IbexHuntSpain´s Recomendations

Clothing Items: In general lightweight clothing means synthetics (fleece, nylon, poly, etc.). Always when backpacking weight is a restricting factor, we do not need to forget that synthetics are lighter and quicker to dry. Wool is still as good as ever, but it is heavier than fleece and a lot harder to dry. It is a better Windstopper or Windbloc fleece, more odour resisting and warm when wet.

Hats: A hat is needed to keep the sun out of your eyes. The later the season gets, the more important becomes to have a wool hat with ear flaps to keep you warm as snow, wind or rain can start at any moment of the day.

Gloves: A light pair is nice for hiking or trekking in cool conditions. You will also need a warm pair, especially later in winter.

Clothing: Don’t worry too much about having everything in camouflage. Neutral colours like sand, green, tan and so on, will do just as well. If you wish to go in camouflage, look for the grey colour or any other that blends with rock ledges.

Pants: Jeans are the worst ones. They are heavy, don’t want to dry and rub. The best are backpacker pants or biking or cross country ski pants of the stretchy type. Look for the pants and jacket with Windbloc fleece. During the hunt the weather can change from nice and warm to really cold. So one heavy pair thermal or from wool is recommended. Make sure the high-tech stuff you buy is noiseless.

Name: Good brand names that are suitable are Sitka, North Face, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, Aigle, King of the Mountain, Filson, Woolrich and Day One Camo.

Rain Gear: Look for something light (again), durable and noiseless. Gore Tex is just one of the options when it comes to breathable water stoppers but it is more expensive and noisier than e.g. Marmot Precip. Also you can look for Helly Hansen Impertech, Patagonia, Mountain Hardware, Taiga Works, North Face and Cabelas MT050. Do not buy something cheap that will be noisy, hot and sweaty, rips instantly and soaks through after an hour in the rain. You need the best.

Underwear: There is some high-tech underwear on the market that is ultra light and takes a little space. Look for products of Thermax, MTP, Thermastat, Capalene, polar fleece or polypropylene (these are good but they hold odours). The cotton will do as well. Some warm, thermal long johns and long sleeved shirt will be important in wintertime.

Shirts: Everything works, from cotton and wool to fleece. The warm days last till the middle of December but be prepared to see snow as well!

Footwear: This is the most important item on your list. Footsore people cannot walk. The boots should be comfortable, broken in, not about to wear out and suited for steep, rocky terrain. A very stiff sole is as essential as are few seams. Look for the boots the mountain climbers use. The rocky terrain of the Spanish lands is very rough and sharp rocks can tear the shoes. Look for a model that has only two seams and take two sets of insoles, an old one and a new one. Changing between the two insoles might help eliminate hot spots. Be sure your boots are thinsulate and waterproof. Your feet have to stay dry and warm. Leather hiking boots are good and we suggest names like Vasque, Merrell, Kayland, Technica, Asolo, Garmot, One Sport, Meindl, Lowa, etc.

Backpack: Large backpacks either have an internal or external frame. We recommend an internal frame that is more comfortable and quieter. The pack should have a volume of  35 litres. Your entire outfit will have to fit in it. Try on several packs and choose the one that seems to be the most comfortable to wear. Additional outside pockets and features to attach e.g. the thermarest make life on the trail a lot easier. You should also buy a waterproof pack cover; otherwise a garbage bag will have to be used to keep your gear dry.

 

Optics: Don’t scrimp on the optics. Buy very good, waterproof binoculars. They will not only last this hunt – you will love them forever. Leica, Zeiss and Swarovski are the top binocular lines you should be looking for. For sheep and goat hunting we recommend 10×40, 10×42 or 10×50. Remember that they need to be lightweight as well. Our guides usually carry spotting scopes and range finders. If you feel more comfortable taking yours as a back up or if you have a very good quality scope you might want to bring it. A tripod for the scope should be foldable and not exceed 2,20 pounds (1 kg).

Rifle: It is very important that you know your gun and feel comfortable shooting it. Hunting preparations should include shooting practice from different positions including free hand. Practice shots from 225 yards (205 m) for ibex, chamois, mouflon, barbary sheep and balear goat; red deer and fallow deer from around 100 yards (91 m). A minimum calibre of 270 WIN and up with a minimum weight of 140 grains (9,07 gr) and up is recommended. In a standard setting your gun should shoot 3 inches (76,2 mm) high on 100 yards (91 m). You will be provided with the proper documentation to bring your gun into Spain. If you do not feel comfortable about bringing your own gun we will lend you a quality gun in a camp. Remember that your gun should be also lightweight; you can have a wooden stock but is not practical.

-Scope rifle
-Gun Strap
-Scope covers (rubber, neoprene or flip-ups)
-Ammunition (2 boxes with twenty rounds each)
-Ammunition Case (nylon style for belt or gun stock)

Packing: You can pack your luggage on a suitcase or a bag, it doesn’t
matter the size, but you should take into account the weight allowed by the airline in order to avoid any charge due to an excess of luggage. The rifle must be kept in a designed box for arms and the ammunition must be placed in a separate box, this will be regulated by the current normative, and you will have to afford the established tax. We will carry your entire luggage to the hunting area and the hotel as well.

If you have some questions left regarding your gear, please, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be glad to help you.

– Backpack including flashlight, knife, camera, bottle for water, etc.
– Binoculars (from 7 to 10 power)

Other items: 
-Camera (should be in a zip lock bag)
-Film (enough memory space)
-Extra Batteries
-Lamp
-Water Bottle (bottle or plastic pouch)
-Matches or Lighter (waterproof)
-Sunglasses (with head strap)
-Small Sewing Kit
-Wrist watch preferably with Alarm

Personal: 
-Shaving Kit (Tooth brush, paste, floss)
-Lip Balm (obligatory)
-Sun block (small tube, strong)
-Towel
-Special Medication (take extra)

Optional: 
-Video Camera
-Range Finder
-Trekking Pole (foldable)

Very important and not to be forgotten: 
-Airline Tickets
-Passport
-Firearms permit
-Documentation to prove that you are coming to hunt (e.g. hunting contract)
-Extra set of glasses or contact lenses
-Special Medication (bring more than you need)
-Wallet
– Euros Cash / US $ or Travellers Cheques

WEATHER:
Spain is located in the North hemisphere, and is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. During the Autumn and Spring time, we can expect any kind of weather: hot, windy, rainy…Winter time is usually sunny but chilly in the mornings. In the Pyrenees we can also have some snow. Gredos can be colder but sunny, having some snow in November and December. In Beceite, it can be windy but sunny, also chilly in the mornings. And in Sierra Nevada it can get really hot in October, but starts to cold down in November, and having some snow in December. In Ronda the weather is usually pleasant.

For more detailed information, please, click at:https://weather.yahoo.com/regional/SPXX.html

Our staff will assist you at Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Malaga airports. Here follows the information and the list of the nearest airports to the hunting areas:

. Valencia airport: Tortosa Beceite Spanish Ibex / Barbary Sheep
. Malaga airport: Sierra Nevada and Ronda Spanish Ibex / Barbary Sheep
. Madrid airport: Gredos Spanish Ibex / Mouflon Sheep / Red Deer / Fallow Deer
. Mallorca airport: Balear Goat

You will need to provide the following documentation:

• Photocopy and original:
-Passport.
-Firearms permit
-Documentation to prove that you are coming to hunt (e.g. hunting contract).
• Photocopy and original of the Certificate of Gun Importation issued in the
Spanish Consulate. Please, contact them for further information. (List of the Spanish Consulates).
* Before the start of your trip we will inform you about the necessary documentation
IMPORTANT NOTE:
For those who come from US and Canada we ask to pay a special attention to the fact that a separate metallic box is requested to take your ammo back to your country to avoid any possible problems on the European customs.

AIRLINES:
Check it in your travel agency or directly ask an airline agent. The European hunters usually don’t have any problems, but they need to respect transportation norms and to pay the taxes requested by their airline company, as each one has its own norms and establishes own taxes. In this case we suggest asking an airline agent for the more information.

All the trophies will be shipped to the clients’ address by a cargo company 3 or 4 months after the hunt, when the hides are completely dry and inspected by an official vet we inform the customs broker about the possibility to ship the trophies. Please, find enclosed the form to be filled up by the hunter. TRANSTROPHY

Hotels and restaurants in Spain are taxed with a 10% VAT (Value Added Taxes). The rest of the services and shopping are taxed with a 21% VAT.