The area’s unique terrain, climate and vegetation make it the perfect location for driven Partridge shooting. These traditional shoots are organized for groups of up to 10 guns, with an anticipated bag of 800 partridges per day over five drives. Each gun is provided with their own loader (a pair of shotguns are used) and a “secretario” who counts and collects the birds. The beating team will try to ensure that the partridges fly over the pegs, with varying levels of difficulty, height and speed, in line with the group’s ability. The shoot is famous for its “tapas” (light refreshments) served during the day.

The Spanish Monteria

The Monteria is the oldest and most traditional form of hunting in Spain. Owners of an estate will typically host a Monteria once a year for game management and population control. The hunt is usually for wild boar and red deer. 10 – 20 hunters will gather in the morning for a traditional Spanish breakfast before beinl randomly assigned to a stand. Guns are accompanied by a ‘Secretario’ who helps identify the best game and mark fallen animals. Once the guns are in position, packs of dogs with handlers start working to move the game, and hopefully drive it past the stands.

The Monteria usually lasts about 4 hours, from 11am until 3pm. and once the horn is sounded to notify the guns to unload the game is recovered by staff using horses to gather the game from the hills. The game is brought to the Estate house and unloaded for display and the traditional thanks and respect for the days harvest.