Austria Hunting Pictures

[Muskox]

View attachment 685011

Where was this hunt, and with whom? PM is fine.

 

[Muskox]

For some reason last year I turned down the 2025 capercaillie in the hunting area I shot my black grouse in. I thought it was too much money or I don't know. Anyway now I am hunting them in Finland this winter for almost double the price.

If I am unsuccessful I think I will go to Sweden the end of January and try it again.

 

[CaribouLu96]

Here is my black grouse (birkhahn or spielhahn) from last year.

The black grouse is just as beautiful as the capercaillie!

 

[CaribouLu96]

Where was this hunt, and with whom? PM is fine.

Austria with FN hunting.

 

[Redfishga1]

Austria with FN hunting.

Im headed to hunt the last 3 days of the season with them this year. Mind if I pm you for details?

 

[wesheltonj]

Congratulations

 

[CaribouLu96]

For some reason last year I turned down the 2025 capercaillie in the hunting area I shot my black grouse in. I thought it was too much money or I don't know. Anyway now I am hunting them in Finland this winter for almost double the price.

If I am unsuccessful I think I will go to Sweden the end of January and try it again.

Im headed to hunt the last 3 days of the season with them this year. Mind if I pm you for details?

Go ahead!

 

[Muskox]

I am hunting near Solden for roe deer in July. New place, new outfitter.

Going to Slovenia about another 150 miles farther for roe near Bled, my same outfitter.

Alps are special.

I think there are some black grouse available if you act quick. They close at the end of May.

Not sure if Capercaillie close today or when.

 

[Muskox]

So for situational awareness. Austria only hunts capercaillie on odd years 2025, 2027, 2029 and so on. Black grouse can be hunted yearly. In Austria both grouse are hunted in the spring.

Belarus, Russia and Bulgaria they are hunted in the spring every year.

Scandavia they are hunted from September through February. Early with dogs, and late with skis and no dog.

The Finland and Sweden hunts are typically slightly more expensive than the going European rate in Austria or Bulgaria. But you get both birds and can add more birds for a $500ish trophy fee. $4000-6000 for a week, maybe slightly cheaper. Norway will be similar, Norway is a more expensive country so I would count on it to be more.

Austrian hunts are generally $4000-8000 for capercaillie. Plus lodging. Typically $150-250 a night.
Black grouse are typically about $2000-3000 in Austria, plus lodging. I have $4500 in my black grouse from 2024, with taxidermy, tips, hotels, and travel.

Bulgarian hunts are $400 a day and $2500 for a trophy fee or about that.

The Bulgarians won't let the trophy leave without them doing taxidermy on it.

There are tons (5-6) really good taxidermist in Austria. There are supposed to be good taxidermist in Sweden, not sure about Finland.

 

[Muskox]

 

[CaribouLu96]

So for situational awareness. Austria only hunts capercaillie on odd years 2025, 2027, 2029 and so on. Black grouse can be hunted yearly. In Austria both grouse are hunted in the spring.

Belarus, Russia and Bulgaria they are hunted in the spring every year.

Scandavia they are hunted from September through February. Early with dogs, and late with skis and no dog.

The Finland and Sweden hunts are typically slightly more expensive than the going European rate in Austria or Bulgaria. But you get both birds and can add more birds for a $500ish trophy fee. $4000-6000 for a week, maybe slightly cheaper. Norway will be similar, Norway is a more expensive country so I would count on it to be more.

Austrian hunts are generally $4000-8000 for capercaillie. Plus lodging. Typically $150-250 a night.
Black grouse are typically about $2000-3000 in Austria, plus lodging. I have $4500 in my black grouse from 2024, with taxidermy, tips, hotels, and travel. View attachment 685125

Bulgarian hunts are $400 a day and $2500 for a trophy fee or about that.

The Bulgarians won't let the trophy leave without them doing taxidermy on it.

There are tons (5-6) really good taxidermist in Austria. There are supposed to be good taxidermist in Sweden, not sure about Finland.

Thank you for the info. Checks out with what I experienced in Austria, I had my bird taxidermy done in Austria since they see more capercaillie than the taxidermist here in the states.

 

[Muskox]

The black grouse is just as beautiful as the capercaillie!

I actually think it is more beautiful, and more interesting because they are a way harder hunt physically. I drove by capercaillie in the foot hills to hike 3000 feet vertical at 2 am to kill a black grouse. And I saw 25 black grouse on the lek. Was amazing.

Capercaillie in the alps are a totally different thing. The bird walks out into an opening, because they know where all of them are and you shoot it. They even build high seat blinds that they use for years to shoot capercaillie off the lek.

Bulgarians are typically hunting them using the call and stalking. Probably in Russia as well.

HOWEVER! Capercaillie are the elite bird. The largest grouse and you are doing because they are a status symbol. Like a nice set of elephant tusk or a dugga boy.

I have capercaillie dreams for sure, I need to get it done this year.

 

[Muskox]

Thank you for the info. Checks out with what I experienced in Austria, I had my bird taxidermy done in Austria since they see more capercaillie than the taxidermist here in the states.

Thanks, hopefully I get mine in November in Finland. I am hunting them Thanksgiving week.