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At Coto Santa Marta, we have been dedicated to the conservation of native red-legged partridges and the development of sustainable, traditional, high-quality hunting for decades. Our estate, located in a privileged ecological enclave, is a regional benchmark both for the genetic purity of its species and the authenticity of its hunting methods.
We offer personalised experiences in small game hunting ( driven hunts, flush hunting, hooking ) and big game hunting ( IBEX mountain goat, deer, wild boar, mouflon, arruí, among others ), with special care for logistics, safety and respect for the environment.
Whether you are looking for tradition or big trophies, at Santa Marta you will find a passion for hunting, excellence in service and nature in its purest form.
DRIVEN PARTRIDGE HUNTS
Driven hunting is a type of small game hunting traditionally used for hunting red-legged partridges. It is characterised by its meticulous organisation and by being a form of collective hunting that respects the natural cycles of the species. In this practice, a line of hunters is established at the end of a previously delimited area of land. At the opposite end, there is a line of beaters, made up of specialised personnel equipped with flags or sticks. Their role is to advance in a coordinated manner, driving the game towards the hunters to make it easier for them to spot and shoot. Each hunter remains in their position, hidden behind a hunting parapet, which serves as both protection and visual camouflage. Generally, the hunter is accompanied by an assistant or bidder, who is responsible for reloading the shotguns (usually two) and collecting the fallen game at the end of the hunt. The drive ends when both lines, the beaters and the hunters, meet again. At that point, the game killed is counted in order to keep a rigorous hunting record, which allows the reserve managers to maintain sustainable control over the species population.
Hunting on the wing is a type of small game hunting widely used for species such as partridge, rabbit and other game found in scrubland. Unlike driven hunting, this technique is based on the active movement of the hunter, who covers the terrain accompanied by specially trained hunting dogs.
The dogs play an essential role: beating the area as the hunter passes, they detect the trail and presence of hidden game. Their pointing or signalling allows the hunter to locate the animal and prepare to shoot once it takes flight or breaks into a run.
This form of hunting requires concentration, knowledge of the terrain, and close rapport between the hunter and his dogs. It also encourages more direct and respectful contact with the natural environment.
At the end of the day, the game killed is counted in order to maintain rigorous hunting control, which is essential for the sustainable management of the species present in the reserve.
ROUGH SHOOTING
RECECHOS ( TROFEOS )
Selective big game trophy hunting (gold, silver, bronze, or representative medals).
We enjoy an unrivaled location, just a short distance from internationally renowned areas such as the Sierra de Gredos and Las Batuecas, where it is possible to hunt the emblematic Spanish ibex (Macho Montés), a species that holds national records, including that of H.M. King Juan Carlos, King Emeritus of Spain.
For the same reason of proximity and hunting excellence—only 20 kilometers from our accommodation—we also offer organized hunting days for:
• IBEX
• Red deer
• Fallow deer
• Mouflon
• Wild boar
• Barbary sheep
• Roe deer
BIG GAME HUNTING (Montería)
The montería is one of the most emblematic and traditional forms of big game hunting in Spain, representing not only a hunting practice but also a social and cultural event deeply rooted in the rural world.
In this modality, the hunting grounds are divided into areas (manchas) that are beaten by packs of dogs (rehalas), guided by expert handlers. Their role is to cover the terrain and flush out the game—usually wild boar, red deer, fallow deer, or mouflon—driving it towards the hunters stationed in fixed posts strategically distributed across the area.
Hunters remain at their stands while the animals, pushed by the dogs, cross their shooting lines. This requires not only accuracy but also prudence, experience, and respect for safety rules, as the action happens at close range and in motion.
The montería is a collective activity, where coordination among the organizers, beaters, dog handlers, and hunters is essential. It is also carried out under strict regulations that include quotas, species selection, and a final count of the harvest, thereby contributing to sustainable game management.
Usually celebrated in autumn and winter, the day begins with the drawing of posts, a country-style breakfast, and a safety briefing. At the end, it is customary to share the results, recount the highlights of the hunt, and enjoy a traditional meal, reinforcing the social and communal character of this practice.
In short, the montería combines excitement, tradition, and conservation, and remains one of the most authentic and valued forms of big game hunting in our country.