UPPER ASIA 
about 7,000 feet. During the whole shooting expedition camp is not likely 
to be pitched below 5,000 feet, the hunter generally finding his quarry 
at between 7,000 and 9,000 feet. 
With a compact caravan and a hardy Mongol hunter, in the early sum- 
mer, the prospects are pleasant enough. All energy can be concentrated 
on finding and successfully stalking the magnificent beast which claims 
these highland pastures as its own. 
The Ovis amnion has the advantage of living in a particularly difficult 
stalking country. The low, even skylines — unbroken by rocks or 
vegetation — the smooth, grassy downs covered with short grass, on 
which it is easy to see even marmots at an immense range, the clear 
atmosphere and the shifty winds — all these are thrown into the balance 
against the chances of the hunter who is pitting his wits against a beast 
which itself is excessively wary and peculiarly able to look after itself. 
The hunter may prepare himself for the highest form of hill stalking 
when he attempts to hunt the ammon. He may go for days without being 
given an opportunity of a stalk; he may stalk for days and be unsuccessful, 
and he may for days wait on a herd which contains his chosen head, with- 
out being given a chance of approach. The ammon can take up positions 
which are impregnable, and the hunter has to wait. 
My own experiences on two occasions show the uncertainty of sheep 
hunting. After two days of failure to sight anything worth shooting, 
although there were many herds about, on the third day I spied a herd of 
fifteen rams at seven o’clock in the morning at a range of about two miles. 
Very early hours are essential in sheep hunting, especially with such 
quarry as the ammon, which are liable to take up impregnable positions 
after their early morning feed. The first two or three hours of daylight 
are worth the rest of the day. A telescope is also an essential item of the 
hunter’s outfit. In the Altai one is treated to views over immense stretches 
of country; to sight your quarry at two miles’ range is phenomenal in any 
region, but here it is one’s chief advantage, granted that the telescope is 
there to aid one to make certain the value of the beasts in the herd. Although 
I sighted my herd at seven a.m., by the time I got up to within 400 yards 
of them I found them lying down in the middle of a grassy tableland. 
The nature of the ground did not allow a closer approach. This was at 
nine o’clock, which shows the necessity of being on one’s ground, and, if 
possible, of getting in a stalk, very early in the day. It also proves the ease 
with which the ammon feed; they had fed for the day by nine o’clock, 
BB 185 
