Date: 23-25 September 2010
Outfitter: Pannonvad Outfitting
PH: Catalin
Location: the Arges mountains of Romania (near Brasov)
Species Taken: Chamois

Just now taking the time to go through all the pictures and write the report of last year’s trip to Romania, where we hunted for Chamois. This was the second year in a row with the same people and same outfitter, and did not disappoint.



In 2009, went in mid November, which was cold and windy. Was told to come back end-September, as would be the best time of year to get out and see a lot of movement. We weren’t very lucky with the weather, as first 2 days were in the mid-to-high 20C’s (hot) for most of the day, which means that movement was not that pronounced, with the Chamois seeking out the shade and staying put most of the day. In any event, has a great time.

It’s amazing how much work hunting these animals really is. Below is the starting point for each day… and the tops of the mountains if not the highest point for the day (there is more behind), but was climbed at the very least once per day, sometimes twice. That’s >900m vertical per day at a minimum, and ~10lm walking (horizontally) every day.



We stayed at the same place as the year before, which is a cross between a private home (of a local industrialist) and a hotel (he rents a few rooms to the few hunters allowed per year).



Day 1 was by far the most difficult and long. The temperatures spiked early in the morning – I was in a t-shirt by about 8:30am. We walked up and down the mountains three separate times, and while it wiped me out, the scenery was spectacular!







Didn’t get to stalk into anything I wanted to shoot, but did see a good number of Chamois during the day. My friend though did shoot a small male, which was his first Chamois. So a good day for all in the end.

Day 2 we decided to try the mountains from another angle, and while the climb was very steep, the views were once again lovely.



There is the amazing mountain lake, about 2/3rds of the way up, that’s just so majestic





But, at the end of the day, and over the last ridge before we were set to go back down… we found a group of Chamois. At first we thought it was only 2, but as the minutes went by as we looked at them, more emerged, and it ended up being a scattered group of about 17 Chamois.



In the group, we couldn’t see any good males. But there was a solid looking female. The day had been tough, but very special in terms of the scenery and hunt, so decided to take her.

The shot was @ ~220 meters. She went down on the spot.



Now, at that point, from behind a hidden gulley, came out another female… and she was huge! Probably 105-110CIC. I thought long and hard about it… I had 1 more day of hunting, and shooting 2 females back-to-back just didn’t seem right, so I let her walk. Big mistake and regret (only one of the trip).

But, my friend connected with a nice male that same afternoon, so we both had a Chamois (his second).



Day 3 just goes to show, that when an opportunity presents itself, you take it. The temperatures plummeted overnight down to almost zero C, and completely fogged in. We try for about 4 hours to stalk in the mountains, but with no more than 40 meters of visibility, the only thing we found was a stray dog, and her new-born puppies in an abandoned mountain hut. Too bad… and was kicking myself over that beautiful female the day before. Oh well, that’s hunting.

In the end though, we all had a great trip. It’s an absolutely magical place, with pristine mountains and fauna. Well worth the trip. I can’t say enough about the organization and guides. All great people, whose interest is in getting you to have a great trip, enjoy what they get to see all year round, and have a successful holiday. No pressure to shoot at any particular animal, or sense of not wanting to be there (which most of us have had / seen at some point or another). They only build on the great sense of them I had from the previous year.

We did get 3 Chamois between the 2 of us, and were pleased with the result in the end. We’ll definitely be going back, probably in 2012, but the main question is: what time of year? Which should keep me excited just thinking about it, til we’re off again. Maybe Balkan Chamois in 2011…

Congratulations, sir! Beautiful trophies. Name of the lake in the picture is Eagle lake, a very beautiful and suggestive name in my opinion.
The best time is after mid-October, when chamois enter in the rut period.

George: thanks very much! Didn't know the name of the lake, and yes, it is very appropriate!

You know the area well? Hunted there?

Sir, I know all chamois areas, more or less, since I guide hunters for those animals. If you need any advice, just ask.

Wonderful pics. Thx for sharing!

WHOW! Nice pictures and Congratulations to You!

Sounds like a great hunt and some fantastic pictures...

The scenary is breathtaking...

Great pics! It cetainly looks like fantastic chamois country. I wouldn't mind taking a trip there myself.

Thanks for sharing with us

Well done... I enjoyed your report!

Thanks for sharing.
Must be a demanding hunt in many ways!

Hey! I know that place!

Is that Dani I see walking in the picture?

Congrats on the lovely chamois! Thanks for posting!

I shot 2 chamois in 1,5 meter snow conditions there. Hard work! Driving up to the mountain house with a bulldozer in front to get trough the snow. Long drive when your sharing the back seat of the Dacia with 3 hunters!!! Lovely place, very good chamois country!

Missed a wolf in the dead of the night.... Still my best hunting memory. Sitting alone in the pitch black woods with minus 12 degrees Celsius. Waiting by a deer carcass to see what will show. Sound starts doing funny things then!

Yeah, its Dani. Still up to his old tricks.

Nobody forgets the drive

Here is picture with old Dacia, a car good at every work

Weidmannsheil! Lovely pictures, sounds like you a great hunt!

- mike

quote:

Originally posted by Dugongberbulu:
Yeah, its Dani. Still up to his old tricks.

Nobody forgets the drive

Who did you book this hunt through? An agent? or direct?
Did you use George Dina?

Very nice and well done.

Best-
Locksley,R.

PM sent

Sir, you are skilled with a rifle and talented with a camera.
Very well done.

Beautiful pictures.
And a nice trophy too!

I really want to hunt chamois one day.

Great report. It really made me want to get out and hunt them again. I just may

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

Now I just dream about experiencing the spectacular views and the beautiful Chamois.

Great Report. Great scenery. Very Nice trophys one day i will do this hunt

Thanks for sharing!

great trophy pics. congrats.

I am going to Romania in October for Chamois, really looking forward to it after finding your post.
Great pictures, amazing scenery and fantastic trophies!

Wish I was going r8pro. Still gutted that I can't go
I'm looking forward to seeing the photos

Looks fantastic! How much can one do a hunt like this for?

Nice hunt! Congrats!

I am doing my hunt for 2400euros this is one animal up to a silver medal, I will post a report on my return and hopefully some photos!