Brown bear hunting

One of the healthiest brown bear populations in central Europe, around 1,000 animals across roughly a million hectares of permanent habitat, actively managed under the national Bear Management Plan.

For every legally taken bear the hunter receives a CITES export permit issued by the Croatian Ministry of Environmental Protection, guaranteeing full legal compliance when transporting the trophy to any CITES signatory state. We organise hunts exclusively on the basis of official annual quotas.

Hunting takes place in spring (March) and autumn (October), from enclosed high seats reached by a well-maintained network of forest and local roads. Bears are drawn to selected feeding sites that our partners establish and maintain throughout the year. High seat positions are chosen according to bear movement data, seasonal activity patterns and weather conditions.

Optimal conditions occur when snow covers the ground and the moonlight is favourable, both factors that strongly influence bear movement. For that reason we recommend planning a hunt of at least six days in order to maximise the chance of an encounter.

The bear hunting grounds lie in the mountain regions of Velebit, Gorski kotar, Lika and Istria, at altitudes of 800 to 1,100 metres. These are among Croatia’s most remote and scenically spectacular landscapes, with an extensive network of forest roads and first-class mountain accommodation.

Over the past six years our bear hunting programme has achieved a 96 % encounter rate and an overall harvest success rate of 90 %. Adult bears in our areas typically weigh between 120 and 180 kg, with exceptional specimens exceeding 300 kg. Trophy value is assessed under CIC standards for skull size and coat quality.

We also offer hunts in areas with somewhat lower success rates at more favourable prices, suited to hunters for whom the experience and the landscape matter as much as the harvest itself.

Accommodation is arranged in mountain hotels or luxury holiday houses in Croatia’s well-known winter tourism areas. Excellent food, a rich local offer and a relaxed mountain atmosphere make the hours away from the hunt thoroughly enjoyable too.

Season: March and October · based on official annual quotas and CITES permits