The Himalayan blue sheep or bharal (Pseudois nayaur) is a goat‑antelope that inhabits the high Himalayas. Rams carry heavy, curled horns and sport a bluish‑grey coat that blends into alpine meadows and rocky slopes. These sure‑footed animals live between 3 500 and 5 500 metres in elevation and are a coveted quarry for hunters in Nepal’s mountains.
Blue sheep hunts in Nepal occur within the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, the country’s only legal hunting area. The reserve issues a limited number of permits each year, and hunters must trek for two weeks through alpine valleys, camping and stalking entirely on foot. Guides glass high ridges and plan stalks across scree slopes; the best seasons are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) when weather is relatively stable and sheep are more visible. Successful shots often require long hikes and careful positioning in thin air.
The Dhorpatan reserve was established to encourage sustainable hunting while conserving biodiversity. Strict regulations limit the number of blue sheep tags issued annually and require hunters to follow age and sex criteria. Licence fees fund local communities and anti‑poaching efforts, ensuring residents benefit directly from conservation. By confining hunting to the reserve and coupling it with habitat protection, Nepal maintains healthy bharal populations while allowing limited trophy opportunities.
Blue sheep live in large herds and feed on alpine grasses and shrubs. Their agility allows them to traverse cliffs and escape predators such as snow leopards. Hunters must acclimatise to altitude, and guides often schedule rest days to minimise altitude sickness. Alongside the thrill of the hunt, visitors experience breathtaking vistas of Himalayan peaks and the unique culture of Nepal’s mountain communities.
Himalayan Blue Sheep can be found in the following location:
Himalayan Blue Sheep has the following variations:
- (Varieties to be confirmed)
