My father and I will be visiting the Gardone' and Brescia areas in Italy in April 2008. We would like suggestions about things to do/see. Also, what hunting, if any, is available there at that time, and if any of you live there, would you be interested in exchanging a hunt in the region for an American elk and/or mule deer hunt in Colorado?

Dave

I bet you will be there because of the Exa gun show. There will be no hunting possibilities in that period in Italy, except in fenced areas. Anyway I would suggest you a vist to the fantastic Beretta gun museum in Gardone, but the access is restricted. I had the chance to visit it several years ago thanks to a recommendation. I would be glad to exchange a hunt in the USA but you should come here in September-December.

P.S. I live 300 KM south west from Brescia

Dave,
EXA Fair will be on 12-15 Aprile 2008 - Brixia Expo Fiera di Brescia
you cantake a look here:
EXA Fair site

In that period, as Wildboar wrote, in Italy hunt is closed, and fenced areas are not so wide normally about 3/400 hectares.
In other Eu Countries is possible to hunt roe deers, the real opening is on the second half of Aprile even if the important open of roe buck hunting season is traditionally mad on the 1° of May.

This is done because the old buck loose the velvet before than the young, and is more simple to stalk the old and importany trophy carreer