Hunting Washington Forum
Washington State Hunting Forum and Northwest Resource Site
Please
login
or
register
.
1 Hour
1 Day
1 Week
1 Month
Forever
Login with username, password and session length
News:
Free:
Contests & Raffles
.
Home
Help
Calendar
Advertise
Login
Register
Hunting Washington Forum
»
Big Game Hunting
»
Out Of State Hunting
»
Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
Advertisement
Advertise Here
« previous
next »
Print
Pages: [
1
]
Go Down
Author
Topic: Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0) (Read 3604 times)
bearcat_outfitters
Trade Count:
(
0
)
Pilgrim
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 22
Location: Kamloops, BC
Forester, guide outfitter and conservationist.
Groups: SCI, WSS, GOABC, BCWF, Kamloops Fish&Game Association
Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
«
on:
April 16, 2013, 07:31:16 PM »
Like most hunters, I have always had a desire to go on a hunting adventure overseas. I have the good fortune of being born and raised in British Columbia and I have been on many trips for a diverse number of species that most hunters in the world dream of. Even so, I still yearn for adventures in foreign lands for exotic species.
I knew I would have a bit of a break in my normally busy schedule this late winter, so I really put my mind to where I would like to go on an international hunting trip in March or April. There are many places to potentially go, even though this time of year is outside of the core hunting period in much of the northern hemisphere. I started some research and come up with options of New Zealand, Africa, South America as well as parts of Asia and Europe. I have always desired a trip to Spain and did some inquiries with some contacts in Europe and found an opening for Beicite ibex in east-central Spain with a group of hunters from Slovakia and Czech Republic. I jumped at the opportunity, and soon found myself booked for ibex in early April.
I flew to Barcelona where I met my fellow hunters. We were shuttled to our ‘camp’ in Morella and arrived very late at night. Morella is an ancient walled city and we were booked into a beautiful, 5-star hotel. The next morning all the hunters were paired with their local guides and we all went in separate directions in search of ibex. We toured a number of rough four-wheel drive trails that cut through the local mountains. The terrain was very rocky and broken and covered with scrub oak and some Sylvester pine in the moister hollows and north-facing slopes. Many old, abandoned homesteads are scattered across the region and a few active farms still remain in the areas with the most productive soils. The ibex could be found anywhere, but they seemed to concentrate near small, cleared fields that had new spring grass emerging.
At about 10:00 AM we spotted a group of three rams leaving a small field and heading up into the thick brush. We quickly got out of the 4X4 and scrambled to get ahead of the rams and into shooting position. We cut the distance to about 200 yards and the guide determined which of the rams was the best trophy and got his pack set up on a rock for me to shoot off of. I readied myself with the borrowed Blaser in 7 mm. Remington Mag and let a shot go. The shot went just over his back and the rams headed for safer cover. I couldn’t believe I had missed such a good opportunity! Only three hours sleep, severe jet lag, borrowed rifle I had never shot… List of excuses, but bottom-line is I pulled the shot and plain missed. I uttered ’so liento’ to my guide several times to apologize for my brutal shooting, but he indicated minor concern and assured me there would be other chances.
The search continued and a couple hours later we glassed what appeared to be a pretty good ram high on a rocky ridge. We tried to get within shooting range unnoticed, but we never saw him again. We kept covering ground and did lots of glassing from good vantages, but it wasn’t until late in the afternoon that we spotted more rams. We glassed three rams in a lush pasture that a herd of goats and sheep had been grazing in the morning. It was obvious that one of the rams was a very good trophy and we quickly determined wind direction and started a stalk. We hiked in about half a mile and came over a small ridge where we could look down on the field where the rams had been feeding. They were nowhere to be seen so we kept creeping forward and glassing. After a tense 15 minutes or so, my guide Lucas motioned me down and pointed earnestly to a rocky slope north of the fields where they had been. Sure enough, we could see the 3 rams on a rock outcrop and determined the top one top be the big ram. I quickly got a bit of a rest on the branch of a juniper tree and this time squeezed off the shot at the ram 150 yards distant. Perfect hit on the point of the shoulder and the ram folded instantly and rolled down the hill. We were very excited and I felt a bit of redemption in my shooting ability.
We did a bit of sight seeing in the area for the next couple of days as the other hunters harvested their ibex and I toured an amazing ancient castle and cathedral in Morella. I then travelled to meet a couple of friends in Madrid and hunted for mouflon and roe deer, but that will be covered in another story.
Logged
Advertise Here
jackelope
Administrator
Trade Count:
(
+29
)
Legend
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 50149
Location: Duvall, WA
Groups: jackelope
Re: Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
«
Reply #1 on:
April 16, 2013, 10:10:25 PM »
Awesome...that's a neat animal.
Logged
" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield
My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum
h2ofowlr
CHOKED UP TIGHT
Political & Covid-19 Topics
Trade Count:
(
+5
)
Old Salt
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 9119
Location: In the "Blind"! Go Cougs!
Re: Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
«
Reply #2 on:
April 16, 2013, 10:22:29 PM »
Nice write up and great animal.
Logged
Cut em!
It's not the shells! It's the shooter!
Widgeondeke
Trade Count:
(
+8
)
Frontiersman
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3370
Location: Lake Stevens, WA
US Army Infantry 91-98
Re: Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
«
Reply #3 on:
April 16, 2013, 10:55:44 PM »
thanx for sharing.
those horns look HEAVY
Logged
Wenatcheejay
Past Sponsor
Trade Count:
(
0
)
Frontiersman
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 4723
Re: Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
«
Reply #4 on:
April 16, 2013, 10:58:58 PM »
Logged
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.
carpsniperg2
Site Sponsor
Global Moderator
Trade Count:
(
+126
)
Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 31527
Location: Goldendale,WA
Re: Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
«
Reply #5 on:
April 16, 2013, 11:05:36 PM »
That is a outstanding animal congrats and look forward to seeing the other animals you took on your trip.
Logged
Owner: SPLIT DIAMOND TACTICAL
Firearms/Transfers/Parts/Optics
2011 HW Head Competition Winner
Bean Counter
Site Sponsor
Non-Hunting Topics
Trade Count:
(
0
)
Explorer
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 13624
Re: Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
«
Reply #6 on:
April 17, 2013, 12:22:32 AM »
Great pic and story! Way to go!
I was in Kamloops in 1998 running in that big orienteering meet they had in the late summer. Beautiful country. I wasn't even a hunter back then.
Logged
arees
Political & Covid-19 Topics
Trade Count:
(
+2
)
Longhunter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 775
Location: Redmond, WA
Groups: RMEF, SCI, NRA
Re: Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
«
Reply #7 on:
April 17, 2013, 01:05:34 AM »
Who was your outfitter in Spain?
Logged
We need a crusade for the children, a children's crusade.
rushmoody1
Trade Count:
(
0
)
Pilgrim
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8
Location: Whidbey Island
Groups: North American Hunting Club
Re: Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
«
Reply #8 on:
April 17, 2013, 05:47:47 AM »
Great ram, great story. I'm in Spain now and wasn't able to afford the male ibex but I'll come back some day. If you get a chance, you should come back and try the "monteria" style of hunting. That area you were hunting is beautiful. I was about 15km north of you fishing in Tortosa and got this bruiser.
Logged
jamesjett
Trade Count:
(
+2
)
Scout
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 326
Location: WA
Re: Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
«
Reply #9 on:
April 17, 2013, 09:50:25 AM »
Congrats Neil! Great write-up. Thanks for sharing!
Logged
Advertise Here
Print
Pages: [
1
]
Go Up
« previous
next »
Hunting Washington Forum
»
Big Game Hunting
»
Out Of State Hunting
»
Ibex Hunt in Spain (v.2.0)
Advertisement
Advertise Here
Quick Links
Front Page
Donate To Forum
Advertise on H-W
Recent Posts
Articles
Forum Rules
Recent Topics
DIY Ucluelet trip
by
metlhead
[
Yesterday
at 08:48:41 PM]
Burrowing Animal
by
Loup Loup
[
Yesterday
at 08:22:55 PM]
Oregon spring bear
by
time2hunt
[
Yesterday
at 08:03:28 PM]
Oregon Seed #'s
by
Doublelunger
[
Yesterday
at 07:35:15 PM]
WDFW falsely advertising preference points
by
hunter399
[
Yesterday
at 04:38:43 PM]
Black Eagle arrows deals
by
kodiak06
[
Yesterday
at 02:02:59 PM]
2025 Multiseason Deer General?
by
Goshawk
[
Yesterday
at 12:23:10 PM]
Last year putting in…
by
Dirtnap
[
Yesterday
at 11:48:14 AM]
Colorado Results
by
vandeman17
[
Yesterday
at 10:20:27 AM]
What's flatbed pickup life like?
by
Special T
[
Yesterday
at 10:19:28 AM]
Tag issues with "Get Outdoors" package
by
Encore 280
[
Yesterday
at 08:54:30 AM]
.300 Win Mag Rounds
by
W.Goomsba
[
Yesterday
at 08:29:32 AM]
Shout out to Talley Manufacturing
by
EnglishSetter
[May 26, 2025, 09:56:57 PM]
Knight ridge runner
by
Irish_hunter93
[May 26, 2025, 09:43:04 PM]
Halibut fishing
by
hiway_99
[May 26, 2025, 08:10:49 PM]
Desert Sheds
by
aer212
[May 26, 2025, 07:21:58 PM]
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal