American trophy hunter kills Markhor in Chitral after winning permit in historic bid

An American trophy hunter killed a Markhor in Chitral after winning a permit in a historic bid, it emerges on Sunday.

American citizen Deron James Millman won the bidding for a hunting permit for Pakistan’s national animal Markhor with a whopping $232,000 in October this year.

Deron James Millman hunted Markhor, a wild goat native to high-altitude monsoon forests in central Asia, at the Tooshi Shasha Conservancy of the Lower Chitral district.

The hunt was made on Dec 16, 2023.

The horn size of this hunted Markhor is reported to be 45 inches in length.

According to the sources, the forest department has reported an increase in the markhor population and the hunts are planned as per conservation policy.

80% of the income accrued from the permit fee of the trophy hunting of markhor goes to the local community through VCCs, which have been organised in different villages.

The hunting permits are issued annually for various areas, including Tooshi Conservancy in Chitral District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Gehrait Conservancy in Chitral District, and Kaigah Conservancy in Kohistan District.

Last year, the highest bid received for hunting the associated species of Astor Markhor was $167,525.

The department auctioned permits for 119 of the rarest species under the trophy hunting program 2022-23.

As reported, five Astor Markhor hunting permits were auctioned off for $100,000, 14 blue sheep for $8,500, and 100 ibex for $3,600.

Meanwhile, Chitral Trophy Hunting permits for the year 2021-22 sold for $575,500.

The hunting season for Markhor, Ibex and Blue Sheep continues from 1st November till 31st April.

While December and January are considered the most suitable months for trophy hunting of Markhor and Ibex in the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan.