Chris Batha’s Driven Partridge in Spain
Chris Batha’s Driven Partridge in Spain
February 4th – 9th, 2022
The traditional “ojeo”, Driven Red Leg Partridge is without a doubt, some of the world’s most exciting and challenging wingshooting! Spain’s mild temperatures. breath-taking scenery and outstanding hospitality make this a “hunting dish” for any wingshooter to savor. All this, combined with the most charming and experienced of hosts, Alfonso Fabres, makes this trip a true fiesta.
Las Ahijaderas Hunting Lodge
This shoot is located in the hills and valleys above Salamanca, the ancient and beautiful Millennium City of Europe. The Lodge itself is in a valley surrounded by the rolling hills. The main cortijo is the centerpiece of the courtyard, ringed with comfortable private bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. Every room is different, designed and decorated with a delightful blend of traditional Andalusian and old Mauresque styles.
At Las Ahijaderas, the aim its to provide guests with quiet comfort and discreet service, enabling them to relax in tranquility. From the private rooms to the Main Lodge, the décor is elegant and luxurious , yet comfortable and welcoming.
The Red Leg Partridge Shoot
The Red Leg Partridge Shooting takes place in the surrounding hills, with the line of Guns placed behind blinds in the valleys. Each Gun has his or her own Loader and “Secretario”and will shoot a pair of shotguns.
There are usually four drives a day with a bag of 500 birds per day – divided by the line or 8 guns, that is 62 birds per Gun, per day. If the Guns wish to, once they have reached their limit, they can opt to carry on shooting and they will be charged overage for each bird over the 62 per day.
These birds are extremely challenging! And each Gun will be thrilled by the challenge of these “pocket rockets” , bomb-bursting in coveys high over the line, falling to the cries of “Ole!” – “Dooooble!” – “Arriba!”
The “icing on the cake” are the tapas between drives and the magnificent al Fresco lunches – truly a magical experience!!
The Itinerary
We suggest you come into Spain a few days early and plan to spend a day or two in Madrid, taking the time to explore this beautiful city. The museums and the shopping are world -class!
February 4 – The Team will leave the hotel at 11 AM and travel by car to Salamanca and the Las Ahijaderas Lodge, stopping on the way in Avila for a light lunch. When you reach Las Ahijaderas you will be shown to your room and get a chance to explore the grounds which include a swimming pool, tennis court, wine cellar, game room and a private lake.
After settling into their room, each shooter can visit the gun room to select his or her pair of guns for the three days of driven shooting. There is a wide selection of shotguns, both side by sides and over and unders.
In the evening, cocktails and appetizers will be served in Game Room of the Main Lodge, (Stewards are dressed in white jacket and gloves for all meals) followed by dinner of traditional Spanish cuisine.
Note: The Spanish weather and climate allows for lazier days than in England, and the extra hours of daylight mean a more leisurely approach to the shooting. Breakfasts are served later, field lunches are long and luxurious and the drives are spaced out by tapas and refreshments.
February 5th - After breakfast, it is just a short drive up into the hills of Castilla-Leon. This is a spectacular countryside and home of the famous black bulls bred for the bull rings of Madrid, Barcelona and Seville and the famous pigs that create the finest hams in Spain.
The drive is through rolling hills dotted with scrub oaks, whose acorns feed both bulls and pigs alike, passing through small villages to the shooting areas. Here The Team will be greeted by game keepers mounted on horseback, flying both the USA and Spanish flags, together with the beaters, pickers-up, loaders and secretarios. Once each shooter has been paired with his loader and secretario, it is on to the first drive.
The Team will be placed at pegs (shooting positions) along the valley floors of the scenic steep ravines. The Red Leg Partridge are driven from the fields above to the waiting Guns below, passing overhead at great speed and height, in little squadrons of grey blurs, slipping, sliding and curling as they pass over the valley below. To shoot a bag of 500 birds means a very good Team of Guns will shoot 1 partridge for 3 cartridges, 1:5 is good and 1:8 not uncommon. So a Team of Guns can expect hundreds of partridge per drive to pass over the line.
After the first drive, a picnic of finger foods, Jamon ( Spanish ham) , olives, cheeses and smoked mussels is served, washed down with chilled sherries and fine wines served by stewards – a brief repast to replenish the Team before moving on to the second drive.
After the second drive, a sumptuous alfresco field lunch is served on the grounds of a rustic farm house. The banquet table is placed under a high tent, giving views across an incredible vista. The food is several courses of succulent barbecued cuts of lamb and beef offered with soups and salads and, of course, Iberian Jamon, regional cheeses and local wines.
Then there are more opportunities to test one’s shooting skills as the Red Leg “”pocket rockets” burst from cover over the line on the final drives of the day.
Often, on the drive back to The Lodge, we make a quick stop at the village tavern for a glass of Agua Arriente before heading home for a shower and another evening of good company and tall tales.
February 6th – The shooting fun continues with four different drives for another 500 Bird day, with new views of the Spanish countryside and more delicious dining alfresco!
February 7th – The Team will have a day off to explore the sights of historic Salamanca and, if side activities are desired, possibly attend a bull fight or a Flamenco Show.
February 8th – The final day to fine-tune your shooting skills on another 500 Bird Day of fast-flying Partridge followed by the Farewell Dinner at the Lodge.
February 9th – The Team will leave Las Ahijaderas go to Madrid, where they will shoot Boxed Pigeon at Los Somantes, one of the Oldest Private Pigeon Shooting Clubs in Europe; the club where the likes of Ernest Hemingway displayed his shooting skills back in the day. After lunch at The Club, the Team will return to their hotel in Madrid.
Estimated* Cost Per Shooter:
8,325 Euro - Based on a Team of 8 Guns
Estimated* Cost Per Non-Shooter:
950 Euro
The cost includes:
Meeting at the hotel on February 4 and transportation to Las Ahijaderas,
then on February 9, transportation from Las Ahijadeas to Los Somantes in Madrid.
Accommodations at Las Ahijaderas for 5 nights,
including all meals, beverages, and transportation to and from all the shoots.
Hunter: 1,500 Euro for 5 nights Non-hunter: 950 Euro for 5 nights
On the three Partridge Days, the Daily Bag of 500 is divided evenly among the shooters. For a line of 8, the cost per Gun is 6,375 Euro.
Extra birds over the allotted Daily Bag are charged to the individual at 34 Euro per bird, payable at the end of the shoot.
Cartridges are 10 Euro a box of 25.
Over the three days, it is estimated that each Gun will shoot about 10 boxes per day or 30 boxes over the three days. Additional ammunition charges will be payable at the end of the shoot
Licenses and Insurance are 150 Euro per Gun.
The cost does not include:
Airfare or other transport into and out of Madrid from the USA, hotels, meals, drinks, transport, or activities while in Madrid, or Gun Rental at Las Ahjiaderas: 150 Euro per single shotgun, 300 Euro per pair of shotguns for the three days shooting.
Also NOT included and to be paid in cash ( Euros) on the day @ 150 Euro per day
( Loader – 60 Euro per day, Secretario - 60 Euro per day, Game Warden – 30 Euro per day)
Tips: total 450 Euro for shoot days and household staff – 100 Euro for the entire stay.
Also NOT included:
Sightseeing and side trips to Salamanca or side activities ( Flamenco Show, bull fight etc.)
Also NOT included: L
ive pigeon shooting and luncheon at Los Somantes. ( Los Somontes “guesstimated” cost: 400 Euro to 500 Euro per person including gun rental, 20 Bird Race, shells, luncheon with wine and tips. Gambling cost not estimated.)
Estimated* Cost Per Shooter: 8,325 Euro - Based on a Team of 8 Guns
Estimated* Cost Per Non-Shooter: 950 Euro
*Payment for additional charges can be made at the end of the Shoot.
First 50 % Deposit is due November 15, 2021
Hunter: 4,162.50 Euro Non-Hunter: 475 Euro
Final 50% Deposit is due January 3, 2022
Hunter: 4,162.50 Euro Non-Hunter: 475 Euro
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Payment can be made directly to Hunt in Spain via Wire Transfer