Hello all.

My first report here, I am no expert in writhing,I only try to share with you what a great time I had.

Slovenia, in Tridlau national park, mt. Mangart.
20-23.10
Booked with Caracal.
Gun: Borrowed Blaser in 3006 with Swarovski optics. Very good combination.

A bit history: Over some years, I have read about chamois hunting, looked at engravings, painting and photos. It all told me one thing, the chamois is consideret at very “nobel” game. (Maybe even over a bear.)
More about these later.

After I arrived at Ljubljana, I did meet up with Mouse93.
A very nice fellow hunter to meet. We talked about hunting and my coming trip. He told me a lot about Chanois hunting and the tradtition around hunting a chamois.
He did a good job, explaining how the bucks chase each other during the rut, up and down the mountain sides, how the chamois wistel when they spot danger.
Now I am geting even more exciting about these trip.
Mouse93 also confirmed what I had read, a chamois is THE game. Yes, sure, it CAN be easey, as all hunting can. But, it can also be everything else.
All around it. Before we did depart that evening, he told me, “I wish you can feel what I am saying, what chamois and chamois hunting is”.

Caracal had arreenge for some to pick me up and take to the area. Sebastjan and Blaz did meet me. Very kind gus.
A nice drive up, great mountains. Really great.
We did stay in a village named Predil at 1156m. Nice place, good foood and very warm and kind people.
Valter was my guide, a man of my heart. He was informed about my wishes, only a buck and an old one was my dream.
First day we had only some houers of daylight, but no chamois to be seen.
The next day we start of when the sun rises, hunting at mangatsko sedlo.
Already from the time we get there, we spotted chamois. But, we where not able to get in close. Then, we started to move in on three other chamois, got in to arround 100m, but they where hidden behind trees/branches, not giving me a clear shoot. They they spotted us and moved away, wisteling, just as Mouse had told me. Ahh, no, maybe that was my chance...But, I have to say I was a bit happy to hear how the warning whistling sound. Whatching them jumping, running way, disapering in the fog.
Ok, back to climping and spotting.
Sundenly a roe buck comes running, spotting us and taking off into the woods, a welcome sights.
Then, there we spotted 3 chamois, feeding higher over us.
Starting to move in on them, closer, hoping I will not hear the whisteling sound these time....At around 230-250m we are not able to get closer. Laying down, using my backpack as a rest, oh it is going to be a steep up hill shot.
No, I say no to Valeter, I feel it is a bit to long. Ok he say, we then sit down and observ them for some time. They feed, move slowely away from us. So, we go back to climbing and spotting.
Then, we rwch the top, standing on the border to Italia, looking around on these great Alps, wow, I feel so lucky.
Sitting down for a rest and some lunch, then, far away on top of a large rock, there is a lonely chamois laing, overlooking the area around him.
Watching the chamois for a time, planning how to get to him, it will be a long and steep climb I was explaind....Ok, we try.
Then, just as we start to climb closer we also spott two more chamois feeding. These makes us feel good again.
After a long and steep climb, down on my knees in some parts, we reach around the top, only to find out there was no chamois there...gone, as a ghoest....Ahh....Ok.
More time to enjoy the senery, great view.
More spotting. Nothing, no chamois to be seen, just as the fog, now all gone.
Then, the climb down starts, working us down, slowely, hoping to se something.
There, betwen the trees, 50-60 meters under us, a group of 8 chamois, but they have spotted us, running away under the cover of the trees.
Ah, not feeling so lucky now, but we keep on. Valter on the other hand, has a smile and a posetive attitude.
Then, we need a rest, sitting down on some rocks, watching around, listening for any sounds.
Quiete....Then, a sound, somthing on the opisite hill, there, a lonely chamois comes out, covered in trees....Valter gives me the signal, it is a old buck...Come one, come out so I can se you...Then, he disapears under us...Quiete again....Valter starts to call for him, after 2-3 min. There, he responds, great..wow....getting closer, can hear him...There, right i front of me, 40m away, his head pups up....Valter is calling, he moves closer, then, he stops, answers the calls...I am aiming, just waiting for the right movement, then he stops, looking straigt at me....turns, boom.
The chamois is gone...then, we hear a noise, like somthing landing...Then, all sillents...
We wait for 4-5 min. Then climb down to where he was when I shoot, moving around some large rocks, there he is lieing, dropped down about 20m from the rock, dead.
What a pretty animal.
Oh, what a day. I feel so lucky.

Later I am told it is a old buck, 8+ years and a large one two, the larges these year at 30 kg.
Just what I was hoping for.

I feel very lucky, to have experienced these. Mouse, I do understand a bit of what you tried to explain to me.

To sums things up, a great trip in a great area.
If I will book with Caracal once more, YES.
If I will go back chashing the chamois, YES.

Great mountains:


Se him, right there, far away, one lies, we did try but no luck in finding him.


Here he is:


The opposite hill where I did shoot my chamois. Just to give you an idea about the forest we also hunted in.


Me and my chamois, yes I was very happy:

Congratulations on your great introduction to Chamois hunting.

Thanks for the report, sounds like you really enjoyed the trip and hunt. Rugged looking countryside there in Slovenia, and Waidmannsheil on a good buck.

Nice report, I am happy you had a good time!
Thanks for sharing!

Nice hunt! Beware chamois hunting can become an addiction!

This looks fantastic, gratulerer. What does a hunt like this cost?

got to admit im jealous chamois is on my bucket list and the secenary their looks stunning glad you had a good hunt

adrian

Well done moose hunter! Did you take the "beard" i.e. the hair from the back of the buck. It seems to be good and, in any case, it is your first buck. A good Chamois and a good story. Weidmannsheil!

Sounds like you had a great hunt,a good write up.
Nice balaclava you are wearing

Thanks all for the kind comments.
Addiction, yes I know.....

Regarding the beard, no I did not take it. Next time

The area is stunning, one just have to go and se it, really great.

.
Fantastic. Great report, great pictures and must have been a stunning hunt trip ! Superb trophy to hunt and take. Well done.
.

Great report and superb trophy. Well done.

Thank you for the comments.

- hate to say...but here goes - "told you so"

P.S. Got mine today:

Wonderful report, Norway. I can sense the satisfaction you got from this hunt. Mouse, that's a fine trophy, too.

Congrats on a fine Chamois!

Thank you all for the comments.

Yes mouse.....yes you did
Thank you!

Congratulations on your Chamois.
Tell us the story

Let me just say that it is nice to see when a hunter gets the essence of the hunt - and that you did - game deserves it, you do, life is great.

Enjoy!

On mine - due to a great fortune I am blessed with, to be able to peek into Chamois quarters when ever I feel the urge, things are somewhat different - tho the thrill remains the same.

I was sniffing around some places that weren’t hunted much for quite some time – difficult terrain and very spooky game (Lynx and Wolf are present there) and the regular outcome was one big zip.

But I am stubborn and I was back once more.

Dusky morning that followed the rainy night – rain drops were still falling from the trees - was slow – but eventually night gave up. I picked my approach carefully observing the wind – that at one time shifted and brought the fog from the valley – one couldn’t see spit distance and as it proved many times - fog is Chamois’ best friend.

All things come to those who wait – and the wind shifted once more, pressed the fog back into valley.

I was approaching the sweet spot where all was suppose to happen – and it did. Wasn’t looking good at first – with a corner of my eye I noticed something vanishing over the edge, that was soon followed by a female escorted by its cub - almost touching, then another – again mother and kid, taking a 3 year goat that was observing it without a clue what is going on along. That was it – as usual – or was it?

As many times things turn out when hunting (or else in life) when you think everything is over something happens – after 20 seconds - or so, a grey, almost white faced silhouette followed the lead of the others but for some reason decided to check it once more – from under the rock I was dwelling on, it jumped back – only 10 m away whistling, finally recognising the fatal mistake, turning in mid stride diving for safety - was too late – bullet caught her in front of her right hind leg – exiting between front legs, just where the neck meets the chest. She took heavy 293gr, 9.3mm bullet with grace and after 30m manage to lay down – peacefully - behind Hornbeam that prevented her further fall.



In the moment I decided to take the shot, I knew I was up to something special, but was blown away after counting the years her trophy revealed – jury is still out there - but I can firmly state her age at 16 years (probably more - 19?).

Fine trophy, and the stalk so nicely told!
By the way, that hornbeam makes a wonderful bow.

What's with the face Dude?

Hi Mouse,

Great report and what a day you had.
Let me know how old she turned out to be

Next time(year) I will come and try one in the winter, as late as I can, after all the stories you told me, that is something I just HAVE to do

Looking forward to - make sure you don't come to late - stay close to rut time (2nd half of November) or you might miss some fun:

Chamois Rut Chase

Ahh

Oh, you are killing me!!

Yes, I have to go.

Still - a bitter reminder - hunting in mountains is hazardous - in winter times even more so - 2 of our hunters (experienced local guide and a client) slipped on the steep icy/snow slope and died after 100m fall, when Chamois hunting in the Karawanks yesterday.

Oh, sad to hear Mouse.
Very sad news.
I know a bit what you are talking about. Some places my guide did take me, I had to go down on my knees...when there was no snow. Can only imagine what it is like in winter time.

quote:

Originally posted by Norway_Moose_hunter:
Gun: Borrowed Blaser in 3006 with Swarovski optics. Very good combination.

Good choice

It is so nice to see these reports just now. Thanks to both of you for posting them and congratulations on great hunts.

I am in the midst of reading Dr. S. Lloyd Newberry's book "European Hunter". I have not yet gotten to his chapter on Slovenia but after reading those of other Eastern European countries I cannot wait to get to the part on Slovenia. Absolutely beautiful country!!

Great report and pics
BTW I didn't know there is such a thing as African Norwegian