The hunting season for 2023 has started in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, the only place in the country where tourists can hunt animals. Abinash Thapamagar, the Information Officer of the reserve, confirmed this.
During this season, the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department has allowed the hunting of eight Himalayan blue sheep (known as Naur) and six Himalayan Tahr (known as Jharal). The hunting season runs from the Nepali month of Ashoj to Mangsir, and hunters are permitted to visit the reserve twice a year for this purpose. They can also hunt wild boars.
The Department invites bids from wealthy hunters in the global market to determine who can hunt Naur and Jharal. The hunting period for these animals runs from October 4th to the third week of November.
Foreign hunters, hailing from places like the United States, Russia, Germany, and Bulgaria, are making preparations to visit the reserve alongside their Nepali guides.This year, five American hunters are planning to join the hunt.
The reserve will provide conservation officials to assist the hunters, and the bidding process sets a fee of between Rs 1 million to Rs 2 million for hunting a Himalayan blue sheep.
Established in 1987, the reserve has been attracting foreign hunters over the years and is considered a prime hunting destination. Hunters are given a 15-day window to hunt Naur and Jharal in the presence of reserve employees. They are equipped with necessary weapons, guns, bullets, and cameras.
Hunters often use helicopters to reach the reserve because the roads are difficult to travel. Some hunters return without catching an animal, but those who are successful can take the hunted animal’s head with them to their home country.
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