This fallow deer hunt in Croatia was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I could not of asked for a better time, weather conditions, or hospitality from the guide or the outfitting service. My consultant, Mat Cervantes was very accurate with explaining the experience that I would have and the conditions I would be hunting in.

I can’t say enough about my stalker Scott. He was interesting, entertaining, and a first rate stalker. He worked hard for the animals we were able to harvest and cares about his wildlife. This is a genuine bucket list trip, and we will definitely return for another. There was plenty of trails for my wife to hike right from the hotel,while I was hunting. The ladies who owned the Whitebridge Inn were fun, helpful, and a joy to visit with. Overall, we are really glad they used this resource for our hunt. Valerie is taking care of the trophies to ship, and am looking forward to receiving them.

This was our first hunt abroad, and our Outdoors International Consultant, Mat was patient and explained all aspects of the trip. When an issue arose during, I was able to contact Mat and it was resolved immediately. I highly recommend and look forward to working with Outdoors International for future trips.

I shot my Scottish red stag in the middle of a roar as he had paused from trotting after the hinds coming up up and clearing a hill with just enough of him showing so I could put my bullet where the neck joins the spine! He went down dead. Cold and soaking wet the water was slouching in my boots and the magnificent Stag was down! What fun!

Saw a fair number of red deer before an opportunity arose for a stalk. Unsuccessful on day one as conditions were difficult and the deer are smart. Day two began in same fashion. Animals including stags were spotted by glassing and a plan was formulated for approach. After a lengthy uphill hike a pair of stags was spotted bedded down. The stalker and I then proceeded with the final stalk which largely involved slowly crawling so as not to be detected. We eventually gained a position slightly above them at a distance of about 80 m. The stalker deployed the rifle and I positioned to be able to take the shot. The animals were bedded and it was determined that a neck shot was most viable. The red stag needed to stand to present that shot. after maintaining position for approx. 45 m the second stag arose and began moving about. Stalker whispered that if he got close enough to the target stag that animal would get up. That happened and he did. Stalker whispered “neck”, I fired and the stag immediately dropped. Successful stalk .

This traditional, free range stag hunt will be one that gets marked off my bucket list. Scotland is an amazingly beautiful country. The hunt is strenuous and exhausting so you need to be in pretty good shape. There were 6 other people at the lodge with us and they were group of people. Everyone that keeps the lodge going from day to day. They are the best ever. Anything and everything was taken care of and attended to. Breakfast every morning, lunches made for everyone and an amazingly delicious dinner every evening. Could not have asked for anything more. I would recommend using Outdoors International for a Scottish hunt.

Overall I would highly recommend this hunt and this lodge to all of my hunting friends. It was an incredibly relaxing 4 days spent in very beautiful surroundings. It must also be noted that the location of the lodge afforded excellent site seeing and shopping opportunities. One of the best ‘hunting trips’ I’ve been fortunate enough to experience.

This was a challenging free range hunt and not a canned fence hunt. Very exciting. The next morning we headed out for Balkan chamois. We glassed for a few hours high on a mountain and spotted a shooter with several females. We made a very difficult stalk for several km and got into position for a 330 yd shot.

Within 15 minutes of me pulling the trigger word had got out and there were about 10 Croatian locals arrived at the hunt site to congratulate me and salute the hunt. The evening was filled with toasts and fun with people I had never met all taking part in the celebration. I’ve never seen anything like it, and was amazed at the spirit of the locals. My Eurasian brown bear was taken care of by my guide carefully and I left for my next hunt the next day.

Unbelievable one day hunt. I thank Mat Cervantes for putting me on another awesome European hunt. I’ve been on two European hunting trips with Outdoor International and have harvested 2 Gold and 2 Silver Medal animals.