Hunting the Spanish ibex is a dream for many, and my journey to capture one was a tale of perseverance, preparation, and sheer awe. From the moment I set foot on the rugged Spanish mountains to the final successful shot, every step was an adventure. This is the story of my pursuit of the majestic Spanish ibex and the unforgettable moments along the way.
Booking the Hunt with Iberhunting
The hunt for my Spanish ibex began months earlier when I met several guides at the Sheep Show in Reno. Mercedes from Iberhunting had advertised a “Romantic Package” that included a hunt for an ibex and a balearean boc. Though a balearean boc wasn’t on my bucket list, another ibex was, and I requested a customized package that would include a tour of the local area and a Ronda ibex.
The Beginning of the Adventure
We were halfway out of the mountain, and my guide, Sergio, was growing frustrated by the thick brush and dead ends that seemed to appear at every turn. His frustration intensified when he accidentally smacked his kneecap on a rock while scaling the mountain during our previous climb. He stopped briefly to recover from the sharp pain, but he quickly regained his composure. Now, with my Spanish ibex on his back, he was leading the way down the mountain—well, at least attempting to.
The mountain, however, had other ideas. Steep drop-offs, box canyons, and thick, impenetrable brush made the descent slow and cautious. It soon became clear we had no choice but to go straight down, carefully selecting each step and using the brush as handholds. Once we reached the bottom, the climb out was much easier, though still steep.
A Personal Victory Before the Hunt
At this point, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy. I had trained for months leading up to this moment. Since retiring from law enforcement, I had taken a sedentary job that kept me in my truck for long hours, driving the mountain roads of southern Oregon for private security work. The lack of exercise had caused my waistline to expand, and it became clear I needed a change.
By September, I made the decision to let my security license expire and focus on my health. I started running again, changed my diet, and even gave up my longtime Mountain Dew addiction. I lost over twenty-five pounds, and now, here I was, on a Spanish mountain, chasing my very first Spanish ibex.
The Journey to Spain: From Reno to Malaga
The journey to hunt the Spanish ibex began with a long series of flights. Shannon and I first drove to Reno, then flew to Atlanta, Paris, and finally arrived in Malaga, Spain. We spent two days exploring the historic streets of Old Town Malaga, allowing the jet lag to wear off before meeting our guide, Sergio.
Sergio drove us north to Mojacar, where we settled in for a hunt of the southeastern Spanish ibex. After a quick lunch at our hotel, we ventured out to the nearby mountains with two game scouts to search for ibex. We glassed from point to point, spotting several females and young males. The anticipation grew as I eagerly scanned the mountain peaks.
The Hunt Begins: A Silver and Super Gold Southeastern Ibex
An hour before dark, we received a tip from a worker on a bulldozer who had spotted two big male ibex. We quickly descended to another point and set up our optics. The first male we spotted was lying on a rock, looking straight at us. Sergio estimated it could be a solid silver medal. While I was on a bronze contract, I was open to upgrading if the right ibex came along.
But it was the second male that truly took my breath away. Sergio described him as a super gold—a massive, breathtaking southeastern ibex. While I could afford the first one, Sergio suggested we hold off on the shot, as he had a client arriving in a few days who might go after this incredible animal.
After admiring both males for a few moments, we left them behind and continued our search.
A One-Horned Ibex and a Close Call
We continued our hunt, and it wasn’t long before we spotted another promising male. As I set up my rifle and began finding him through the scope, I realized that he only had one horn. He looked impressive through the scope, but I had my heart set on something more complete. We started packing up when one of the guides spotted another southeastern Spanish ibex across the canyon, nearly 300 yards away.
We repositioned ourselves, and I once again took aim. The crosshairs were bobbing wildly as I tried to steady myself. I called for some support, and Sergio quickly placed shooting sticks under my right elbow. As soon as the crosshairs settled, I took the shot.
To my surprise, I didn’t hear the bullet hit, but Sergio immediately shouted, “He’s wounded, reload, reload!” I fumbled with the unfamiliar Blaser rifle, struggling to cycle the bolt. Once I got it right, I reloaded, and within moments, Sergio confirmed, “He’s down.”
The Recovery of My Spanish Ibex
It was getting late, and with the fading light, it became clear that recovering my southeastern ibex would have to wait until the next morning. The guides quickly devised a recovery plan, though I realized that it might not be as straightforward as they thought.
The next day, we set out early to retrieve my trophy. The mountain was steeper than I had anticipated, and the thick brush, with its painful thorns, made progress slow. But after much effort, we reached my ibex. Upon closer inspection, we found that one of its horns had broken off, and the other was worn. Still, it was a stunning animal, aged eleven years old, and I couldn’t have been more pleased.
Sightseeing and Spanish ibex hunt
Iberhunting did not disappoint. Our stay was filled with luxury, from beautiful hotels to delicious meals. Shannon also had the opportunity to enjoy local tours, including a lovely walk along the beach. Meanwhile, I was focused on my two hunts for Spanish ibex.
My wife was really interested in Christmas markets and holiday lights. Malaga had a great show set to Christmas music. It was fun to watch the crowd dance to their favorite tunes.
The following day we toured local street markets and made our way to Lorca Spain which is the headquarters for Iberhunting. We had a wonderful dinner and continued touring before returning to our hotel.
The next morning I met the next hunting party and agreed to go along as an extra pair of eyes to help locate ibex. The new hunter is himself a guide from Mongolia. He and two of his sons joined us on this hunt. We spent the morning looking for the Super Gold ibex but he never made an appearance. Later that morning, Mogi shot a silver medal ibex. What a wonderful treat to be able to share that experience with he and his sons.
The Ronda Ibex: A New Challenge
After successfully recovering my southeastern Spanish ibex, we set out for my second hunt—this time for a Ronda ibex. The mountains in the distance looked far steeper than anything I had trained in, but there was no turning back.
We parked and began our ascent. At one point, we even found ourselves hunting within a national park, something that was completely foreign to me after years as a game warden. It was strange to be in a place with campgrounds and playgrounds, yet we were hunting the rugged slopes for an ibex.
After much glassing, we found a large Ronda male. Sergio and the guides were confident he was a prime candidate. With the rugged terrain ahead of us, we took position and began our stalk.
The Final Shot: A Ronda Ibex in the Crosshairs
We carefully navigated the steep terrain, and after much effort, we set up for the shot. The ibex was grazing near some oak trees, and my heart raced as I found him in my scope. Despite some initial shakiness, I steadied myself, and after a deep breath, I took the shot.
Sergio confirmed that the ibex was down, and soon, we were on our way to recover him. The route to reach the animal was surprisingly easy, and within moments, I was standing over my second Spanish ibex—a beautiful Ronda with impressive horns and a 13-year-old age.
A Dream Hunt Fulfilled
Hunting a Spanish ibex was a lifelong dream, and it exceeded every expectation. From the challenge of the terrain to the thrill of the shot, each moment was unforgettable. The beauty of the mountains, the dedication of the guides, and the reward of a successful hunt made this experience one of the most memorable of my life. I’m grateful to Iberhunting for making this dream come true and to Sergio for his unwavering support throughout the journey.
