Value for money .

[Lateral]

True what you say. Often what is promised , Boar per day and what is shot or even seen is i think very different.

The trip with you at the end of Feb is the way to go. No expectations but I'll be on top form if they run by me plus for me it about the whole experiance.

There was a very good article in one of our hunting mags by a chap who do's a lot of trips abroad hunting He was scathing about a Danish hunting agent. He said that many driven boar hunts are over sold and many bits of ground are driven to many times. Still good for the agent even if you get money back for lack of game. For them its win, win.
I know a couple of big estates here in Sweden who only do driven days twice a year.

Of all the trips I've done via an agent, not one has come to close to the suggested/implied numbers, not even 50%, but even then, you get one or two guys who are lucky, and say what a great trip it was, when in reality, it was rubbish. Sadly, this is enough for the agent to continue getting enough people to do another trip, and like you say, the agent always makes money regardless !

It's a pity that more people don't post accounts of their trips, good, or bad, so we get a more objective view.

I'm looking forward to the February trip, and know if it's anything like the last Feb' trip, we'll have a great time, and if we're lucky, shoot a few boar too Maybe you can give Graham a few tips

 

[JTO]

I ran into a chap at Bisley who had been charged '£4-500' by a guide to shoot a boar at Askeswell, Dorset. He said the guide had access to 'tens of thousands of acres' in Britain.

 

[Orion]

I'm looking forward to the February trip, and know if it's anything like the last Feb' trip, we'll have a great time, and if we're lucky, shoot a few boar too Maybe you can give Graham a few tips

Oi Wyatt Earp, I'm here and following the pre-trip bragging from you and the Skandikiller! I'm honed, toned and ready for the sun - now what's this about wild boar?

 

[mereside]

I have done a few varied trips now and there are quite a few on here go every year my thoughts are maybe do a fenced area to start off not everyone's cup of tea but the likely hood of getting a shot is higher, when you first start out you take a while to tune in to driven hunting, you have to be very very still and quite or you won't get wild boar come by, often boar trot up to a line and stand weighing up which way to go these creatures are not daft any movement or sound and they will be off in another direction.
many people miss an opportunity to take a shot for fear of getting it wrong and the chance passes by and you don't get many.
have you thought of getting a cheap flight to Sweden or hopping on a ferry to France to do simulated day in the cinema this really helps get your eye in and you can see if you go wrong and be able to correct yourself very quickly and you haven't spent thousands doing it.
Also get some foreign magazines looking at the adds for driven do the legwork yourself and you can get it cheaper, forestry commission abroad do days at cheap rates but you need to speak the language, bear in mind free range hunting is harder and you can never guarantee a shot but having the crack with a bunch of guys who you would stay in touch with and help find other days is worth it, I wish you luck in finding what you are after because it is very very addictive and nothing comes close to the adrenaline you get when the dogs start and the boar are running by, Atb Wayne

 

[Lateral]

I ran into a chap at Bisley who had been charged '£4-500' by a guide to shoot a boar at Askeswell, Dorset. He said the guide had access to 'tens of thousands of acres' in Britain.

I assume that's £400.00 > £450.00 ? and crazy money to shoot a boar.

Oi Wyatt Earp, I'm here and following the pre-trip bragging from you and the Skandikiller! I'm honed, toned and ready for the sun - now what's this about wild boar?

Yes, and as I recall, you're not shy at stripping off to show it too, sun, or no sun Fingers crossed, Alan will have to go through the Portuguese initiation too

 

[jimmy milnes]

I have done a few varied trips now and there are quite a few on here go every year my thoughts are maybe do a fenced area to start off not everyone's cup of tea but the likely hood of getting a shot is higher, when you first start out you take a while to tune in to driven hunting, you have to be very very still and quite or you won't get wild boar come by, often boar trot up to a line and stand weighing up which way to go these creatures are not daft any movement or sound and they will be off in another direction.
many people miss an opportunity to take a shot for fear of getting it wrong and the chance passes by and you don't get many.
have you thought of getting a cheap flight to Sweden or hopping on a ferry to France to do simulated day in the cinema this really helps get your eye in and you can see if you go wrong and be able to correct yourself very quickly and you haven't spent thousands doing it.
Also get some foreign magazines looking at the adds for driven do the legwork yourself and you can get it cheaper, forestry commission abroad do days at cheap rates but you need to speak the language, bear in mind free range hunting is harder and you can never guarantee a shot but having the crack with a bunch of guys who you would stay in touch with and help find other days is worth it, I wish you luck in finding what you are after because it is very very addictive and nothing comes close to the adrenaline you get when the dogs start and the boar are running by, Atb Wayne

Your last paragraph hits the nail on the head Wayne, ''convenience costs'' so it's convenient to go through an agency as all is taken care of for you but as you say do the legwork yourself and the costs can fall substantially
Regards
Jimmy

 

[JTO]

I assume that's £400.00 > £450.00 ? and crazy money to shoot a boar.

No! I asked how much and he said "Four or five hundred". How much would 7 trips to Portugal cost, not that I would pay that sort of money to 'tick another box'.

 

[Lateral]

No! I asked how much and he said "Four or five hundred". How much would 7 trips to Portugal cost, not that I would pay that sort of money to 'tick another box'.

Sorry, typo, I meant to say £400-£500.

Ok, firstly, I don't cost out what I shoot based on the cost of the trip, anymore than putting the cost of a deer, based on how many stalks, fuel, hotel, etc'. Yes of course I want to have successful hunts, but it's about the whole experience for me.

The first few trips I did, were though agents, and cost between £1400.00 and £2200.00 for 3 shooting days. That included Portugal, Hungary, & Croatia x 2. So yes, a fair bit, and a MASSIVE learning curve.

Now when I go to Portugal, I'm spending time with friends, in a great country, with great people, and I get to hunt too. Because of this, and the low cost, I don't feel the same need to shoot something (as much as I really want to) and worst case, I've had a good weekend away.

 

[8x57]

I have done a few varied trips now and there are quite a few on here go every year my thoughts are maybe do a fenced area to start off not everyone's cup of tea but the likely hood of getting a shot is higher, when you first start out you take a while to tune in to driven hunting, you have to be very very still and quite or you won't get wild boar come by, often boar trot up to a line and stand weighing up which way to go these creatures are not daft any movement or sound and they will be off in another direction.
many people miss an opportunity to take a shot for fear of getting it wrong and the chance passes by and you don't get many.
have you thought of getting a cheap flight to Sweden or hopping on a ferry to France to do simulated day in the cinema this really helps get your eye in and you can see if you go wrong and be able to correct yourself very quickly and you haven't spent thousands doing it.
Also get some foreign magazines looking at the adds for driven do the legwork yourself and you can get it cheaper, forestry commission abroad do days at cheap rates but you need to speak the language, bear in mind free range hunting is harder and you can never guarantee a shot but having the crack with a bunch of guys who you would stay in touch with and help find other days is worth it, I wish you luck in finding what you are after because it is very very addictive and nothing comes close to the adrenaline you get when the dogs start and the boar are running by, Atb Wayne

That's exactly what I did a couple of years ago Wayne. I researched France and made contact with a local hunting association then made the short ferry crossing myself and arranged the accommodation myself. I also sorted out my insurance and permis de chasse without which I would not have been allowed to shoot. I had two days shooting for very little money and shot two medium sized boar (90Kg each) having fired a total of two rounds (100% success rate - Bragging). I had a lovely short break and did something that I had wanted to do for an extremely long time.

However what I missed out on was the company of like minded shooters as while my hosts were terrific and did their very best to make me welcome my poor French let me down and I wasn't able to join in the same at the post shoot meals, which judging by the laughter and obvious jollity were a main part of each day. I therefore have made the promise that when (not if) I go again it will be with a group of guys who at least speak the same language as myself and hopefully with a group of my friends. In fact I nailed my colours to the mast some time ago and said that if I ever win the lottery I will treat a gang of my shooting buddies many of which are SD members to a good driven boar trip in Europe.

 

[JTO]

I'm a loner. I feel inhibited when shooting in company. If I won the lottery, I would buy some woodland that held some animals to put on the table. I could do it now if I wanted to bad enough, but the OAP doesn't go far enough for the rest of life. I've been outside, weather permitting, virtually every day of my working, recreational and retired life, so the 'whole experience' thing doesn't mean the same to me as it would to other sorts of people. I don't drink, so the 'Apres hunt' thing is not important. I do things that I want to do and not because people think it's the 'done thing' or fashionable. It takes all sorts to make a World. I just feel the need to satisfy the natural hunter-gatherer instinct.

 

[Lateral]

I'm a loner. I feel inhibited when shooting in company. If I won the lottery, I would buy some woodland that held some animals to put on the table. I could do it now if I wanted to bad enough, but the OAP doesn't go far enough for the rest of life. I've been outside, weather permitting, virtually every day of my working, recreational and retired life, so the 'whole experience' thing doesn't mean the same to me as it would to other sorts of people. I don't drink, so the 'Apres hunt' thing is not important. I do things that I want to do and not because people think it's the 'done thing' or fashionable. It takes all sorts to make a World. I just feel the need to satisfy the natural hunter-gatherer instinct.

I can understand that, and god would I love to own some woodland, but it's so expensive ! I think most men like the "hunter gather" idea, I know I've loved knives, bows, and arrows, guns, camping, making fires, as long as I can remember.

I'm not a drinker either, so "apres hunt" is about sitting down to a nice meal, and sharing experiences with my friends.

I'm still working, and expect to be for some time, so I'm trying to enjoy myself, whilst I still can.

 

[8x57]

JTO I thought that we were discussing driven shooting which is quite unlike stalking, the one being a social event and the other a predominantly solitary activity. No one is required to drink at the after shoot dinner in fact I am not a great drinker myself but I do enjoy a couple of pints in amiable company. I have on occasion in the past seen people who were the heart and soul of a party without the need for any alcohol to pass their lips.

To sit down in pleasant company and enjoy a good meal at the end of the day and swap lies takes some beating. What the Irish like to call the craic.

 

[mereside]

JTO I thought that we were discussing driven shooting which is quite unlike stalking, the one being a social event and the other a predominantly solitary activity. No one is required to drink at the after shoot dinner in fact I am not a great drinker myself but I do enjoy a couple of pints in amiable company. I have on occasion in the past seen people who were the heart and soul of a party without the need for any alcohol to pass their lips.

To sit down in pleasant company and enjoy a good meal at the end of the day and swap lies takes some beating. What the Irish like to call the craic.

I have to say this is high on the list for me having banter with good folk that share the same interests with great stories to boot. I also love meeting people who hunt different to ours and it really is a huge pleasure listening to each persons account on each drive as everyone always has a good story of what happened, atb wayne

 

[tusker]

I'm a loner. I feel inhibited when shooting in company. If I won the lottery, I would buy some woodland that held some animals to put on the table. I could do it now if I wanted to bad enough, but the OAP doesn't go far enough for the rest of life. I've been outside, weather permitting, virtually every day of my working, recreational and retired life, so the 'whole experience' thing doesn't mean the same to me as it would to other sorts of people. I don't drink, so the 'Apres hunt' thing is not important. I do things that I want to do and not because people think it's the 'done thing' or fashionable. It takes all sorts to make a World. I just feel the need to satisfy the natural hunter-gatherer instinct.

You would definatly enjoy Finland/Lapland. They are proper hunter gatherers I spent 2 days and walked 24 km with 4 others and the group shot 1 capercallie and one black grouse. I got the capercallie. I can tell you it was one of the greatest 2 days hunting I have ever had. True wilderness.
Tusker

 

[paul dillon]

Thank you Lateral,
I do understand the luck part/good days bad days (been a keeper for 30 years ! lolol)
Buy I simply couldn't afford to go up to seven times to get my first boar. I am still trying to work out whether I will go for driven or stalk/tower ?

I have no desire to shoot a lot of pigs but I do want to tick another box and at least have a few pictures of the experience.

Hi 2434me,

if you just want to tick a box and have a few pictures just contact Solway Stalker off here he will put you right and just a few mile down the road be a bit less than 2k

happy hunting

Paul D

 

[Jagare]

JTO I thought that we were discussing driven shooting which is quite unlike stalking, the one being a social event and the other a predominantly solitary activity. No one is required to drink at the after shoot dinner in fact I am not a great drinker myself but I do enjoy a couple of pints in amiable company. I have on occasion in the past seen people who were the heart and soul of a party without the need for any alcohol to pass their lips.

To sit down in pleasant company and enjoy a good meal at the end of the day and swap lies takes some beating. What the Irish like to call the craic.

That Mike, is what hunting should be about. I got an Invite for the Monday after Christmas day to shoot ducks, pheasants and hares. Apart from the great shooting there was good food and excellent company. One of the best days hunting I've had in years.

 

[JTO]

if you just want to tick a box and have a few pictures just contact Solway Stalker off here he will put you right and just a few mile down the road be a bit less than 2k

I don't know the chap, just read posts on here, but that's who I had in mind when I first commented.

 

[Lateral]

Hi 2434me,

if you just want to tick a box and have a few pictures just contact Solway Stalker off here he will put you right and just a few mile down the road be a bit less than 2k

happy hunting

Paul D

2434me's original post was about doing a "driven boar trip", which is massively different to going and shooting a boar from a seat in the UK, in both the experience, and yes the cost. It's also like suggesting someone asking about spending a few days on the beach in the South of France, tries a day in Brighton ??? Well sort of

There are ways to get cheap driven boar trips in Spain, and Portugal, but as already mentioned, it's very hard if you don't speak the language, and this is where I'm lucky yo have friends locally.

I'm probably going to regret saying this, but a long weekend in Portugal, flying out on a Friday, returning on the Monday, shooting, Sat', & Sun', costs me circa £450.00 for flights, hotel, hunting, breakfast, & lunch is included in the hunting charge. So I also have to pay for evening meals, and I look after my friends, who transport me about, paying for fuel, and some of their meals too. The longer you stay, the cheaper it is pro-rata.

The Portuguese Monteria is one hunt per day, lasting 3-4 hours, with anywhere between 30 - 100 guns covering a mountain/shooting area, and up to 400 dogs to do the beating through. Like any hunt, you have good days, and bad days.

As others will testify, once those dogs get on the scent, and the barking starts getting closer, and closer, and you start hearing the boar coming towards you, there's nothing like the adrenaline rush, knowing that a 200kg boar could charge you at any time !


Now, compare that to a day or two shooting boar in the UK !

 

[mchughcb]

Nothing beats having your own dogs that are barking

 

[JTO]

I suppose 'value for money' largely depends on your circumstances and priorities. We used to have a team shooting pheasants who used to start in August on the grouse(£60 a bird then) and by early November had done over 30 days of driven birds. I can't imagine myself ever spending that much.