Andalucia has many things to offer visitors from it beautiful beaches to its magnificent mountains , and it offers a wide range of activities to keep people occupied.

The region is well know for its sports like the Golf Courses and its passion for football but it is also very popular with those who enjoy hunting and shooting.

The region has the largest amount of hunting opportunities within the developed world Many hunters travel to here every year to take part in competitions to win trophies or to simply enjoy their pastime.

Hunts are most commonly organized on private estates or run by a hunting club. Other organizations arranging hunting are local town council hunting groups, intensive hunting grounds, controlled reserves and national hunting reserves.The hunting season in Spain is from October to November for “Caza Major” – large game and from October to February for “Caza Menor” – small game

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.

The sport has is drawbacks however and is so popular with native Andalucians and foreign hunters alike that many of the popular species to hunt have reached the point of near extinction . This lead to new regional laws being passed across Spain to control the hunters and protect species such as the brown bear, the Iberian lynx, and the Pyrenean mountain goat

The type of animals hunted in Andalucia include

(capra hispánica), a species unique in the world. They are famous in Andalucia and highly ranked in the local hunting trophies..

Deer is also abundant in Andalucia, especially in the Sierra Morena. Fallow deer (ciervo) are found in Doñana, La Almoraima and the Sierras of Cazorla and Segura. Roebucks (corzo) are found in some parts of the Sierra Morena, Serania de Ronda, as well as in the hills of Jerez and in La Almoraima.

The wild boar (javali) is on the increase due to a lack of natural enemies in the area. 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. Also plentiful are turtledoves, wood pigeons, quails, pheasants, thrushes and starlings, all of which are hunted to eat, in addition to water species, such as various species of ducks and snipes.

Clay Pigeon Shooting is becoming very popular in Andalucia and offers an alternative to hunting living creatures

For those hunters who wish to bring their own gun to Spain from abroad is permitted, however you must first obtain an international permit extension to your existing shotgun certificate, This can be obtained through your issuing police authority. The permit takes the form of an arms license, type E To be granted this the applicant must meet the following criteria :

Has no criminal record
Does a sport needing a shotgun
Passes a psychophysical and theory test proving knowledge of the arms and current regulations.
Passes the practical arms handling test

You should also contact airlines and customs offices prior to trying to cross borders with your shotgun for current details of necessary paperwork.

There are many organizations here in Andalucia offering hunting options. Do Not attempt to break the laws or hunt in restricted areas as the penalties are severe