Guidance on hunting Europe

[WildWill]

Hello everyone!

I've been hunting in north America basically my whole life. Killed my first deer when I was 6 and haven't looked back. I have a better then average understanding of both public land and outfitted hunting across the US. I hunted in Africa this year my first out international hunting (well excluding Canada and Mexico). It was one of the most enjoyable events of my life and has opened up my mind to the possibilities of doing some international hunting. This site helped so much and still does with planning and learning about future African hunts. I've decided the next place I want to hunt is Europe and hoping some of you can help me with the learning curve.



1st: I know Europe is a big place but I am not locked into any one area. I assume hunting regulations and tag availability vary widely from country to country? I'd like to keep the processes as simple as possible any suggestions.
2nd: I'm a little more sure on what I want to hunt but in a general sense. No hogs I'm sure a boar drive is awesome but we have plenty right here at home. Ibex in Spain is definitely something that interests me but probably not on the first trip. I would like to hunt a deer ideally a red stag but a roe would do nicely and probably more on budget.
3rd: Speaking of budget I'd like to keep the hunt at 10k or less excluding tip, and airfare.
4th: Definitely a rifle hunt and ok with either a stand type hunt or stalking. I'm 34 and in good shape elk hunt every year so should be able to handle any terrain. I have plenty of cold camps and freeze dried food here at home on my hunts I'd prefer to be comfortable on my vacation/hunt. The accommodations don't have to be luxurious but a nice lodge, good ambiance, and good food is always appreciated.



Any and all help is appreciated. I've done almost none of my own research but plan on rectifying that soon hopefully with some direction from the community. I'm particularly interested in if my budget is sufficient? I feel 10k should easily cover a roe deer but maybe low for red but have no real idea.

 

[Red Leg]

I think the single best piece of advice that I could offer anyone thinking about their first big game hunt in Europe would be to call the Hunting Consortium and have this exact conversation with Bob or Rob Kern. They have been acting as worldwide consultants for a very long time and have tremendous options for you across Europe. If you are interested in turning the hunt into a vacation as well, Margarete can arrange all that as well.

About Us | Hunting Consortium Why to Choose a Hunting Consultant Knowledge - Working long hours, full-time, in the hunting and fishing industry, experienced consultants uncover and accumulate information no amateur sportsman would be exposed to. Real

Why to Choose a Hunting Consultant Knowledge - Working long hours, full-time, in the hunting and fishing industry, experienced consultants uncover and accumulate information no amateur sportsman would be exposed to. Real consultants are not just booking agents. Knowing which areas to hunt or...

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I, or any other hunters with experience in Europe, can only offer our relatively limited opinions and experiences. The Kerns have a huge catalog of options that they can tailor to whatever you eventually desire. Moreover, they would be glad to simply discuss possibilities in the very general way you have outlined in your post.

I would note, you can easily hunt a red stag in Eastern Europe in the price range you have listed.

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

Check out the posts here on the forum by @HUNTROMANIA
Much cheaper than you think

 

[WAB]

Red Leg has a lot more experience in Europe than I do. I would pay close attention to his advice.

That said, it seems that the fixed price red stag hunt offered by marius at Hunt Romania would offer exactly what you are looking for.

Other than Romania, I’ve only hunted Italy, England, Scotland and Ireland.

Here is a pic of a stag I took on the referenced hunt.

 

[Throwback]

X2 on discussing with Hunting Consortium, or Worldwide Trophy Adventures - their consultant Roger for Europe He is an American but lives in Austria. Talk to someone like that for the full spectrum of options.

I have hunted roe deer with Marius in Romania. I have hunted Ibex with Alfonso Fabres in Spain, and hunted twice with Italian Safari for roe deer and also Chamois. I would recommend all of them. For your 10K budget, Ibex probably wont fit but everything else will. I would take a hard look at Chamois in the Italian alps but that is just my two cents.

Look forward to reading your hunt report one day to see what your first (but not last) hunt in Europe is. Cheers

 

[Red Leg]

X2 on discussing with Hunting Consortium, or Worldwide Trophy Adventures - their consultant Roger for Europe He is an American but lives in Austria. Talk to someone like that for the full spectrum of options.

I have hunted roe deer with Marius in Romania. I have hunted Ibex with Alfonso Fabres in Spain, and hunted twice with Italian Safari for roe deer and also Chamois. I would recommend all of them. For your 10K budget, Ibex probably wont fit but everything else will. I would take a hard look at Chamois in the Italian alps but that is just my two cents.

Look forward to reading your hunt report one day to see what your first (but not last) hunt in Europe is. Cheers

+1 with regard to WTA and Roger Jergenson as well. Should you have a bunch of Bass Pro points you can use them with WTA.

 

[wesheltonj]

I will give you my only one experience hunting Europe. First I am hooked and making plans to go back. Second, you will find Spain and Central & Eastern Europe more affordable then Western Europe.

Animals are generally priced on CIC size - Representative, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Tell them your price and they will do their best to find one your price range but not a guarantee. A lot of the hunting is high stand hunting, if that does not appeal to you might be best to look at a Chamois hunt, it's all walking. When I went, it was morning at trip to the high stand area to see if anything comes in, then walking and calling. Afternoons were all high stand.

It is certainly easy to combine hunting and holiday, not so easy with a gun. I took mine, it was a pain hauling around a Pelican 1750 case. When I go back and IF I take a gun it will be a take down gun that can fit into a small more portable case.

If you are going to shoot a Red Deer, a Bronze is the best buy. The antlers look like a Red Deer and the price is only slightly more then a Representative. Silver and Gold will set you back your entire budget.

 

[HuntingGold]

Please remember to include shipping of the trophy home in your plans. I often overlook this detail myself.

 

[chuckwellington]

I hunted fallow deer in Croatia a few years ago on Plavnik Otok. Took a ferry to the island. Lodge was a 16th century building. Electricity via generator and water via cistern. Hunt mornings and afternoons. Midday was lunch, beers, and swimming in the Adriatic. Certainly not a physically demanding hunt but a lot of fun. Fallow are some of the coolest deer in the world in my opinion. I shot two and a feral sheep. Unless prices have changed dramatically, you might be looking at about half your budget. Better value and experience than fallow on a Texas ranch if you ask me.

 

[HuntingGold]

I did the same fallow deer hunt to the island as described above and added a moflon on the mainland along the coast. Great experience.

 

[UKHunter]

For your budget you could easily tour around Europe and visit a few different countries. You would then get to see the variations in traditions and culture. I would also consider Scotland and a visit to the highlands - hinds are very cheap and you’ll be in the same stunning landscape as you would on the stags.

 

[Russ16]

Please remember to include shipping of the trophy home in your plans. I often overlook this detail myself.

How much does shipping run from Europe? I haven’t found a good estimate.

 

[Doubleplay]

Hunting in Europe is a great value compared to hyped up prices here in North America.
I would highly suggest to contact reputable local companies in Europe.
Their prices will be even better than you'll get from companies based in US because you'll get the prices quoted to Europeans and not inflated for Americans.
Poland would be the first place to start looking for Red stag hunts.