Astor Markhor hunting

Astor markhor is a subspecies of markhor, a variety of wild goat (genus Capra) which is characterized by horns that have more or less corkscrew shape. Its fragmented distribution range covers parts of the Indian province of Kashmir, the Gilgit-Baltistan province in Pakistan, and the adjoining areas of Afghanistan. It is only in Pakistan, however, where a highly successful community-based consumptive use conservation program provided a huge boost for the animals’ numbers, that the markhor can be legally hunted.

Astor markhor hunting is done by the classic spot-and-stalk method, typical for most mountain hunts. The hunters use optics to spot the animals (usually in the morning, when they are most active), and when the suitable old male is located, approach it carefully within range. Mountain animals don’t usually expect danger from above, and the stalk often requires a long and weary detour to rise above the markhor and approach it downwind. In the first years of the program some hunters reported that local guides, while knowing the animals and the territory like the palm of their hand, were not too competent at trophy estimation and other requirements of trophy hunting. Now, however, this problem seems to be a thing of the past.