The announcement of draw results leads to two types of reactions: euphoria for landing the hunt of a lifetime or disappointment for an unsuccessful year. What if I told you there was a third option?
Missing out on the draw often leaves you without a hunting plan for the fall. By the time you realize you didn’t draw and start looking for an alternative, the good areas are often booked. Here’s the answer: the third option. Increasingly, hunters are finding unique alternatives across the Atlantic Ocean. Hunting in Europe has become increasingly popular. And with the post-COVID world fully back on schedule, more sportsmen and women are making their way across the pond for a trip to remember.
The Case for Europe
The predominance of private areas, fantastic success rates, storied hunting culture, and some of the finest wilderness in the world make it an obvious choice for those who want a new adventure. For the same reasons hunters flock to private land in the U.S., almost 100% of our hunts are on private hunting areas. Land may be leased exclusively, or owned by our outfitter’s family for 800 years, but these hunting areas offer nearly 100% success for our clients.
Whether you come with a group or combine a hunt with sightseeing with your spouse, there is an experience with your name on it in some of the finest hunting areas in Europe.
Elk: Swapping a Bugle for a Roar
Elk is a favorite for many U.S. hunters. But with the best bulls often being a matter of pay-to-play or luck of the draw, Europe offers hunters an alternative to rival elk hunting: hunting for red stag. With hunts in rolling terrain, fields, forest, and high alpine environments, red stag hunting makes a strong case for being one of the best hunts available today. The roar of middle September to early October is one of hunting’s greatest experiences, and is a favorite for all European hunters as well as hunters from America who’ve had the opportunity to hear a red stag roar on its native range.
Red Stag in Slovakia
The rolling hills and fields of Slovakia produce some of the finest free-range trophies each year. And with great pricing, it should be on your list.
Castle Based Red Stag in France
This estate area has belonged to one family since the 13th Century. There are limited spots each year, and these hunts are a highly-prized favorite of our hunters.
Red Stag Mountain Hunt in Italy
The Western Alps are home to some of the most striking peaks in all the world, mixed throughout some of the most scenic hunting areas with great populations of red stag.
Something Different, Unique Options
As hunters we’re always looking for something new to experience. Sometimes it’s a new species, and other times it’s just a change of scenery with the same species you love to hunt. In Europe there are a few trips that stand out as being different, unique, and memory-making. These trips should be on your radar.
Self-Guided Adventure in Sweden
There is nothing comparable to this hunt in the U.S. This hunt for roe deer, wild boar, fallow deer, and sea ducks with world-class pike fishing is as cool as it sounds.
Brown Bear in Croatia
Think grizzly hunt, but 100% successful. This hunt is ideal for those who want the opportunity for a 7–8′ bear. It’s a hunt with high success, comfortable lodging, and great experiences.
Finland Whitetail Deer
The first whitetails in Finland were a gift from Finnish migrants in Minnesota. Originally just three, now Finland has an estimated 109,000 whitetail deer. Only paying for what is harvested is a hit with our hunters.
Antelope? Nope. It’s Roe Deer
For the antelope hunters who missed out on this year’s draw, there is a comparable experience waiting in Europe. Although on technical details, the pronghorn antelope of the U.S. and the roe deer of Europe have very little in common, hunters who have been lucky enough to hunt both will tell you about the similarities. The diminutive roe deer is lightning fast, cautious, and spread across large swaths of land. The relatively early season runs from April in some areas until October. Hunting is at its prime in the last week of July into the beginning of August when the deer have one thing on their mind, making it realistic to successfully bowhunt as well. With 20 separate roe deer opportunities, there is a hunt to fit you.
Roe Deer in Sweden
With some of the most beautiful rolling farmland in the world and fantastic trophy quality, southern Sweden is world famous for producing massive roe deer.
Roe Deer in France
Excellent pricing, great game density, and a comfortable stay means hunters will find a lot to enjoy during the rut in southern France.
Roe Deer in Scotland
What roe deer lack in size is made up for in price and whiskey tours. This hunt for the roe deer of Scotland is truly one to remember.
Calling All Mountain Hunters
With more and more U.S. hunters flocking to the peaks of the western states and Alaska for a chance to hunt mountain goats, many are coming up empty handed in the draw. If you think mountain goats are cool, wait until you try hunting chamois. Patiently waiting high on mountain peaks that rival any in North America is the small, rugged chamois. Much like the mountain goat, chamois reside in the harshest of alpine environments. With some subspecies giving hunters an easier task than others, this relatively inexpensive mountain hunt is extremely popular. Seven subspecies on the European mainland make up a challenging slam, and chamois are attracting more hunters every year.
Alpine Chamois in Austria
The original home of the New Zealand chamois gifted by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1907, this beautiful country in the heart of Europe is a favorite for high-mountain hunters.
Balkan Chamois on the Adriatic Coast
Our famous hunting area in Croatia reaches from the ocean straight up to alpine mountains, making for dramatic landscapes and the ideal combination for a hunt plus vacation, or hunt plus tuna charter, or hunt plus vacation plus tuna charter.
Vercors and Chartreuse Chamois in France
Two of the most sought-after chamois can be found in areas surrounding the city of Grenoble in eastern France. With these two species found on two magnificent massifs, this is a real mountain hunt in a wonderfully scenic area.
We know the draw can bring disappointment, but think outside the United States and remember that great opportunities abound in Europe. Call us at 1-800-346-8747 for more information about any of these options.
