ROMANIA: Quest For The MACHO GRANDE With HUNTROMANIA

[skydiver386]

This is my Chamois which I shot yesterday at around 3:30 in the afternoon, but couldn't recover till this morning with the aid of some technical climbers.he stores about 107 CIC.

 

[skydiver386]

The MACHO GRANDE busted the scale at 12.10kg. He also busted the price scale.

The Hunting Club is VERY proud of this Stag, and plans to display him in the regional show in Romania.

 

[skydiver386]

This is Tina’s Chamois. Picture wouldn’t load on the other post. It was a steep 60 degree climb up the mountain and a long shot, but she’s becoming a tough and skilled hunter.

Red arrow is where the Chamois was standing at 267 yards. Shot with a single round of 6.5 PRC using a Blaser R8. Watched as it tumbled down the hill.

 

[WAB]

Absolutely outstanding hunt!

 

[JINKLE]

Congrats to both of y'all. I love every time I get to read a @HUNTROMANIA report. I will make this trip one day.

 

[PARA45]

Congrats to both of y'all. I love every time I get to read a @HUNTROMANIA report. I will make this trip one day.

That makes two of us. One of these days, this is going to happen.

 

[skydiver386]

Palinca, the National drink of Romania. After each successful hunt, it was forced upon me.

 

[skydiver386]

This is the Romanian guide to dealing with Bears. First, take up a good fighting stance. Second, go low and attack him at the knees. Sweep around behind him to avoid his claws and teeth. Put both arms around his neck. Get him in a good chokehold. Squeeze hard until the Bear passes out. If the Bear gets the better of you, it's because you didn't squeeze hard enough.

 

[skydiver386]

That makes two of us. One of these days, this is going to happen.

It's some great hunting, and you should bring the Mrs.

The hunting, lodging and food have all been top notch.

Tina and I toured the old medieval city of Brazov today, and had a great time. In the next few days we'll visit Peles Castle, Brahn (Dracula's) Castle, the Salina Turda mines and Bucharest.

 

[PARA45]

It's some great hunting, and you should bring the Mrs.

The hunting, lodging and food have all been top notch.

Tina and I toured the old medieval city of Brazov today, and had a great time. In the next few days we'll visit Peles Castle, Brahn (Dracula's) Castle, the Salina Turda mines and Bucharest.

That's exactly what we would like to do, and what we normally do when we visit another country or state. Do a bit of tourism and see the natural attractions.

 

[cpr0312]

Congrats and thanks for sharing!

 

[Mekaniks]

That makes two of us. One of these days, this is going to happen.

I sent my deposit for next year. Already excited!!

 

[skydiver386]

This is a set of Bear tracks just a few yards from where I was standing when I shot the Roebuck. We saw quite a few more in the areas where we hunted Stags and Chamois. Marius showed Tina and I several pics of really big Bears taken by trail cams within the last week or two. Everyone we've met so far, even the Hotel staff where we are staying, says there are far to many Bears, and Hunters need to get to work.

 

[VertigoBE]

Waidmannsheil ! What a beast of a stag! Very well done.

 

[RR 314]

View attachment 717927
This is a set of Bear tracks just a few yards from where I was standing when I shot the Roebuck. We saw quite a few more in the areas where we hunted Stags and Chamois. Marius showed Tina and I several pics of really big Bears taken by trail cams within the last week or two. Everyone we've met so far, even the Hotel staff where we are staying, says there are far to many Bears, and Hunters need to get to work.

Always listen to the hotel staff. . Get after it!

 

[dchum]

I sent my deposit for next year. Already excited!!

Oh hell yes Chuck, You legend!!

Wish I could get my ducks in a row and share camp with you again! This time via Romania!

I’ll get there one day.

 

[Mekaniks]

Oh hell yes Chuck, You legend!!

Wish I could get my ducks in a row and share camp with you again! This time via Romania!

I’ll get there one day.

That would be awesome!
I am going by myself (girls are staying in Rome for the week) . It would be a blast if you can make it.

 

[Rimbaud]

@skydiver386 Thanks for sharing your hunt report. I enjoyed every post. Congratulations on a successful trip. I leave in 19 days for Transylvania. I’m hunting chamois in the Retezat mountains, and I have a bear tag, too, though I’m not sure where that hunt will take place. Any tips, insights on chamois would be much appreciated. This will be my first mountain hunt. I’m counting down the days. Literally. Best regards / R

 

[skydiver386]

@skydiver386 Thanks for sharing your hunt report. I enjoyed every post. Congratulations on a successful trip. I leave in 19 days for Transylvania. I’m hunting chamois in the Retezat mountains, and I have a bear tag, too, though I’m not sure where that hunt will take place. Any tips, insights on chamois would be much appreciated. This will be my first mountain hunt. I’m counting down the days. Literally. Best regards / R

Best advice I can give is to spend some time on a stair climber at the gym, because these hills are STEEP. Some form of climbing staff will be a big help too. Tina used Crispi boots and my Kenetrek boots were a big help in getting traction both going up and coming down. Thick layers of leaves were a problem, so a wide tip on the end of your climbing stick or pole might be better than a sharp point. Matter of fact, a combo tip that's wide so as to not sink deep into the fallen leaves, yet still has a sharp tip to work on other surfaces might be ideal. Tina says snow tips with baskets and steel tip would work.

The Chamois tend to be most active early and late in the day. They are easy to spot on the rocky areas feeding and bedding. My small experience leads me to believe they like to bed in sunny spots out of the wind where you can see them chewing and often sleeping.

Spotting from one place seemed to be the norm, but when you get to the top, be ready to lay down your pack and prepare for a shot if the guides see a good trophy within range. You are going to be a little winded at the top, but be quiet and ready to take a close range shot. I got lined up on several at less than 100 yards just as we reached the top, but they fed behind brush and didn't offer a clear shot, or weren't what we were looking for.

The leaves are still on the trees, but are starting to turn and temps have dropped in the last few days by 20 degrees. You will have better visibility so good binoculars are a plus.We both had Leica Geovid rangefinder binoculars.

We hiked up the hillsides in light clothing, but had small packs with extra layers and jackets because at the top it was windy and cold. Sweating and then freezing with each ascent and descent were the norm, so light wicking clothes were better than heavy wool or cotton. I wore 100% synthetic socks that are Cool Max wicking, but something warmer that still wicks moisture might be best for later in the season.

Marius wore Kuiu brand clothing almost exclusively, and is very happy with it when mountain hunting. I wore several brands of tech pants and they worked great.Tina had Kuiu pants. Of course the Africa Hunting hat made the photo op, but a warm beanie cap and Gore-Tex jacket will be needed on the top of the mountain.

If you will be using the rental rifle , it's an R8 in 6.5 PRC, and both Tina and I made great shots with it. Shots over 300 yards are possible, and the R8 has a fantastic trigger.

Cell service is spotty up in the mountains, but WIFI is available at every small lodge, so you can easily keep in contact. Power converters are E/F type, 230 volt. Tina bought ours on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Germany-Outlets-，Schuko-Adaptor/dp/B0CNQPX92G

If you plan to do any tourist activities, and rent a car, you will need an international drivers license.

Oh, one more thing. The shooting sticks were unfamiliar to Tina and I, and it took her a while her to get used to the GunStix type. I was rock solid after a few minutes of learning how the windage and elevation worked.
Both Tina and I shot our Chamois from the prone with the rifle forearm resting on our packs. The Stag and Roebuck were off the GunStix.

 

[jes3981]

Beautiful stag!

I’m sort of obsessed with them at the moment.. my wife got a really nice one in New Zealand back in April… now I want to chase one in Central Europe, Scotland, and Argentina and attempt to stack them up…

I know a place in Argentina for you.