Czech Republic vs. Slovakia for Driven hunting?????

If you want volume and you don't care about trophies, Slovakia is hard to beat. The Carpathian Mountains create natural funnels. The drives are often steeper, the forests thicker, and the game pressure is slightly less than in the Czech Republic.

Red Leg said:

I will be in Hungary and Austria at the end of November for three days of driven hunting. This will be wild boar and female red deer. The drives are conducted free range on both sides of the border (I fly into Vienna). 6-8 hunters participate, and last year's hunts averaged forty animals a day. The red deer and non-trophy boar are in the base price. A large Keiler incurs a trophy fee. Fortunately, for an American who hasn't developed the skill set to instantly tell with absolute certainty a keiler from a sow as it darts past, any boar can be taken.

My hunt will be through Martin Neuper of FN Hunting. I have hunted with him for a number of years and many of the reports are on this site. https://www.fnhunting.com/ I would also suggest you contact the Hunting Consortium https://huntingconsortium.com/ Bob Kern and his lovely wife have been arranging such hunts for decades. They can also make arrangements for the tourist portion of the hunt.

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Unfortunately Tina and I were not treated well when we visited the Hunting Consortium booth at SCI. The owner immediately dismissed us. Tina actually turned to me and whispered "That man was rude".

Martin Neuper on the other hand was a complete gentleman and was very friendly. We talked about driven hunts and trophy hunts, lodging, etc., and both of us came away very impressed. I've already received an email from Martin laying out some of the details we discussed.

I want to hunt Africa, Tina wants to hunt Europe. It looks like we might alternate between the two for the next few years.

skydiver386 said:

Unfortunately Tina and I were not treated well when we visited the Hunting Consortium booth at SCI. The owner immediately dismissed us. Tina actually turned to me and whispered "That man was rude".

Martin Neuper on the other hand was a complete gentleman and was very friendly. We talked about driven hunts and trophy hunts, lodging, etc., and both of us came away very impressed. I've already received an email from Martin laying out some of the details we discussed.

I want to hunt Africa, Tina wants to hunt Europe. It looks like we might alternate between the two for the next few years.

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The Hunting Consortium just did not dismiss us but he actually immediately snubbed us to the point he walked away!

I have seen the hunting consortium recommended on here a few times. I have not spoken with them, but I really do not like their website. If I am trying to choose an outfitter for a hunt, I want to see hunts listed and be able to look and compare prices, accommodations, etc.

Their website lacks many animals that I'm sure they must have hunts for and greatly lacks client usability. It's a lot of things you can click around on with being minimally helpful. They want you to contact them to learn about the hunts they offer and the pricing. I strongly dislike businesses that use this model where I have to call in to find out the 10 options you have for a bear hunt and then you tell me about them and their prices. List it on the webpage so we don't waste my time and your time.

I know a lot of people like them, and I am not saying they are a bad booking agent. It's just that the car sales selling method (*Call us for a price*) is very off putting to me.

Sabre said:

I have seen the hunting consortium recommended on here a few times. I have not spoken with them, but I really do not like their website. If I am trying to choose an outfitter for a hunt, I want to see hunts listed and be able to look and compare prices, accommodations, etc.

Their website lacks many animals that I'm sure they must have hunts for and greatly lacks client usability. It's a lot of things you can click around on with being minimally helpful. They want you to contact them to learn about the hunts they offer and the pricing. I strongly dislike businesses that use this model where I have to call in to find out the 10 options you have for a bear hunt and then you tell me about them and their prices. List it on the webpage so we don't waste my time and your time.

I know a lot of people like them, and I am not saying they are a bad booking agent. It's just that the car sales selling method (*Call us for a price*) is very off putting to me.

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I know two people that have used him here in Europe.

The outfitter they used said that they doubled the cost of the hunt by using them. They ended up using the same outfitter later at the outfitters regular prices.

In the old days they were the kings in Russia.

I don't remember the name of the outfitter, but it was the one in Austria.

My friend has hunted there 3 times. He booked with hc the first time.

WTA does the something, so do Spanish outfitters. This is a stand operating procedure in Europe.

Shaking the middle men as much as possible is the best thing to do.

I feel like HC used to be the top outfit. Along with Safari Outfitters and Trophy Connection. A lot of those dudes have lost ground because of the internet.

In the old days they would come to European shows and build contacts. Or work directly with the known Forest Service agencies.

Really not necessary anymore. Internet has fixed a lot of that.

I would also heavily warn anyone going to an American show and booking, that they are getting the modern day version of those American agent fees.

For Africa you can book direct easily and I think this is preferred.

In Europe it is also a no brainer. You don't need an American agent to book with a European agent, who will book with an outfitter.

Another question for all you Eastern European hunters…. I think I am leaning toward Czech Republic because of all the touristy things after the hunt, Prague, CZ factory, UNESCO medieval towns …. That being said if we want a driven Pheasant hunt, plus boar and fallow deer is there a time of year we can do it all? Maybe a driven boar hunt too, where we don’t need to identify the sex? I like the smaller guides not huge operations? Any recommendations of an outfitters/guide. I like modest and not to extravagant accommodations where we can meet other hunters and people speak English.

tinktink12 said:

Another question for all you Eastern European hunters…. I think I am leaning toward Czech Republic because of all the touristy things after the hunt, Prague, CZ factory, UNESCO medieval towns …. That being said if we want a driven Pheasant hunt, plus boar and fallow deer is there a time of year we can do it all? Maybe a driven boar hunt too, where we don’t need to identify the sex? I like the smaller guides not huge operations? Any recommendations of an outfitters/guide. I like modest and not to extravagant accommodations where we can meet other hunters and people speak English.

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You can shoot driven pheasants most of the fall.

Driven wild boar will start in late November, but probably this is a December-February type of thing.

Fallow deer are September to February.

Every European country has castles and tourist stuff, there are like 30 castles or castle ruins within 30 miles of my house. Slovakia has the most.

Are you bringing your own rifle? Doesn't matter what country if that is the case.

Poland will be out if you are not bringing your own rifle, you can not rent a rifle there.

Biggest Fallow deer in Europe are places like Gyulaj in Hungary. There are big fallow in Czech for sure, a lot of high fence. Email Gyulaj directly if you want to hunt with them. They have nice accommodations and it is pretty cheap. Unless you shoot a fallow buck that is over 3 or 4 kg. Then it's a used truck.

Send me a PM, and I'll send you my guy.

How much can you do on your own? This will change the price of things.

Can you drive in Europe?

Can you book your own hotels?

You are unlikely to get everything in English, Czech is a long way from England. Everything will be in German or Czech. Maybe some younger kids will speak English.

Local hunters, doubtful.

Can you figure out the taxidermy and export?

The less you do, the more you pay.

The more you do, it's cheaper.

This is how the Spaniards screw everyone, because they have an American price and a European price.

Most of Europe isn't that way, but if you book through WTA or another American agent it will be that way.

You need a European agent, or you can pay American prices.

Muskox said:

You can shoot driven pheasants most of the fall.

Driven wild boar will start in late November, but probably this is a December-February type of thing.

Fallow deer are September to February.

Every European country has castles and tourist stuff, there are like 30 castles or castle ruins within 30 miles of my house. Slovakia has the most.

Are you bringing your own rifle? Doesn't matter what country if that is the case.

Poland will be out if you are not bringing your own rifle, you can not rent a rifle there.

Biggest Fallow deer in Europe are places like Gyulaj in Hungary. There are big fallow in Czech for sure, a lot of high fence. Email Gyulaj directly if you want to hunt with them. They have nice accommodations and it is pretty cheap. Unless you shoot a fallow buck that is over 3 or 4 kg. Then it's a used truck.

Send me a PM, and I'll send you my guy.

How much can you do on your own? This will change the price of things.

Can you drive in Europe?

Can you book your own hotels?

You are unlikely to get everything in English, Czech is a long way from England. Everything will be in German or Czech. Maybe some younger kids will speak English.

Local hunters, doubtful.

Can you figure out the taxidermy and export?

The less you do, the more you pay.

The more you do, it's cheaper.

This is how the Spaniards screw everyone, because they have an American price and a European price.

Most of Europe isn't that way, but if you book through WTA or another American agent it will be that way.

You need a European agent, or you can pay American prices.

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Thank you @Muskox
This is very helpful information. I am still trying to figure out where me and @skydiver386 are going on our big hunt for 2027. So many choices, still noodling on it ! If we go with Czech Republic I will reach out for your outfitter.
Thanks again

Late to the party… but I’ll add another +1 to the Czech Republic…

I have not hunted there… but I’ve spent a fair amount of time in both Prague and Zlin.. the Czechs are super welcoming, there’s great food, great beer, it’s affordable.. tons to see and do in the cities… and the countryside is beautiful…

I was petitioning pretty hard to do a driven hunt in either Czech Republic or Romania this year… but my wife was pretty dead set on Croatia… so… we’re going to Croatia lol…

But I plan on getting her to come around in 27 or 28… it’s a wonderful country..

Dare I suggest we try to put together an Africa Hunting driven hunt sometime in '27? It would be a bunch of work for the organizer(s) and dealing with people and money brings its own difficulties, but maybe we could put together a preliminary "I'm legitimately interested" list with a $20 fine pool that goes to support AH for those who back out, or something along those lines? Anyway, just thinking aloud but there's a ton of activity both here and on YouTube surrounding driven hunts; maybe we should do something about it ...

analog_peninsula said:

Dare I suggest we try to put together an Africa Hunting driven hunt sometime in '27? It would be a bunch of work for the organizer(s) and dealing with people and money brings its own difficulties, but maybe we could put together a preliminary "I'm legitimately interested" list with a $20 fine pool that goes to support AH for those who back out, or something along those lines? Anyway, just thinking aloud but there's a ton of activity both here and on YouTube surrounding driven hunts; maybe we should do something about it ...

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I'd love to do an AH group hunt like that. There are some obstacles to overcome though.

1. It would require an Outfitter that would welcome a relatively small group of 10-12 hunters, unless we were part of a larger hunt.

2. I would imagine a little bit of training would be required to help identify sex, age/weight, and hitting a running target with a rifle.

3. If a group were brought together, would everyone want driven boar only, or a day of driven pheasant also?

4. What Country would offer the most likely chance of bringing this type of hunt to fruition? Hungary, Czech or Slovak Republics, Romania, etc.?

I'd be the first one to sign up for a hunt like this. At this years SCI, there was a group from Slovakia that had fantastic videos of driven hunts they offered. Tomas Melich was the gentleman that I talked to and both the boar and pheasant hunting looked awesome.

skydiver386 said:

I'd love to do an AH group hunt like that. There are some obstacles to overcome though.

1. It would require an Outfitter that would welcome a relatively small group of 10-12 hunters, unless we were part of a larger hunt.

2. I would imagine a little bit of training would be required to help identify sex, age/weight, and hitting a running target with a rifle.

3. If a group were brought together, would everyone want driven boar only, or a day of driven pheasant also?

4. What Country would offer the most likely chance of bringing this type of hunt to fruition? Hungary, Czech or Slovak Republics, Romania, etc.?

I'd be the first one to sign up for a hunt like this. At this years SCI, there was a group from Slovakia that had fantastic videos of driven hunts they offered. Tomas Melich was the gentleman that I talked to and both the boar and pheasant hunting looked awesome.

https://huntinslovakia.com/

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Maybe we start with something a little easier to execute logistically/financially/functionally?

Maybe a Dakotas pheasant hunt or something?

Limit it to 10… first come, first served… mandatory deposit of 50% to secure your slot (keep folks committed once their spot is spoken for).., do it over a weekend.. etc etc..

I’m betting something like that would be pretty easy to pull off… and if successful, there’s a core group already built that knows each other, enjoys hunting together, etc that becomes the base group for the next years European adventure..

That is assuming that there is gas available for the jets to fly…

Do I get cross thread points????

mdwest said:

Maybe we start with something a little easier to execute logistically/financially/functionally?

Maybe a Dakotas pheasant hunt or something?

Limit it to 10… first come, first served… mandatory deposit of 50% to secure your slot (keep folks committed once their spot is spoken for).., do it over a weekend.. etc etc..

I’m betting something like that would be pretty easy to pull off… and if successful, there’s a core group already built that knows each other, enjoys hunting together, etc that becomes the base group for the next years European adventure..

That is assuming that there is gas available for the jets to fly…

Do I get cross thread points????

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I've already talked with AH sponsor @gizmo at the Rockin G Ranch about such a Hunt for hogs, Pheasants and a Big Bore rifle shoot, but never followed up on my idea.

You might be able to work through WTA to arrange an AH group driven hunt. WTA had a driven boar hunt in Croatia that was scheduled to happen at the end of January this year. I called and got info about it, it was a 3 day hunt focused on US hunters, I think they needed 10-12 to sign up for it to happen. Unfortunately, I was already scheduled to be flying home from a fishing trip in Argentina on the day I would have needed to leave for Croatia so I couldn't make the timing work out.

I asked at the WTA booth at SCI if they had the hunt and if they were planning to do it again next year. They said the hunt was called off as they didn't get enough interest and no plans to schedule it again. But if we had a group willing to commit they might would run it for us since they must already have the contacts. I want to say the WTA contact for European hunts who was hosting the driven hunt is Roger Jorgenson so I would start with him if there is an interest to pursue this further.

MontanaPat said:

You might be able to work through WTA to arrange an AH group driven hunt. WTA had a driven boar hunt in Croatia that was scheduled to happen at the end of January this year. I called and got info about it, it was a 3 day hunt focused on US hunters, I think they needed 10-12 to sign up for it to happen. Unfortunately, I was already scheduled to be flying home from a fishing trip in Argentina on the day I would have needed to leave for Croatia so I couldn't make the timing work out.

I asked at the WTA booth at SCI if they had the hunt and if they were planning to do it again next year. They said the hunt was called off as they didn't get enough interest and no plans to schedule it again. But if we had a group willing to commit they might would run it for us since they must already have the contacts. I want to say the WTA contact for European hunts who was hosting the driven hunt is Roger Jorgenson so I would start with him if there is an interest to pursue this further.

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WTA is who is coordinating our Croatia hunt this year…

We don’t hunt until September.. but so far everything about working with them on a Croatia hunt has been top notch…