Busnyat, who operated hunts for Nepal's famous Himalyan bluesheep and tahr for more than 28 years, plans to run his hunts again in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, a remote area in the country's far west. He says he personally will supervise each hunt and accompany clients into the field with Sherpa guides experienced in guiding high-altitude mountain excursions.
The projected packages and costs of hunts in Nepal are roughly as follows:
Himalayan blue sheep hunts run 14 days and cost $9,850 1 x 1; $7,275 each for 2 x 1. Licenses and permits are an additional $1,800. The hunting periods run from March through April and October through November.
Himalayan tahr hunts are for 12 days and cost $7,500 per client. Licenses and permits are an additional $1,200. Hunts take place from November through April.
Blue sheep/tahr combination hunts are for 17 days and cost $14,400, 1 x 1; $12,500 each, 2 x 1. Licenses and permits are an additional $2,300.
In-country transportation adds considerably to the above costs. Clients may charter a helicopter for $4,600 for one hunter, $2,300 each for two. Another option is to fly in by scheduled flight to the nearest town in the hunt area for $2,800 for one hunter, $1,500 each for two. Another cost to keep in mind is a $500 donation for each trophy harvested. This will go to the local community.
The unanswered question at this point is, how have game populations fared during the extended hunt closure? Busnyat says........(continued)
