Justin Ragazzine (March 24)

The first day of the hunt unfolded in absolute foggy conditions, with visibility reduced to mere yards, making every step a test of patience and skill. The dense mist clung to the rugged mountains, shrouding the terrain in an eerie silence broken only by the distant echo of hooves on loose rock. It was the kind of challenge that separates the determined from the defeated.

As the morning stretched on, a brief break in the fog revealed the unmistakable silhouette of a majestic 9-year-old Red Sheep standing proud at 300 yards. Justin, steady and composed, seized the fleeting opportunity. With precision honed through years of experience, he steadied his rifle, controlling his breath as he locked onto his target. The shot rang out, cutting through the silence, and the sheep collapsed in a perfect testament to marksmanship and patience.

In that moment, the mist swallowed the echoes of the rifle shot, leaving only the triumphant realization that against the odds, Justin had sealed the deal on a true mountain monarch. The first day of the hunt had delivered a test of resilience and a trophy earned through grit, skill, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

    After an entire day lost to the relentless grip of dense fog, with visibility reduced to nearly nothing and the mountains eerily silent, the frustration of being unable to hunt weighed heavily on Justin. But patience is a hunter’s greatest ally, and when the second day dawned, the mountains called once more. The fog still clung to the rugged terrain like a ghostly veil, but this time, it wasn’t enough to keep him from the pursuit.

Pushing higher into the steep, unforgiving slopes, every step was a battle against the thick mist that curled around the ridgelines. Then, through a break in the fog, movement caught his eye—a lone figure standing defiantly amidst the rocks. A Transcaspian urial, a true symbol of the wild, its curled horns silhouetted against the swirling mist, surveying its domain.

Justin wasted no time. Years of preparation had led to this moment. With careful precision, he steadied his rifle, his pulse slowing as instinct and skill took over. The silence was shattered by the crack of the shot, followed by the unmistakable sound of success.

The mountains had tested his patience, but in the end, they rewarded him with an unforgettable hunt—a testament to resilience, skill, and the unbreakable bond between hunter and wilderness.

Iranian wild boars are infamous for their size, resilience, and unique characteristics—earning their reputation as some of the toughest game in the region. Justin had already taken his fair share of formidable animals, but this one would test his skill and precision like no other.

This massive boar, weighing over 500 pounds, was built for survival. Its thick hide and powerful frame made it a true Persian giant, and when it finally appeared from the dense undergrowth, Justin knew he had a serious challenge ahead. He steadied his rifle, lined up the shot, and fired—but the beast didn't go down. The first bullet hit hard, yet the boar powered forward, determined to escape.

With calculated speed, Justin took his second shot—the only animal in his entire Iran Slam that required two bullets to bring down. Even in its final moments, this monster of the wild fought till the very end, a true testament to the raw, untamed spirit of Iran’s wilderness.

As Justin stood over the fallen boar, he knew this was more than just another successful hunt—it was an encounter with one of Iran’s legendary giants, an animal that embodied the very essence of strength and survival.

With unexpected flight cancellations altering his plans, Justin saw an opportunity—a chance to turn frustration into another unforgettable experience in Iran’s rugged mountains. Instead of waiting around, he set his sights on another legendary species, adding yet another stunning Ibex to his growing portfolio of world-class trophies.

The hunt was nothing short of spectacular. Over the course of the day, Justin and his guides scoured the steep, unforgiving terrain, glassing more than 40 Ibex—each a testament to the thriving wildlife of these mountains. But patience and keen judgment paid off when, amidst the rocky slopes and golden light of the fading day, they spotted the one.

A true mountain monarch stood atop a ridgeline, its curved horns cutting a perfect silhouette against the sky. The wind was tricky, the distance unforgiving, but Justin’s precision was on point. He steadied his rifle, took the shot, and watched as the Ibex dropped, the sound echoing through the canyons below.

With this magnificent animal down, Justin sealed the deal on yet another incredible hunt—turning an inconvenience into an opportunity and proving once again that adaptability and perseverance are what make a true hunter.

The rugged and muddy mountains of the Alborz are no place for the unprepared. This is the domain of the Transcaspian Urial, a species known for its elusiveness and unmatched ability to navigate treacherous cliffs. For Bryan Harlan, this hunt was a true test of endurance, patience, and grit.

Each day, he pushed through an average of 8 miles, traversing steep ridgelines, cutting through thick mist, and battling the unpredictable terrain. The Alborz was relentless, with loose rock, chilling winds, and deep mud challenging every step. But Bryan stayed the course, determined to track down a worthy ram.

By day three, the reward for his relentless pursuit revealed itself—a stunning 9-year-old Transcaspian Urial, standing high on a rocky outcrop, its majestic curled horns cutting a silhouette against the dramatic skyline. The opportunity was fleeting, the shot had to be perfect.

With precision born from experience, Bryan steadied his rifle, controlled his breathing, and took the shot. The echo rang through the mountains as the urial dropped—a perfect conclusion to an intense, physically demanding hunt.

This wasn’t just another trophy; it was a hard-earned testament to perseverance, respect for the hunt, and the wild beauty of Iran’s legendary Alborz range.

This hunt wasn’t just about endurance—it was about determination in the face of adversity. After battling serious health issues and spending two days hospitalized, most hunters would have called it quits. But Bryan Harlan isn’t most hunters. Pain took a backseat to passion, and as soon as he was back on his feet, he was back in the mountains, pushing forward in search of an Esfahan Mouflon worthy of the pursuit.

The rolling, exposed hills of Esfahan are a hunter’s battlefield, offering no cover, no easy routes, and no shortcuts. Every step was a struggle, but Bryan refused to slow down. Hiking relentlessly, glassing through the heat and wind, he pressed on, knowing that perseverance would bring its reward.

And then, there it was. A true giant of the species, a ram with breathtaking horns and the regal posture of a mountain monarch. A once-in-a-lifetime animal—one that could potentially rank in the Top 35 of the SCI Record Book.

With precision and focus, Bryan took the shot that defined the hunt. The mouflon dropped, and in that moment, every ounce of struggle, pain, and perseverance was worth it.

This was more than just a trophy—it was a testament to the unyielding spirit of a hunter who refused to be stopped.

Some hunts are about endurance, others about patience—but this one was about finding a true legend of the mountains. Deep in the rugged, unforgiving terrain of Kerman, where the rocky slopes stretch endlessly into the horizon, a Goliath of a mouflon roamed.

For days, the search pressed on, with countless hours spent glassing the vast landscape, sorting through rams that didn’t quite measure up. Then, through the scope, there he was—a perfect 12-year-old Kerman Mouflon, standing proudly against the jagged cliffs, his massive, battle-worn horns curling in a display of age and dominance. A true survivor, a king of his domain.

The approach was anything but easy. Steep inclines, shifting winds, and sharp terrain turned every step into a calculated move. But with patience and precision, the distance closed. The shot had to be perfect—this was the kind of ram that hunters dream of but rarely get the chance to take.

One clean, decisive shot rang out across the mountains. The old warrior collapsed, his time as ruler of the cliffs finally coming to an end.

As the team reached the fallen Goliath, the magnitude of the moment sank in. A perfect 12-year-old ram, a lifetime trophy, and a hunt that will be remembered forever.

With time ticking down and a flight to catch, there was one last mission left to complete—tagging out on a beautiful Persian gazelle. The pressure was on, but the pursuit of perfection doesn’t allow for shortcuts. Every hunt deserves the respect of patience and precision.

The team moved swiftly, covering ground in the vast open plains where these elegant animals roam. With keen eyesight and unmatched speed, Persian gazelles are no easy target—a single wrong move, and they vanish into the horizon. But with sharp glassing and a well-planned approach, the right opportunity finally presented itself.

A stunning gazelle stood broadside, its sleek frame blending seamlessly with the golden grasslands. One well-placed shot—and the hunt was over. The last tag was filled, and just in time.

A perfect ending to an incredible adventure—wrapping up with one final trophy before heading straight to the airport. Some hunts come down to the wire, and this one was executed flawlessly.