Species to hunt

Origins: Livestock farming and hunting.

Until the late 1960s, the land now occupied by the reserve was divided among a number of different farms and ranches.

Rabbits, hares, partridges, quails, pigeons, and to a lesser extent, wild boars, and pure iberian red deer shared the land with domestic sheep and goats.

The last wolf.

At that time the last wolf was hunted in “The Wolf’s Cliff” as we now know it. When the reserve was established in 1970, domestic livestock was retired. At this time all the game benefitted from their absence and their populations began to increase.

PURE IBERIAN RED DEER

Cervus elaphus hispanicus

Pure Iberian red deer represents the largest population of ungulates on the reserve. Their hunting is allowed from September 1st through to the last day of the season in December. The hunting methods for this species are montería, stalking, and waiting. It is also considered a marketable species alive and the hunter can capture them for sale.

WOOD DOVE

Columba palumbus

Like all small species, hunting wood dove is less common. Their hunting is allowed by hand hunting during the designated time period or fixed days in the midseason.

MALLARD

Anas platyrhynhos

Like all small species, duck hunting is less common. Their hunting is allowed by hand hunting on fixed days during the designated time period

RED PARTRIDGE

Alectoris rufa

Hunting for partridge, like all other small game species is less common. Their hunting is allowed by hand, or claim during the designated time period.

ROE DEER

Capreolus capreolus

Roe deer is the fourth most populous ungulate in the reserve. Since the mid-nineties the population of the larger red deer has displaced this small deer. Only in recent years has the population become more present in "Los Claros". Stalking or waiting is allowed.

WILD BOAR

Sus scroja

The wild boar is the second most common ungulate in the reserve. The hunting methods allowed are montería, stalking, and waiting.

ROCK PIGEON

Columba livia

Like all small species, hunting rock pigeon is less common. Their hunting is allowed by hand hunting during the designated time period.

FOX

Vulpes vulpes

Fox, like magpies, jackdaws and carrion crows are opportunistic predators that thrive in harsh environments. This makes it necessary to control their populations for the benefit of other less advantageous species. The number of foxes that can be hunted varies by their population level. Their hunting is allowed by jump hunting during the designated time period and from April 1st to September 30th with a firearm.

MADRONA IBEX

Capra pyrenaica

While the wild goat is a native species in the area, their presence in "Los Claros" is infrequent. They often jump over fences and move at will throughout the landscape. Ibex can be hunted by stalking or waiting during the designated time period.

RABBIT

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Like all small species, hunting rabbit is less common. Their hunting is allowed by jump hunting also during the designated time period. However, due to their sparse population and importance for the future of the imperial eagle and Iberian lynx as prey, we limit the allowable take

TURTLE DOVE

Streptopelia turtur

Like all small species, hunting turtle dove is less common. Their hunting is allowed by hand hunting during the designated time period or on fixed stands in the midseason.

COMMON THRUSH

Turdus philomelos

Like all small species, hunting thrush is less common. Their hunting is allowed by hand hunting during the designated time period or on fixed stands in the midseason.

IBERIAN MOUFLON

Ovis Aries musimon

Iberian mouflon are the third most-common ungulate at "Los Claros". Since their introduction in the early 1980s, Iberian mouflon have proven to be ideally suited for the area and environment. This is evident in the number of trophies. In 1991, one of the "Los Claros" Iberian mouflon won the National Record that is still held today. It is still recognized as one of the best trophies in the world. Mouflon pose a challenge to the hunter and is a very engaging species to hunt. They are one among many other big game species that make "Los Claros" one of the best hunting reserves in Spain. Their hunting is allowed by montería, stalking, or waiting during the designated time period without any quota. Mouflon are also considered as marketable livestock, therefore the live-capture and sale of this species is permitted.

HARE

Lepus granatensis

The Granada hare, like other small species, can be hunted but it is less common. Their hunting is allowed by jump hunting during the designated time period.

MAGPIE

Pica pica

Magpies are opportunistic predators that thrive in a wide variety of environments. We keep their population at a manageable level to benefit the other species in the reserve. The number of magpies that can be hunted varies each year depending on population levels. Their hunting is allowed by hand hunting during the proper season. In addition, the magpie, carrion crow, and jackdaw can be hunted with a firearm during April and May. From April 1st to September 30th, trapping is allowed.