Hunter: Aaron Neilson

Outfitter: Spanish Ibex Club (Fernando)

Cameraman: Jeremiah Bennett

Location: Multiple areas across Spain

Species Hunted: Spanish Ibex Slam (Gredos, Beceite, Ronda, Southeast)

Dates: Dec. 9 - 18, 2013


After hunting with Pir Danish Ali in Pakistan last December for the Sindh Ibex, I became very interested in doing some more Ibex hunting - and Spain seemed like the next logical choice. It was a chance to see/hunt a unique European country that I had never been to, along with a destination that offers multiple ibex species that could all be hunted on one hunt! Not to mention the good food/wine, it really seemed like a no brainer to me.

Arriving in Madrid on Dec 8th, we knew it was going to be a marathon of hunting/driving over the next 10 days - hoping to get to all 4 of the Ibex species throughout the country in a short period of time. But our guide/outfitter (Fernando) was up for it, so Jeremiah and I were too!!! I've spent so much time hunting Africa over the past 10 yrs, that's it really been a goal of mine lately, to start hunting new/different locations - both for myself and so I could start offering new/exciting destinations to my clients too. Well, Spain and Fernando both - certainly did not disappoint!!!!

We visited some incredible places throughout the trip, as well as getting to experience some of Spain's most beautiful sights/sounds. The cultural/history was awesome, the people were very friendly/helpful, and of course - the ibex hunting was fantastic too! I'm gonna let the pics below speak for themselves - but suffice to say, we had a wonderful trip and I cannot wait to send my clients on such a fantastic adventure!

Gredos Ibex Central/West Spain


Southeast Ibex South of Spain


Ronda Ibex Yes, he's not very big - long story!! South of Spain


Beceite Ibex Eastern Spain


ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THE TRIP

Aaron, great trip and some good pictures. Only thing missing is the story.

quote:

Originally posted by chilcotin hillbilly:
Aaron, great trip and some good pictures. Only thing missing is the story.

Doug - Sorry bro, just no time for a lengthy story! Hopefully the pics will suffice?

Aaron,
Like you I really enjoyed my Spanish hunting adventure! Beautiful country, great hunting traditions and culture and some neat trophies. You did well. Congratulations and those were superb photos by the way.

I look forward to going back and taking some of the other trophies available in Spain.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
Aaron,
Like you I really enjoyed my Spanish hunting adventure! Beautiful country, great hunting traditions and culture and some neat trophies. You did well. Congratulations and those were superb photos by the way.

I look forward to going back and taking some of the other trophies available in Spain.

Thanks man, I too hope to go back again.

Truth is, my cameraman (Jeremiah Bennett) is the one responsible for all of the excellent photos!

Nice job! Ibex are certainly an interesting and beautiful animal. Once I get Africa out of my blood, I might need to think about a trip like this!

Congrats!!

Really nice pics. Would love to hear the story. I've thought about doing that hunt. Looks like some beautiful country and some nice animals. Bruce

Nice report and wonderful trophies

Slacker!!!

No story, no props!

You shoot a shaggy old lion and we get eye candy and a story. Get your A game on and put thoughts on paper....

If not DSC will not your best weekend .. GRRRRRR!

Lions shmions..

Your last 2 hunts are pretty much tops of my wish lists. Fantastic stuff.
Color me a tad envious!

My kind of report. Low on words, high on pics.

Well done.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Slacker!!!

No story, no props!

You shoot a shaggy old lion and we get eye candy and a story. Get your A game on and put thoughts on paper....

If not DSC will not your best weekend .. GRRRRRR!

Dogcat - some of us gotta work too bro!!

quote:

Originally posted by Scottyboy:
Lions shmions..

Your last 2 hunts are pretty much tops of my wish lists. Fantastic stuff.
Color me a tad envious!

Ya, I was getting Lioned out! Thanks man.

Aaron,
Congratulation on a great hunt.
A few years ago I realized that Africa was taking up too much of my hunting time. It's wonderful, but there is so much more to experience out there. Even though I've been a sheep hunter for 30 years I really started devoting the majority of my hunting time to the mountains. I did the Spanish Ibex tour last year and also had a great trip. It was fast, with lots of driving and I not only did the 4 Ibex but threw a Mouflon in on top. I was able to take my wife and we enjoy the country together, something she won't do in remote areas. I'm sure you'll do great marketing these hunts to your clients.
Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Alaska Hunter:
Aaron,
Congratulation on a great hunt.
A few years ago I realized that Africa was taking up too much of my hunting time. It's wonderful, but there is so much more to experience out there. Even though I've been a sheep hunter for 30 years I really started devoting the majority of my hunting time to the mountains. I did the Spanish Ibex tour last year and also had a great trip. It was fast, with lots of driving and I not only did the 4 Ibex but threw a Mouflon in on top. I was able to take my wife and we enjoy the country together, something she won't do in remote areas. I'm sure you'll do great marketing these hunts to your clients.
Mike

Thanks Mike!

Been feeling the same way lately. I love AFRICA, and I do have another 21 day safari booked for May 2014 - but I have been finding myself more interested in a lot of other hunts lately, including finishing my N.A. 30 / which is now only a few species away.

I won't give up on Africa, but I do see more domestic hunting in my near future.

Regards,

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Slacker!!!

No story, no props!

You shoot a shaggy old lion and we get eye candy and a story. Get your A game on and put thoughts on paper....

If not DSC will not your best weekend .. GRRRRRR!

Dogcat - some of us gotta work too bro!!

Wait a minute...you hunt, you do TV, no wife... You are on a perpetual vacation...
Great pics and "what Wendell said" ...
Merry Christmas!

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Slacker!!!

No story, no props!

You shoot a shaggy old lion and we get eye candy and a story. Get your A game on and put thoughts on paper....

If not DSC will not your best weekend .. GRRRRRR!

Dogcat - some of us gotta work too bro!!

Wait a minute...you hunt, you do TV, no wife... You are on a perpetual vacation...
Great pics and "what Wendell said" ...
Merry Christmas!

I've been to where you hunted Gredos Ibex about 5 years ago. Go back every year with friends now.
Awesome place

Great pics Aaron, I'm definitely jealous!

Greg

Beautiful pictures, I just love that country.