Heavy poaching by locals as well as outsiders had led to an alarming decline in population of these important species until foreign and local NGO's arrived to their rescue and initiated a program for the sustainable trophy hunting of these game species. Understanding the importance of perpetuating the population of markhor at the community level and the local inhabitant's direct involvement in this through local conservation programs has lead to recovery of these species. The social benefits derived through the income generated by hunting license fees has played an instrumental role in successful conservation. Those communities who did not have the resources to run educational, health and other social endeavors are now able to undertake these projects.

Hunting markhor had been a great desire of mine. I was able to fulfill this dream with the help of Anchan Ali Mirza of Karakurum Treks & Tours. I had the option of hunting either of the northern populations of markhor, and chose the Astor, since not many hunters had yet to venture into the heart of the Karakorams where this animal is found.

We flew into Islamabad, where we swiftly checked through Customs and then embarked on a long journey along the Karakoram Highway. This is an adventure in itself, with breathtaking views of Nanga Parbat, the second highest peak in Pakistan at 8,125 meters. The Karakoram Highway was once the famous Silk Road, along which ancient merchants carried silk from Kasghar over the Taklamakan Desert into India. Today silk is found all over the world. It travels easily and cheaply by sea and air freight. This was not always so. The early trade in silk was carried on against incredible odds by great caravans of merchants and animals traveling at a snail's pace over some of the most inhospitable territory on the face of the earth searing, waterless deserts and snowbound mountain passes.

Our first stop was in the bustling town of Gilgit. From there we continued north into the valley of Bunji. The inhabitants of Bunji were expecting a foreign hunter for the first time. It was the first year the community was in operation and all were hoping and praying for a successful hunt, as this would mean considerable foreign exchange for their development schemes. We crossed the mighty Indus River on a traditional raft known as a zakh. This is the form of transportation used on the rivers even today. Earlier forms of the zakh were made of goat hides, but nowadays a tire tube is used. Although a safe form to cross the river, it is still a hair-raising experience.

The Karakorams are rugged, and the hike is challenging and physically demanding. Only the most adventurous of souls should undertake the experience. Fortunately, we spotted a good ram on the very first day, and I successfully shot him. Due to poor visibility, we had to wait until the next day to retrieve him. He was a mature ram that measured about 34 inches. While we were expecting a larger trophy, I could not have been more satisfied, considering the long, arduous hike I had conducted to get him. We were all feeling quite proud of ourselves for the achievement.

After taking my markhor, we drove to an area near the town of Skardu. Interestingly, we spotted a few exceptional Astor markhor trophies here, but Mirza had taken a Hungarian hunter there earlier and filled the quota for this area. There are good numbers of Himalayan ibex here, and we were successful in bagging a 40-inch ram.

I am told that if you drive further onwards into deep valleys of the Karakorams, there is a very strong population of Himalayan ibex. I have been fortunate to hunt these species and take two trophy animals in only a few days.