, penalties, and other costs to the affected hunters.
Hunting tours were conducted in well-known hunting grounds covering the Zailiysky Alatau, Dzungarian Alatau, and Altai mountains. The Dzungarian Alatau once again topped the unofficial trophy rankings, as detailed in the report on ibex populations and trophy quality in Kazakhstan. This season, we implemented a new motivation system for guides, including a progressive performance-based bonus structure tied to client satisfaction. This KPI system significantly improved trophy sizes, particularly for maral. Several trophies weighing over 16 kg were harvested this season.
As before, the Dzungarian Alatau remains the only place in the world where hunters can achieve a maral-ibex combination hunt within a single tour, with maral antlers weighing over 13 kg and ibex horns exceeding 120 cm. The number of combination hunts completed this year speaks for itself! Due to high demand for Dzungarian hunts, we recommend that interested hunters book early, as we are receiving numerous applications.
Equipment and Caliber Statistics
A visible divide in equipment preferences has emerged among trophy hunters. Some opt for premium brands and models, while others choose budget-friendly options. In the high-end segment, German brands like Blaser, Merkel, Sauer, and Christensen Arms dominate. In the budget category, Remington, Tikka, and Haenel are popular choices.
Hunters from Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America tend to be less particular about their equipment, with no impact on results. A significant shift occurred in caliber preferences, with 7mm Rem Mag accounting for 40% and .300 Win Mag for 30%. Over the past five years, 7mm Rem Mag has nearly caught up with .300 Win Mag in popularity among trophy hunters.
The .270 WSM showed strong growth, reaching 15%, while the most powerful caliber allowed, .338, increased to 7.5%. Other calibers were represented in smaller numbers. The smallest caliber used was .243, interestingly by the oldest hunter—a gentleman with titanium knees who successfully harvested an ibex on the third day of his hunt!
New Hunting Territories
Exciting news includes the opening of hunting on a new territory in the Dzungarian Alatau: the Zhasylkol hunting grounds. Located in the heart of the mountain range and surrounded by a national park and state reserve, this area saw the construction of a guest house for hunters this year.
Plans for next year include building another guest house at an altitude of approximately 3,000 meters, offering breathtaking views. This pristine area is set to become the crown jewel of our hunting grounds.
Another new territory opening next year is the Matai hunting grounds, located along the northern ridge of the Altyn Emel range and bordering Altyn Emel National Park. This hunting and tourist hotspot has hosted straightforward trophy hunts for Central Asian ibex for over 20 years. The captivating landscapes, rock carvings, and petroglyphs make these hunting trips both fascinating and fulfilling.
The third addition to our trophy hunting offerings is a territory located just 60 km from Almaty. Rich in Siberian roe deer, this area hosted several successful test hunts this year. Next year, we will be able to accommodate several groups of trophy hunters. This hunt can also be combined with any of our other tours, with roe deer as an additional trophy.
Hunter Demographics
The geographical distribution of hunters this season was as follows:
Russia: 30% (returning to pre-crisis levels)
Spain: 20%
New Zealand and Australia: 15%
Czech Republic: 10%
Denmark: 10%
Other countries: the remaining 15%
Hunters from Lebanon and Latvia also regularly visit us, demonstrating the hunting traditions of these small but passionate countries. The average hunter age was 50 years.
Ketmen and Dardamty Hunting Grounds
The Ketmen and Dardamty hunting grounds remain well-known among hunters. Located 300 km from Almaty and accessible by excellent roads, these areas guarantee comfort and stable maral trophy harvests. During the summer season, they also host eco-tours and horseback trips. Additionally, they are ideal for hunting with golden eagles and Tazy hunting dogs, a tradition recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Our company organizes demonstrations and practical eagle hunting sessions in the foothills of the Tien Shan.
Legislative Developments
Great news for mountain hunting enthusiasts! Working closely with government authorities to optimize hunting regulations, we successfully advocated for the opening of spring hunts for upland birds and bears. Our Belozek hunting grounds, traditionally hosting maral hunters, are ready to organize spring bear, capercaillie, and black grouse hunts in the southern Altai mountains.
