Epic hunting trip (Pakistan)

[starbailey]

 This could be such a long post but I'll post pics and some of the story of my hunting trip I just took to Pakistan. Yep, Pakistan! It was the most amazing trip. There was just so much that happend on this 20 day adventure. I booked the hunt through Shikar Safaris and would highly recommend them. My interpreter and the local guides took great care of me and handled all aspects of the trip flawlessly.
 My main focus was in hunting Himalayan Blue sheep. I hunted the Shimshal region of northern Pakistan. Talk about mountains! It took me 6 days to get to the village of Shimshal where we started hiking. It took another two days to hike into the blue sheep hunting area. The hike alone was absolutely amazing. Elevations ran from 11,000 to 14,000 foot! Most all of the 15-20 miles were on narrow trails cut in the side of solid rock faces. Oh, did I mention day time temperatures didn't get over 25 degrees. Shikar had hired local game scouts (3)and packers (15)to help get everything to base camp. I actually felt bad I was only carrying my day pack and I had to fight them to let me carry it.
 The three game scouts, who had left the day before, came in late the 3rd night stating they had found 3 different groups of sheep. They were extremely excited about one big bunch that had several mature rams. We made a plan, (they did and then my interpreter told me) to leave well before dark to be sure to be in place for a stalk at first light. We made the 3 hour hike to a glassing spot just as it was getting light. We verified the group was still in the same location as the night before and then look off.
 We had to drop all the way to the bottom to cross the river as the sheep were on the other side of the canyon. It took another 2 hours to get within range and as I looked over the crest of the hill there were 45-50 sheep fanned out feeding right toward us. I got out the spotting scope and looked the seven rams over before agreeing with Norhan (the interpreter) of which was the best ram. I will say I was as nervous as I've ever been when I lined up and waited for the ram to turn broadside. After the shooting was done I had a great 11-12 year old Himalayan Blue Sheep on the ground! What a relief! I couldn't have been happier with my wonderful trophy!
 There is so much more to the story and THEN we went ibex hunting. 

[starbailey]

Here are a few pics of the what the 2 1/2 day trek into the area was on! Gotta love the adventure!

[Mfowl]

Wow! Congrats! That looks like a real adventure in some serious terrain! Shockley eat your heart out!

[Timberstalker]

What an awesome adventure!   

Rough looking country. 

[quadrafire]

OH MY!!!! That is an incredible trip. Beautiful ram
Makes the Blues look like central WA. haha

[X-Force]

That is awesome.

[NWWA Hunter]

Wow. Just awesome!

[brushhunter]

wow too cool!!!!  That would be some adventure!!!  great job

[h20hunter]

Pretty amazing...keep the pics coming....

[starbailey]

Thanks for th comments. I'll get some more pics posted but it'll have to wait till back at a computer Monday. Sorry

[couesbitten]

Wow, great pictures, beautiful ram, and awesome hunt. You said the sheep were feeding towards you, what do they eat, dirt, rocks, and snow?

[kisfish]

congrats. 

[lewy]

  very cool!

[Wea300mag]

That is some wicked country. Cool pics.

[MLBowhunting]

Can't wait for the rest