Europe blackpowder hunting?

[Osprey]

Has anyone ever done a blackpowder hunting trip to Europe?  I've been looking down this path for a bit, unfortunately got really interested just as Covid hit and screwed up the world.  Hoping in another year I can get back on track.  That dang Wild Boar Fever TV show is partly to blame, as well as a box of jaeger parts sitting on the bench.   

Just looking for any tips or past experiences.  Hunts, traveling there with BP guns, finding powder, etc.  I've got it narrowed down to a reputable booking agency and know they will be able to answer detailed questions when the time comes.  Prices overall for the hunts I'm looking at aren't bad, either, certainly no worse than most western US outfitted hunts.  Two main hunts I'm looking at are sika stags in England (good way to get my feet wet with the same language) and then ultimately red stags in Poland.

Just not something you hear much about in most USA circles and I'm starved for info!   

[Daryl]

Have heard, but don't know, some countries allow BP hunting of big game, some don't. Some have Joules/FPE restrictions, maybe even calibres as well.

[Shopdog]

You might find this Hungarian fellow’s channel interesting as he hunts with traditional black powder firearms. 

[Bob McBride]

He puts up some great videos. Love his stuff.

[Bushfire]

I would love to do it, Hungary definitely allows it now, and the UK definitely doesn't for big game.

Being Australian I am fortunate enough to hunt some European game like red deer, fallow deer and fox at home with any weapon. But roe deer and mouflon are high on my list.

[Daryl]

Roe Deer in Hungary:
1000 joules is only 737.6FPE muzzle energy, thus a .490" .50 cal. making 1,600fps with a round ball makes 1,349 joules.
Even a .45 cal. with 128gr. RB @ 1,700fps makes 821fpe for 1,113 joules. That .440 would make that speed with 50 to 55gr. 3F.

[Osprey]

I have seen that channel but not that particular vid, thanks!

[Osprey]

Yeah, this is obviously off the table for foreseeable future. 

I'll be shocked if this doesn't spill over into Poland.  Haven't heard much about it, but just the cultural memory of '39 has to have the Poles both scared and angry.  There has to be a large segment in that country that doesn't want to stand by and watch like the world did to them back in WWII. 

[steven baker]

Hi, you should check out hunting in New Zealand ,aint half bad. New Zealand is 2 Islands east of Australia ,hope this helps.
Take care Steven.

[Jim Chambers]

You might want to check on what is involved in getting a hunting license.  I know in Germany it is a very lengthy process.

[Osprey]

Yeah Germany must be tough, most of the booking agencies don't offer anything in Germany.  France, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Ukraine have lots of options.  Had, in Ukraine's case.  But all of that is on hold of course.  Ukraine actually had some great hunts offered for the big Manchurian strain sika stags.

New Zealand is interesting, but one fault is the cost, both of hunts and getting there and back.  Plus from most of what I've seen the herds are mostly privately owned and managed.  While that does produce bigger stags I'm not sure how I feel about hunting like that.  I know it's not like a fence around 400 acres, but it still gives me pause.

Realistically I'm probably a couple years out from finishing the Jaeger I haven't even started yet that I want to hunt with, so I have time...

[snapper]

Well, if you book a hunt, that will give you a reason to get after finishing that rifle!

Getting real black powder is always an issue when you are away from home and have to fly.

I am going after musk ox in 2023 and it is not looking good for getting BP.

Fleener

[Bushfire]

Yeah Germany must be tough, most of the booking agencies don't offer anything in Germany.  France, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Ukraine have lots of options.  Had, in Ukraine's case.  But all of that is on hold of course.  Ukraine actually had some great hunts offered for the big Manchurian strain sika stags.

New Zealand is interesting, but one fault is the cost, both of hunts and getting there and back.  Plus from most of what I've seen the herds are mostly privately owned and managed.  While that does produce bigger stags I'm not sure how I feel about hunting like that.  I know it's not like a fence around 400 acres, but it still gives me pause.

Realistically I'm probably a couple years out from finishing the Jaeger I haven't even started yet that I want to hunt with, so I have time...

I’ve hunted NZ several times and I can tell you right now it costs $25NZ for a gun permit and that’s it. Plenty of public land there that is free to hunt all year round.

[Sparkitoff]

I tried hard to set up a Rod Deer trip. Went to SCI show and all over internet. Had a friend look at the Germany show. Nobody would do it. Some outfitters have a problem with getting the order for me. Other places the PRB is not legal. France was the best deal but the outfitter said the odds of borrowing a ML were slim and I could not bring my own. If you find ac trip let me know

[Osprey]

I tried hard to set up a Rod Deer trip. Went to SCI show and all over internet. Had a friend look at the Germany show. Nobody would do it. Some outfitters have a problem with getting the order for me. Other places the PRB is not legal. France was the best deal but the outfitter said the odds of borrowing a ML were slim and I could not bring my own. If you find ac trip let me know

Not sure if you were trying to type Red deer or Roe deer, but this is the agency I will probably go through when the time comes, may be worth a look or phone call.  https://www.diana-hunting.com/

Bushfire, that's great if you are close and can pull it off for $25, but NZ it the nearly exact opposite side of the earth from me so I know I can't do it for that!  I prefer hunting on my own, but I have to be able to drive at least to a base camp to pull it off.   

[Bushfire]

I tried hard to set up a Rod Deer trip. Went to SCI show and all over internet. Had a friend look at the Germany show. Nobody would do it. Some outfitters have a problem with getting the order for me. Other places the PRB is not legal. France was the best deal but the outfitter said the odds of borrowing a ML were slim and I could not bring my own. If you find ac trip let me know

Not sure if you were trying to type Red deer or Roe deer, but this is the agency I will probably go through when the time comes, may be worth a look or phone call.  https://www.diana-hunting.com/

Bushfire, that's great if you are close and can pull it off for $25, but NZ it the nearly exact opposite side of the earth from me so I know I can't do it for that!  I prefer hunting on my own, but I have to be able to drive at least to a base camp to pull it off.   

I don't live in NZ, that's the international charge for a gun permit. I fly there, hire a car for a week and drive wherever I need to go. You'll have a bigger flight cost than me but that's it. If you want to hunt european species that's your cheapest bet.

I'm building points for the states, flights won't be cheap but it's something I want to do amd unguided.

[Daryl]

States where a guide is not mandatory, I suppose. Didn't know there were any.

In British Columbia, non-resident hunters HAVE to hire a licensed guide. Non-resident fishermen do not need a guide.
In previous years, many European & American fishermen come to BC for salmon and trout fishing. The Stelako River is world famous.

[ScottH]

USA States that require guides. Only 2 that I can think of. Wyoming if you are a non-resident you have to be guided by on outfitter or a resident friend/acquaintance, only in designated wilderness areas. Also non-resident hunters in Alaska must be guided by a registered guide or a first blood kin for Sheep, Brown / Grizzly Bear and Mountain Goat. Everywhere else that I'm aware of you can do it yourself once you obtain your license and tag(s).

[Bushfire]

I'm going to Wyoming, not into the Wilderness areas obviously. Currently sitting on 4 points for elk, deer and antelope.

I think these days in AK all big game including deer require a guide for non res aliens. I would love it even as a guided hunt. 10 years ago when I didn't have the money a dall sheep or moose hunt was $10-15k my money, now they're $35-45k. Moose is on my lifetime list but not there. Maybe eastern Canada or Europe. Sheep I won't even bother trying unless I hunt a mouflon in Europe or aoudad in TX.

That's the good thing about NZ, I can hunt tahr, chamois or reds in the mountains for the price of an airline ticket and a car hire.

[Bushfire]

I'm going to Wyoming, not into the Wilderness areas obviously. Currently sitting on 4 points for elk, deer and antelope.

I think these days in AK all big game including deer require a guide for non res aliens. I would love it even as a guided hunt. 10 years ago when I didn't have the money a dall sheep or moose hunt was $10-15k my money, now they're $35-45k. Moose is on my lifetime list but not there. Maybe eastern Canada or Europe. Sheep I won't even bother trying unless I hunt a mouflon in Europe or aoudad in TX. Thought about trying the Montana unlimited but don't think I'll bother.

That's the good thing about NZ, I can hunt tahr, chamois or reds in the mountains for the price of an airline ticket and a car hire.

[Osprey]

Good on ya, but to quote 'ol Clint "A man has to know his limitations" and far side of the world with no support is on the far side of mine.     Plus, NZ ins't calling to me, Europe and it's traditions and family heritage are. 

I'm building points for out west too, good luck on your trip Bushfire!

[snapper]

Scotland with a ML would be very nice.   Too bad it can’t be done

Fleener

[Daryl]

Scotland with a ML would be very nice.   Too bad it can’t be done

Fleener

Oh yeas - a Stag hunt at Balmoral  - LOL. 
You'll need to be 'better connected' than I am.

[bob in the woods]

I think Hungary or perhaps Spain would be your best option.

[alacran]

If I were to spend that kind of $$$ on a hunt, it would be Red Stag in Argentina. After taking the stag, I would hunt for Perdiz, Ducks, and the best dove shooting in the world. When done with that I would go look at the beauties in Buenos Aires.