Roe deer hunting in Spain is one of the most popular

Spain is a country with a great hunting tradition and offers numerous hunting possibilities. In Big Game, we have 4 Spanish Ibex (Gredos, Beceite, South Eastern & Ronda), Pyrenean & Cantabrian Chamois, Spanish Red Deer, Fallow Deer, Iberian Mouflon Sheep, Barbary Sheep, Baearic Boc, Wild Boar and Roe Deer

This is the species that has developed more passion and growth in the last decades by the Spanish hunters, as well as for many international ones that are looking for big trophy quality of Roe Deer. This species it is also known as the elf of the forest and timber. Despite of the rest of the Deers, the Roe Deer grow their antlers in the opposite time of the year than the Red or Fallow. They clean their velvets in late March and the season goes from April until the end of  July. Also the month of September is available. Being April to mid-May the best time, and also the last part of the month of July.

In the last couple of decades, Roe Deer has expanded a lot amongst most of the country territory. Being the central north part the best in terms of quality. The world Record of the species was taken in Spain in 2016, with 252 CIC points.

Roe deer are small but very cunning animals, so hunting a roe deer is a real adventure. To get excellent trophies it is very important to choose the most suitable hunting areas, a correct location, and to keep a good track of the roe deer to hunt. But, of all this you do not have to worry if you order the organization of your hunting trips in Spain to Cazatur. We take care of everything, even the smallest detail, and always taking into account the needs of hunters. In addition, non-hunters will be able to enjoy our exclusive HUNTOUR®, parallel sightseeing and touring programs, visit the most interesting monuments around the areas, enjoy the Spanish cuisine. If you entrust us with the organization of this rececho, we will offer you the maximum guarantees of abate, since we monitor and control this species before and during the season. We have always located the best roe deer to hunt in Spain.

Hunt the best roe deer in Europe!

A little history about roe deer hunting in Spain

The roe deer came to occupy the entire Iberian Peninsula at the end of the nineteenth century, but its population was greatly reduced with the arrival of the twentieth century and until the 60s. It disappeared in large areas and was on the verge of extinction. In the 80s and 90s its population increased again thanks to 3 main reasons:

• The increasing abandonment of the fields and the decrease of cattle grazing in the wild.
• The most responsible behavior of hunters, who no longer exert the same pressure on females
• And the best adaptation of the species, which is able to colonize new terrains.

Currently, it is estimated that in Spain there will be more than 200,000 specimens of roe deer and are distributed practically throughout the Spanish territory. Roe deer hunting in Spain is regulated by each autonomous community.

Facts about Roe deer, one of the most abundant species in Spain

Description

It can be said that roe deer are the smallest of the European cervids. The male is larger than the female. The hind limbs are powerful to be able to perform large jumps. In its muzzle there is a large black stripe, it has large ears, a white anal shield with bristly hair that surrounds the rudimentary tail, antlers with three points and abundant «pearl» in the males, which are renewed annually. Its main physical characteristics are:

• Body measurements- CC: 95-145 cm; CR: 54-8 cm; Ps: 16-30 kg.
• Tooth formula: 0.0.3.3./3.1.3.3.
• Number of chromosomes (2n) = 70.

It molts twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn. It is characterized because in winter its mantle is thick and gray, while in summer it is short and with a variety of shades ranging from orange to chestnut. There are populations in the south of Spain that retain the gray coloration also in summer.

Distribution

In Europe it is found from 67 °N in Scandinavia to 36 °N in the Mediterranean region, through a practically continuous strip throughout Europe. If we focus on Spain, the roe deer is present practically throughout the territory, the hunting of roe deer in Spain is done in different locations of the country. But, it is true that they abound more in the north, specifically in the Pyrenees, Basque Country and Cantabrian Mountains to the Sierra de Los Ancares in Lugo, and the Montes de León, from where it has colonized much of Galicia. In Portugal it appears naturally north of the Douro River.

In recent years, there has been a great expansion in the Iberian and Central Systems, also in the Sierras de Cameros, La Demanda and Urbión, occupies the provinces of Burgos, Soria and La Rioja, the Aragonese slope of Moncayo and the North sub-plateau, having been located in several municipalities of the province of Valladolid.  In Guadalajara it has also expanded its distribution, and has expanded from the Central System to the Serranía de Cuenca.

In the south of the peninsula, the roe deer populations of the Montes de Toledo seem to be experiencing a certain expansion. South of the Guadiana, the towns of Sierra Morena are located in the southwest of Ciudad Real, penetrating the province of Badajoz, and occasionally at the confluence with the provinces of Córdoba and Jaén.

In Cadiz and Malaga they remain stable, although at relatively low densities compared to the rest of Spanish populations. If we look at the genetics of roe deer in Spain, recent studies affirm that there is a considerable differentiation between the populations of the southern half and the northern half of Spain. The transfer and repopulation of roe deer is a very recent practice in Spain, Catalonia and the Basque Country have been restocked with roe deer from France.

Habitat

Preferably, the roe deer inhabits wooded areas where it can find shelter and food, but it can also exploit agricultural means.

Reproduction

One of the characteristics that differentiate this species from others is that it is the only European cervid that presents embryonic diapause, meaning that the blastocyst remains detained for about 170 days, practically from the moment of fertilization in the month of July.After diapause, the embryo continues its development during a gestation of 130 days. Births occur during May and June, and heat occurs between July and August.

Feeding

The roe deer in very selective, consumes mainly plant material with high nutritional value and low fiber content. In many European places, their diet consists of grain of agricultural origin.

Behaviour

The roe deer in Spain is quite solitary, the male defends a territory through a kind of vocalizations similar to barking. It also performs an olfactory marking by rubbing the head and horns against the vegetation and digging into the ground, especially during the dehorning of the horn and in the heat season.

Hunting value

The hunting of roe deer in Spain is very widespread because it is a species that has been revalued as a hunting trophy. 

Depredation

In northern Spain it is frequent prey for wolves. At an early age they are the center of attention of foxes, feral dogs, and any type of predator.

Threats

It is not a threatened species at present, but as they move uncontrollably to carry out repopulations, this can lead to the loss of their own characteristics.

What is necessary for the hunting of roe deer?

In addition to the rifle and ammunition, other accessories will also be needed to hunt for good roe deer. You can not miss binoculars, a viewfinder, and a telemeter. Clothing and footwear should be suitable for hunting roe deer in Spain. As for the clothes, this has to be comfortable, light, little striking and breathable, the footwear has to be above all waterproof If you are going to hunt roe deer in months when it is still cold, you will have to have warm clothes, such as feather vests, coats, gloves, scarves, etc.

Best hunting season

For the hunting of the largest roe deer approved in Spain, the months between April and July are the most appropriate.

Hunting modalities

Custom and orography largely determine the way to execute it. The most common are the stalk and waiting for them to show up during the last lights of the days. In some regions of the south of the country, the montería and the hook are also common.

Conclusions

Spain is a country that offers numerous possibilities to hunters, both in big game and small game. But, the hunting of Roe deer in Spain is one of the most popular for the beauty of these animals and for their abundance throughout the territory, and during the spring/summer time.

Roe deer in Spain are plentiful! We hunt only at the best areas of the country, tags are limited, so check with us and reserve yours! spain@cazatur.com