The Spanish chamois double: Pyrenean and Cantabrian
Pyrenean and Cantabrian chamois are two separate entries, not one. They sit less than a day's drive apart and share a window at two points in the year.
- Species
- Pyrenean Chamois · Cantabrian Chamois
- Months
- October · November · December · April · May
- Ranges
- Pyrenees · Cantabrian Mountains
- Airports
- Barcelona · Madrid
- Duration
- 6 to 8 days
Indicative windows derived from the catalogue: firm dates are published each year by each region in its orden de vedas. Rates on request.
Chamois is the most underrated animal in the Spanish mountains, and the one that most often surprises a hunter who came only for ibex. It is genuine high-country hunting: high ground, long distances, and an animal that moves the moment it sees you — usually before you have seen it.
Two subspecies, two entries
The Pyrenean is hunted in the Pyrenees, with Barcelona as the arrival airport. The Cantabrian, in the Cantabrian Mountains, arriving through Madrid. They score separately in the international listings, so one trip adds two entries to a collector's tally.
When they overlap
The two windows overlap in autumn and again in spring. The months above are exactly that overlap. Spring carries an extra advantage: less hunting pressure than midautumn and far longer days, which in high country means more usable glassing time.
How it is hunted
High-mountain stalking, glassing from high vantage points and making long approaches. You need not be a mountaineer, but you do need to arrive fit: there is walking, climbing, and shooting at distances that demand you know your rifle. A comfortable shot here is what elsewhere would already count as a long one.
Combinable
The double slots naturally into the six-entry CAPRA program, and in spring it can be joined to an ibex still in season to close three mountain animals in one trip.
The hunts in this program
Pyrenean Chamois
High-mountain stalk of one of Europe's most agile and elusive animals, in the Pyrenees.
Cantabrian Chamois
Smaller in body and trophy than the Pyrenean, but with the same essence of mountain hunting.
Frequently asked questions
- Do they really count as two separate trophies?
- Yes, Pyrenean and Cantabrian chamois are recognised as separate categories.
- What fitness level is needed?
- Enough to walk several hours uphill at altitude with a light pack. There is no climbing, but it is not an easy stalk.
- Autumn or spring?
- Autumn gives the better cape; spring gives longer days and less pressure. Both windows are good, and the choice usually follows the rest of the trip.
Secure your dates
Quota and the best dates are allocated months in advance. Tell us your travel window and we send confirmed availability.