The Hunting In Europe Thread

[Northern Safari]

I did a bit of digging and didn't come across many European hunting threads, especially in recent years. In terms of international hunting destinations I feel like many of us overlook Europe in favour of Africa and Asia.

I'm hoping we can use this thread to provide a comprehensive overview of the various game and hunts available across Europe.

Until recently I had no idea that Spain was such a hunting destination, I'm hoping to discover other examples that provide this same level of hunting diversity.

So to get us started, which areas stand out the most in terms of hunting in Europe? Is it the specific game, the terrain, the culture that makes it so appealing?

What countries have you hunted? Any that you wouldn't recommend? Any issues with obtaining hunting permits or exporting trophies back home?

Which are the most affordable countries to hunt, which are the least affordable?

I'm particularly interested in the game species that aren't native to North America i.e. Mouflon, Ibex, Chamois, Red Stag Eurasian Boar etc.

 

[Northern Safari]

I'll start with listing the common big game species in Europe and where they are found, not all are huntable in every country listed.

Bovine

• European Bison (Poland, Slovakia, Sweden)

Bears

• Eurasian Brown Bear (Slovakia, Croatia, Romania, Sweden, Norway, Finland)

Sheep/OVIS

• Central European Mouflon (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden)
• Iberian Mouflon (France)
• Corsican Mouflon (France)
• Barbary Sheep (France, Macedonia)
• Dalmatian Wild Sheep (Croatia)

Chamois

• Pyrenean Chamois (France)
• Chartreuse Chamois (France)
• Canatabrian Chamois (Spain)
• Alpine Chamois (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Slovenia)
• Balkan Chamois (Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia)
• Carpathian Chamois (Romania)

Ibex

• Alpine Ibex (Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland)
• Gredos Ibex (Spain)
• Beceite Ibex (Spain)
• Ronda Ibex (Spain)
• South Eastern Ibex (Spain)
• Kri-Kri Ibex (Macedonia)
• Hybrid Ibex (Croatia)

Pigs

• Eurasian Boar (Across Europe)

Deer

• Roe Deer (Across Europe)
• Fallow Deer (Across Europe)
• Red Deer (Across Europe)
• Moose (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Belarus, Ukraine)

 

[Suera]

I'll start with listing the common big game species in Europe and where they are found, not all are huntable in every country listed.

Bovine

• European Bison (Poland, Slovakia, Sweden)

Bears

• Eurasian Brown Bear (Slovakia, Croatia, Romania, Sweden, Norway, Finland)

Sheep/OVIS

• Central European Mouflon (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden)
• Iberian Mouflon (France)
• Corsican Mouflon (France)
• Barbary Sheep (France, Macedonia)
• Dalmatian Wild Sheep (Croatia)

Chamois

• Pyrenean Chamois (France)
• Chartreuse Chamois (France)
• Canatabrian Chamois (Spain)
• Alpine Chamois (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Slovenia)
• Balkan Chamois (Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia)
• Carpathian Chamois (Romania)

Ibex

• Alpine Ibex (Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland)
• Gredos Ibex (Spain)
• Beceite Ibex (Spain)
• Ronda Ibex (Spain)
• South Eastern Ibex (Spain)
• Kri-Kri Ibex (Macedonia)
• Hybrid Ibex (Croatia)

Pigs

• Eurasian Boar (Across Europe)

Deer

• Roe Deer (Across Europe)
• Fallow Deer (Across Europe)
• Red Deer (Across Europe)
• Moose (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Belarus, Ukraine)

You have mouflon in free range or fence in Spain and also Barbary sheep free range. Barbary sheep in France or Macedonia are only in fence areas, moose and bison also in Belarus although is not Europe but the hunt there is amazing. Pyrinean chamois is also in Spain.
You can add Balearian boc ( like a feral goat) that is also in Spain.

 

[Northern Safari]

You have mouflon in free range or fence in Spain and also Barbary sheep free range. Barbary sheep in France or Macedonia are only in fence areas, moose and bison also in Belarus although is not Europe but the hunt there is amazing. Pyrinean chamois is also in Spain.
You can add Balearian boc ( like a feral goat) that is also in Spain.

Thanks for those additions.

As this forum's expert on hunting in Spain, what other countries are comparable in terms of game variety and overall adventure?

 

[Mojave]

Few more:

Predators:
Grey Wolf
fox
racoon
racoon dog
pine martin
stone Martin
golden jackal these are spreading they are now on license in Austria. Saw them in Hungary.

More deer free range
Japanese Sika UK, Czech, Germany
Dybowski Sika UK and Czech
muntjac UK
Chinese water deer UK
Whitetail deer Finland

Alpine Chamois are on license in Germany

Game ranch animals
Tahr Bulgaria and Croatia
Alpine ibex Bulgaria and Croatia
Here David Deer UK
Sambar UK
Axis Deer UK

I have lived and hunted in Italy, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Austria, and will hunt Slovenia and Czech before the year is through.

There is no country that rivals Spain for the number of species. 4 ibex, 2 chamois, 2 sheep, 3 deer, wild boar, wolf and lynx.

The UK has 6 free ranging deer, but that is the end of it.

Eastern Europe is a good adventure, especially for anyone that grew up in the 1970's and 1980's when they were part of Russia.

Most European countries have the same things.

Red, fallow, roe, wild boar, mouflon.

Some add in chamois, very few have ibex.

A few have bears and or moose.

 

[Suera]

Thanks for those additions.

As this forum's expert on hunting in Spain, what other countries are comparable in terms of game variety and overall adventure?

In Europe without doubt Spain has the most diversity in hunting, after this will be France. Each country has his beauty, alpine ibex are wonderful and maybe are the top ibex in Europe but expensive, the different chamois I love all of them difficult choose one but if I have to choose it will be Pyrinean chamois, Alpine chamois maybe in Slovenia and Carpathian chamois in Romania for his difficulty . I never tired to say but if you like the ibex and want make the slams go for them but if you really want a good and nice adventure choose one of the chamois and you never will be disappointed.This talking about mountain hunting, talking about forest hunting then I will choose Belarus although is out of Europe and now is not the best moment for go, Czech republic or Romania will be my next options due to good price and amazing forests, although I like also Poland
Austria is also very interesting for their traditions and culture , expensive country but very nice and I love the way they respect the hunting.

 

[Northern Safari]

In Europe without doubt Spain has the most diversity in hunting, after this will be France. Each country has his beauty, alpine ibex are wonderful and maybe are the top ibex in Europe but expensive, the different chamois I love all of them difficult choose one but if I have to choose it will be Pyrinean chamois, Alpine chamois maybe in Slovenia and Carpathian chamois in Romania for his difficulty . I never tired to say but if you like the ibex and want make the slams go for them but if you really want a good and nice adventure choose one of the chamois and you never will be disappointed.This talking about mountain hunting, talking about forest hunting then I will choose Belarus although is out of Europe and now is not the best moment for go, Czech republic or Romania will be my next options due to good price and amazing forests, although I like also Poland
Austria is also very interesting for their traditions and culture , expensive country but very nice and I love the way they respect the hunting.

What is the appeal of France? The multiple chamois?

I’m picturing 3 separate trips to Europe. Western, Central and Eastern hunts.

What would you say would be the top 3?

I was thinking Spain - Austria - Romania.

 

[Suera]

What is the appeal of France? The multiple chamois?

I’m picturing 3 separate trips to Europe. Western, Central and Eastern hunts.

What would you say would be the top 3?

I was thinking Spain - Austria - Romania.

Yes France for the different chamois + mouflon+ deers.
I will choose Spain and Romania without doubt, for the central part ( Austria or Slovenia ) talking about mountain hunt, I love both countries.
But if you like forest hunting I will change the options.

 

[Northern Safari]

I’m open to forest hunting but that’s mostly what I have here at home so some elevation would be a nice change.

I’ve seen many of the hunts in Germany, Hungary, Czech, Poland etc seem to be more of a forest and agricultural field type hunt.

 

[Mojave]

The problem is our availability and seasons don't normally work that way.

Roe deer are hunted in April or May then not until July and August. Occasionally someone will kill one in September or October. But some places they are not open.

Chamois are usually hunted in August or November during the rut when they have better fur.

Stags are hunted in September, but cull stags can usually be hunted later.

Fallow and mouflon are hunted in October and November during the rut.

Driven hunts are in late October through mid January.

 

[Mojave]

I’m open to forest hunting but that’s mostly what I have here at home so some elevation would be a nice change.

I’ve seen many of the hunts in Germany, Hungary, Czech, Poland etc seem to be more of a forest and agricultural field type hunt.

Yes!

The Alps, Dolomites, Pyrenees, Spanish SE mountains, Carpathians it depends on where you are.

Most of Norway and Scotland is mountains.

Most of the rest of Europe is not.

 

[JustABritCrazy]

I’ve been been intrigued by doing a driven hunt. Did some basic research. Seems like Poland is a good option. Am I right or wrong. Really just want to experience the whole thing. Could care less about a trophy head to bring home. Ideal would be a cull hunt if they have those. I’m figuring 5 or 6 grand counting the air fare. In the ball park or out?

 

[Mojave]

I think that would be a very expensive drive hunt.

Google K and K Premium Jagd, hit the German button not the English one and then look at their Druckjagd hunts. They don't have much uploaded to the English side.

Druckjagd is driven hunting.

They have some really big hunts in Slovakia.

I have drive hunts booked with them for this year and 2025.

 

[Suera]

The problem is our availability and seasons don't normally work that way.

Roe deer are hunted in April or May then not until July and August. Occasionally someone will kill one in September or October. But some places they are not open.

Chamois are usually hunted in August or November during the rut when they have better fur.

Stags are hunted in September, but cull stags can usually be hunted later.

Fallow and mouflon are hunted in October and November during the rut.

Driven hunts are in late October through mid January.

You are correct, but per example the magic months for mountain hunt are November and December, that you can hunt all the mountain animals without problems. October and January are also good ( January only in Spain) . Later a good month is April in the spring you can hunt chamois, ibex, mouflon and roe deer and are very good season for all of them . What is almost impossible to combine is red deer with ibex
Basically is like this: chamois you can hunt all year, mouflon from September until April, ibex ( final October until may, roe deer April -may-june- July - September, red deer or fallow deer mid September until mid October.
Driven hunts final September until final February and you can hunt all the game in them except Chamois.

 

[Suera]

I’ve been been intrigued by doing a driven hunt. Did some basic research. Seems like Poland is a good option. Am I right or wrong. Really just want to experience the whole thing. Could care less about a trophy head to bring home. Ideal would be a cull hunt if they have those. I’m figuring 5 or 6 grand counting the air fare. In the ball park or out?

Poland and the east countries used to be the best countries, unfortunately African swine fever affected them a lot and kill almost 80 or 90% of their pigs., Poland some areas still good ..Now is better look into countries without the fever: Germany ,Hungary, Slovakia( were affected by the fever but less) , France, Spain.. make your research and avoid the most affected

 

[Northern Safari]

What I'm seeing here is that the big game seasons in europe are on for far longer than what I'm used to in Canada.

Our typical big game seasons for deer, moose etc are only 2-4 week periods.

 

[Mojave]

What I'm seeing here is that the big game seasons in europe are on for far longer than what I'm used to in Canada.

Our typical big game seasons for deer, moose etc are only 2-4 week periods.

Tags and seasons are very different than the Americas.

Roe deer season in Germany is from April 15 th or May 1st to October first for bucks.

Red deer stags, chamois bucks and mouflons start in August.

Fallow start later.

Female species are generally only hunted between September and January.

I have no limits to the number of roe deer or wild boar I can shoot in my hunting area.

For most hunting areas there is a shooting plan, this may be developed by the game management agency or forest agency or agriculture agency.

 

[seww]

It can be hard to hunt in Scandinavia due to how the tags works. But I can only speak for Sweden, have little or no knowledge of Norway and Finland.

One has to either own property to get moose tags or lease land from property owners. Which can get costly, but I know they do offer guided hunts and bear hunts are growing in Sweden as the brown bear population has exploded in the past 10 years.

The main hunt is moose in Sweden, we shoot anywhere between 80-100k of moose EACH year in Sweden alone. That's split between about 300k hunters. Where I come from, the Northern part, the moose population is declining and not what it used to be just 5 years ago.
Still I have friends and family and they have shot around 5 moose between 3-4 people since 9/1. The season in the North is usually from 9/1-November some time, but it is also dependent on the snowfall and weather. Not fun to sit in a stand in -20* weather... Some areas even further North, only have a 30-day season for moose.

Small game is easier, roe deer, ptarmigan, grouse, fox, wild boars but I'm not sure many people will travel to fill a freezer of ptarmigan

The North of Scandinavia is also called the Alaska of Europe, due to large old forests but cannot be compared to Alaska itself obviously.

 

[Northern Safari]

Where would the best venue be to meet and chat with several European outfitters?

SCI? DSC? Any other similar upcomming conventions with a European focus?

 

[JustABritCrazy]

How hard is it to get on a cull type hunt. Not our version of a “cull” but rather “We need 50 more pigs shot”. Or should I just book a 3 or 4:day hunt and live with the consequences. Also better to just rent a rifle or go thru the red tape to bring in my own. I would be looking at a 7mm-08 or 30-06.