In a historic and controversial moment for Chitral, American hunter Kyle Adam Miller has made headlines after legally hunting Pakistan’s prized Kashmir Markhor under a record-breaking $66,000 permit. The successful hunt, which took place in the Shoghore Wildlife Range, has sparked both excitement and debate as it marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s conservation-driven trophy hunting program.
Miller, equipped with a non-exportable permit—the first of its kind in Chitral Gol National Park—pursued a majestic 9.5-year-old Markhor with 45-inch spiral horns in the buffer zone near Shoghore hamlet. The rare Markhor, Pakistan’s national animal, is famed for its unique appearance, and it took Miller little effort to track down this prized specimen.
This remarkable hunt took place under the country’s Community-Based Trophy Hunting Program, which is designed to balance conservation goals with economic incentives for local communities. A substantial portion of the permit fee will be reinvested into local development and wildlife preservation efforts, ensuring that the Markhor’s legacy lives on in the region.
The non-exportable aspect of the hunt is a new initiative introduced by the government in response to local community demands. While traditional trophy hunts allowh hunters to take home their trophies, the Markhor’s horns will remain in Pakistan—a move that aligns with growing conservation success stories and ensures the species’ future.
Thanks to successful conservation initiatives, the Markhor population has been steadily growing in Chitral Gol National Park, making it an increasingly sought-after species for sustainable hunting. This groundbreaking hunt not only brings global attention to Pakistan’s wildlife efforts but also represents a bold step toward the future of ethical trophy hunting.