Hunting in Spain

[Countrylife]

I'm going to be hunting in Spain later this year and intend to take my gun with me. I've been sent the paperwork to get the permissions to bring it with me, but have run into a problem. The outfitter is at a show and has acknowledged that he received my question and will have to research it once he gets back. And I can't find an answer from anyone else at the moment. So, since I'm impatient and don't want to wait until the outfitter gets back, I thought I'd ask y'all.

As part of the paperwork I have to submit is a copy of my hunting license, AND a translation of the hunting license. It's the translation that I have a problem with as in, how do I get it translated, where do I send it for translation, does it have to be done by a certified translator approved by Spain?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Take a look at this webpage. There is a link on that page that opens a online fillable PDF form. It appears you do your own translation of your hunting license. There is also a link to a list of "Sworn Translators".

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/LOSANGELES/en/ServiciosConsulares/CSLA/Paginas/CSLA (English)/Gun-Permit-for-Hunting.aspx

 

[Shootist43]

Countrylife, PM Nyati, he lives in Madrid. I'm sure he can help you or at least talk you through the procedure.

 

[johnnyblues]

Seems a bit complicated.

 

[Nyati]

From what it says, the hunting license is not a problem, as you just have to fill the form.

What you have to translate by a certified translator is the proof of ownership of your gun, and they provide you with a list of those that are approved. That might be a problem as I understand there is no such official document in the US, as there is in Europe, where all guns have a State registration.

Anything to do with guns is a legal nightmare in Spain or the rest of Europe. Unless your outfitter is sure to take care of everything, I would suggest you borrow a rifle from him.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Does the CBP Form 4457 work for proof of ownership?

 

[johnnyblues]

Maybe you could PM member @Red Leg he's hunted Spain

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Maybe you could PM member @Red Leg he's hunted Spain

As I recall from his Ibex hunting reports, @Red Leg used the outfitter's rental rifle.

 

[Jfet]

As I recall from his Ibex hunting reports, @Red Leg used the outfitter's rental rifle.

I hunted Spain this past November and used the guide's rifle. I still had to complete all the paperwork listed at this web site

Take a look at this webpage. There is a link on that page that opens a online fillable PDF form. It appears you do your own translation of your hunting license. There is also a link to a list of "Sworn Translators".

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/LOSANGELES/en/ServiciosConsulares/CSLA/Paginas/CSLA (English)/Gun-Permit-for-Hunting.aspx

I will also say that I am very glad to have used my guide's rifles because none of mine were set up to be able to shoot the distances I ended up shooting.

 

[Jfet]

You are going to enjoy hunting is Spain.

 

[Luis Medina]

If you need any help with the translation I sure can give you a hand

 

[Red Leg]

If you are anywhere near a Spanish Consulate, that is the easiest way to get the paperwork finished. I use the one in Houston. One has to go on line to arrange an appointment and bring along the required paperwork which includes, as I recall, hunting license, invitation letter, passport, and fifty-dollars. As I remember, they then did the translation and everything was back in my hands by mail in a couple of weeks. As noted above, even renting a rifle requires you to have a serial number permit to carry it hunting.

As an aside, I generally prefer to rent in Europe. We always combine a hunt with ten-days or so of playing tourist, and that is much easier accomplished not dragging a rifle along. Also, the equipment is usually excellent. My outfitter in Spain has a couple of Browning's with Leica optics. The .300 Win Mag is ideal for the mountains. Like most mountain game anywhere, you need to be prepared to reach out a bit, though your guide will try to get you close as possible. Range finding binoculars are a Godsend.

 

[Philip Glass]

If you are anywhere near a Spanish Consulate, that is the easiest way to get the paperwork finished. I use the one in Houston. One has to go on line to arrange an appointment and bring along the required paperwork which includes, as I recall, hunting license, invitation letter, passport, and fifty-dollars. As I remember, they then did the translation and everything was back in my hands by mail in a couple of weeks. As noted above, even renting a rifle requires you to have a serial number permit to carry it hunting.

As an aside, I generally prefer to rent in Europe. We always combine a hunt with ten-days or so of playing tourist, and that is much easier accomplished not dragging a rifle along. Also, the equipment is usually excellent. My outfitter in Spain has a couple of Browning's with Leica optics. The .300 Win Mag is ideal for the mountains. Like most mountain game anywhere, you need to be prepared to reach out a bit, though your guide will try to get you close as possible. Range finding binoculars are a Godsend.

I am going to Spain next year. I am booked with The Hunting Consortium so all my stuff will be handled for me. As I understand it all your paper work must go to the nearest Spanish consulate in the US ahead of time to get the forms approved. They are who you would call with these questions.
Work it out and take your own gun! Don’t give up and say it’s easier to borrow a gun!
Philip

 

[Red Leg]

I am going to Spain next year. I am booked with The Hunting Consortium so all my stuff will be handled for me. As I understand it all your paper work must go to the nearest Spanish consulate in the US ahead of time to get the forms approved. They are who you would call with these questions.
Work it out and take your own gun! Don’t give up and say it’s easier to borrow a gun!
Philip

Philip is correct - In the sense that it is no harder to bring a gun than to rent one. If all you are doing is hunting, then fine. However, when we go to Europe, we play tourist for another couple of weeks before or after, and planes, trains, hotels, and things can get complicated when armed. If you are playing tourist, and I can't imagine going to Spain for the first time without seeing the Prado, Toledo, etc, perhaps your outfitter might store your rifle and you could plan some link-up before heading home. Just more trouble than it is worth to me. For instance we will travel to Austria in September. We will hunt for three days either side of the Austro-Hungarian border for three days, and then my lovely bride and I will spend ten days in Salzburg and Vienna - to include a bit of train travel. I speak German almost fluently, and I'll still pass on trying to do that with a rifle.

 

[Philip Glass]

Philip is correct - In the sense that it is no harder to bring a gun than to rent one. If all you are doing is hunting, then fine. However, when we go to Europe, we play tourist for another couple of weeks before or after, and planes, trains, hotels, and things can get complicated when armed. If you are playing tourist, and I can't imagine going to Spain for the first time without seeing the Prado, Toledo, etc, perhaps your outfitter might store your rifle and you could plan some link-up before heading home. Just more trouble than it is worth to me. For instance we will travel to Austria in September. We will hunt for three days either side of the Austro-Hungarian border for three days, and then my lovely bride and I will spend ten days in Salzburg and Vienna - to include a bit of train travel. I speak German almost fluently, and I'll still pass on trying to do that with a rifle.

Austria is awesome and they do have awesome guns to borrow!