Hunting ( caza) is extremely popular in Andalusia. Inland around Seville, Ronda and Cordoba are many hectares of hunting land, including national parks, national hunting reserves, national preserves, and numerous private game reserves. The big game (caza major) includes mountain goat ( cabra hispánica), various species of deer, ibex, roebuck, chamois, stag, wild boar, and the big-horned mountain sheep. Certain animals, such as the lynx, are in danger of extinction and are officially protected.
The hunting season for small game (caza menor) includes grouse, quail, ring dove, turtle dove, red-legged partridge, pheasant, duck, geese, bustard, water fowl, pigeon, hare and rabbit. Hunting for big game runs from October to November and small game runs from mid-October to early February. The sport of hunting dates back to before Roman times where nations like the Greeks and Phoenicians enjoyed the sport without restrictions. It was not until 1772 when the King Carlos IV who was a great hunter himself made various rules and regulations. Nowadays everyone who would like to hunt needs a permit which can be applied for at the local townhall. You will not be permitted to hunt everywhere. Some areas are defined as general and accessible for everyone but most areas are private.
Private estates with ‘coto de caza’
The private estates have a so called ‘Coto de Caza’. This is an official approved and registered agreement to hunt. The estate has to present a hunting plan, based on the hectares of the estate and the type and amount of species available. It is not so easy to get one nowadays so estates with an old ‘coto de caza’ are quite valuable. Some owners keep the grounds completely private and organize hunting parties amongst friends and families. Private forest guards are hired to hunt the excess of animals if necessary. These large estates are only for the happy few. In between Casares and Gaucin we find such an estate, ‘Monte del Duque’. It is said the Spanish royal family flies in every now and then in autumn to hunt here. Sometimes the private estates sell the right to hunt to hunting clubs. This can generate a considerable amount of income which is in turn used to maintain the estate.
Deer (ciervo) is abundant in Andalucia, especially in the Sierra Morena. This is where we recently listed a stunning hunting estate, in Lora del Rio in between the cities of Seville and Cordoba. An absolutely stunning property! It would take us days to properly explore the complete 500 ha the estate counts with. Several times deer crossed the road right in front of us , spectacular and so beautiful! To be honest, you have to be a real ‘aficionado’ of hunting to shoot these gracious animals. I personally would find it quite difficult! The wild boar (javali) is on the increase due to a lack of natural enemies in the area. It is found in all mountainous areas, even close to the coast. It is not uncommon to find tracks of these animals around the country houses in for example Casares , Gaucin or Estepona. Especially in summer they might come and take a sip from your pool. It’s a stunning sight to see them cross your land. They are usually to be seen at twilight. Fox (zorro) and rabbit (conejo) are also plentiful as well as, to a lesser degree, hare (liebre) which is generally found in the fertile lowlands of Sevilla and Córdoba. Bird Hunting is also very popular in Andalucia and the Spanish red-leg partridge is the most popularly hunted bird.
Oscar Ernstsen | 19th October 2012
