Galkot (Baglung): The first hunting season of the year at Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve saw hunters successfully taking down 10 Himalayan blue sheep (Naurs) and 5 Himalayan Tahr (Jharals).

Twelve foreign hunters were granted permits to hunt a total of 12 Naurs, 8 Jharals, and 11 wild boars in Nepal's only designated hunting reserve. However, one American hunter was unable to participate, and another failed to hunt a Naur. Hunters with permits for wild boars also missed their targets, with 7 boars remaining unharvested.

According to the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Office in Baglung, hunters from the USA, Spain, the Netherlands, and Mexico participated in this year's season. Despite permits being available for Nepali hunters to hunt wild boars, no applications were submitted from local hunters.

The reserve, which spans 1,325 square kilometers across Rukum, Myagdi, and Baglung districts, is home to an estimated 1,290 Naurs and 744 Jharals, as per the 2021 census.

Chandra Shekhar Chaudhary, Chief Conservation Officer at the Reserve, stated that each hunting expedition involves the hunter, a guide, a representative from the Reserve Office, and a Nepali Army member, spending up to 15 days in the field. The reserve is divided into seven blocks for hunting purposes.

Hunting in the reserve is a costly endeavor, with foreign hunters spending between Rs. 2 million and Rs. 3 million per trip. These expenses include bidding for the animals, obtaining licenses, reserving blocks, arranging helicopter transportation, and hiring guides and equipment.

The first hunting season has now concluded, with the next season set to run from March to May next year.