GB trophy hunting: Astore markhor permits sold for over $150,000

The Gilgit-Baltistan Parks and Wildlife Department has successfully auctioned four permits for the sought-after Astore markhor under a “first-come, first-served” policy, following two unsuccessful attempts to secure higher bids for the 2024-2025 trophy hunting season.

During an auction conducted on October 30, a total of 118 permits were made available, which included four for Astore markhor, 14 for blue sheep, and 100 for Himalayan ibex.

The permits are designated for community-controlled hunting areas (CCHAs) throughout Gilgit-Baltistan.

Although permits for four Astore markhor, 12 blue sheep, and 86 Himalayan ibex were sold during the auction, the bids were considerably lower than those of the previous year. As a result, the department decided to cancel the exportable category permits, which encompassed the Astore markhor.

In the October auction, the highest bid for two Astore markhor permits from the Danyore and Buji CCHAs reached $107,000 each, a significant drop from last year's peak bid of $181,000.

A subsequent re-auction on November 25 did not attract any buyers for the markhor permits, leading the department to implement a “first-come, first-served” strategy. This approach resulted in the successful sale of all four Astore markhor permits, with prices ranging from $150,200 to $151,000, slightly exceeding the base price of $150,000.

Wildlife Conservator Khadim Hussain confirmed that the permits were sold to international hunters. He noted, “Hunters are expressing interest in Himalayan ibex permits. To date, six to seven ibexes have been hunted.”

In the previous 2023-24 trophy hunting season, hunters successfully harvested 51 Himalayan ibex, six blue sheep, and four Astore markhor trophies, generating a revenue of Rs309.35 million, which is Rs89 million more than the Rs220 million collected in the 2022-23 season.