Setting in JFK waiting to board to Madrid. Will hunt Beceite and Gredos Ibex along with Mouflon sheep. Ten day hunt and tour. Looking forward to lots of scenery in Aragon and Gredos mountains. MTG
I see your still going over. Hope you have a good hunt & vacation. I'm interested in how Alicia worked thing out for you. I was scheduled to hunt with Martin the 1st 2 weeks in November. I got cold feet after his death. I gave up my deposit & airfares. Bob
So far have taken a good Mouflon. Took a long shot at a Gredos Ibex ram that fell into a hell of a difficult place to retrieve. Outfitter has hired mountaineers to attempt to recover. Not a place that I would even consider hiking into. Took a very nice Gredos ewe this AM at 30 meters. No idea we were watching. Also got an offhand shot at a red deer Stag last evening. Blood trailed him until too dark to see. Outfittter will retrieve today. Alicia is doing a good job under very difficult circumstances. Off to Aragon tomorrow to hunt Beceite Ibex Wednesday. I will say this. Bring your own rifle IF possible. Have been using outfitters left hand Blaser in 8x68S. Not a fan and not left handed. Got the job done but can be a real cluster “f”. The Blaser tang safety IMHO is a hazard. BTW, do NOT recommend Travel With Guns travel agent. Did NOT help in getting permit for my personal firearm to bring to Spain. Also, the Spanish Consulate In San Francisco was of no help after reams of paperwork we submitted, plus the fee. No response, could not contact them by phone or email. Just another beaurocracy of BS! So much preparation for this trip and lots of pitfalls. Yes, I am glad we have come to Spain for this hunt. The untimely passing of Martin Rodriguez has made for some problems. But, I would do it once again for the adventure. I will post more upon arriving home.
I will say this. Bring your own rifle IF possible. Have been using outfitters left hand Blaser in 8x68S. Not a fan and not left handed. Got the job done but can be a real cluster “f”. The Blaser tang safety IMHO is a hazard. BTW, do NOT recommend Travel With Guns travel agent. Did NOT help in getting permit for my personal firearm to bring to Spain. Also, the Spanish Consulate In San Francisco was of no help after reams of paperwork we submitted, plus the fee. No response, could not contact them by phone or email.
I always borrow rifles for overseas hunts, precisely for those reasons. Some people have no issues bringing theirs in. Some people have many issues, though some country’s legal processes are easier than others. I must say though I am not too impressed with an outfitter that only has one rifle available for clients to rent, and one that is left handed at that. They don’t have any others available for you to use?
The simple answer to the safety issue is to not use it.
All critters have been recovered. I have attempted to post pics but believe due to the fact that this is an unsecured network in Madrid not currently possible. Will be home next week and will try again. MTG
We loved our hunt in Spain last year with Francisco and Joelle with Hunt Trip Spain.
Spain is a great husband/wife/couple's destination to combine site seeing with hunting. We fell in love with the country and people. Our trip started out with touring in Barcelona, hunting the Gredo's Mountains and ending with touring in Madrid.
I can't say enough about Spain, highly underrated as a European destination (maybe that's what makes it so great!)
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~ As Bob Hagel would say"You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong."Good words of wisdom...............
Hancock, the original owner passed away in Sept. Yes, it was a bit of a cluster. But, his wife arranged to complete our trip with his Spain partner. His partners name is Daniel Marti Higuera
Our trip turned out to be a grand adventure. I took very good to great animals. Daniel, Dani, understands enough English to be a very good guide. His wife Paola is very fluent in English and he had another interpreter help. Spain is a wonderful place to visit. We booked for a ten day hunt. We used the outfitters rifles which were Blasers for which I am not a fan. But, that only my opinion. We booked our travel through Travel With Guns which did not afford us to take my own rifle. Due to many mess ups. Oh well. Turned out fine. If you need more info PM me. MTG
Hunted red stag and mouflon in La Mancha (2 hours driving time from Madrid) with Spanish Mountain Hunts.
Like the OP stated the entire process of getting rifle permits for your rifle and ammo in and out of Spain is a ROYAL PITA. My servicing consulate in Miami was of no help at all. The paperwork requirements are convoluted and cumbersome. IE - One form asks what time your hunting license was issued.
Great food, wine and scenery.
I’ll hunt Spain again. Will not take my own rifle on my next hunt there.
Last edited by BlackHunter; 11/02/22.
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Your true character shows in your conduct
You cannot solve a problem at the same level of awareness that created it - Einstein
Blackhunter, our trip was a resounding success given some trials and tribulations which we overcame. The process to bring ones own firearm is a convoluted cluster “F” for sure. Beyond that we love Spain. The food is excellent. The country scenery dynamic. We stayed at a very nice little hotel/restaurant in Salobre. The inn keepers were beyond wonderful. I could spend an entire week just relaxing there. The Spanish red wines are great. The food decadent. Believe we will return again to merely enjoy the country. MTG
MTGunner, very glad to know your trip was a success. When you return to Spain please consider visiting the following places;
Toledo - the cathedral there is magnificent and the city quite picturesque.
Barcelona - the Salvador Dali Museum
Madrid - The Prado - fully as stunning as the Louvre.
Include travel to Portugal if you can and go to Porto and spend a few days enjoying the fortified wines of the area.
This hunt was my first time back in Spain since the late 1970’s. Then the true beauty of the country was lost on me. So glad I can appreciate it in an entirely different way now.
SCI Life Member DAV Life Member NRA Life Member North American Hunt Club Life Member
Your true character shows in your conduct
You cannot solve a problem at the same level of awareness that created it - Einstein