Kristene and I recently returned from a hosted March shooting departure in Spain at Los Melonares, one of our favorite shooting estates in the country.  I was quickly reminded why European bird shooting is so wonderful and what seems to frequently attract us to Spain.

What Makes Shooting in Spain Special?

European driven bird shooting is considered special for several reasons. First, it has a long tradition and history where it is deeply embedded in the cultural heritage. This sport is often associated with large estates and manors, where meticulous management of the countryside creates an ideal habitat for game birds such as pheasants and partridges.  Often simulated in the United States, the attempts fall short of the European experience.

The ritual and ceremony surrounding driven bird shooting in Europe add to its allure. This formality and the sense of occasion make the experience unique and prestigious. The method of driven bird shooting, where beaters flush the birds towards the shooters (guns), requires a high level of skill and teamwork. This makes the shoot challenging and exciting. The beaters, dogs, and shooters must work in harmony to ensure the success of the drive, adding a layer of complexity and satisfaction to the sport.

The conservation and land management practices associated with driven bird shooting are also significant. Estates invest in the management of habitats not only for game birds but also for the benefit of other wildlife, contributing to biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

Spain offers diverse and challenging terrains for driven shooting, ranging from flat agricultural lands to rugged hills and olive groves.  The primary target of these shoots, the red-legged partridge, is known for its fast and erratic flight patterns. This makes them particularly challenging targets and highly prized among hunters. The experience is steeped in Spanish hunting traditions. Shooters often enjoy a lavish hospitality that includes local cuisine, such as tapas and regional specialties, adding to the overall experience. The social aspect is indeed integral to the day’s activities.

I personally love to shoot in Spain.  The season is longer — often from late September to early March, which provides greater flexibility and opportunity for shooters to participate.  The climate is generally more dry and warmer than their more northern European counterparts and I find a lower level of formality, which seems to be welcomed by our US clients.  Driven partridge shoots in Spain are also known for their potential to offer large bag sizes, allowing shooters to have extensive shooting opportunities throughout the day. This is partly due to the efficient management and conservation of partridge populations on the hunting estates.

Our Hosted Departure to Los Melonares

This was our third trip to Los Melonaes.  We had eight couples enjoying the experience with a line of eight guns and a bag of 600 birds per day.  Located near Seville in the south of Spain, Los Melonares is a magnificent and unique Andalusian “Hacienda” with twelve double bedrooms, fountains and gardens, library, several reception rooms, and the famous Madariaga Worldwide Trophy Room.  The hacienda is in the heart of the estate and provides most comfortable accommodations and excellent cuisine, complemented by courteous and friendly service.

The shooting area includes 1,500 hectares of very undulated landscape, with stunning views over Sierra Norte. Estate vegetation is mainly evergreen oaks, brooms, “palmitos”, olive trees, pasture and arable land, with two permanent water courses. Access to every drive and pegs is an easy walk.

Los Melonares shows excellent high birds driven from distance thus having time to lift across the valleys. There is plenty of variety too with their signature drive, El Muro, an example. Guns are tight to a valley bank and birds are launched high off the top so there is little time to shoot – an exciting and challenging experience.  We enjoyed 4-5 drives each day… of course stopping to take a break for the traditional “Taco” morning snack and lunch.

The ladies had a full day touring Seville with lunch and some shopping time and they joined us in the field for one day. Most every couple also planned pre- and/or post-shooting Elegant Journeys itineraries in conjunction with the shoot – spending time in Madrid, the wine country, the South of Spain and Portugal.  Our shooting team at Frontiers works closely with our EJ department designing world-class luxury travel trip extensions to complement the shooting experience.

The owners of Los Melonares are delightful hosts and the Hunting Manager, Jeronimo is exceedingly professional.  The field arrangements under his direction are meticulous.

In summary, driven partridge shooting in Spain is special due to its challenging terrain and the magnificent partridge, traditional and cultural richness, large bag sizes, and the overall experience that combines shooting with Spanish hospitality and traditions.  Please join us in Europe with your private line of guns.  If you are a single gun or small group, most estates have open lines that you can join.  In addition to Spain, we also have great shoots in the United Kingdom, France, and Denmark.

If you are interested in joining a hosted departure, I will be back in Spain for two days of shooting at Ventosilla January 13 & 14; followed by two days at their sister property, Ventas Quemadas (located between Cordoba and Seville) January 16 & 17, 2025.  You can join both shoots for four-days in the field or pick one of the two-day options.  Please contact me for further details.  We will be back at Los Melonares in early March, 2026.

Thanks for shooting with Frontiers!

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