Serbia is a favourite for Italian hunters travelling abroad: it is close, reachable in a few hours and offers very varied habitats, from the wetlands of Vojvodina to farmland and inland woods.
The offers on Wildoora cover ducks and geese, woodcock and grey partridge, run by local agencies that take care of accommodation, guides, dogs and transfers.
Trips are concentrated in autumn and winter. The exact period depends on the species and on the local hunting calendar, which can change from year to year: each package lists the available dates and the agency confirms the exact days when it replies to your request.
Serbia is not in the European Union: to enter you need a valid passport (agencies usually ask that it is valid for at least three more months after entry) and, to hunt, a valid hunting licence and firearms licence.
To travel with your guns you need the European Firearms Pass, listing every gun you bring with the correct serial numbers, together with your firearms licence and the invitation letter. The number of guns allowed is limited: operators usually quote two or three guns, of different calibres.
Guns must be declared at the border on entry and a customs fee may be due. Many agencies also rent guns, which avoids much of the paperwork. If you fly, tell the airline in good time (often at least 48 hours before): unloaded guns in a hard case, ammunition separate in its original packaging.
Ammunition must be declared at the border together with the guns and must suit the game hunted. Industry guides quote a limit per hunter of about 250 cartridges for each hunting day, with an overall maximum of about 1,000, and a much lower number (about 20) for rifled-barrel cartridges.
These limits can change: confirm them with the agency before departing, because the rule in force at the border is the one that counts.
To bring a dog into Serbia you need a microchip and a European pet passport completed by an authorised vet, with the rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before. In addition, many agencies and border veterinary checks ask for a veterinary health certificate issued within the 15 days before entry.
At reserves you can often rent hunting dogs on site; in some walked-up pheasant hunts, however, the group must bring its own dogs. On return to Italy the dog travels with the same documents: have your vet check they are in order.
Foreign hunters hunt in reserves through an agency that holds the rights to the land and are always accompanied by a guide: only the species listed on the permit may be shot and the guide approves every shot.
Popular quarry includes hare, grey partridge, pheasant, quail, wood pigeon, ducks (mallard, teal, wigeon, pochard), geese (bean and white-fronted) and woodcock; among ungulates red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, mouflon and wild boar. Taxes must be paid before taking meat, skins or trophies out of the country.
Game shot in Serbia can be taken to Italy, but the health and customs rules are those in force when you return: contact the agency before booking, because it handles the paperwork.
For trophies of large animals, export normally requires the invoice or proof of payment, the trophy certificate, the export permit, the veterinary certificate and a declaration that the trophy is not subject to an export ban.
You need a valid hunting licence. For the firearm the agency explains which documents to prepare, or you can ask whether rental is available.
It depends on the species: packages list the available periods and the exact dates follow the local hunting calendar, which the agency confirms.
It depends on the package: check what is included on the package page and ask the agency in your request if in doubt.
Choose the package and send your booking request. There is no online payment: the agency contacts you directly to confirm dates, details and conditions.
A valid passport, hunting licence and firearms licence. The agency asks you to send copies in advance (usually about 15 days) with a description of your guns, and prepares the invitation letter needed to enter with your guns.
Normally two or three guns of different calibres, listed on the European Firearms Pass. For cartridges operators quote about 250 per hunting day up to about 1,000 in total, and about 20 for rifled barrels. Limits can change: confirm them with the agency.
Yes, with a microchip, a European pet passport and a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before; many agencies also ask for a veterinary health certificate issued within 15 days before entry. Alternatively you can often rent dogs at the reserve.
Yes, but health and customs documents are needed and depend on the rules in force on your return. Contact the agency before booking: it handles the paperwork for game and trophies.