About the Persian Ibex (Bezoar)
General Information
The Persian Ibex, also known as the bezoar ibex or Persian wild goat—is a wild mountain goat native to rugged cliffs and dry highlands from Turkey and the Caucasus to Iran. Widely regarded as the primary ancestor of the domestic goat, this agile animal is famous for its incredible climbing skills and massive, scimitar-shaped horns.
Description of the Persian Ibex
The Persian ibex is a stocky, wild mountain goat featuring striking black-and-white markings, a prominent dark spinal stripe, and massive, curved horns.
Body and Size
- Build: Stocky and robust with short, strong legs and higher hindquarters than shoulders on flat ground.
- Weight and Height: Adult males stand about 27 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 100 to 130 pounds. Females are noticeably smaller, weighing up to 60 pounds.
- Beard: Adult males have a long, jet-black chin beard; females lack a prominent beard.
Coat and Coloration
- Summer Coat: Males sport a brownish-gray or reddish-brown coat, while females tend to be a more brownish-tan or reddish-gold.
- Winter Coat: Mature males undergo a dramatic shift, turning an ashy-gray or nearly white color (earning them the nickname “white billies”).
- Distinct Markings: Both sexes feature a dark-brown to black stripe running down the spine, a dark cross-band over the shoulders, and dark markings on the face, chest, and front of the legs. Underparts and the back of the legs are white.
Horns
- Males: Grow massive, scimitar-shaped (sword-like) horns that are flattened on the sides. The front edge has sharp, widely separated knobs or ridges. These horns can grow exceptionally long, often exceeding 50 inches, making them exceptionally large relative to the animal’s body weight.
- Females: Grow much smaller, slender horns that usually reach only up to 8 to 15 inches in length
Suitable Weapons
A long-range flat shooting rifle in the 6.5 to 30 caliber will be sufficient to bring down a Persian Ibex.
Hunting Area
You can free range hunt Persian Ibex / Bezoar Ibex in Turkey.
Persian Ibex can be hunted at a few high fence hunting preserves in Texas and New Mexico.
Trophy Expectations
Horns that measure from 38 to 46 inches long are considered a trophy Persian Ibex.
Cost to Hunt
A Persian Ibex hunt starts at around $5,500 and goes up in price depending on the country you hunt, horn length, and the ranch you hunt. The price for a Persian / Bezoar Ibex hunt rarely exceeds $20,000.
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