Overview

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), gazetted in 1987, is the only hunting reserve situated in the western part of Nepal at the Dhaulagiri Region. Since the establishment of DHR, species such as bharal or ‘blue sheep’ (Pseudois nayaur), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) have been hunted for trophies and game meat. Among the hunted species, the bharal and the tahr are the main targets of international trophy hunters.

For ease of hunting, the total area of the reserve (i.e. 1325 km) has been divided into seven blocks: Sundaha, Seng, Dogadi, Ghustung, Fagune, Barse and Surtibang. The reserve lies between 2000 and 7246 m altitude and is covered by forest at lower elevations and grassland at elevations above the tree line. The dominant trees at higher elevation were fir (Abies spectabilis), birch (Betula utilis) and rhododendron (Rhododendron campanulatum), and at lower elevations oak (Quercus semecarpifolia), blue pine (Pinus excelsa) and rhododendron (Rhododendron arboretum). Although DHR is famous for blue sheep and Himalayan tahr, the hunted species, there are many other mammal species such as goral (Nemorhaedus goral), wild boar (Sus scrofa), Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) serow (Capricornis sumatraensis) and Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), leopard (Panthera pardus), lynx (Felis lynx), wild dog (Cuon alpinus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), wolf (Canis lupus) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens).

Getting to DHR:

Getting to Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is an adventure in itself. You can drive from Kathmandu to Tansen and trek three day via Burtibang to reach the reserve. You may also begin the adventure from Pokhara by driving to Baglung then trekking four days via Beni, Darbang, Lumsung and Jaljala to the reserve. Alternately and the recommended route would be to take the chartered heli-flight to the reserve and then hike about 2 hours to reach the camp.

Best Season:

Despite its popularity, the reserve does not remain open for hunting throughout the year. Each year, the reserve opens for two seasons during September – November and February – April.

Special packages for hunting in Nepal:

• Himalayan Blue Sheep
• Himalayan Tahr
• Himalayan Combo Hunt