Marco Polo
#138051
11/25/2013 11:27 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,378
Darrell H
OP
veteran
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OP
veteran
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,378 |
Posting this photo for our friend Mark Hampton. I'll let him fill us in on the details. I'm speechless Mark, congratulations!!!! Can't wait to hear more details.
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Darrell H]
#138053
11/25/2013 11:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836 |
Wow! Looking forward to hearing all about it!
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Whitworth]
#138054
11/25/2013 11:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,861
Franchise
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,861 |
Truly a Dream Hunt. The prettiest of all the wild sheep in my opinion!
The Eyes are Useless, When The Mind Is Blind
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Franchise]
#138056
11/26/2013 12:01 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730
Mark Hampton
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730 |
Thanks Darrell! I took this ram on the afternoon of the tenth day. Cold, sleeping in small tents, not much food, altitude, difficult climbs, the whole nine yards. Seeing the ram in the crosshairs was worth the misery. I used an H-S Precision 270 WSM with Federal Premium ammo; 130 gr. BT. Shot was 273 yards which is extremely close in this open, mountainous terrain. It was a great experience and the mountains are always rewarding. Thanks to Wade Derby of Cross Hair Consulting for organizing all the details.
Happy Thanksgiving to all, Mark Hampton
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Mark Hampton]
#138061
11/26/2013 1:15 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 463
Boot
addict
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addict
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 463 |
That is a beautiful animal!!
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Boot]
#138063
11/26/2013 2:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 542
Rick
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 542 |
Congratulations. Awesome animal.
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Rick]
#138064
11/26/2013 4:22 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 765
wheelguns
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 765 |
Congratulations Mark, that's a beautiful ram.
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: wheelguns]
#138068
11/26/2013 10:49 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359
SChunter
Shooting Expert
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Shooting Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359 |
Mark - amazing trophy! Congratulations!
Where did you hunt? Can you describe the hurdles you faced trying to import a handgun there?
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: SChunter]
#138069
11/26/2013 11:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
Distinguished Master
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Distinguished Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512 |
Ernie the Un-Tactical
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Ernie]
#138071
11/26/2013 12:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730
Mark Hampton
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730 |
SChunter, This hunt was taken in Kyrgyzstan; south of the Naryn River. The Russian outfitter took care of all firearm details ahead of time. No issues going in or out.
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Mark Hampton]
#138072
11/26/2013 1:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,725
500WE
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,725 |
Whoa, Mark! Congratulations on a beautiful ram, and a challenging hunt, Ken
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Mark Hampton]
#138073
11/26/2013 1:48 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 214
chas3stix
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 214 |
WOW! Congratulations on taking a fine ram.
NRA Benefactor life Member
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: chas3stix]
#138074
11/26/2013 2:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730
Mark Hampton
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730 |
Thanks for all the kind words.
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Mark Hampton]
#138075
11/26/2013 3:33 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502
reflex264
Gun Slinger
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Gun Slinger
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,502 |
I am blown away! It takes a special individual to do a hunt like that and the handgun was iceing on the cake. Huge congrats! reflex264
"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"
I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: reflex264]
#138077
11/26/2013 4:43 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,642
BBwheelgunner
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,642 |
Congratulations... I'm sure that was one heck of an experience!
"If you are going to go through all the trouble to put a hole in something, why not make it a big one?"
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: BBwheelgunner]
#138086
11/26/2013 6:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4
ursus148
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4 |
Mark, congratulations on a great trophy and an even greater achievement. Thank you for your friendship and trust. Happy Thanksgiving! Wade
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Mark Hampton]
#138092
11/26/2013 8:41 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105
Russell
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105 |
It's not the gun, but the man behind it.
Sheriff Russell Cottle, Ret. USMC; 1967-1970; Vietnam-'68-'69
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Darrell H]
#138097
11/26/2013 11:27 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 389
bigbore442001
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 389 |
Congratulations. Please post a good story with all of the good, the bad and the ugly details in it. It has been my experience that many things add to the hunt, not just pulling the trigger.
The experience of a different culture. Eating strange foods that would make Andrew Zimmern cringe. Watching the sun rise on a high and ancient land.
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: bigbore442001]
#138100
11/26/2013 11:40 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730
Mark Hampton
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730 |
bigbore442001, You are so right; there are many things that add to the hunt besides pulling the trigger. Folks who don't hunt can't seem to understand. The culture, people, magnificent animals, and the whole experience are rewarding in itself. For whatever reason, it seems the tougher, demanding challenges of these grueling mountain hunts make the adventure more rewarding and memorable.
I have a writing assignment for this hunt so I refrain from long winded posts. Thanks
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: MIHunter]
#138161
11/28/2013 5:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
Good for you, Mark ol' buddy!
And with ALL due respect, you are THE MAN esp. when it comes to the hardest earned trophies on this planet.
And doing it with the handgun.
Gregg
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Mark Hampton]
#138163
11/28/2013 11:18 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 389
bigbore442001
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 389 |
Mark: I look forward to your detailed story. It is interesting to hear how you had no problem with a specialty pistol in that nation. It would be interesting to hear more about the legalities of using specialty handguns in such places.
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: bigbore442001]
#138166
11/28/2013 1:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730
Mark Hampton
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730 |
Thank you for such kind words. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
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Re: Marco Polo
[Re: Mark Hampton]
#138288
12/01/2013 6:23 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
Mark, that is absolutely stunning! Congrats on an awesome trophy! I was in Kyrgyzstan just a couple months ago, but unfortunately I wasn't hunting Marco Polo.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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