Last Chance For CITES Brown Bear Hunt!

[skydiver386]

Though I have yet to hunt there, both government and defense industry business has taken me there numerous times. At the turn of the last century, Bucharest became known as the "Little Paris," a sense of artistic and cultural sophistication that survived through the darkness of the Nicolae Ceaușescu regime and his overlords in Moscow.

The people are some of the friendliest in Europe, largely I think due to their Latin rather than Slavic cultural roots. Like Spain and Austria, Romania would be one of the perfect places in Europe for a hunting / tourist vacation with a spouse.

I think Romania should be at the top of anyone's list if they are taking a spouse.

A great mixed bag could be put together in a week of hunting in the Carpathian mountains. More than enough to satisfy any hunter. Then a week touring the country in a rental car, spending a day in each town enjoying the food and culture. Every woman I know is fascinated by the idea of a vacation in old Europe, and Romania will not disappoint.

I hope someone here jumps on the chance to use this tag with Marius.

 

[Foxi]

Most of my hunters hit the bear on the right spot and 1 bullet was enough to get the job done. Here are some tips for next hunters:

• Do NOT aim at the heart and miss the bear low. Remember, bears have an abundance of fat and fur so it can be difficult to tell exactly where the body cavity sits. It’s better to aim “mid-mid” and touch back to the shoulder, rather than intentionally trying to shoot the heart.
• Do NOT shoot too high when trying to make a high-shoulder shot. The vitals of a bear sit lower than a typical big game animal. There’s no doubt that you will knock the bear to its belly with a shot too high, but there is a good chance it will get up and head out of town afterward.
• Do NOT hit too far forward on a quartering-away bear. This will likely lead to a wounded bear that you won’t ever see again. Remember, the vitals of a bear sit farther back than a deer or elk’s.

View attachment 676878
This is a lungs shot! Bear will die in 50-75 yards with the correct bullet weight.

Marius,
the red cross is suboptimal, to far behind,the square is ok.
Only my opinion after a few bears.

 

[V.Veritas]

Though I have yet to hunt there, both government and defense industry business have taken me there numerous times. At the turn of the last century, Bucharest became known as the "Little Paris," a sense of artistic and cultural sophistication that survived through the darkness of the Nicolae Ceaușescu regime and his overlords in Moscow.

The people are some of the friendliest in Europe, largely I think due to their Latin rather than Slavic cultural roots. Like Spain and Austria, Romania would be one of the perfect places in Europe for a hunting / tourist vacation with a spouse.

I would like to add to @RedLeg 's comments, that at the West end of the Country there is a town known as "Little Vienna". I'm refering to Timișoara. Long time ago it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and it was the first town in Europe to get electric street lighting. Just 4 years after the New York City started pioneering the concept on Broadway.

@RedLeg is as usual spot on reading the cultural differences between a Latin island floating in a sea of Slavic countries. Well done!

But I believe he is wrong regarding the paperwork required for the use of a rental rifle. In my experience it was very easy when I hunted with @HUNTROMANIA.

Bringing your own rifle though it is challenging if you wish to visit the country on the same trip. Legally you cannot be in the possesion of a rifle if you are not hunting. You cannot store it and abide all the legal requirements (metal cabinet bolted to the floor/ wall etc). I have not found a convenient way to spend time in Romania as a turist while I'm in possession of a rifle. Once I do, I'll let everybody else know.

 

[skydiver386]

I would like to add to @RedLeg 's comments, that at the West end of the Country there is a town known as "Little Vienna". I'm refering to Timișoara. Long time ago it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and it was the first town in Europe to get electric street lighting. Just 4 years after the New York City started pioneering the concept on Broadway.

@RedLeg is as usual spot on reading the cultural differences between a Latin island floating in a sea of Slavic countries. Well done!

But I believe he is wrong regarding the paperwork required for the use of a rental rifle. In my experience it was very easy when I hunted with @HUNTROMANIA.

Bringing your own rifle though it is challenging if you wish to visit the country on the same trip. Legally you cannot be in the possesion of a rifle if you are not hunting. You cannot store it and abide all the legal requirements (metal cabinet bolted to the floor/ wall etc). I have not found a convenient way to spend time in Romania as a turist while I'm in possession of a rifle. Once I do, I'll let everybody else know.

This is exactly why I used the Blazer R8 rental rifle that Marius has available.

I might have preferred my own rifles, but leaving them in a Hotel room or the trunk of a rental car after the hunt is not an option. A simple 4457 and your hunting license are needed to rent the firearm and hunt in Romania, and communication with Marius was always very quick and easy on this point.

 

[dchum]

Marius,
the red cross is suboptimal, to far behind,the square is ok.
Only my opinion after a few bears.

The bear is quartering away as he mentioned.

I’m gonna go ahead and listen/agree with Marius on this one…

Only does it for a living

 

[V.Veritas]

I'll attach an ON spring black bear shot placement self-study for those so inclined.
Shot was from a treestand (hence angled downwards) on the left side quartering away exiting low through the right shoulder and hitting the top of the heart and both lungs.

 

[HUNTROMANIA]

Thank you everyone for a great 2025 bear hunting season!
We keep our eyes for spring 2026!