The snow sheep (Ovis nivicola)—also called the Asiatic bighorn—is a stocky mountain sheep native to the far northeast of Russia. Rams weigh 60–120 kg, stand about one metre at the shoulder and wear thick greyish‑brown coats and massive horns that curl backwards and outward, sometimes exceeding 89 cm in length. Snow sheep inhabit the alpine meadows and rocky cliffs of Kamchatka, Chukotka, Yakutia and other ranges; their remoteness and formidable horns make them a coveted trophy for adventurous hunters.
Snow sheep hunts take place from early August until mid‑October on the Kamchatka Peninsula and into November on the mainland. Hunters access camps by helicopter, boat or off‑road vehicle and then hike or ride pack horses to ridgelines where sheep feed in the open. Spot‑and‑stalk is the principal method: guides glass expansive basins at dawn and dusk, plans a descent to intercept rams and takes shots at ranges of 200–400 m. Indigenous people once used hounds to pursue snow sheep, but modern hunts rely on patience, good optics and physical endurance.
The IUCN classifies snow sheep as Least Concern overall, although some subspecies are considered vulnerable due to their restricted ranges. Populations remain stable thanks to Russia’s strict quota system; only Kamchatka, Kolyma, Okhotsk and Chukotka races currently have huntable numbers. Revenues from high‑priced permits support game wardens and infrastructure in remote regions, helping prevent poaching and preserving alpine habitats. The species forms bachelor herds with dominance hierarchies and engages in head‑butting battles for mates.
Snow sheep move seasonally between high alpine meadows in summer and lower, sheltered slopes in winter. They feed on grasses, sedges and lichens, and can survive in temperatures well below freezing. The rams’ horns have deeply corrugated ridges and may weigh almost as much as those of a North American bighorn. With hunts costing tens of thousands of dollars and conducted in extreme isolation, taking a snow sheep is considered one of the ultimate mountain hunting achievements.
Snow Sheep can be found in the following location:
Snow Sheep has the following variations:
- Chukotka Snow Sheep
- Kamchatka Snow Sheep
- Putorana Snow Sheep
- Koryak Snow Sheep
- Okhotsk Snow Sheep
- Kolyma Snow Sheep
- Yakutia Snow Sheep
