Woodcock hunting trips in Bulgaria - Hunting area Стенско 2566
Woodcock shooting in Bulgaria - Hunting area Стенско 2566
Woodcock hunting in Bulgaria - Hunting area Стенско 2566
Woodcock shooting in Europe - Hunting area Стенско 2566
Woodcock hunting in Europe - Hunting area Стенско 2566
Snipe shooting in Bulgaria - Hunting area Стенско 2566
Snipe hunting in Bulgaria - Hunting area Стенско 2566
Woodcock hunting in Bulgaria
Bulgaria Hunting Trips - Discounted woodcock hunting trips on bghunters.com - Small game hunting area Стенско 2566
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Woodcock hunting trips in Bulgaria
Hunting area Стенско 2566
We hunt some of the best areas for Woodcock in Bulgaria!
Woodcock hunting period & methods
Woodcock hunting in Bulgaria season:
- Second saturday of August - Last day of February
Small game standart price list
Woodcock
Woodcock hunting usually takes place in most Eastern parts of Bulgaria – along the Black sea coast. In order to flush the woodcock, the use of dogs is necessary. The guides have thus become masters in the art of training this particular type of dog. In addition, hunted territories offer hunters an opportunity to see an impressive range of woodcock rises per day. Accompanied by a guide familiar with the different habitats frequented by these birds, the success is practically assured.
Scientific Name: Scolopax rusticola
Habitat: Forests and woods.
Description: Bulky wading bird, well camouflaged by brown and buff barring, creating a “dead leaf” effect. Long down pointing bill. In flight its rounded wings are diagnostic. Size: 32-36 cm
Hunting method: Rough shooting, walking up
Hunting available in: All areas of distribution in Bulgaria.
Hunting services: Standart price list
Bulgaria Hunting Trips | Hunting area Стенско 2566
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Woodcock hunting trips in Bulgaria
Small game - Woodcock and Snipe shooting in Bulgaria
- Woodcock hunting in Bulgaria
- Стенско 2566
Woodcocks hunting trips in Bulgaria
One of the most popular types of wing shooting in Bulgaria is woodcock hunting, and for good reason. These birds' migration route takes them directy through Bulgaria, making it one of the best woodcock hunting destinations in the world.
Woodcock hunts begin at around 9:00 AM, the best time being in daylight, with a pointing dog. The Setter and the Pointer have proved themselves invaluable helpers for this hunt. The woodcock is a secretive bird; most commonly encountered in forests, hence its name - woodcock. It likes to hide along the edge of the forest, in gullies, near small rivers, where the soil is soft and in short bushes (briar, blackberry and thorny bushes), but must be close to the forest. During rapid temperature drops, the woodcock can be found in pine forests, where the snow and rime can’t reach the ground.
There it spends the entire day feeding and resting, and manages to survive because the soil doesn’t freeze. Some of the best regions for hunting woodcocks can be found in Bulgaria. These regions maintain the vitally necessary for the bird temperature of 5 degrees Celsius. It’s a well-known fact that one of the biggest woodcock migration routes - via Pontica - passes through Bulgaria, making it one of the best hunting destinations for this bird in the world.
These birds stay for the longest time-period precisely in Bulgaria. Bulgarian hunters don’t have much interest in woodcocks, allowing mostly foreign hunters to indulge in this type of wingshooting in Bulgaria. The best habitats are near the Black sea, because the snow melts quickly thanks to the maritime climate. The hunting terrains are easily traversable because the soil is soft and lacks rocky areas. Some of the forests are sparse which allows for better visibility of the birds and more trophies.
The hunt for woodcocks is tremendously interesting because it is difficult, involves long treks and strong emotions. The best pointing dog for hunting these birds is the English setter. It has a firm stance, searches the places where the vegetation is thickest, has a good tempo and covers large areas. Unlike the Pointer it searches in a circular fashion and, most of the time, it tries to block the bird’s escape.
The Pointer has a good sense of smell, but searches further and in a straight line, which makes it possible for it to miss some of the birds. There are exceptions; some Pointers are very good in hunting woodcocks. Lately, we have begun to see the German shorthaired pointer in the forest, but the problem is that they track and give chase to furred game.
The best terrains for woodcock wingshooting in Bulgaria are short-stalked forests, clearings, and sparse beech, oak and coniferous forests as long as there are meadows frequented by livestock nearby. At night, woodcocks find their food in those meadows by burrowing.
Snipes hunting trips in Bulgaria
Snipes are rarely the target of Bulgarian hunters, but there is quite the interest from foreign hunters.
This type of wing shooting in Bulgaria doesn’t require the hunters to get up early and can continue the entire day. Snipes are most commonly hunted in the so called overflows (fields that retain water, rice fields, spots where rivers have overflown and shallow lakes).
This is a bird that makes one of the longest migratory flights in the world. There is evidence that some specimens travel from Japan to Bulgaria. The hunt is very emotional and puts the hunter’s marksmanship skills to the test.
On liftoff snipes let out a cry which guides the hunter to the target. The problem is the bird makes sudden and sharp turns to either side and after the 30th meter straightens out its trajectory.
Missing the target is quite common. Out of the three types of snipes (small, common and large) the common snipe is allowed to be hunted in Bulgaria. Retriever dogs, which cope well with watery terrains, can be used.
The dogs must work very close to the hunter, at a distance no greater than 20 - 25 m. because the snipe lifts off at the 20th meter (the bird doesn’t allow the hunter to get close to it; the terrain doesn’t allow stealthy movement) and does so very quickly, making it quite difficult to hit.
English Setters have established themselves as the best dogs for this hunt. They have a good, firm stance and an exceptional sense of smell. Their fur protects them from the moisture and they can work all day.
Snipe hunting is allowed in the period from the beginning of August to the end of February. The best time for this type of wing shooting in Bulgaria is in December and January when most water basins freeze.
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Why Bulgaria
Wide Variety of Game Animals
A mix of rugged mountain ranges and broad plains provides ideal habitat for red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, chamois, mouflon, wild boar, wolves, and lynx
Unspoiled Natural Landscapes
Most of Bulgaria’s more remote regions remain undeveloped and undiscovered by tourists, leaving plenty of room for abundant game populations and providing a true wilderness hunting experience
Cultural and Touring Opportunities
Bulgaria is famous for its beautiful Black Sea beaches, fine wines, monasteries, and historic and cultural sites including Plovdiv, Europe’s oldest continually inhabited city, that are well worth exploring before or after your hunt
About hunting in Bulgaria
Bulgaria, located in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, is famous for its game-rich wilderness areas and mountains. Two large mountain ranges divide the country into distinctive regions, and a third of the country is forested. Hunting opportunities are provided on some 30 state-owned hunting grounds, as well as many hunting clubs and private estates. They offer excellent trophy quality red stags, Alpine chamois, Balkan chamois, fallow deer, roe deer, mouflon, and wild boar, as well as wolf and lynx. Bird shooting is excellent for pheasant, partridge, ducks and geese.
What you need to know
- Planning your trip
Visas
A visa is not required for citizens of the USA, EU, and many other countries for a tourist visit to Bulgaria. Hunters may bring their own firearms, but it’s crucial to arrange all details with your outfitter in advance. You must be able to provide all rifle and ammunition details as well as a valid hunting license from your home country.
- Upon arrival
Most hunters arrive in Sofia, Barna, or Burgas via connecting flights from other large European airports. Discuss arrival options with your outfitter; it is best to be met by an interpreter who can take you through the arrival and customs formalities, especially if you are bringing your own firearm. From the airport, expect a two- to three-hour transfer by car to your hunting area.
- Hunting
Hunting difficulty varies widely. For hunters seeking a mountain experience, there are high rugged peaks where chamois are stalked, and there are also many hilly regions and plains areas where deer and other game are abundant. Most hunting is done by spot-and-stalk or by glassing from a high seat. Bulgaria is also one of the few European countries that allows bow hunting.
- After the hunt
Trophies are measured by a state commission. This usually happens in the hunting lodge and in the presence of the hunter, who then completes and signs the protocol for evaluation. Typically, trophies of red deer, fallow deer and roe deer are measured 24 hours after boiling and cleaning. The price for trophy of red deer and fallow deer is calculated based on the weight of antlers with skull, including the lower jaw. For roe deer, a 90-gram discount is deducted.
Export documents and veterinary certificates (including CITES permits, if necessary) for are usually prepared by the management of the hunting area immediately after the evaluation of the trophy and, if possible, are issued prior to the hunter’s departure.