Rifle Shooter – July 2019

72 http://www.rifleshootermagazine.co.uk

FEATURE Sport Abroad with Tony Jackson

P

oland, one of the most popular hunting destinations

in Europe, is a vast country with a land mass of

120,726 square miles. In the south, the Carpathian

mountains border the Czech Republic and Slovakia,

while an extensive plain reaches north to the Baltic Sea. The

country is divided into more than 4,700 hunting districts,

which are administered either by one of the 2,560 hunting

clubs controlled by the Polish Hunting Association, the only

hunting organisation in Poland, or by the State Forestry.

The basic regulations for hunting in Poland are based on

the concept that land ownership rights are divorced from

hunting rights and that all live game belongs to the state. In

addition, the minimum area of a hunting ground is 3,000

hectares, while a club or organisation which is in possession

of the hunting rights is also financially responsible for

damage inflicted by game on agricultural land.

As a result of these regulations, hunting clubs are

interested not only in the available shooting but also in

protecting the future of the game by implementing

population control policies. As a result of this managed

supervision by hunting clubs, in conjunction with the State

Forestry, there is both a substantial amount of game and

very high quality trophies.

However, due to the high operating costs in areas where

substantial damage is caused by game to agricultural

interests, hunting clubs or the State Forestry administration

seek a financial return by offering the hunting of game on a

commercial basis. For the vast majority of overseas visitors

who are not members of the Polish Hunting Association and

therefore lack Polish hunting rights and licences, commercial

hunting is available only through licensed Polish hunting

agencies, such as Korsholm Hunting Tours. It is possible for

a foreign hunter to apply for a Polish hunting licence, but this

requires passing the hunting exam in the Polish language!

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Poland is without question a premier destination for quality

roe buck hunting and it is possible to enjoy the sport at a

very reasonable rate. A hunter from overseas can purchase a

hunt at a moderate fixed price and be nearly certain of

returning home with three to eight roe buck trophies at the

end of a three-day hunt.

Many regions hold quality trophy animals and a hunt is

always sold according to the price list with a maximum price

guarantee of around £2,300 for a 500g+ trophy roe buck.

Hunters from abroad are always accompanied by a Polish

POLE POSITION

In the latest instalment, Tony Jackson explores the top quality hunting within Poland,

one of Europe’s most popular destinations for rifle shooters

PICTURES:

BRIAN MADSON

BELOW: Clubs with

hunting rights are

responsible for

damage inflicted by

game on crops

RIGHT: Roe hunting is

done on a one-to-one

basis with a guide