I've got a couple of years to plan and save for a 10th wedding anniversary trip. My wife is not a hunter but I don't think she is opposed to a combination hunting/sightseeing trip as long as it is mostly sightseeing. I'm thinking about a trip to South America or Europe although I am certainly open to suggestions. The trip would be about 2 weeks and I am only looking to hunt for about 4 days or so.

Any ideas or recommendations from those who have been there and done that? Any thoughts on pricing, things to see, etc? If anyone wants to point me towards a particular resource or website I would appreciate that too. Keep in mind the majority of this trip will be sightseeing not hunting. Thanks for any help.

Since I brought up the subject, would anyone care to talk about an anniversary type trip that they have had?

Look careful for prices in Argentina. Here are some links: www.cazarenargentina.com; www.estanciarivadavia.com;www.riodorado.riodorado.com.
Good luck

Hello. If you want, please e-mail me at the address below and I will give you the details of a trip my wife and I just returned from. She had more fun than I did, and I was the hunter...Drop me a note...Bill

bowhunter5556@sbcglobal.net

My wife and I celebrated our 10th anniversary and Mothers Day in RSA during 2002. She is not a hunter but accompanied me on most days. This was her first hunt ever, and she really enjoyed being out and seeing the various wildlife. We did some side trips and all in all, had a great time. If you search under the African Hunt Reports section, you will find my write up.

We are thinking for our 15th anniversary of going to New Zealand/Australia (at least 2 weeks) and hunting for a portion and checking out where they filmed Lord of the Rings, which she loved.

I'm a lucky guy!

Well, if Europe takes your fancy (or that of your wife...), think about combining a few days of hunting with some city/historic sightseeing:
- Czech Republic - Pragh (easily combined with Austria, Vienna)
- Southern Poland - Krakov (easy to combine with Czech Republic)
- Hungary - Budapest (easy to combine with Austria, Vienna)
- Scotland - Edinburgh, plus rest of Scotland

It would be a breeze to organize hunting in any of those countries, starting from May (roe buck), ending in December, or even later. September would be a superb month for all-around hunting, most species open (summer crowds have gone home ).

Doing any of those programs (including your 4 days of hunting) could leave you a week somewhere else in Europe, e.g. Tuscany in Italy (best in spring or in the fall), Loire Valley in France, Provence in France (spring or fall) etc etc. A word of caution: don't try to do too much in the time you have available. Europe is full of "disturbed North Americans" that tried to see all of Europe in 2 days. Bollocks, obviously. Pick a nice area with enough to see, and let your soul enjoy taking in all in...

If you decide on Central Europe, it is easy to get from place to place by train. Rent a car if you want to motor around Tuscany, France or Scotland, say.

It is also possible to arrange hunting in other locations such as France or Spain - to name a few of the locations normally associated with sightseeing and holidaying. Needless to say, there are countless options.

For a web-site to look for hunting in Europe, here is one to start with:
Diana in Denmark - English Page
There are countless agencies, quite a few of the German and Austrian ones are large and good, most easily accessed via the Web if you speak or read German, though. I'm sure there are some UK agencies as well, although some of the more up-market ones (H&H etc) can get a bit spendy.

If you want to pass through 2-3-4 countries, think hard about whether you need to hunt with your own rifle. Europe is full of borders and different rules for firearms. If you *need* to bring your own rifle, you'll have to plan your entire trip around where it is possible to take the rifle and what permits you need to get hold of. If you can stand hunting with a borrowed rifle for 4 days, you'd simplify the red-tape no end. If you are only going to 1 country, it is probably not so bad to bring your own rifle. Be aware that some European countries (France, Belgium etc) have strange rules specifying "no military calibers" (crap, obviously). If your destination happens to be on that list, leave the old .30-06 or .308 at home and bring the .280 Rem instead....

Let us know if you need more input.

- mike

[ 09-12-2003, 17:28: Message edited by: mho ]

Yukon,

Simple answer- Africa! My wife and I did a combination hunt and vacation this past spring and it was spectacular. I booked a plains game hunt on the Eastern Cape, took 8 trophies and the hunting was super. Afterwards we drove the Garden Route along southern RSA taking 3 days to do it and stopping along the way at some great hotels and sightseeing. Finished the trip in the wine district in the Stellenbosch and then on to Cape Town for the trip home. My wife doesn�t hunt either but she accompanied me on every trophy stalk and had a great time. Prices are extremely cheap in RSA depending on the conversion rate at the time. Downside is getting there and getting back so be prepared for long plane rides. Take a look at my hunt pictures and some vacation shots at this link:

African Safari 2003

Good luck, Paul