Hungarian hunting (driven hunts)

[SimpleSimon]

Following on from my midlife crisis thread, I'm starting to lean towards driven hunting... My 40th is just over the horizon and I've time to save some pennies and do some planning (I should probably start by getting a passport... )

Who's been to Hungary, and how did you like it? I know there's the obviously named Hungarian Hunter who posts on here and seems to have a good reputation, and his prices, and others over there, do look quite attractive. Not exactly pocket money, but factoring in a few days hunting and all the accommodation and meals, etc, it looks good. Any other outfitters I should look at?

Outfitters aside, how easy is travelling there with a rifle (easyjet looks like a favourite?) - bear in mind I haven't flown commercially for about 20 years, so I'm not what you might call proficient

 

[finnbear270]

Been over with George (Hungarian Hunter) on driven Boar ................ Absolutely brilliant trips.

 

[Jagare]

I've driven and flown down to Hungary to hunt. I've enjoyed it alot. You can eat out for very reasonable money and the hotel I stayed at was also very reasonable.
As said by, finnbear270, Hungarian Hunter is a good bloke.

 

[Dunwaters]

Don’t buy based on price, youre buying the whole experience.
Have a look at a Monteria in Spain or Portugal too, the family might like to join you, not for the day but for a holiday.

 

[starr shot]

Stay away from Wonderhart or a individual called Tamas

 

[finnbear270]

THIS^^^

 

[SimpleSimon]

Stay away from Wonderhart or a individual called Tamas

Noted

 

[sikamalc]

I have hunted 3 times with George (aka Hungarian hunter) Twice on Driven Boar, and once for Red Stag. George is a fair man and honest. I've dealt with him over a period of years, including him bringing clients to me to hunt in the UK.
I would choose George if I go again to Hungary, although I am not a great lover of their present regime in power. We didn't have any problems taking firearms into Hungary, the only issue was again at Gatwick, with idiots that don't know their job.

As has been mentioned, STAY WELL AWAY FROM WONDERHART or anyone associated with him.

 

[Nimrod1960]

I didnt have a great experience, but will bow to Sikamalc’s greater knowledge of what to expect.

 

[sikamalc]

I didnt have a great experience, but will bow to Sikamalc’s greater knowledge of what to expect.

Oh, did you have some issues then? With George I'm assuming. Its been a while since Iv'e been with George, pre Covid. But had no issues to speak of. I would add that Swine flu in the Boar population caused a significant crash in numbers a few years back, and that did put us off returning.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

We went as a group of two and the accommodation was somehow overbooked and we were then put into a normal pension a few kms away where the food to be fair was very good. George was in the UK and the guide we were allocated was not the best as he sat us out for a full nights hunting just sitting on a high seat box that only had a plank to sit on with no backrest and after two night due to the pains in our bodies we cancelled the last two nights and went back to Germany.
To be fair I am done now with paying out for what we can get locally for free.
The countryside there was super and there were enough boar around, I did shoot one keiler in those two days, I hope it is not a normal happenstance as the trip I had done with his outfit the year before was super.

 

[Nimrod1960]

We went as a group of two and the accommodation was somehow overbooked and we were then put into a normal pension a few kms away where the food to be fair was very good. George was in the UK and the guide we were allocated was not the best as he sat us out for a full nights hunting just sitting on a high seat box that only had a plank to sit on with no backrest and after two night due to the pains in our bodies we cancelled the last two nights and went back to Germany.
To be fair I am done now with paying out for what we can get locally for free.
The countryside there was super and there were enough boar around, I did shoot one keiler in those two days, I hope it is not a normal happenstance as the trip I had done with his outfit the year before was super.

Similar re accommodation and George not being around ( in fairness I think he had family health issues back in UK)

Six high seat/box sessions did not see a single boar even with thermal. This was an “unlimited numbers” end of season offer back in 22.

Did have a moan and thought I might get something offered at a discount but nothing happened.

Had a couple of PMs re similar experience.
But others on here have had what appears to be good value.

 

[Nimrod1960]

We went as a group of two and the accommodation was somehow overbooked and we were then put into a normal pension a few kms away where the food to be fair was very good. George was in the UK and the guide we were allocated was not the best as he sat us out for a full nights hunting just sitting on a high seat box that only had a plank to sit on with no backrest and after two night due to the pains in our bodies we cancelled the last two nights and went back to Germany.
To be fair I am done now with paying out for what we can get locally for free.
The countryside there was super and there were enough boar around, I did shoot one keiler in those two days, I hope it is not a normal happenstance as the trip I had done with his outfit the year before was super.

Similar re accommodation and George not being around ( in fairness I think he had family health issues back in UK)

Six high seat/box sessions did not see a single boar even with thermal.

Did have a moan and thought I might get something offered at a discount but nothing happened.

Also think some SD members have enjoyed good value with him, perhaps I was just unlucky.

 

[SimpleSimon]

We went as a group of two and the accommodation was somehow overbooked and we were then put into a normal pension a few kms away where the food to be fair was very good. George was in the UK and the guide we were allocated was not the best as he sat us out for a full nights hunting just sitting on a high seat box that only had a plank to sit on with no backrest and after two night due to the pains in our bodies we cancelled the last two nights and went back to Germany.
To be fair I am done now with paying out for what we can get locally for free.
The countryside there was super and there were enough boar around, I did shoot one keiler in those two days, I hope it is not a normal happenstance as the trip I had done with his outfit the year before was super.

Similar re accommodation and George not being around ( in fairness I think he had family health issues back in UK)

Six high seat/box sessions did not see a single boar even with thermal. This was an “unlimited numbers” end of season offer back in 22.

Did have a moan and thought I might get something offered at a discount but nothing happened.

Had a couple of PMs re similar experience.
But others on here have had what appears to be good value.

Thanks gents, always good to have feedback from both sides.
It's only really driven hunting I'd be interested in, and his reviews as far as that's concerned all seem to agree that you get what's advertised

 

[Nimrod1960]

Good luck, make time to see some of the capital, the main museum has a hunting display.

Please report back

 

[finnbear270]

Good luck, make time to see some of the capital, the main museum has a hunting display.

Please report back

If it's the museum I went in, it has a lot of traffic fumes collecting in the below street level entrance hall.

 

[EMcC]

If you do go with George make sure you go with a group George has got together and not get added to a group got together by somebody else as I was.
When I went it was for the last two days of a four day hunt and there were people leaving at that stage through disappointment with the hunt so far.
I had to wait for a room to be cleared for me and it was at the end of a corridor with a bed and a table, the wash room/toilet was shared at the other end of the corridor.
The hunting was good for some but it wasn't my turn but I did enjoy seeing a Red Squirrel, it wasn't sure of me so came quite close to check me out, when it realised I was human it took off like squirrels do at super speed.
I would go with George again if it was his group as hunting can be variable but scenery and company, help make a trip a good one.

 

[Sika98k]

I go to Europe every year for driven boar be it Hungary, Croatia or Romania. However the packages we opt for involve a set fee to cover the bus, hotel, 3 meals a day, local hunting permits and whatever else. After that we pay for what we shoot. Up to 10 boar in a day €350 each, 11-14, €400 each and over 15 a day is €500 each. That’s one example from a trip to Romania next January. So 15+ boar a day for two days is €1650 plus flights. This is for a group of 12-14 hunters. I can live with that.
We did Turkey some years ago. Flat fee, promised lots of boar, lying toads ! @Lateral . I bet you are still spitting blood !

 

[Lateral]

I go to Europe every year for driven boar be it Hungary, Croatia or Romania. However the packages we opt for involve a set fee to cover the bus, hotel, 3 meals a day, local hunting permits and whatever else. After that we pay for what we shoot. Up to 10 boar in a day €350 each, 11-14, €400 each and over 15 a day is €500 each. That’s one example from a trip to Romania next January. So 15+ boar a day for two days is €1650 plus flights. This is for a group of 12-14 hunters. I can live with that.
We did Turkey some years ago. Flat fee, promised lots of boar, lying toads ! @Lateral . I bet you are still spitting blood !

If only we could guaranty how many boar we would shoot on each trip, and just go on the good ones