Croatia is a convenient, nearby destination for woodcock hunting. The reserves are found around Split, in the Knin or Korenica areas, and can be reached from Italy by car or by ferry from Ancona to Split.
Depending on weather conditions, reserves are available both in the mountains and on the plains, for a total of about 100,000 hectares of suitable habitat. Cool, dense woodland with chestnut, broom and brambles is where the woodcock feels at home: demanding hunting, especially with a pointing dog.
The woodcock is only part of what the country offers. There are over a thousand hunting grounds, with very few fences, and about 4,500 foreign hunters register each year: besides migratory birds you can hunt wild boar in drives, ungulates in the woods and mountains, and small game over dogs.
As an EU country, entry is simple and the formalities focus on the foreign hunter licence, firearms and dogs. Below you find what to prepare; always confirm the requirements with the agency before departing.
The package covers the months from October to February, and Istrian tourism sources give the same period for woodcock, October to the end of February. For other species calendars vary and are set by the authorities and local hunting societies. The choice between mountain and plain depends on the weather at the time; the agency confirms dates and reserve.
Croatia is part of the European Union, so a valid ID card or passport is enough to enter. To hunt, however, a foreign hunter needs a few more documents.
To enter Croatia with hunting guns from another EU country you need the European Firearms Pass, with the guns you bring entered on it. With the Pass, your firearms licence and the original invitation letter, normally up to three hunting guns may be brought without prior authorisation; with more than three guns a police authorisation is required, to be requested before departure.
Guns and ammunition must be declared to the border police on entry and on exit, and travel is through international border crossings. Sources mention some hunting rules worth knowing: semi-automatics may hold at most two cartridges in the magazine, and you may not shoot within 300 metres of homes. For roe deer and wild boar rifled calibres with a minimum energy are required (about 1,000 joules for roe deer and 2,500 for wild boar). Many agencies rent guns, which simplifies the paperwork.
Official Croatian sources normally quote a maximum of 500 cartridges for smoothbore guns and 100 for rifled guns, to be declared at the border together with the guns. The person in charge of the hunt checks the cartridges before the hunt begins.
Eco-friendly ammunition is recommended and selling ammunition is prohibited. These limits can change: confirm them with the agency, because the rule in force at the border is the one that counts.
Croatia is an EU country, so the European pet rules apply to bring in your dog: a microchip (or a readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011), a European pet passport completed by an authorised vet and a valid rabies vaccination, with immunity counted from 21 days after the primary vaccination. The owner must travel with the dog and no more than five animals may be brought.
Croatian sources add that the dog must be registered and have passed the tests required in its country of origin, and that small-game hunting requires at least one dog for every five participants; with more than five dogs a temporary authorisation from the ministry is needed. Those who have hunted woodcock in Croatia report careful checks of the dog's documents. Reserves often provide dogs on site: ask the agency.
Croatia has over a thousand hunting grounds, on public or private land. Woodcock is hunted in the woods of Dalmatia and the interior (Split, Knin, Gračac, Korenica) and in Istria, where the season runs from October to the end of February. Hunting usually starts early in the morning, accompanied by a local guide who explains the area.
Other quarry includes roe deer, red deer, fallow deer, wild boar, chamois, mouflon, hare, pheasant, partridge, rock partridge, snipe and, among predators, golden jackal and fox. Wild boar is hunted in drives with two or three passes a day; in the mountains chamois and mouflon are sought with the guide and shots are often 100-300 metres; small game is hunted over dogs.
Game shot in Croatia can be taken to Italy, but sources say it may be exported after a veterinary inspection and with the relevant certificate, following the rules of the destination country, together with a hunting statement issued by the local hunting association. Health and customs rules change over time: contact the agency before booking, because it handles the paperwork.
For trophies of large animals the agency will tell you which certificates are needed on your return.
From Italy you can reach Croatia by car, which also lets you bring the game back, or by ferry from Ancona to Split. Temperatures range from about 35 °C in summer to about -10 °C with snow in winter; for the woodcock season bring layers, mountain boots already broken in and orange clothing.
Board and lodging are usually in venues indicated by the agency: ask what is included in the package.
It depends on the species and on the local hunting calendar. In the published packages the period is from October to February; the agency confirms the exact days when it replies to your request.
As an EU country, a valid ID document is enough. A valid hunting licence is also required: the agency explains what to prepare.
Yes, with the required transport documents (including the European Firearms Pass). Ask the agency for the up-to-date instructions and whether rental is available.
Choose the package and send your booking request. There is no online payment: the agency contacts you directly to confirm dates, details and conditions.
Yes: besides your own licence and firearms licence you need the Croatian licence for foreign hunters, usually monthly or annual and available online through the Croatian Hunting Federation. The cost varies according to sources: confirm it with the agency.
Normally up to three hunting guns listed on the European Firearms Pass, with a maximum of about 500 cartridges for smoothbore and 100 for rifled guns. With more than three guns a prior authorisation is needed. Confirm the limits with the agency.
A microchip, a European pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination (immunity from 21 days after the primary vaccination). Croatian sources also ask that the dog be registered and have passed the tests required in its country of origin.
A veterinary inspection with certificate and a hunting statement from the local hunting association are needed. Contact the agency before booking: it handles the paperwork.
Layers, sturdy boots already broken in and orange clothing while hunting. Temperatures range from about 35 °C in summer to about -10 °C in winter.