Hunting in Spain

The country is widely considered one of the most relevant hunting destinations in the world, backed by the variety of its species, climates, terrains as well as sheer size and relatively low density of human population.

Spain offers a variety of different big-game species, most commonly the Spanish red deer, fallow, roe, Iberian ibex and its four subspecies, mouflon, arrui, Pyrenean and Cantabrian chamois and boc.

[5] Some of the most popular small-game species include the red-legged partridge, duck, hare, rabbit, woodcock, pheasant and the red fox.

With the devastation of the country after the Spanish Civil War, hunting allowed thousands of families to feed themselves and survive the terrible conditions of poverty and famine.

With the establishment of this law, more hunting reserves were created, stricter calendar seasons implemented and allowed species and numbers limited.

Once the hunt is over, the so-called "junta de carnes" (literally "meat gathering") is held, and here the "arrieros" (porters) will display the animals harvested during the montería so that the hunters can observe the general result of the event and take some pictures.

The small-game equivalent of a "rececho" or stalking, hunting 'in-hand' contemplates the hunter walking in search of the animal, nomrally accompanied by one or several dogs to help locate the game.

The small-game equivalent of a montería, it is a type of driven-hunt where beaters and dogs will move birds into the pegs so that these may be shot by the hunters.

The elevated prices and large amounts of shot birds (over 2,000 at times)[11] that have become customary at "ojeos" in Spain are subject to some controversy.

[12] In 1959, dictator Francisco Franco and a group of hunting enthusiasts shot a record 4,608 partridges in one morning at Santa Cruz de Mudela.

The largest finca in Spain is "Valdepuercas" (18,000 hectares), and belongs to José María Aristrain, who was the owner of Arcelor prior to its merger with Mittal.