Ronda Ibex Rut Hunt

The rut is one of our favourite times to hunt Ronda Ibex. During November and December, the older billies are on the move, chasing females and often turning up in places where we wouldn't normally expect to find them. It makes for some really interesting hunting, as you never quite know what the day will bring. The mountains of southern Andalusia are beautiful but can be surprisingly tough. Much of the country is made up of limestone ridges, steep valleys and thick vegetation, which can make getting close to a good billy quite a challenge. We generally start the day glassing areas where we know the females are gathering, hoping to pick up a mature male amongst them. From there, we work out the best approach. Some stalks are fairly straightforward, while others can mean a few hours of climbing and scrambling over rocky ground. We always try to match the hunt to the hunter's abilities, without taking away from the experience of a proper mountain hunt.