Spain is one of the most popular European destinations for thrush hunting, as thrushes visit farmland and olive groves in the cold months. It is a European Union country, so trips are easy to organise.
Industry sources cite Catalonia and Castilla-La Mancha as classic thrush areas, where olive groves attract the birds in the early morning, and Extremadura, where there are private reserves of thousands of hectares among olive groves, oak woods and sunflower fields. The often bare ground under the olive trees makes it easier to retrieve the birds you shoot.
On Wildoora you will find a thrush hunting package offered by a local agency, with accommodation and organisation of the hunting days.
In Spain hunting rules depend on each autonomous community: calendars, hunting days and limits change from region to region and from year to year. That is why it is important to rely on a local agency that knows the area and the rules in force.
Thrushes are hunted in the cold season, between autumn and winter. The exact period depends on the hunting calendar of the area, which can vary from year to year and between regions: the agency confirms the dates when it replies to your request. As an example, in the 2025/26 season thrushes were hunted in Castilla-La Mancha from 8 October to 31 January, while in Andalusia the general period ran from 16 November to 1 February, with limited hunting days; an industry article quotes November to the end of February for Extremadura. These are examples: the calendar for your trip may differ.
Spain is part of the European Union and the Schengen area: Italian citizens only need a valid ID document to enter. To hunt you need your own country's firearms licence and hunting licence; the Spanish side depends on the autonomous community where you hunt, and the agency tells you how to sort it out.
The Spanish weapons regulation allows hunters arriving with hunting guns to enter without prior authorisation, provided they hold the European Firearms Pass listing the guns and can prove the purpose of the trip, for example with an invitation or other evidence of the hunting activity.
Keep the pass and your documents with you at all times. As on other trips in Europe, the serial numbers of the guns must match exactly those on the documents. We did not find in official sources a numerical cartridge limit valid for everyone: ask the agency. If you would rather not travel with your gun, in some cases you can rent one on site.
To hunt in Spain you need a licence issued by the autonomous community and, when using a firearm, mandatory civil liability insurance. Rules change from region to region: in Extremadura, for example, the licence can be obtained by showing you hold the hunting card of another community or of a recognised country.
For an Italian hunter the paperwork is usually handled by the agency or the reserve organiser. Remember that the mandatory Spanish insurance applies in Spain: also check with your insurer what your usual policy covers.
In stand-based thrush hunting the dog is often less important than in other kinds of hunting; ask the agency whether it is useful or allowed. If you want to bring it, to travel between EU countries you need a microchip, a European pet passport and a rabies vaccination, given when the dog is at least 12 weeks old, with at least 21 days to wait after the primary vaccination.
Tapeworm treatment is required only for certain countries (Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Northern Ireland) and not for Spain. Have your vet check the documents before you leave.
Thrushes are hunted on farmland and in olive groves: in the early morning hunters take position among the olive trees waiting for the birds to arrive looking for food; in the afternoon, when the thrushes head back to their resting places, you move to spots near their flight path, with low vegetation. In Spain this method falls under fixed-stand hunting ("puesto").
Hunting days are accompanied by guides and gamekeepers who know the ground. In some areas thrush hunting is combined with other hunting, such as wood pigeon or red-legged partridge, according to the calendar and local rules.
The calendar is set every year by each autonomous community, so dates, days of the week and bag limits vary. In the 2025/26 season in Castilla-La Mancha thrushes (redwing, song thrush and fieldfare) were hunted from 8 October to 31 January, with a combined daily limit of 30 thrushes; in Andalusia the general period ran from 16 November to 1 February, on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, and from 1 January only from a fixed stand.
These are examples from last season: the dates of your trip must be confirmed with the agency.
Spain and Italy are both in the EU, so this is not an import from a non-EU country. Health and hygiene rules on game meat and each country's own rules still apply: ask the agency how to handle your bag (plucking, storage, transport) before booking.
In the cold season, between autumn and winter. Exact dates follow the local calendar and the agency confirms them when you send your request.
Yes, permits depend on the region. The agency explains which documents are needed and how to obtain them for your trip.
Yes, with the European Firearms Pass and the transport documents. Ask the agency for the up-to-date instructions.
Choose the package and send your booking request. There is no online payment: the agency contacts you directly to confirm dates, details and conditions.
No, since Spain is an EU country a valid ID document is enough. You then need your firearms licence, hunting licence and, if you bring your gun, the European Firearms Pass.
Hunters can enter with hunting guns without prior authorisation if they hold the European Firearms Pass listing the guns and can prove the purpose of the trip, for example with an invitation. Ask the agency for the up-to-date instructions.
Yes, civil liability insurance is mandatory to hunt with a gun. Ask the agency whether it is included or how to obtain it for your trip.
It depends on the region and the season. For example, in Castilla-La Mancha in the 2025/26 season the combined daily limit for all thrushes was 30. The agency confirms the limits in force.
To travel between EU countries you need a microchip, European pet passport and rabies vaccination. Ask the agency anyway whether the dog is useful or allowed for thrush hunting.