Spanish Ibex

[Short Track]

Anyone ever do a Spanish Ibex. Seems very doable, except what do I do with my rifle when I visit Madrid, Barcelona, & other tourist stuff?
I'm leaning towards the outfitters rifle.

 

[cbeard64]

I was thinking seriously about it also so I sat with a couple of reputable outfitters at the DSC show in Dallas. I have no doubt it would be a great trip.

Costs go by size of the animal. I simply wanted to get the hunting experience so I priced one hunt for the most economical (smallest) Gredos ibex. While the trophy fee for the ibex was $8-9K, with all the extras (VAT tax @21%, tour guides, trophy prep fees, etc..) my hunt was 13K with one outfit and 15K with another. That’s the “catch”. That’s basically the cheapest hunt in Spain available and does not include airfare. The hunt was for 3 days. Two species is 6 days. There are 4 types of ibex and many more species to hunt. If you want gold medal animals and several of them the costs go way up.

We still may do it but are now thinking about simply vacationing in Spain. A 7 day vacation including airfare and 4 star hotels is about half the cost of just the hunt above.

The outfitters have good rifles to rent which saves all the hassle of air travel with a rifle. I take my rifle on all my North American hunts but I don’t think I will on Europe/Africa hunts.

Anyway, no actual experience but that’s what I learned.

 

[Short Track]

I was probably sitting next to you, as I spoke with 5 Spanish outfitters. I choose the one with a fixed price, regardless of gold, silver, representative, etc. I have no idea how or why 1 outfitter tells me they need A tags, or B tags depending on trophy size, but the next outfitter has a fixed priced. I went fixed price, and I'm not worried about some SCI score I don't understand & getting back charged afterwards.

He says he has a Leopold scope, which I will most probably rent. I just can't worry about chaining my rifle down to the rental car, or hotel bed. or doing something illegal out of ignorance. But I run the risk of blowing the shot as I won't be familiar with the rifle or scope.

 

[Short Track]

I'm actually flying to Spain to hunt an Ibex. and taking the meat to a long-lost friend who lives in Spain. We'll see how it goes.

 

[Nick Muche]

The meat is terrible so beware! At least mine was and I insisted on trying it. Have fun!

 

[MTGunner]

Did the Ibex hunt in Spain 2022. Got hooked up with a good outfitter. Had trouble getting import permission for my firearm. Depends on which consulate you submit to. Took a Muflon sheep, Gredoes Ibex and a Beceite Ibex. Outfitter insisted I take a red stag as they wanted the meat. Shipped heads, capes and skulls were all damaged due to improper handling and preparation. Make sure you ask WHO the Spanish taxidermist is prior to shipping. Make sure your
mounts do NOT go to TaxidermiaRamon. His work stinks. Mine were sent there to merely be prepared for shipping. Not mounts. All were damaged and full of bugs. My taxidermist would not allow them in his shop. We’re stored outside until I could pick up shipping box full of damages. I ended up making europeon mounts myself.
The outfitter I ended up with was Daniel Marti Higuera. Frankly, I would go to one of the big hunting shows and compare offerings at this point. If I can help more you can PM me for additional information. MTG

 

[Short Track]

What month did you go. I'm going next week, and the Gredos Mountain looks too cold for my thin blood.

 

[snider6464]

My wife and I went in January on a last minute trip. It was plenty warm. I hunted with a friend of a friend, and was able to use his rifle. Really fun experience. They are not really ibex, more just a well marketed goat. All of Spanish hunting is pretty easy and shouldn't take more than a day or two. We saw tons of game and shot a few mouflon and a nice ibex. I just went for the representative no special gold medal or anything. He helped me boil it and I put it in my carry on. We did tons of touring around the country. I would recommend bringing the wife and kids if you have them. Tons of great food, and things to see. I wouldn't bother bringing your own rifle, no real need. Shots shouldn't be top far. I'm happy to give you his contact. Most of the outfitters hunt the same properties but their prices vary a ton. I also went off season, if you want to kill a giant and pay more go during the rut. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[buzzy]

How did your hunt go short track?

 

[Short Track]

I shot a "silver medal" Ibex. 1st morning. I just looked at him 200 yards away, and knew it was a shooter. Spainards rate antlers by bronze, silver, gold. I did shoot the largest in the group, and it measured as a silver. Certainly, wasn't any larger sheep on the mountain, but I'm happy. I did eat it for lunch that day at camp, and I did take the back straps and filets. Certainly not Elk meat, but I ate everything while in Spain.

I used the outfitters rifle, and that was the best choice as I spent 3 weeks in Europe. Now I'm dealing with a customs broker, and shipping. Definitely a unique experience.

If you're looking for a gold, I think you'd still be looking. But a measuring tape doesn't matter to me.

 

[buzzy]

I shot a "silver medal" Ibex. 1st morning. I just looked at him 200 yards away, and knew it was a shooter. Spainards rate antlers by bronze, silver, gold. I did shoot the largest in the group, and it measured as a silver. Certainly, wasn't any larger sheep on the mountain, but I'm happy. I did eat it for lunch that day at camp, and I did take the back straps and filets. Certainly not Elk meat, but I ate everything while in Spain.

I used the outfitters rifle, and that was the best choice as I spent 3 weeks in Europe. Now I'm dealing with a customs broker, and shipping. Definitely a unique experience.

If you're looking for a gold, I think you'd still be looking. But a measuring tape doesn't matter to me.

Congrats. Would love to see a few pics if you are up to sharing them.

 

[Short Track]

I'm at the age where pictures don't matter to me. A dead Ibex is a dead Ibex. and I live in the world of anti's. Posting pictures doesn't do me any good... unfortunately. If you have the money, I recommend you watch the auctions and snag a hunt at auction prices. All the Spain outfitters are very good. and definitely travel all around Spain. It was a great 3 weeks.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I'm at the age where pictures don't matter to me. A dead Ibex is a dead Ibex. and I live in the world of anti's. Posting pictures doesn't do me any good... unfortunately. If you have the money, I recommend you watch the auctions and snag a hunt at auction prices. All the Spain outfitters are very good. and definitely travel all around Spain. It was a great 3 weeks.

Are you going to do a shoulder mount or lifesize?