An American hunter has made headlines after successfully hunting the highest-rated Markhor in the Astore district of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The hunt, which took place in the Doyan Community Controlled Hunting Area, was sanctioned to Brian Douglas Williams through a hunting permit obtained at a staggering cost of $181,000. The horn size of the trophy is said to be 40 inches.

This year, a total of four permits were issued for Markhor hunting in Astore, making it a rare and exclusive opportunity for hunters. The Astore Markhor, known for its majestic horns and endangered status, is a coveted trophy for big game hunters.

This was said to be the fourth highest-rated Astore Markhor hunt during the current trophy hunting programme.

On February 13, after paying $171,000, American Colglazier John Michael hunted an Astore Markhor in Sai Damote CCHA in Gilgit. Later, after paying the GB Wildlife Department $186,000, American citizen Joseph Bradford Coors was able to hunt the highest-rated Astore Markhor on January 27, in the SKB community control hunting area in the Roundu area of Skardu.

After paying $177,000, Jan Jacob T. Dams from Belgium hunted an Astore Markhor on Dec 2, 2023, in the Astore DMT hunting area.

Also Read: American pays $125,000 to hunt Markhor in Chitral

October marks the beginning of the trophy hunting program, which runs until April of the following year.

It's worth noting that the hunting permit fees play a crucial role in conservation efforts and local community development. In this case, 80% of the hunting income generated from the permits will be allocated to the local people, providing them with a significant source of revenue.

The remaining 20% will be retained by the government to support conservation initiatives and wildlife management programs.

The practice of issuing hunting permits for Markhor has been a subject of debate, with proponents arguing that it incentivizes conservation efforts by providing funding for habitat protection and anti-poaching measures. However, critics raise concerns about the ethics of trophy hunting and its impact on endangered species populations.

The first Markhor trophy of the year was hunted down in Chitral in December 2023. An American hunter shot down a Kashmir Markhor in Toshi-Shasha Community Park for a fee of a whopping $185,000.

Also Read: American hunts year's first Markhor trophy in Chitral

Deron James Millan, an American national, inaugurated this year’s trophy hunting season by hunting down a 9.5-year-old Markhor in Lower Chitral. The size of the horns of the ‘mountain monarch’ was 45 inches, while reportedly the highest record in the history of trophy hunting in Chitral is 53 inches.

The American hunter paid a fee of $185,000 for the trophy hunting permit from the wildlife department, which is approximately equal to over Rs52 million.

In February, an An American citizen hunted a magnificent Markhor during the third hunt of the district trophy current season at the Gahirat-Golen community game reserve.

According to wildlife official Farooq Nabi, Robert Myles hunted the Kashmiri Markhor for a trophy permit of $125,000. The horns of the enormous, four-legged wild goat measured around 38 inches, and the hunted animal was about eight years old.