Where for Chamois?

[analog_peninsula]

If you were going to hunt chamois, where in Europe would you go? I'm more interested in the experience than the tape measure, but mature animals are a must. Any hints, tips, or suggestions are welcome.

a_p

 

[steve white]

Watching with interest, especially on price estimates. Could you bring the little horns back in your luggage?

 

[DieJager]

If you were going to hunt chamois, where in Europe would you go? I'm more interested in the experience than the tape measure, but mature animals are a must. Any hints, tips, or suggestions are welcome.

a_p

It depends on your level of fitness and what kind of luxury you want. Do you just want to hunt or also do some sightseeing afterwards. But there is for anyone something that fits.

In general, the easier the terrain the higher the price.For a package prices start at about 3000 euro I would say.

I live in Europe so for me it is different. I'm looking into multiple options but the closer the better for me so that would mean either France or Austria. So my needs are probably different than yours.

Also I'm still considering adding the chamois to my hunt later this year in the Caucasus but my budget isn't unlimited so no decision yet. Also the boss ( read wife) has to sign off. There are still other things besides hunting that is in need of a budget

 

[mdwest]

This might sound silly, but I’d consider New Zealand…

They’ve got an abundance of chamois.. and to my knowledge NZ is the only place on earth where it’s legal to hunt tahr…

My wife and I are looking pretty hard at a combo chamois/tahr hunt in New Zealand in 2027

 

[dlmac]

Back in the Seventies Southern Bavaria or Northern Italy. Have no idea about hunting there now. Just something done as a young man in the military..

 

[greyfox]

I'm looking for a Chamois hunt this year also, Right now France is my top choice, however, there's hunts in Spain and Austria that I'm looking at also.

I'm attending DSC and SCI to see what's available and book for October.

 

[Muskox]

There are actually a lot of subspecies of chamois.

Most of the chamois available in mainland Europe are ........European Chamois or Alpine Chamois. There are chamois in Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Croatia, Turkey, and a couple of those other Balkans.

The tiny and very boring looking Pyraneean chamois in Spain to the huge and colorful Romanian and Bulgarian chamois in Transylvania.

It depends on what you want.

There are actually a ton of places to hunt chamois. The problem for someone that doesn't live in Europe is actually the export process.

WTA has quite a few hunts in Europe for the various chamois. The price is a lot higher than what most Europeans pay, but they will help you with the export.

I have hunted chamois 3 times.

Once in Austria and twice in Slovenia. I have yet to take one. As DieJager said it is a matter of CM and age, and you have to find one that fits the criteria the forester wants to take.

On an animal that weighs less than a 100 pounds and only has about 9 inches of horn.

In Austria I was allowed a class 3 up to 3 years old on my black grouse hunt. We never found anything but a yearling so I didn't shoot one. We did have a fleeting shot at a 10 year old buck.

In Slovenia I saw plenty of chamois, but there were plenty of hikers on the weekend, and they ruined every chance I had to shoot.

On my 2nd trip to Slovenia we were back to the matter of age and inches. I could not find the class 1 9 years and up buck/doe I was allowed.

Austria is 280 miles from my house and Slovenia is about 500. I will be hunting in Slovenia 3 times this year and at least twice in Austria. Hopefully my chamois luck changes.

The outfitters I use are not ones I would recommend for someone that needed to bring their goats back to the USA and couldn't drive them home.

I have only hunted Alpine chamois.

The cost is generally fair.

$500-1500 for accommodations and guiding, this is on a self drive program.

Cheapest class 3 chamois are usually under $1000. These score sub 80 on the CIC scale maybe 90.

Most class 2 chamois are $1800-3800.

Most class 1 chamois are $2500-10,000, depending on the outfitter.

Spanish chamois are generally priced as a flat fee, same in France.

Everywhere else it is a game of measurements and crying.

 

[tinktink12]

I got my chamois from @HUNTROMANIA w/ Marius in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. Just got back October 2025. Great country and great hunt! I highly recommend it.

 

[DieJager]

This might sound silly, but I’d consider New Zealand…

They’ve got an abundance of chamois.. and to my knowledge NZ is the only place on earth where it’s legal to hunt tahr…

My wife and I are looking pretty hard at a combo chamois/tahr hunt in New Zealand in 2027

What I've seen the Southern island is great hunting for the chamois. Regarding the Tahr it can be hunting in Nepal in their own habitat. Also in Bulgaria and Macedonia, they've been released there also.

You could combine the Balkan chamois with a Tahr in Bulgaria I think. Maybe also Macedonia but not sure.

 

[DieJager]

Back in the Seventies Southern Bavaria or Northern Italy. Have no idea about hunting there now. Just something done as a young man in the military..

Both still possible but Italy is pricey if you want to hunt chamois.

 

[tinktink12]

This is the taxidermy of my chamois before the base was added.

 

[Muskox]

Both still possible but Italy is pricey if you want to hunt chamois.

A friend just did this, he shot a 95 it was over $10,000.

 

[DieJager]

A friend just did this, he shot a 95 it was over $10,000.

Crazy isn't it. Doing my research I dropped Italy as an option almost immediately. Way too high.

 

[Muskox]

The value places are in Eastern Europe for bigger chamois.

I would also add that if you want a black cape, you need come here in late October through DEC 31.

Most chamois hunts open 1 August. You can combine with marmots in Austria Aug 15-Sept 15.

Some times there are roe deer available on August hunts.

Sometimes there are stags or rarely mouflon available on September hunts.

Seasonally everything happens at a different time here.

Roe April-15 to 1 Sept generally for bucks. Key times are Apr 15-31 May and July 15-Aug 15
Fallow in November
Mouflon in November or December
Stags in Sept 15-Oct 8

 

[LivingTheDream]

Slovenia, just got back 2 months ago. Not just the hunting but the hunting culture there is amazing. Would definitely do it again.

 

[Muskox]

Crazy isn't it. Doing my research I dropped Italy as an option almost immediately. Way too high.

Sending you a PM on this.

 

[Muskox]

Slovenia, just got back 2 months ago. Not just the hunting but the hunting culture there is amazing. Would definitely do it again.

where did you hunt?

the two places I have hunted are near Bled.

 

[wesheltonj]

First, decide what subspecies you want. I wanted Alpine so that limits where you are hunting.

For a North American it's going to be easier to use a European Hunting agent. I used PASAT in Slovenia. We stayed in hotel in Bled and went out hiking for one. You will need Mountaineering boots and a pole. I would suggest a backpack sling, for carrying the gun. The biggest problem as previously stated is hikers in the same backcountry as you in the lower elevations. The guide was always concerned about hikers seeing the gun.

Let me say, walking around Lake Bled and having a drink lakeside when not hunting is rather enjoyable. If I were to return, I would stay in Kranjska Gora.

 

[LivingTheDream]

where did you hunt?

the two places I have hunted are near Bled.

It was not far from Bled, not exactly sure the name of the town but we were maybe 15k from Austria.

 

[Charlie64]

.

Following on Muskox above - and all the above info is great - but do you want a summer or winter chamois and then where ? Big difference in the coat between short almost brown summer coat and dark thick winter coat. Plus hunting on grass vs hunting snowy terrain in a lot of Europe.

Hunted winter chamois in Austria and came in at about EUR 3.000 for a great trophy and also hunted France in the mountains in autumn at around EUR 4.000. Both 3 day hunts.

Am looking at Slovenia for next year at the moment.

As a first hunt you cannot really go wrong with Austria.

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