I have been hunting Europe for a little over 10 years now, but there are so many countries and so much game that I feel like it could take another 20 years to see and do everything I want to do. That’s part of what makes Europe so exciting. It truly feels endless. Europe has become incredibly popular for several reasons. First, as an international hunting destination, it is easily accessible, with numerous flights available and no 15-hour, long-haul flights required from the U.S. and North America. Second, the hunts are almost always 100% successful because game management is top-notch and populations are extremely healthy. Third, hunts are relatively short, usually three to five days. Hunts lend themselves perfectly to adding extra vacation time, bringing non-hunters, and enjoying a truly memorable overall trip.
I’ve had the privilege of running WTA-hosted trips designed specifically for couples for the past three years, and we will continue this program well into the future, due to its overwhelming popularity. These trips are structured with a primary hunt alongside a dedicated non-hunter program for observers who prefer not to spend time in the field. Some of these activities have included spa days, shopping excursions, guided sightseeing tours, visits to olive oil operations or wineries, and more. Of course, non-hunters are always welcome to join the hunters in the field if they’d like.
On a personal level, my wife absolutely loves these trips, and I wouldn’t think of traveling to Europe without her. On several occasions when I’ve finished my hunt early, I’ve joined the non-hunters on their excursions and had an absolute blast. We also typically add a couple of days at the beginning of the trip to explore a city or region we haven’t visited before, which helps us adjust to the time change before the hunt begins.
Poland
A couple of years ago, we hosted a group trip to Poland, one of Europe’s hidden gems for free-range red stag and fallow deer hunting. Within four days, everyone harvested quality stags (most hunters took two), several took exceptional fallow deer, and a few also harvested roe bucks. The hunting was simply off the charts and remarkably affordable.
Meanwhile, the ladies enjoyed daily options including spa visits, shopping, castle sightseeing tours, and trips to historic World War II sites. We stayed in an old manor house set up like a B&B, boasting large private suites, incredible food, and an exceptionally accommodating staff. It was a fantastic week! Everyone enjoyed getting to know each other and formed lasting friendships. In fact, several of us have reunited at the annual SCI show and shared dinners for years since that trip.
Spain
Spain is probably my favorite European country to hunt. Few places can match its diversity. Spain offers four ibex subspecies, red stag, mouflon sheep, fallow deer, roe deer, wild boar, and chamois. It’s a beautiful, game-rich country with wonderful people, breathtaking scenery, and truly unforgettable food.
This past fall, we hosted a small group in the Cantabrian Mountains northwest of Madrid, near León. Spain doesn’t always hold the reputation of being a top red stag destination, but what I experienced there completely changed my perspective. There were abundant Iberian stags, and although we were about 10 days late for peak rut activity, we still enjoyed strong roaring. The quality of the stags was outstanding, and the guides had an intimate knowledge of the terrain and game.
These were some of the most dramatic mountains I’ve ever hunted—sheer cliffs seemed to rise everywhere. In fact, the region is considered a Mecca for rock climbers, and we saw many while we were there. As expected, the hunt was 100% successful, and the ladies loved exploring León and nearby villages so much that we spent our final day there together. We capped the trip with a night at a famous vineyard on the way back to Madrid, complete with a Michelin-star restaurant. There were no weak points on this trip for anyone.
Croatia
After Spain, we flew to Croatia to meet another WTA group. Croatia offers an incredible variety, from European brown bear hunts in the mountains, to massive lowland red stags, to mixed-bag island hunts. Our destination was Dugi Otok for a unique hunting experience.
The island hunting was phenomenal, with seven species available: axis deer, Kri-Kri ibex, Kri-Kri ibex hybrids, feral goats, Dalmatian sheep, mouflon sheep, and wild boar. Game numbers were exceptional, and hunting while overlooking the sea is something truly special. Our group harvested a wide variety of species and enjoyed an outstanding hunt overall.
We also squeezed in some fishing while the ladies enjoyed olive oil tastings at an award-winning operation, visits to a national park, ferry trips to the historic town of Zadar for sightseeing and shopping, and time simply exploring the island. We ate every meal at a small local restaurant that reopened after the high season just for our group, serving some of the freshest and highest-quality seafood I’ve enjoyed anywhere in the world.
This trip perfectly summed up what Europe does best, every destination feels special. I’ve stayed in castles in Scotland hunting red stag and wingshooting the Highlands, pursued massive stags and wild boar near Dracula’s Castle in Romania, taken world-class ibex in snowy Spain while looking out over the Mediterranean Sea.
Czech Republic
This year we’ll hunt from a 5-star resort and spa in Hungary before heading to the Czech Republic for rutting sika deer.
The opportunities for hunters and non-hunters in Europe are endless. Whether you join one of our hosted group hunts or work with a WTA consultant to design a custom trip for yourself, your family, or friends, we offer the finest hunting destinations and the expertise to ensure everyone has an unforgettable experience and memories to treasure.
