Spiral Horn
WKR
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2019
A lot of great suggestions in this thread and can second many of the recommendations. It really depends on someone’s goals. How much someone values a particular species or hunting a specific region varies from person to person. If the Capra Slam is the ultimate goal there are many paths - just about all of them can be a lot of fun.
Europe, Eurasia and NZ have vastly different hunting styles/techniques and accommodation traditions than Asia - not to mention the elevation and physical exertion. Other considerations are reliability of travel, weapons import, use of horses or oxen, etc. Fitness, family, budget, depth of psychological commitment all play a role.
Not an exhaustive list, but a few I recommend:
Spain - a lot of wild, free-ranging game, and taylor-made for multi-species hunts. It also has deep hunting traditions and many solid outfitters. In addition to the great hunting there is also fantastic food, accommodations, and sight-seeing. Fantastic place to combine a hunt/vacation. I’ve hunted here multiple times and taken all of the Ibex and Chamois. Of the Ibex, the Gredos is my absolute favorite - most beautiful. As someone mentioned, don’t underestimate the Chamois hunting. It is higher elevation hunting and IMO generally more challenging than the Ibex. I now have outfitters there that are personal friends and many warm memories.
France - at least 3x species of Chamois here. I did the Alpine and had a blast. Very similar to Spanish Chamois Hunt. Day hunts in the mountains out of a B&B. The mountains are steep and it is physically no joke.
Eurasia - did Romania and Macedonia. Just did both of these recently. Took an absolute monster Balkan Chamois in Macedonia. It was a classic chamois hunt in every sense - on foot in the mountains, staying in a quaint lodge, and fed spectacular food. However, I really didn’t care for the hunting style in Romania. It was more of a forest hunt, requiring quick, off-hand shooting at a steep uphill angle.
Turkey - Bezoar Ibex. These are once again - day hunts in the mountains. However, much more challenging than Spanish Ibex - much glassing, followed by stalking. If planning on doing this hunt - suggest doing it soon as prices are skyrocketing.
NZ - everyone should do it at least once. Deer species are done from a lodge, but the Tahr and Chamois species are more of a true mountain hunt. Mine were done out of a wilderness cabin. Depending of who one hunts with game density and available trophy quality can vary quite a bit. This is usually a very high success hunt - folks usually work for it, but get it done.
Asia - if looking for a truly rugged, all-in, fully committed adventure - this is it. I’ve hunted Asian Sheep and when successful - you’ve earned it and oh so satisfying. Requires orders-of-magnitude greater preparation on every level. Also, be sure you can handle the altitude.
American Mountain Goat - right of initiation for a NA Hunter. Goats live in nasty, inaccessible country. Getting to them is usually the greatest challenge. Another true wilderness adventure.
One species I didn’t see mentioned was Sindh Ibex in Pakistan.
NOTE: If looking to complete the GSCO Capra Slam be careful about species pursued and where it is done. There are rules and not everything counts. Several mentioned in this thread would not count. If any doubts contact GSCO.
Europe, Eurasia and NZ have vastly different hunting styles/techniques and accommodation traditions than Asia - not to mention the elevation and physical exertion. Other considerations are reliability of travel, weapons import, use of horses or oxen, etc. Fitness, family, budget, depth of psychological commitment all play a role.
Not an exhaustive list, but a few I recommend:
Spain - a lot of wild, free-ranging game, and taylor-made for multi-species hunts. It also has deep hunting traditions and many solid outfitters. In addition to the great hunting there is also fantastic food, accommodations, and sight-seeing. Fantastic place to combine a hunt/vacation. I’ve hunted here multiple times and taken all of the Ibex and Chamois. Of the Ibex, the Gredos is my absolute favorite - most beautiful. As someone mentioned, don’t underestimate the Chamois hunting. It is higher elevation hunting and IMO generally more challenging than the Ibex. I now have outfitters there that are personal friends and many warm memories.
France - at least 3x species of Chamois here. I did the Alpine and had a blast. Very similar to Spanish Chamois Hunt. Day hunts in the mountains out of a B&B. The mountains are steep and it is physically no joke.
Eurasia - did Romania and Macedonia. Just did both of these recently. Took an absolute monster Balkan Chamois in Macedonia. It was a classic chamois hunt in every sense - on foot in the mountains, staying in a quaint lodge, and fed spectacular food. However, I really didn’t care for the hunting style in Romania. It was more of a forest hunt, requiring quick, off-hand shooting at a steep uphill angle.
Turkey - Bezoar Ibex. These are once again - day hunts in the mountains. However, much more challenging than Spanish Ibex - much glassing, followed by stalking. If planning on doing this hunt - suggest doing it soon as prices are skyrocketing.
NZ - everyone should do it at least once. Deer species are done from a lodge, but the Tahr and Chamois species are more of a true mountain hunt. Mine were done out of a wilderness cabin. Depending of who one hunts with game density and available trophy quality can vary quite a bit. This is usually a very high success hunt - folks usually work for it, but get it done.
Asia - if looking for a truly rugged, all-in, fully committed adventure - this is it. I’ve hunted Asian Sheep and when successful - you’ve earned it and oh so satisfying. Requires orders-of-magnitude greater preparation on every level. Also, be sure you can handle the altitude.
American Mountain Goat - right of initiation for a NA Hunter. Goats live in nasty, inaccessible country. Getting to them is usually the greatest challenge. Another true wilderness adventure.
One species I didn’t see mentioned was Sindh Ibex in Pakistan.
NOTE: If looking to complete the GSCO Capra Slam be careful about species pursued and where it is done. There are rules and not everything counts. Several mentioned in this thread would not count. If any doubts contact GSCO.
