ALPINE IBEX HUNTING IN AUSTRIA Scientific name: Capra Ibex In the 17th century the Alpine Ibex was almost eradicated. For the people the ibex was a mystical animal and they believed that its bones, blood and even the excrements have a healing effect. Thank God, King Victor Emmanuell II of Sardinia, that he took the Alpine Ibex under protection and assured thus the stock of them . Today we have a very good population in Austria of Alpine Ibex along the main alps, but the number of licenses each year is still very limited. The Alpine Ibex is active during the day and primarily hunted by stalking and by observing from seats, in the morning and in the afternoon. Depending on the time of the year the hunt takes place all day long.