You'll recall that Nepal recently re-opened to hunting after a decade-long closure due to civil unrest. We told you that the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation had issued outfitter Mahesh Busnyat a concession in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, but when Hunting Report subscriber Ed Yates arrived there this past April, the department refused to issue him a hunting license until a population survey had been conducted.
According to the Kathmandu Post, wildlife officials are now satisfied with game numbers and, as this is written, are waiting for the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation to begin issuing hunting licenses for the fall season, which is set to open in mid-September.
At press time, we checked in with Busnyat, who confirmed the newspaper report and said he was awaiting an official statement from the Department of National Parks & Wildlife Conservation before moving forward with fall hunt plans. He promised to send us the official statement and a copy of the survey as soon as he received it.
Population figures reported in the Kathmandu Post put blue sheep numbers across six hunting blocks at 852 animals, with 126 considered trophy rams. The article cites a wildlife official setting the possible quota at six rams in the Dogadi concession and four rams each in the five other hunting blocks within the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. Reportedly, two other blocks may become available, adding more sheep to the quota if hunting demand is sufficient. As for tahr, the article does not give a total population count but reports a recommended quota of four in the Sundaha concession and two each in the other five blocks. Neal, who........(continued)
