Days of bowhunting in Spain

[Jorge]

I think is my first topic and please, remember that i am not english native. I would like to share with Tradgang this short article that i have write for one german blog.

Bowhunting in Europe is growing and it is not uncommon to see photos of European archers with their trophies. Animals such as red deers, roes, fallow deers, wild boars and even the most difficult and emblematic species such as chamois or ibex are routinely hunted by bowhunters of the old continent. While the vast majority use compound bows, the number of hunters who choose traditional bows, is growing and the traditional bowhunting community is stronger each day.

 

In Spain we are fortunate to be able to practice this ancient form of hunting in many places and among those who know , my favorite is the land managed by Juancho and Pablo, my friends running a place called Sierra de la Madera. Their two properties, one around 1,700 has and the other more than 5,000 has, are near the city of Cuenca, close to Madrid. Recently, in company of my brother Alberto and my friend, Aitor, we have been enjoying a few days bowhunting with our recurves in the way that we like , with our backpacks and sleeping in the field , in our tents. The truth is that the sensations experienced when hunting in this way are very uniques and to the romance of sleeping in the field joins the advantage to wake up and hunt as soon as you like as the animals are within walking distance, reducing travels, noises and car movement. For our memory will be the thunderstorm at night with its thunders and rays illuminating the interior of our tents and with a heavy rain that made ​​ it impossible to sleep thinking that all would fly at any time. The camp place was in the highest peak, more than 1.700 meters.



The land, large mid-mountain forests with greater height around 1700 meters, is home to red deers, very large males, fallow deers,(great densities and big males), wild boars and even some spanish Ibex. Locating the animals is not easy because the terrain is very large and provides much protection. Anyway, to see dozens of animals in a day is not uncommon, but approach within shooting distance is not easy as these are wild animals. Anyway, we had a real chance of shooting and personally, I missed a doe less than 30 meters in a difficult shot, kneeling and from a small mound.



Anyway, an amazing experience to remember, which we will repeat, as hunting in these areas, with our backpacks and sleeping in tents, feeling a total freedom, is something that to this day, in Europe, is a privilege.





One last pic, a group of traditional bowhunters were hunting with us the last weekend. Some guys were coming from the Uk or Finland

[T-Bowhunter]

Great story thanks for sharing!        

[kuch]

That is AWESOME!! Great pictures and wonderful story  !

[MR BILL SHORTY]

       

[DannyBows]

   

[Whip]

Spectacular!  I love to hear of hunts in far away places, and really enjoyed your story.  
Good looking group of bowhunters too, and I love the tekels!

Thanks for sharing with all of us.

[ChuckC]

Thank you for sharing your hunt with me.  It is great to see that there are groups in Europe that trad hunt as well.  

Being out there, under the sky and the stars on your own terms is what makes it wonderful.

ChuckC

[Jorge]

Thank you!! Being my first topic is a little bit special for me!!

[JGoemaat]

Very cool story, that looks like a very unique place to be able to hunt.

[Gordon Jabben]

Thanks for sharing.  Glad you get to bow hunt there...

[John146]

Bravo!!!! Looks like a beautiful place to experience the hunt!  

[Littlejake]

Neat story and very neat pictures! Looks like a good bunch of bowhunters.

[LB_hntr]

Great story Jorge!

For those that don't know jorges blog the adventurous bow hunter is jam packed with so much amazing info. I highly recommend checking it out. You will love it!

[ChuckC]

Jason. . .  how do I do that ?  I am (more than)a bit computer illiterate.

ChuckC

[jcar315]

Thanks so much for sharing. Love the pictures!

[LV2HUNT]

Good stuff, thanks for sharing. You have a good sized group of hunters there in your picture.

[Duncan]

Jorge,
I have been to Spain and I loved it. It is very beautiful and hope I can come back some day. I wondered if bow hunting was allowed. Your post answered my question! Thank you for posting and good luck with your season. Please post more if you can.

[LB_hntr]

Originally posted by ChuckC:
Jason. . .  how do I do that ?  I am (more than)a bit computer illiterate.

ChuckC

I don't think I can post a direct link because of the rules (not sure but don't want to get in trouble).
But if you Google "adventurous bow hunter blog" it will be right there at the top of the search.
Amazing info and stories. Jorge and his friends did a great job with their blog.

[Friend]

Thank you Jorge for sharing your splendid paradise.

[ChuckC]

Awesome, thanks Jason.

Sometimes a push in the right direction is all it takes.

ChuckC