Has anyone ever taken a Marco Polo with a recurve or longbow?
For me that would be the ultimate animal to hunt and take with a bow.
Very tough hunting, considering the cold, the altitude and the open terrain.
I know that Paul Brunner killed some sort of sheep over sea's, but I do not think it was a Marco Polo. I would say it would be an amazing accomplishment with a trad bow.
Probably not since Ghingis and crew were raping, pilaging, and plundering.
Paul's was a snow sheep, a thin horn similar to a dall or stone.
I found a dead wolf/snow leopard killed Gobi argali while ibex hunting. Pretty awesome set of horns.
Art Dubbs was showing me his. What awsome animals. I bet I could talk him into buying a recurve and killing one just because no one else has done it. He is a sheep hunting man. Lives for it and has the bucks to do it.
I met Art Dubbs while caribou hunting in Quebec many years ago. Didn't seem like the type to pick up a bow back then. He did say that he had taken several trips trying for the world record Marco Polo back then with his rifle. He does have the highest combined scoring Grand Slam taken with a gun of the several Grand Slams he has achieved.
I'd have to agree with Steve H. - Don't recall hearing about anyone taking Argali with a tradbow.
Awesome animals. They are tough on the hunter. Read multiple stories about hunters giving up due to extreme altitude sickness.
Anyone have a pic of one?
just type Marco Polo Sheep into Google and you will get lots of pictures.
Thanks for your replies...ever since I saw a pic of a Marco Polo that a rifle hunter had taken, I thought WOW!
I lived for 10 years next to the National Bison Range. The most impressive animal I have seen up close was a big bull bison. There is just no comparison when looking at pictures or your average buffalo.
Maybe if I win the lotto I'll make an attempt. Otherwise I can think of better spots to spend 30 grand minimum. Awesome animals though.
I've read numerous accounts about hunting this number one game animal in the world by such folks as Elgin Gates, Bert Klineberger and others. Hunting this animal is beyond tough and collecting a trophy with a rifle is quite an accomplishment. Dr. Jack Frost has the record for a bow...but a compound...and I have not heard of anyone taking one with trad gear.
If you're going to go after one, you better get in shape like Lance Armstrong and have deep pockets.
If it has been done, the guy hasn't told anyone.
If I were going to put money on who would do it, it would be Nathan Andersohn.
Like probably many that are reading this thread, I had no idea what a Marco Polo Sheep looked like. Found these...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/wfjones2/Hunting/MarcoPoloSheep.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/wfjones2/Hunting/marco_polo_sheep-2.jpg)
That is some horns!!!! Holy smokes...
beautiful animal!!!
I think they hunt these in IRAN, or Pakistan or something. I saw a video on TV where they did it with a rifle. It was quite funny to watch because they are in such rugged and open terrain. Really neat animal! I also remember the altitude was sick!
Many of the hunts for Marco Polo sheep take place in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan near the border of Afghanistan. Keep in mind these sheep are found at elevations of 13,000 to 15,000 feet.
Mt. Rainier, highest peak in Washington, is a little over 14,000 feet and climbing it is considered to be quite a feat {even though many do it each year}.
These sheep, with horns of 60" or more, would have to be the greatest trophy ever for traditional bowhunter.
Very high altitude hunting and long range shooting at sheep that like large snow fields for safety. Altitude sickness is not uncommon. Snow leopards are about their only problem, and local hunters probably take a few. I believe Peterson (late) and Craig Boddington have taken sheep. I think his hunt was on Versus, or the Outdoor chnl.