Sheep stalking and hunting specialists in Europe & Asia
Although there are 47 subspecies of ovis worldwide, these can easily be
categorised into species that make up the Real Big 5 sheep. A bonus ball
of the ambiguous Aoudad is also included. Whether you’re planning your first hunting adventure into the mountains, or trying to secure your 47th ovis, we have helped both the novice and the professional achieve their dreams. Get in touch today to discuss your requirements.
We cover Turkey, Europe and several other continents, including Africa and Oceania.
Marco Polo Argali (ovis ammon)
Ovis Ammon is by far the biggest of all the wild sheep and for the past 120 years has held legendary status amongst Asian big game shots. Named after the famous Asiatic explorer, who pronounced he had never seen a beast to rival him, the sheep lives between 3000-5000 metres in the Pamir and Tian Shan ranges. He can only be found in China, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, with the latter two being the only viable options for hunting due to protection laws and the current political climate. Despite unpredictable weather and poor transport links in these countries, the Marco Polo can be hunted with good planning and skilful guides.
The Real Big 5 team were in Kyrgyzstan in 2010 and many good rams were spotted, two of which were in a very achievable position. Although two good Ibex were taken on this expedition, we were not after the Argali, so let them be for another day. The sheep has few natural predators, bar the snow leopard and humans, the latter having taken its toll on an animal that due to its unforgiving habitat, has only ever existed in relatively small numbers. We have access to a steady population, where on a two-week hunt you should see a number of good rams. Getting into a shooting position is not just about the ability of the stalking team, but also on the hunter’s stamina and lungs due to the immense altitude in which they choose to reside.
Snow Sheep (ovis nivicola)
Also known as the Siberian Bighorn, Ovis nivicola is actually more likely to be a subspecies of the Dall sheep. The Snow Sheep can again be divided into six further sub-species; all are very similar with only very subtle differences, depending on the region from which they hail. By 1921 Russian game was thin on the ground, having endured years of lawlessness and being hunted heavily by starving peasantry, armed with modern weapons brought back from the first and civil wars.
The sheep, being of a wary nature, fared better than most game, and with the advent of communism and a virtual ban on hunting, the populations flourished. Captain Barkley, somehow, attained permission in the 1930’s to hunt the fringes of Stalin’s empire and apparently shot quite a few Snow sheep. His bloodlust was not satisfied, however, and he moved into Pakistan, where he met his death hunting the Kashmir Markhor.
Nowadays the Snow sheep is back on the menu and a very handsome Ovis in stunning scenery beckons to those with the minerals to have a crack. The primary Snow Sheep that we recommend pursuing is the Kamchakta subspecies (Ovis nivicola).
Urial (ovis vignei)
The big boy of the Iranian wild sheep, but dwarfed by the Marco Polo, is actually a sub-species of the Mouflon (Ovis Orientalis Aries) which is one of two recognised ancestors of our modern domestic sheep. The Urial has five further sub-species, none of which the 1900 Shikari club recognised as being one of the big five sheep.
The Urial is sometimes described as a prince of sheep, for he has a white ruff and double curled horns. Unfortunately, because he lives below the tree line he has suffered over a hundred years of hunting pressure. A conservation program began, and nowadays healthy populations exist in Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and parts of Afghanistan. With a lesser ruff so not quite as impressive as the Transcaspian Urial (Ovis orientalis arkal), we recommend our hunters chase the Afghan Urial (Ovis vignei cycloceros), who is more affordable and found in greater quantities.
We do not, however, for obvious reasons, hunt him in Afghanistan; instead, we venture into neighbouring Tajikistan where he can, with luck, be found in good volumes at comparatively low altitudes to other Ovis. Do not be deceived into thinking, however, that this will be an easy hunt.
The Afghan Urial will put the toughest of hunters to the test with their razor sharp
The mere click of a camera and he will become but a distant white patch disappearing into the yonder horizon.
Bighorn Sheep (ovis canadensis nelsoni)
Ovis Ammon is by far the biggest of all the wild sheep and for the past 120 years has held legendary status amongst Asian big game shots. Named after the famous Asiatic explorer, who pronounced he had never seen a beast to rival him, the sheep lives between 3000-5000 metres in the Pamir and Tian Shan ranges. He can only be found in China, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, with the latter two being the only viable options for hunting due to protection laws and the current political climate. Despite unpredictable weather and poor transport links in these countries, the Marco Polo can be hunted with good planning and skilful guides.
The Real Big 5 team were in Kyrgyzstan in 2010 and many good rams were spotted, two of which were in a very achievable position. Although two good Ibex were taken on this expedition, we were not after the Argali, so let them be for another day. The sheep has few natural predators, bar the snow leopard and humans, the latter having taken its toll on an animal that due to its unforgiving habitat, has only ever existed in relatively small numbers. We have access to a steady population, where on a two-week hunt you should see a number of good rams. Getting into a shooting position is not just about the ability of the stalking team, but also on the hunter’s stamina and lungs due to the immense altitude in which they choose to reside.
Dall Sheep (ovis dalli)
Common throughout its Alaskan and Yukon range the Dall lives on steep grassy slopes very similar to Scotland, but steeper, colder and with sleet more common than rain.
They live in a world full of predators mainly consisting of wolves and coyotes although bears and eagles will take a lamb. Although the highest densities are found in the national parks, good flocks exist on the adjacent territories especially along the great rivers where the steep grazing remains unsuitable for domestic stock.
The Dall might be marginally less wary than other Ovid’s but spying due to the weather can be a problem and most hunts comprise setting up camp rather than having a fixed base.
Barbary/Aoudad Sheep (ammotragus lervia)
Originally found throughout the mountain regions of North Africa, the Aoudad, like the Tur, is commonly argued to be both a goat and a sheep. He not only holds a handsome set of horns, but mature rams can also host a beard extending into a shaggy mane.
Unlike the Tur, the Aoudad has no indication to either species in his Latin name but is a spectacular trophy that has been sought after for years by legendary African and Asian hunters.
Although native to Africa, the Barbary sheep was introduced to the Sierra Espuna in southern Spain and has since flourished to such an extent some consider them a pest – a pest that we here at the Real Big 5, are more than happy to help take care of.
We have access to the private Sierra Espuna reserve which is the epicentre of Aoudad habitat in Europe, and as a result, have a very good chance of securing a trophy. Take a look at some photos that have been shot in our hunting areas.
