Alpine ibex hunts are classic high‑altitude stalks. In Austria’s Tyrol and similar regions, guides lead hunters across steep talus and grassy cirques between about 1,800 and 3,000 metres, glassing ridges at dawn and dusk when ibex feed and move. Because animals bed down during midday, hunters often pause for a “siesta” before continuing later in the day. The main season runs from August through December and requires physical fitness and sure‑footedness; shots are often taken from improvised rests at awkward angles. Some outfitters use horses or cable cars to access remote basins, but most of the hunt is on foot.

Centuries of unregulated hunting drove Alpine ibex numbers to near‑zero; the species became almost extinct by the 17th century when its horns and bones were believed to have magical properties. Protection in Gran Paradiso and subsequent reintroductions allowed populations to recover; the species is now classed as “Least Concern,” though local herds remain sensitive to tourism and habitat disturbance. Modern trophy hunts are strictly limited by permits and help fund monitoring and habitat management, ensuring that harvests target mature males while supporting conservation and alpine communities.