Nepal is a small country in south Asia with a wide range of geography, climate, and wildlife. While it is most recognized for being home to eight of the world’s ten tallest peaks, Nepal’s terrain is divided into three distinct zones.
The Himalayas, in the north of the country, are home to the world’s highest mountains, including Mount Everest, which stands at 29,029 feet. The southern lowlands, or Terai, bordering India, are a plains region with a muggy, subtropical climate. Blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, snow leopard, Indian rhinoceros, wild boar, and many deer species can all be found in these three locations.
The modern-day hunts in Nepal are conducted by the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. And Dhorpatan is one of Nepal’s most important hunting reserves. Hunting Himalayan tahr and blue sheep in this area is undoubtedly one of the best mountain hunts in the world.
You can go in either the spring or the fall. Hunting in the Himalayan and Rocky Mountains is a tough sport that necessitates high physical fitness. After helicopter drops, it normally takes around 5 days to hike to the hunting grounds.
Tahr can be found in steep, cliffy locations around timberline, around 12,500 feet. The world’s highest-dwelling big mammal, blue sheep, is hunted at altitudes of 16,000 feet or higher.
The Indian muntjac, also known as the barking deer, wild boar, and hog deer, are also authorized to hunt in Nepal. The majority of hunters come for sheep and tahr, with a few also hunting muntjac in the mountains and hill zone.
Because they are prevalent in plains regions where there is now no organized hunting, hog deer and wild boar are rarely targeted.
Hunting Territory:
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve:
Surtibang, Gustang, Barse & Fagune, Southern Areas of Dhorpatan.
The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is Nepal’s only region where licensed hunting is permitted.
The reserve borders Myagdi and Baglung districts in western Nepal, close below the Dhaulagiri Range. The reserve covers 1325 square kilometers and starts at 9800 feet (3000 meters) and ends at 23000 feet (7000 meters).
The majority of the hunt takes place between 11500 and 16500 feet (3000-5000 meters). Throughout the year, the higher peaks remain snow-capped. The reserve is home to fir, pine, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, oak, juniper, and spruce trees.
Hunting Team:
Supporting Cast and Crew: Professional Guide, Cook, porters & game scout
Due to the high altitude, blue sheep hunting is a difficult task. That is why we finish the sheep hunt first and then look for other wildlife if time allows.
Because of the height, we land the helicopter at roughly 9800 feet (3000 meters) and then take a two-day hike to the sheep base camp to allow the hunters to acclimate to the altitude. The base camp is located at an elevation of approximately 11500 feet (3500 m).
Each hunter, accompanied by one hunting guide and one local guide, departs at approximately 3:30 a.m. with a packed lunch. Layered clothing is recommended because the weather is cooler in the mornings and evenings and warmer during the day.
Hunting takes place at elevations ranging from 11500 feet (3500 meters) to 14800 feet (4500 meters), with some hunts reaching up to 18000 feet (5500 m).
You should know the following:
Make travel arrangements now:
The majority of the hunters arrive in Kathmandu. You will need a visa unless you are an Indian or Nepalese citizen. Visas are easily obtained from Nepali embassies and consulates.
You can get a visa application form from the Nepali embassy in Washington, DC (www.nepalembassyusa.org) or the Nepali embassy in London (www.nepalembassyuk.org) (www.nepembassy.org.uk).
A visa can also be obtained upon arrival. To do so, you’ll need to fill out an application and provide a passport photo. A single-entry visa with a duration of 15/30/90 days’ costs $25/40/100 respectively.
When you arrive:
If you’re bringing your own gun to Nepal, make sure to arrange for someone to assist you with the technicalities of entry and exit formalities with your outfitter.
You should notify your outfitter well in advance of the firearm you intend to bring, and they will arrange for the government of Nepal to issue the firearm and ammunition license.
You will be required to have your firearm checked and acquire a firearm permit after passing through immigration and collecting your baggage. This is not something you should attempt to handle on your own, as it is in most Asian countries.
During the Hunt:
Hunting in Nepal takes place at high altitudes in difficult terrain, and physical fitness is required. Because average shooting distances can be quite great, hunters should use rifles in the.300 magnum class, and they should be well-practiced and comfortable shooting at range of 500 yards and beyond.
Hunters considering a trip to Nepal should be aware of the potentially fatal risks associated with hunting at high altitude, and it is critical to consult a medical professional before making any preparations.
To avoid pulmonary edema, most hunters use Diamox, a prescription medication.
Following a successful hunt:
To get the relevant export permits, your outfitter’s staff will work with local operators and government officials.
After the hunt, extra time may be required to prepare these documents; if documentation can be obtained in before, you may be able to take your trophies home with you.
Dhorpatan Hunting FAQs:
Hunting is not legal everywhere in Nepal except for Dhorpatan Hunting reserve, where trophy hunting of Himalayan tahr or ghoral is allowed.
Because of the cost of revenue, porters, and helpers, the cost to hunt is Nepal starts from $24000.
The Indian muntjac or barking deer, wild boar, and hog deer are among the animals that are authorized to hunt in Nepal. The majority of hunters come for sheep and tahr, with a few also hunting muntjac in the mountains and hill zone.
There is only one hunting reserve in Nepal which is Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.
The Himalayas’ breathtaking scenery provides some of the best high mountain hunting in the world. Bharal (Blue Sheep) and Himalayan Thar can be hunted here. Nepal also has Spotted Deer, Hog Deer, and Wild Boar.