Hunting in Macedonia, with over 100,000 hectares available for hunting in the areas of BITOLA, KRUŠEVO, and PELAGONIA!
Thanks to its geomorphology, Macedonia has been known for many years as one of the preferred destinations for feather hunting.
Many travelers associate the name Macedonia with the legendary figure of Alexander the Great, and indeed, this historical and geographical region in the Balkan Peninsula carries an air of ancient mystery and grandeur. Today, it is one of the largest Greek provinces, deeply connected to its storied past yet also celebrated for its rich natural beauty and abundant wildlife.
For hunting enthusiasts, Macedonia is a paradise for quail and gray partridge hunting, thanks to its uniquely diverse landscapes that create an ideal habitat for these bird species. The region’s combination of vast open plains, rolling hills, and cultivated farmlands provides perfect cover and foraging grounds for quail and gray partridge, allowing these birds to thrive and multiply in their natural surroundings.
Why Macedonia is Perfect for Hunting Quails and Gray Partridges
Macedonia’s varied geography ranges from mountain ranges like the Rhodope and Pindus to dense forests and expansive arid plains. This blend of terrain types supports a rich and dynamic ecosystem that attracts a variety of bird species, including quail and gray partridge. The grassy fields, scrublands, and grain crops—such as barley and wheat—offer ample food sources and cover, allowing these birds to breed and maintain robust populations.
The Mediterranean climate of the region, with hot, dry summers and mild winters, creates favorable conditions for quail. Migratory quails pass through Macedonia in large numbers, especially during late summer and early fall, when they descend on these fertile lands to feed and fatten before resuming their journey south. Hunters find this migration period particularly rewarding, as the region’s abundance of food sources and mild climate mean birds are plentiful and active.
Gray partridges, too, are well-suited to Macedonia’s landscape. These birds prefer open fields with light vegetation, often near cultivated lands where they can find seeds, grains, and insects. The undisturbed scrub and hedgerows that line Macedonia’s agricultural fields serve as excellent cover and nesting spots, enabling partridge populations to flourish year-round. This habitat is ideal for hunting with pointing dogs, as the birds’ behavior and predictable movements allow hunters to fully enjoy the experience of tracking, spotting, and flushing.
The Hunting Tradition and Culture in Macedonia
Hunting in Macedonia is a tradition that stretches back centuries, deeply rooted in the rural culture of the region. For locals, hunting is more than a sport; it is a way of connecting with their ancestors and the land itself. Hunters from around the world are drawn to Macedonia not only for the plentiful game but also for the opportunity to experience this unique cultural heritage. Macedonian guides, who are highly skilled and deeply familiar with the terrain and wildlife, share their extensive knowledge and passion for the hunt, offering visiting hunters an authentic and memorable experience.
Other Attractions for Hunters and Nature Enthusiasts
Beyond the hunt, Macedonia boasts numerous attractions for those interested in history and natural beauty. Ancient ruins, monuments, and museums, such as the archaeological site of Pella (the birthplace of Alexander the Great) and the rich exhibits of the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum, invite visitors to step back in time. Additionally, Macedonia’s protected forests and wetlands provide opportunities for birdwatching, hiking, and exploring the region’s biodiversity.
With its unspoiled landscapes, rich biodiversity, and ancient hunting traditions, Macedonia stands out as one of the most alluring destinations in Europe for quail and gray partridge hunting. Here, hunters can immerse themselves in a timeless pursuit, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and guided by the hands of history.
Unique Experience with Your Pointing Dog
Montefeltro offers a wide range of proposals for hunting enthusiasts with dogs, in areas where most of the population is rural and primarily lives off what the land provides.
The land is mainly cultivated with cereals, tobacco, and wheat. There are also fruit plantations and vineyards.
Most of the population lives mainly in the large cities of Skopje (the capital), Kumanovo, and Bitola, and it is from these cities that the adventures begin.
Bitola is a city located 600 meters above sea level in the southwestern part of North Macedonia. Although it is the third-largest city in the country by population, just outside its walls you can see small villages where farmers work their lands with manure and natural fertilizers. These small plots of vegetable gardens provide shelter to numerous families of partridges.
Here, Hunters Will Truly Experience the True Meaning of Hunting
Here, hunters will truly experience the true meaning of hunting, with long walks on terrains that are ideal for their extent and density of game.
Hunting will start in the morning, right after breakfast at the hotel. Hunters will drive to the predetermined hunting grounds, where they will meet with the gamekeeper who will accompany them, usually with a maximum of two hunters per group.
During a day of partridge hunting, there will be a break of about an hour and a half for a packed lunch or a meal at a nearby restaurant, depending on the participants’ choice.
Hunting for Rock Partridges in Macedonia
A different scenario occurs when hunting for rock partridges. This is a true native game bird that lives primarily in the majestic Macedonian mountains.
The terrain is challenging, sometimes exhausting for the dogs, with rocks and mountain slopes providing the backdrop for this fantastic hunt and game bird, often called by enthusiasts “The Queen of the Rocks.”
The hunter’s skills, but especially those of the dog, will be put to the test. Indeed, this hunt involves strenuous walks in the mountains, usually uphill, among the rocks where the rock partridges take refuge.
The permitted daily bag limits for the two species are a maximum of 4 partridges per day and a maximum of 3 rock partridges per day.
This cautious bag limit has been set to ensure the conservation and management of the species.
After the meal, the afternoon hunt will commence, not ending later than 4:30 PM. Upon returning to the hotel, the dogs will be accommodated in special kennels designed to meet the needs and comfort of your faithful companions.
Let’s not forget that Macedonia is not just about resident game hunting. Starting from August 1st, the summer migratory hunting season begins, featuring quail, doves, and pigeons.
Quail Hunting
Quail hunting is completely different from the previous hunts. Quail are migratory game birds that arrive in the Macedonian countryside as early as the first days of May to breed and remain until late October.
Quail is the smallest bird that can be hunted with a pointing dog, making it an excellent training opportunity, especially for those with a puppy! Macedonia, thanks to its terrain morphology, offers favorable habitats for them.
Quail hunting takes place early in the morning at dawn, in the cool hours, where the dogs must locate the game in the vast fields moistened by the night and continues until lunchtime. Afterward, hunters return to the hotel to eat.
Following the customary rest, at the client’s discretion, the second round of hunting begins. Hunters can either continue quail hunting or, giving the dogs a rest, position themselves near a sunflower field or a long row of trees to target some doves or pigeons.
With that said, we must inform the most passionate dog enthusiasts that in North Macedonia, especially in our beloved Bitola, there is the opportunity to train your and our beloved assistants on pairs of partridges preparing for a new life cycle.
This experience will take place in reserves with exclusive access for Montefeltro. The dogs will be transported in vehicles equipped for their comfort and will be supervised and trained by expert personnel.
Our staff awaits you in a convenient location with ample secure parking where you can let the dogs stretch after dinner before they return to their kennels.
Montefeltro offers hunters the opportunity to embark on a fantastic hunt for partridges, rock partridges, quails, doves, and pigeons, or to train their dogs in the vast areas spanning more than 100,000 hectares in the regions of BITOLA, KRUŠEVO, and PELAGONIA!
And you? Don’t miss out on this opportunity; contact us to embark on this adventure with us!
