Hunting season begins in Dhorpatan

Baglung, March 30: The second hunting season of the year has officially begun in Dhorpatan, Nepal’s only hunting reserve. This season, a total of 35 wild animals—13 blue sheep (Naur), 10 Himalayan thar (Jharal), and 12 wild boars (Bandel)—have been approved for hunting.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation had called for tenders for hunting permits on January 29 (Magh 15).

Permitted hunting companies

Six companies have received approval for this hunting season:

1. Himalayan Wildlife Outfitters Pvt. Ltd.

2. Trax & Trails Pvt. Ltd.

3. Himalayan Safaris Pvt. Ltd.

4. Global Safaris Nepal

5. Nepal Travel Expedition

6. Open Nepal Wildlife Safari & Treks

Hunters started arriving at Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve from March 8 (Chaitra 26). The hunting season, which lasts from February to April (Falgun to Baisakh), will conclude on April 28 (Baisakh 16).

Current hunting status

• Two blue sheep have been hunted so far.

• Himalayan Wildlife Outfitters received a permit to hunt two blue sheep and two wild boars. One blue sheep has already been hunted in Sundaha Block by Marcos Olaizola Alcorta, a 70-year-old hunter from Spain.

• Trax & Trails Pvt. Ltd. facilitated an American hunter who received permission to hunt two blue sheep, two Himalayan tahrs, and two wild boars.

• Himalayan Safaris Pvt. Ltd. has permits for three hunters to hunt three blue sheep and one Himalayan tahr.

• Global Safaris Nepal has permits for two hunters to hunt two blue sheep, one Himalayan tahr, and two wild boars. One blue sheep has been hunted in Fagune Block so far.

• Nepal Travel Expedition has permits for three hunters to hunt three blue sheep, three Himalayan tahrs, and three wild boars. However, due to weapon issues, they have returned without hunting.

• Open Nepal Wildlife Safari & Treks received permits for three hunters to hunt one blue sheep, two Himalayan tahrs, and three wild boars.

International hunters and revenue collection

Hunters from the USA, Argentina, Spain, and France have participated in this season’s hunt.

• Hunting fees:

  • Himalayan Thar (Jharal): Rs 800,000

  • Blue Sheep (Naur): Rs 625,500

• Revenue Collected: Rs 12.6 million

• Additional Tax: Hunters must also pay a fee to take their hunted animals out of the reserve.

Dhorpatan opens two hunting seasons per year: First Season (October–December), and Second Season (February–April).

• #Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve