A couple of questions...

(1) What do most shoot for driven boar in the way of a rifle....bolt-action? double? drilling? singlshot? Brand names ???

(2) What about caliber for each of the types?

Last Question(s)......if you had never been boar hunting before and wanted to sample both driven and high stand hunting, where would you go? For both number and size of trophies? Which booking company can you suggest to organize it?

I tried to go last year but things got busy at work and couldn't but I'm retiring this Summer so off I go....I hope.

Last question really....I like to hunt pheasant so it would be a plus if this were an option I could add.

Thank you.

DB Bill
While I have not hunted "driven" game I have hunted enough to say that I have found the 2 quick shots of a double rifle to be far, far, superior to a bolt rifle with 3 to 5 rounds in the magazine.
Take a look at the Chapuis 9,3x74R double rifle with a scope in QD mounts.
It has become my favorite hunting rifle under 40 cal.

[ 12-09-2003, 09:10: Message edited by: N E 450 No2 ]

Bill, for driven hunts a double rifle is the ultimate. An autoloader would probably come next, but there are endless legal issues with autoloaders in Europe (max number of cartridges etc etc). If a double rifle is too specialized for this one purpose, then a bolt action is fine - in particular if it is capable of fast follow-up shots like a Blaser R93. This is really the only place where I think this ability of the Blaser is truely useful. If legal, a lever action (e.g. in a caliber like 45-70 with hard cast bullets) would also be darn useful.

Caliber: if you want the best, get a 9.3 mm of some sort (9.3x62 in a bolt action, or 9.3x74R in a double). The bigger the bullet diameter the better, speed means nothing. A larger caliber would also be fine, and if you have to come down in caliber, you should ideally not go too much below a .308 (a .30-06 is perfectly serviceable - in particular if loaded with heavy bullets 200-220 grs).

Where to go?? It is kind of hard to make good suggestions for both driven hunts and large trophies. Driven hunts are best organized in countries with a high level of organization and a long standing hunting culture. Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic spring to mind. You can also find very decent trophies in these countries, although further east is better for bigger pigs. Unfortunately, I doubt you'll find much in terms of useful driven hunts in countries like Bellarus, Ukraine, and Russia. Informal drives, yes. Organized driven hunts, less likely. Perhaps either Bulgaria or Romania, although levels of organization are easily better in places like Hungary or Poland. Mind you, finding a large pig anywhere is an endeavour requiring a lot of luck!

For a European hunting agency that speaks English, try Diana in Denmark. They have been around forever, and have a good reputation.

For Hungary and the Czech Republic, probably an Austrian agency would be ideal - due to geographical vicinity and historical ties. Try Mistral.

Here is a German site: Schrum Jagdreisen (Never used them, site only in German). Or get in touch with Kettner via phone. Kettner used to have a very good reputation for arranging hunts.

Good luck - mike

[ 12-09-2003, 13:22: Message edited by: mho ]

Driven bore : double rifle in 9,3x74R (mine is scoped with a 1,25-4x24 Swarovski). The double rifle is top but the Blaser R93 in 9,3x62 (handled by a competent user) comes mighty close to it and at a much more affordable price.

High seat or stalking : .300 Win Mag, 9,3x62.

Bill, where I live most people use a 12ga and only slugs are allowed by law.

I use a double rifle or an autoloader, sometimes a scoped boltaction, depending on the terrain.

The pig hunting is closed in summer time in most of Europe, but I have the chance to organize cull hunts in the off season.

I also have pleny of pheasant hunting.

If you are interested I am situated in Tuscany on 3500acres and can offer you both the pheasant and boar in summer but require some notice to get the paperwork organized for the pig.

drop me a line if you are interested.

I use always 9.3x62 in a bolt rifle with a 4x scope, but I woukd like to change or modify the stock to have the rifle "more fast at the shoulder".
Of course I choose, if possible, open spaces or not too much thick bush, and I offer myself as volunteer to stay in these places. These places offer less opportunities to shoot, I admit, but I am more satisfied when I get a boar at 70/100 metres of distance, where shotguns do not arrive.
About the hunting question,IMVHO ( , not so humble), the best countries are Romania and Bulgaria, then Hungary.
The best period to go to hunt from a high stand is between December and February, with the ground covered by the snow during a blue moon (full moon) week. It is very good for big trophies.
It is a very good period also for driven hunt, but if the agent is serious, and does not have four or five hunters (minimum) to organize the driven hunt, he normally advise you against doing this kind of hunt until he has some other hunter to make a group.

Agencies? send me a private message.
bye

DB you have an mail

Daniel