Konya Mouflon
Among the most remarkable stories emerging from Turkey’s mountain wildlife is the gradual return of the Konya Mouflon. Distinctive, elusive, and closely associated with the rugged landscapes of its native range, this unique wild sheep represents an important chapter in Turkey’s ongoing efforts to restore and safeguard its native wildlife.
Specie / Hunt Description
While Pakistan’s Markhor receive well-deserved recognition as an unparalleled conservation success story, Turkey has been quietly replenishing its herd of the distinctive Konya Mouflon. Early conservation efforts began with a starter herd nurtured in a large fenced enclosure located in the sheep’s home range in the western part of the country. Many sheep are being released into the wild with each passing year.
Permits are extremely limited, perhaps 5-10 annually. Hunting takes place in both free-range areas and fenced, game ranch-type areas, and prices reflect the type of area to be hunted. GSCO now recognizes Konya that are taken in fenced areas. The rarity of the species will command high permit prices for the foreseeable future. But their beauty is undeniable.
Getting There: Hunters will be met in Ankara and assisted with firearms clearance. Depending on flight arrival times, hunters will either overnight or connect directly to the hunting area. Accommodations are usually arranged in small village hotels near the hunting area.
Hunt Strategy: The Konya Mouflon (Anatolian Mouflon, Ovis gmelinii anatolica) occupies a very specific ecological band in Central Anatolia, centered on the Konya–Bozdağ Protection Area. The terrain they inhabit is a steppe‑mountain mosaic: dry, open, rugged, and shaped by the transitional geography between the Central Anatolian plateau and the broken uplands surrounding Konya.
They are typically found in steppe regions at an altitude of between 1,000 and 1,700 meters ( 3,300 – 5,600 ft.) — a mid‑elevation belt typical of Anatolian interior mountains. Shots are typically from 250-350 meters (approx. 275-375 yds.) on average.
Season: July-September. Our guides apply time-tested hunt strategies for temperatures and seasonal patterns of movement during the entire season.
Length of Hunt: 9-day hunt including in-country travel days.
Options: Various combination hunts with Konya Mouflon are possible, including Bezoar Ibex, Coastal Ibex, Hybrid Ibex, Anatolian Chamois, Mid-Eastern Red Deer, and Wild Boar (the world’s largest). Please inquire about individual and combination hunt options in Turkey.
