MONGOLIA: TROPHY GOBI IBEX/ARGALI SHEEP HUNT

Gobi Ibex season spans from July 15 to October 15. Most hunts occur in August and September.

On Location:

-Gobi Argali Sheep: Season closes Oct. 1, often booked as a primary/priority species in July- Sept.   

-Maral Stag: Available in Altai, Gobi & Hangai regions, best in Sept. to early Oct. 

-White Tailed Gazelle: Available in Gobi & Hungai region, anytime from mid-July to mid Oct. 

-Mongolian Wolf: Open year-round as targets of opportunity and available in all regions

Relocation Required

-Altai Ibex: Season closes Oct. 15, often booked in July-Sept.  

-Altai Argali: Season closes Oct.1, often booked as a primary/priority species in July-Sept.   

-Hangai Argali: Season closes Oct. 1, often booked as a primary/priority species in July-Sept.   

-Siberian Roe Deer – Only available in the Hangai region, best in Aug. through Sept. 

-Taimen Fishing – Available in the northern Khovsgol Province. Mid-Aug. to the end of Sept. is prime. Packages come with x4 full days.

These Gobi Ibex hunts are 6 full days, and professionally 1x2+ guided, meaning multiple guides, spotters, trackers, and drivers per hunter. Depending on season or location, we use 4x4 jeeps or horses to access the heights and locate different Mongolian Ibex species, which are generally pre-scouted. It is not uncommon to glass trophy Gobi Ibex on the first hunting day, but finding a way to get into shooting range is what can take time. Engage in short hikes while regularly glassing to ensure the best avenue of approach. In some cases, certain mountain tops can be reached by jeep or horseback, and then you can hunt down towards the Ibex. 

Meticulous judging is employed by the guides and spotters, to ensure hunters take only fully mature trophy billies, ideally around 38 inches or longer. Elevation tends to range between 5000-8500 feet ASL and manageable terrain. With multiple hunting areas and limited permits, these Mongolian Ibex hunts are very exclusive and high quality, and can also be catered to meet the physical abilities of nearly all hunters. These are low-volume, highly personalized hunts, with nearly 100% success rates.

Most clients bring proven, personal rifles from home as firearm import permits for Mongolia are relatively quick and hassle-free, and cost only $250. Gobi Ibex living in this mountain environment see typical shot ranges between 250-450 yards. Recommended firearms are often chambered in hard-hitting, flat-shooting calibers such as .30-06, 7mm Mag, or .300 Win Mag. The same rifle would work fine for any combo species such as Argali, Maral, Gazelle, or Wolves. Quality rifles and ammo can also be rented if desired (also for only $250) for the duration of the hunt. 

Archery hunting is legal and catered to, but it is very challenging. Gobi Ibex are weary, often found in groups, and inhabit big, open, and windy environments. But anything is possible with a determined, experienced archery hunter and capable guide. Typical shooting ranges would be 50+ yards or slightly further. Archery Gobi hunt prices are higher, as they require more guides for assistance.

The Gobi region is a vast, windy, isolated, and ancient place. The desert is dry and often barren with sand dunes and outcroppings, interspersed with rolling grassland steppe. The mountains are comparatively dry, heavily eroded, rocky, and arid, with limited and localized vegetation and water. It’s a harsh place to live. Gobi Ibex/Argali Sheep hunting elevations generally vary from 5000-8500 feet ASL, and the terrain is largely broad, open, and with gentle slopes, making them accessible for most hunters. This also allows horses or vehicles to access most of the heights if needed. The Gobi Ibex however tend to dwell near steep rocky canyons for security from predators, which mainly include Mongolian Wolves and even eagles. Other species inhabiting the region include Argali, Red Foxes, Asian lynx, Black-tailed Gazelle, Camels, Ground Squirrels, Ravens, Magpies, Larks, and Sparrows.

Weather and temperatures can vary throughout the season. In the summer months (July to Sept.) it’s quite warm in the Gobi. Midday temperatures can get hot, but generally pleasant, and cool off nicely at night, or in the highest elevations. However, it is generally a windy place being so vast and open. Snow even in the late season (mid-Sept. to mid-Oct.), is quite rare and typically doesn’t accumulate until Dec-Jan, once temperatures drop routinely below freezing. A frequent cold wind, however, encourages an intelligently layered clothing system. Our outfitting partner provides detailed equipment lists for booked clients well in advance of Gobi Ibex hunting trips.

Hunters stay in traditionally- styled Yurts, locally known as “Gers” for the duration of the Mongolian Ibex hunt. View it as a comfortable but portable glorified tent camp, streamside in a mountain valley within the hunting area. Clients typically have their own Ger, while guides, drives, and camp staff stay in separate Gers nearby. They are heated with a central stove fueled by wood, coal, or dung, with a gravity-fed sink, complete with ground carpeting, a dinner table and chairs, sleeping cots, foam mattresses, and pillows. All camps have generator-powered electricity for lights and charging outlets, but most do not have Wi-Fi or cell service. “A-frame” outhouses with self-contained portable toilets are erected near the Gers.

Experience local Mongolian cuisine during this hunt. Breakfasts are quick but hearty and are generally fried eggs, sausage,s or cutlets, served with sides of cucumbers or tomatoes, along with toast, juice, tea, and coffee. Plan to spend the day in the field, so guides will always pack a full lunch for hunters and staff, which range from noodle dishes, various friend meats, stews or dumplings packaged in Tupperware containers, along with drinks, dried sausages or fruit, candy or energy bars. Dinners are ready shortly after returning to camp and usually start with a local soup and a small salad, followed by beef steaks and lamb chops, along with mutton or Gobi Ibex sausages or dumplings, usually served with a side of noodles, potatoes, wild onions or rice. No one ever goes hungry.

Destination City: Hunters are asked to arrive at the Chinggis Khan International airport in Ulaanbaatar, where they are greeted by the outfitter or his staff. Clients usually overnight in the city and then commute to the hunting areas the following day either by short interior domestic flights (extra cost) or overland by vehicle (no extra cost), depending on proximity to Ulaanbaatar. There are 6 different Gobi Ibex/Argali hunting areas in Mongolia, and specific Gobi Ibex hunting areas for each hunter are carefully selected, but only after spring and early summer pre-scouting ventures, in an effort to provide the highest success on the best quality Ibex.  

Travel Suggestions:  Ulaanbaatar is best reached by flights connecting in either Istanbul, Turkey or Seoul, South Korea, via various airline carriers servicing most major international airports. Should interior domestic flights be required, they are conveniently booked by the outfitter for his clients as needed, at corporate rates, and reimbursed by the client on his final payment.

After a successful hunt in Mongolia, trophies are carefully skinned, labelled, salted and returned to Ulaanbaatar. Later they are delivered to a processor who will begin the CITES permitting process and packing process. Once complete the crate is forwarded to a shipping agent, who in conjunction with an expeditor or clearing agent, can arrange for the international shipping and receiving. General turnaround time to delivery is approximately 6-10 months.

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