Lasarotta Collared Dove, Quail and Wild Duck Hunting

  

Serbia is one of the world's best- kept sporting secrets. I shot there twice the year before last, once for birds and once tor boar Both experiences were arranged through Bogdan Srejic's Lasarotta sporting agency.

I would rate Serbia's bird shooting as some of the best in Europe if you are interested in wild quail or high-volume pigeon shooting. The duck and goose shooting are good too, and pheasants arc available - both walked-up and driven, all at very competitive prices. Generally. Serbia offers good facilities and great value.

As for big game, you can shoot pigs as well as red. fallow, white tail and roe deer on open and fenced estates. Deer are no bargain anywhere in Europe or the Balkans because of high trophy fees. They ako have mouflon and hare.

Shooting in Serbia is controlled by hunting associations. These are local, official bodies, which still have something of the feel of the old regime about them.

They tend to be very' friendly, however, and any visitor may be assured of the wannest of welcomes, as well as a fascinating look at the way another country goes about its sport. There is as much in common as there is different.

The country trying very hard to develop itself as a sporting destination. Serbian officials at both local and national level arc keen to advance sport in their country. It is still subsidised.by tie state to some degree and there arc some excellent state-run shooting lodges. I have travelled with a gun quite extensively in eastern Europe and the Balkans, and I found the hunting experience in Serbia one of the best - nor least because of the Serbians then selves.

Contrary to our foggy stereotypes, they are a laid-back, friendly people who enjoy themselves, food, and the good life whenever possible. In my experience, they are more like die Italians than the Russians, their Slavic brothers to the north.

Wing shooting

1 was lucky to enjoy an interesting package of wing shooting with Lasarotta. Flying into Belgrade by JAT airlines, the first job was to sort out guns (a maximum of two) ami cartridges (a maximum of 200) with the police. This was no real problem at all.

All you need is your UK Shotgun Certificate, or FAC if you arc taking a riflel and a letter from your hunting operator. the paperwork costing 30€

Equipped with mv temporary firearms permit, Bogdan met me and we drove some 150km north cast of Belgrade to the extraordinary Hotel Fantast, built by converting the storybook Dundjerski castle. which is famous as a riding centre too.

We were only 34km from the Hungarian border. It is notable that most hunting in Serbia is no more than an hour and a half from Belgrade

There was an early call the first morning, and we set off to shoot quail over pointers. These were shot on Hat ground and called in by electronic means, which is not usually the method of choice early in the season. Bogdan noted:

"We prefer to shoot without it during August, because there is an abundance of birds, but for late September you need it to attract birds because most of the domestic birds fly down south and we have to wait for birds from Ukraine and Hungary to fly over us."

The dog work was good. If you have not shot quail, they arc a small bird, a lot smaller than a grey partridge, and not especially difficult to shoot once you have the knack. You must be quick, though.

They tend to be shoe fairly low. so you must also take great cane with your shots both as far as human and canine companions arc concerned. One may- shoot with a couple of fellow guru or in line, as on a Scottish moor. In all cases keep your muzzles forward агк! up and watch your sides.

We finished mid-morning and moved to a nearby location where the quarry changed to dove. This was fast and exciting shooting in sunflowers and over stubble. The birds were plentiful and there was no need for much cover. I shot 50 and felt well satisfied.

“Everywhere I went the locals were helpful and relaxed - apparently less stressed than the inhabitants of modern Britain.”

In the afternoon we moved on 40km cast to Kikinda near the Romanian border Tim was our location for the smaller. but challenging, turtle dove which are much tougher than the variety with which we are familiar.

I shot another 50-60 birds and the potential for huge numbers is there.

On the second day we moved to a Salasi private hunting lodge near the town of Senta. This is a more intimate location than the castle, set up with a restaurant and chalets, and was my preference - not least because it's run by an ex-Belgrade hotelier on a gastronomic mission.

We shot our quail that morning near the town of Ada. The hospitality, as I began to expect, was fantastic. A new arrival was David McCombe. an Ulsterman with a big smile and a passion for shooting.

I was impressed (indeed, surprised) by what I saw of Serbia . The main roads are pretty good and the standard of living is relatively high. It is in a sort of 1970s rime warp. People are not only friendly, but they seem relatively prosperous.

The shops are full and things like petrol station tend to be as good or better than those at home. Everywhere I went the locals were helpful and relaxed - apparently less stressed than the inhabitants of modern Britain.

In the afternoon of die second day. we shot more doves. This time we were at Becaj, some 100km from Belgrade. On die third and final day there were more quail and dove, and in the evening, and most memorably, excellent high duck shooting back near Ada.

This was the best evening’s wildfowling I have had for ages, made all die more memorable by my companion and picker-up. a local poet who was somewhat in his cups when we began, but extraordinarily amiable.

Wild boar

I enjoyed the bird shooting so much in that late summer, that I went back to Serbia for boar in the winter. I have shot one kind of pig or another in France. Poland, Croatia, Africa, and Australia.

Serbian pig shooting is much like the sport on offer in Poland and Croatia, save for the fact that it is cheaper and more pigs may be shot.We were put up in the excellent Karakusa state hunting lodge near the town of Sremska Mitrovie towards the corner of Bosnia and Croatia, only about 70km cast of Belgrade.

The food and drink were excellent and there are a number of good, reasonably-priced local red wines on offer, while main meals tend to be game or chicken.

I shoe on die first day only with a gamekeeper and a cameraman, as we were also nuking a film. Walking and stalking in the woods, we eventually put up a big boar. I shot him at no more than 15 yards.

I have been charged by elephant and buffalo, but not vet by boar - though I have seen it Even though I have had a malfunction. I still prefer a controlled- feed (Mauser-style) bolt gun.

Most boar experts prefer a double 9.3. I think 1 would get in more of a muddle reloading after my first two shots - all my charges to date required more than two shots to finish the business.

On the second day a large party of British shooters arrived at the lodge. This, it transpired, was one of the most entertaining groups of people 1 have yet had the good fortune to shoot with.

“One thing I did not like was the requirement to shoot only behind the line.”

The following morning, travelling east some 50km towards Bosnia, we went to the Kučine estate. Shooting was on the ground, as is my preference, rather than in miradors.

One thing 1 did not like was the requirement to shoot only behind the line.This cost much sport, and encouraged tight-angle shooting on the tracks where shooters were ako placed (typically 50-100m apart). Bogdan asure me that he will not use estates where this is required in future

The third day we shot on Kamaristc estate, and 1 thought the quality of shooting not quite as good as previously - but there is always some luck involved with hour. Bogdan, meanwhile, tries as hard as anyone I know - and that is how 1 judge his operation.

One always takes something of a risk when booking shooting abroad, so you must deal with people you trust and who try hard. Bogdan scores on both counts and offers good value.

But you must have realistic in your expectations and understand the difficulties associated with trips like these before you embark on your sporting journey. 

 Do not hesitate to contact us.

Phone: +44(0)12 70 820 869 

Mob: +44(0)78 32 100 524 

Email: info@lasarotta.co.uk 

Website: www.lasarotta.co.uk