Partridge shooting summary
Spain has the topography and climate to offer superb red-legged partridge shooting, and the standards of organisation and professionalism at the best shoots leave little to be desired. The traditional Spanish partridge shoot used to be conducted twice a year as a cull, without the emphasis that is now placed on supplementing the wild population and producing challenging birds.
Some of the steepest and most exciting topography for driven partridge shooting is to be found in the glorious Salamanca region of Spain, where the season is extended by law to include February, March and April. The Sanchez-Fabres family employ 14 gamekeepers on three different estates, and each shoot day normally consists of four large drives, broken by a typically generous Spanish lunch, served under canvas by liveried butlers. Guns are accompanied by a personal secretario to record both the number of shots fired, and birds accounted for on a special chart. It is normal for a party of eight guns to shoot for two or three days at a time, with an average daily bag in excess of 500 birds. The price quoted varies according to the size of the bag, and includes collection to and from Madrid airport, together with all food, alcohol, and accommodation. Guns and cartridges are usually supplied by the estate at a reasonable charge however we can also facilitate the importation of your own guns if desired.
Each day’s shooting begins with the “tomelot” or drawing of pegs for the first drive. In the blind (or butt) a “cargador” or loader and a “secretario” or spotter accompany each gun. The terrain is often steep and rugged in the areas where we shoot, which provides challenging birds. At the end of each drive shoot staff pick up whilst the guns return to the vehicles for a drink. Lunch is normally served between the second and third drives, and there are normally 4 or 5 drives in a day, after which a “Tableau” of the day’s bag is displayed. Non shooting members of the party can either join the guns in the field or visit the beautiful city of Salamanca for the day. In addition to driven partridge shooting we can also arrange the Monteria, a driven big game shoot, between the months of November to February
Guests stay in the comfortable Las Ahijaderas Lodge, which is a 2.5 hour transfer from Madrid airport (or 30 minutes from Salamanca if arriving by private charter) and is set in beautiful rolling countryside interspersed with cork and live oak trees. The 19 double rooms are spacious and centrally heated with en suite bath and loos; they have been converted from stable blocks in a beautiful courtyard where facilities include gardens and a large outdoor swimming pool. Meals are served in an adjacent dining and living room furnished with sporting trophies and tastefully decorated. The food is excellent with delicious tapas served before dinner, together with wine, beers, and liqueurs throughout.
The family own another lodge close by called Pedro Llen, a charming old fashioned establishment decorated with the heads of bulls bred on their ranch that were fought in the bullring by famous Matadors such as Manolete and El Cordobes. Guests staying at nearby Las Ahijaderas for shooting may request a tour of this fascinating property and a look at its taurine memorabilia.
Please contact us for further details, cost and availability.
Please contact for further cost and availability
