top of page

A) Game Species

The geography and climate of Spain are extremely diverse, and the country is home to a wide variety of wildlife and species. Our Spanish animals, most of them spectacular mountain species like the Spanish Ibex and its four varieties: Beceite Ibex, Gredos Ibex, Southeastern Ibex and Ronda Ibex, have become some of the highlights of any assertive
hunter or huntress.

Spain offers a great deal of Spanish hunting trophies for hunters that want to complete the Capra Slam or the OVIS Slam. 4 types of Spanish Ibex, 2 types of Chamois: Cantabrian and Pyrenean and the Balearean Goat for the Capra Slam and the Mouflon Sheep and Barbary Sheep or Aoudad for the OVIS Slam.

 

Have a look at our available hunting species in Spain: Spanish Ibex, Spanish Chamois, Wild sheep, Deer: Red deer, Fallow deer and Roe deer, Spanish wolf, wild boar and bird hunting: Red legged partridge. Enhance your trophy collection with one of these majestic Spanish hunting species and amplify your hunting experience with a hunting trip in Spain.

SPANISH IBEX

ronda.JPG

DEER

Fallow deer.jpg

CHAMOIS

1pyrenean chamois.jpg

WILD SHEEP

Caza Hispanica-Mouflon 2.jpg

BALEARIAN GOAT

Balearean Goat (2).jpg

WILD BOARD

wild boars.JPG

SPANISH WOLF

Wolf.JPG

RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE

Partridge-5.jpg

1) SPANISH IBEX

Also known as Capra pyrenaica hispanica, the Ibex is our emblematic species in Spain. This majestic animal that lives in the high tops of the mountains, moves around gracefully, jumps on and over rocks with agility and conquers with vitality. No wonder in Spain it is called El Macho montés, the male of the mountain as the mountain is its home and empire. In Spain there are 4 main subspecies of ibex: Beceite, Southeastern, Gredos and Ronda. Hunting the four of them is called The Spanish Ibex Grand Slam.

Hunting season:
The hunting season for the Spanish Ibex is open from late October for some of them until the beginning of May, except the Ronda Ibex that can be hunted only until the beginning of April.


More on CIC and SCI measuring systems:
Have you ever been curious about the 2 different scoring systems for the Spanish Ibex CIC and SCI? Click here for a not- so-short summary of how they are different and how the Spanish Ibex is assessed.

BECEITE

This is the largest and darkest type with the largest horns. Typically, the horns are straighter than in Gredos ibex and have a spiral turn of less than 180 degrees. Horn thickness remains constant for half the length, then decreases toward the tip, which is not as thin as in the Gredos race. While this is the typical Beceite horn conformation, other horn shapes may be found in this region and even in the same herd.


Distribution: Mountains of Beceite and Tortosa in northeastern Spain.
Medals:
Gold: 80 1/8" SCI points
Silver: 75 4/8" SCI points
Bronze: 69" SCI points

SOUTHEASTERN

Smaller and lighter in color than the Beceite and Gredos types, but larger and darker than the Ronda type. Horn size and shape vary considerably from place to place, with those from the Sierra Nevada generally the largest. Horns from Tejeda-Almijara tend to be the most distinctive, forming a circle with the tips growing toward the neck like those of a mouflon. The keel is smooth, making the horns almost round in cross-section.


Distribution: The mountains and reserves of Tejeda, Almijara, Sierra Nevada,Lujar, Cazorla, and Muela de Cortes in southeastern Spain.
Medals:
Gold: 74 4/8" SCI points

Silver: 69" SCI points

Bronze: 63" SCI points

GREDOS

This is the largest and darkest type with the largest horns. Typically, the horns are straighter than in Gredos ibex and have a spiral turn of less than 180 degrees. Horn thickness remains constant for half the length, then decreases toward the tip, which is not as thin as in the Gredos race. While this is the typical Beceite horn conformation, other horn shapes may be found in this region and even in the same herd.


Distribution: Mountains of Beceite and Tortosa in northeastern Spain.
Medals:
Gold: 80 1/8" SCI points
Silver: 75 4/8" SCI points
Bronze: 69" SCI points

RONDA

The smallest type of Spanish ibex with the smallest horns. Overall color is a light brown. The horns resemble those of an Alpine ibex, typically growing upward in a V-shape, then backward with a spiral turn of only 90 degrees.
Horn thickness is constant for half the length, then decreases gradually to the broomed tips. While this is the typical Ronda horn conformation, other horn shapes may be found in this region and even in the same herd.


Distribution: Ronda Mountains in extreme southern Spain.
Medals:
Gold: 66 3/8" SCI points

Silver: 61 7/8" SCI points

Bronze: 56" SCI points

2) DEER

In Spain there are 3 different types of Deer. The Red Deer and the Fallow deer can be haunted from September until early February and the Roe Deer can be haunted from April until early October.

Hunting season:
The Red deer and the Fallow deer can be hunted since september until early February. The Roe deer can be hunted since April until early October.

RED STAG

In Spain we can find two kinds of Red Deer: European Red Deer and Iberian Red Deer. The European Red, Cervus elaphus hippelaphus, is the largest of all red
deer, with the finest specimens as regards weight and quality. Stags normally weigh 600-660 pounds (272-300 kg).


Distribution: Central area of SpainThe Iberian Red Deer, Cervus elaphus hispanicus, is a smaller race, withstags weighing 180-220 pounds (82-100 kg). Compared to the Europeanred deer, the coat is not as thick and is somewhat lighter in color.
Medals:
European Red Deer: Gold: 333 7/8" SCI points Silver: 291 5/8" SCI points Bronze: 220" SCI points

 

Iberian Red Deer: Gold: 253 /8" SCI points Silver: 230 6/8" SCI points Bronze: 190" SCI points

ROE DEER

European Roe Deer, Capreolus capreolus, The smallest and most elegant native deer in Europe. Coloration is rich reddish-brown in summer, with a gray face, white chin and black muzzle band. Rump patch is obscure.
Winter coat is grayish-brown, with two white throat patches and a prominent white rump patch of erectile hairs that can expand under stress to form a large white disk. Tail is small and white, invisible against the rump.
Usually solitary, but tends to form small groups in winter. During the rut in July and August, a buck will be with a single doe (unlike other deer species, which escort several) and will fight intruding males fiercely. The roe deer is the only deer species with delayed implantation, the fetal development not starting until December or January. Fawns (usually two, range is 1-3) are born in the spring. Normal lifespan in the wild is 10-12 years, with a
maximum of about 17 years. Roe deer are delicate in captivity, surviving only an average of 3-1/2 years. Active mainly at night, spending the day in cover. Senses are well developed. Excellent swimmer. Shy but curious.
Doglike bark when alarmed. The female makes a whistling noise during mating season and to call her fawns.


Distribution: Central North Region of Spain
Medals:
Gold: 51" SCI points

Silver: 45 4/8" SCI points

Bronze: 36" SCI points

FALLOW DEER

The Fallow Deer, Dama dama, is medium-sized, with more color variations than any other deer. The four principal ones are:
- Typical-summer coat of rich brown with white spots and lighter underparts, changing to dark gray-brown in winter with spots barely visible;
- Menil-pale fawn with white spots;
- White (but not albino);
- Black-not actually black, but very dark brown.
There are many intermediate color variations. Social behavior varies: in some areas gregarious, with herds as large as 30, but in other areas more or less solitary. Herds usually lead by does, although there does not seem to be a dominance hierarchy. Males establish small territories during the rut, when they bellow and grunt and do a good deal of fighting while gathering harems. Mating season is in October, with the (usually) single fawn born in the spring. Diurnal, with most activity early and late in the day. Essentially a grazer, but also browses shrubs and trees. Vision, hearing and sense of smell are good. When alarmed, it gives a short "bark" and runs off with stiff-legged bounces that serve as a warning. Not as wary or shy as most other deer.


Distribution: Central East Region of Spain
Medals:
Gold: 239 1/8" SCI points
Silver: 213 7/8" SCI points
Bronze: 170" SCI points

3) Chamois

Hunting season:

There are two kinds of Chamois on the Spanish territory. The Pyrenean Chamois can be haunted in April, May, late October, November and early
December. On the other hand, the hunting season for the Cantabrian Chamois is between May and November.

PYRENEAN

Rupricapra pyrenaica parva: Is this beautiful goat antelope that lives in the
Pyrenees Shoulder height 29-30 inches (74-76 cm). Weight 55-90 pounds
(25-41 kg). Summer coat is reddish, turning brown in winter. Underparts are
pale. Rump, throat, lower jaw and front of face are yellowish. Larger and
darker than the Cantabrian chamois, with longer, thicker horns.


Distribution: Locally in the Pyrenees Mountains of northeastern Spain


Medals:
Gold: 23 4/8" SCI points

Silver: 22" SCI points

Bronze: 20" SCI points

CANTABRIAN

Ovis gmelini musimon is the smallest chamois, with the lightest coloration.
Shoulder height for males is about 28 inches (71 cm). Weight 45-75 pounds
(20-34 kg). Summer coat is reddish, turning brown in winter. Underparts
are pale. Rump, throat, lower jaw and front of face are yellowish. Smaller
and paler than the Pyrenean chamois and with shorter, slimmer horns.


Distribution: Cantabrian Mountains of northwestern Spain.


Medals:
Gold: 20 4/8" SCI points

Silver: 19 4/8" SCI points

Bronze: 18" SCI points

4)WILD SHEEP

Hunting season:

There are also two types of Wild Sheep in Spain. They can be both hunted from late September until February.

BARBARY SHEEP (AUDAD)

Ammotragus lervia, is a biologically intermediate between a sheep and a goat, the aoudad is a strongly built animal with a short mane on neck and shoulders, and long, flowing hair on throat, chest, forelegs (where it forms pantaloons or chaps) and tail. Overall coloration is sandy brown with paler underparts. The thick, sheeplike horns (both sexes) are triangular in section and supracervical, which means they curve to form a semicircle above the neck. Females are lighter in color, and have much smaller horns and less hair.


Distribution: Introduced on several properties in Spain, the SierraEspuña National Park in Spain has a free-ranging population of about1,500.


Medals:
Gold: 125 3/8" SCI points

Silver: 119 3/8" SCI points

Bronze: 115" SCI points

MOUFLON

Ovis gmelini musimon, is one of the world's smallest wild sheep, resembling a slim domestic sheep except that it has a normal coat of hair, any wool being concealed beneath. Upper parts are reddish-brown with a pale (almost white) saddle patch in the winter coat. Underparts, rump, lower legs and muzzle are white. There is dark neck ruff but no bib. The horns usually grow in a tight circle, with the tips turned inward toward the face and broomed back to about a three-quarter curl.


Distribution: All over Spain, mainly central areas


Medals:
Gold: 121 3/8" SCI points
Silver: 114 1/8" SCI points
Bronze: 90" SCI points

5)BALEAREAN

The Balearean Goat, Capra aegagrus Erxleben, is indigenous to the Balearean Island of Mallorca. This animal can be haunted all through the year, without season restrictions. These animals are completely wild, the biggest threat to their existence being the cross-breeding with domestic livestock. Shoulder height of males is about 28 inches (71 cm), average weight is 100-110 pounds (45-50 kg). Females are smaller. The Balearean Goat browses on leaves, twigs and weeds and are therefore highly destructive feeders. Able to climb trees and feed in the branches. They are diurnal and all senses are good.


Distribution: Island of Mallorca, one of the Balearean Islands in theMediterranean Sea


Medals:
Gold: 60 3/8" SCI points

Silver: 55 4/8" SCI points

Bronze: 0" SCI points

6)WILD BOAR

Sus scrofa, just like the Balearean Goat, can be hunted during all year, without seasonal restrictions. Although a boar is actually a male pig or hog, the term is widely used as a common name for the species. Shoulder height 30-47 inches (76-119 cm). Weight 150-400 pounds (68-181 kg), sometimes as much as 700 pounds
(317 kg). Females are somewhat smaller than males and have much smaller tusks. A medium-sized animal with a thick body, relatively thin legs, a short neck, and a long, pointed head ending in a disklike snout. Coat is dense, bristly hair, brownish-gray in color, sometimes with cheek whiskers and a neck mane. Each foot has four toes, the middle two supporting the body. Canine teeth are usually well-developed, forming
tusks. Stomach is two-chambered and non-ruminating.Gregarious, living in family groups, though old boars may be solitary. When undisturbed, it is active morning and afternoon, resting midday and at night. Becomes nocturnal when harassed. Eats all kinds of vegetable matter, also small
animals and carrion. Sense of smell is very good, hearing good, eyesight only fair. Wary and alert. A fast runner and strong swimmer. Its habitat is undergrowth and forest, at any altitude. Requires water for drinking.


Distribution: All over Spain.


Medals:
Medals Gold: 22" SCI points

Silver: 19 4/16" SCI points

Bronze: 15" SCI points

7)RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE

The Spanish red legged partridge, Alectoris rufa, is a tough bird, whose flight is spectacular and it is highly valued by hunters. The method used to hunt the red legged partridges is called “ojeos” or riven hunt. Beaters walk through the brush flying the partridges downhill towards the line of shooters, at the base of the hill. Normally it is not a difficult shot but it depends on the terrain; the easiest is the flat terrain, but it's always more exciting to challenge yourself therefore shooting enthusiasts prefer abrupt scenery.
 


Distribution: Central- South part of Spain.


Hunting season: October-March

bottom of page