Rancho Hunting - Services - Woodcock hunting, Black Grouse and Capercaillie hunting, Brown Bear hunting etc.

We can arrange various hunting programs, which can also be modified to our clients' requests.

Hunting area: We provide hunting for woodcock at both of our two locations - Luga and Lodeinoe Pole, both having ideal natural environments for woodcock.

Open season: Between the 15th of September and 30th of October depending on climatic conditions. Either excessively dry and hot or cold and wet conditions will effect the migratory timing for the arrival and hence the density of this species which cannot unfortunately be determined in advance.

Method: Walking up over dogs either alone or as a maximum of two hunters is recommended. Each hunter or group is accompanied by an experienced local guide who assists and supports them.

Game amount: A hunter with a well-trained dog can expect to harvest
between 5 to 25 woodcock during hunting days depending on the climatic conditions at the time. Maximum permitted average limit is 5 pieces per hunter daily . This allows to maintain population of species.

Other game hunt: During the same period the following game hunting is also available:

Itinerary: Rancho Hunting normally recommends 7 days full board accommodation with 5 days hunting, fully inclusive. Other personal programs are also available on request.

Dogs: We advise every hunter to bring his own dog if at all possible however we do have several trained dogs for those hunters unable to bring their own. Of course for most people the pleasure of this type of hunting is to work in harmony with ones own dog.

Firearms and ammunitions: We recommend using shotguns either 12,16 or 20 bore with lead cartridges N° 8 or 9 for woodcock and N° 4 or 5 for larger quarry.

Hunting area: We provide capercaillie hunting at both of our two locations - Luga and Lodeinoe Pole. Both zones have the ideal natural environment and solitude required for this quarry.

Open season: the season is between the 15th of April and the 5th of May during the mating season, these dates can vary relative to the arrival of spring and the snow thaw which obviously cannot be determined in advance.

Method: The nature of this hunting is principally stalking the quarry
just before dawn. It involves leaving the hunting base at around 4am in the morning and trekking deep into the forestry, first by four wheel drive vehicle and then by foot. Our guides will then lead you to the ideal display grounds where the male capercaillies gather at the very beginning of the day.

During the final phase of the stalk, 500 meters or so, the hunter and his guide can only approach the quarry when the capercaillie utters its mating-calls, which last for only a few seconds, if he attempts to move at any other time the bird will see or hear him and make flight from the area. It is very difficult to approach within range of the capercaillie, which makes hunting this mythically cautious bird extremely exciting.

One of our guides always accompanies each hunter and will assist and advise during the hunt.
Capercaillie hunting can also be provided over dogs in the autumn season.

Game population: Within our territories we have identified around 25 mating display areas and a total population of around 300 to 400 capercaillie. We calculate that we can comfortably harvest approximately ten percent of our population per annum whilst ensuring that the resident population does not diminish.

Other game hunting: During this season Black Cock hunting is also available. As with capercaillie hunting it is normal to hunt these birds from prepared hides early in the morning. (View our profile on black grouse hunting)

Trophy fees: Each hunter has one Capercaillie and One Black Grouse included within the hunting fees additional trophies can be taken at the following rates:

Hunting area: We provide Black Grouse hunting at Lodeinoe Pole. This zone have perfect natural environment for Black Grouse.

Open season: Is between the 10th August and the 1th September when the birds are more accessible on the ground.

Method: Walking up over dogs either alone or as a maximum of two hunters is recommended. Each hunter or group is accompanied by an experienced local guide who assists and supports them.

Game population: On the territory of Ladeinoe Pole, we have identified population of Black Grouse is in excess of 500 birds.

Other Game hunting: During the same period the following game hunting is also available:

Additional fees: Each hunter has one Capercaillie and One Black Grouse included within the hunting fees additional trophies can be taken at the following rates:

Itinerary: Rancho Hunting normally recommends 7 days full board accommodation with 5 days hunting, fully inclusive. Other personal programs are also available on request.

Firearms and ammunitions: We recommend to use shotguns, calibre 12, 16 or 20 with lead bullets N° 3 or 4 for the Black Grouse.

Hunting area: We provide bear hunting at both of our two locations - Luga and Lodeinoe Pole.

Open season: Between the 20th August and the 30th of September depending on weather and bear activity.

Method: Bear hunting is conducted from tree mounted high seats in the places where the bears come to eat oats at night, normally between 6:00 and 10:00PM. The hunting area is specifically cultivated to attract the bear population for this method of hunting. The bears adore to eat oats and to roll in the straw in the evenings and the cultivated areas become irresistible draws.

It is also possible to hunt the bear over active baited stands.

The bear has an incredible sense of smell and extraordinary hearing, so it is necessary to stay completely still and quiet in order to have a chance of seeing the bear walking out from the forest. It is a very exciting moment when the animal approaches and the adrenalin rush is extremely high.

Game quantities: In Ladeinoe Pole we have identified more than sixty bears and in Luga approximately forty with some excellent trophies of more than 200 kg. We limit the trophies harvested to no more than 6-8 bears annually in both our territories.

Other game hunting: During this season you can also hunt the following game over dogs:

Itinerary: Rancho Hunting normally recommends 7 days full board
accommodation, including 5 hunting days, all inclusive, 1 bear trophy.
Personal programs, short or long, can be arranged by request.

Dogs: For this type of hunting dogs are not required, but if you want to
hunt for woodcock during the day you should take a dog with you.

Firearms and ammunitions: We recommend to use of large calibre rifles
such as 9.3x62 or similar.

Hunting area: We provide Elk hunting at both of our two locations - Luga and Lodeinoe Pole.

Open season: The official season in Russia is between the 15th of December and the 15th of January.

Method: Hunting is conducted in several ways, either by using hides and high seats at dusk and early in the morning, or stalking and pursuit during the daytime. Our local guides will decide which method of hunting to apply in order to achieve the best result giving consideration to migrations and density of the species in the area hunted.

Game amount: There are not significant densities of this quarry in the northwest area of Russia when compared to the East where one can find truly enormous trophies. However on the territory of Ladeinoe Pole we have identified more than 80 elks and in Luga approximately 60. We do not harvest more than 8 to 10 Elks from both territories annually in order to allow us to enhance the population of the species .

Other game hunting: During the same season the following other game hunting is available:

Itinerary: Rancho Hunting normally recommends 7 days full board
accommodation, including 5 hunting days, all inclusive and 1Elk trophy.
Personal programs, short or long, can be arranged by request.

Dogs: For this type of hunting dogs are not required.

Firearms and ammunitions: We recommend the use of large calibre rifles
such as 9.3x62 or similar.

Hunting area: We provide Wolf hunting in both of our areas - Luga and
Lodeinoe Pole.

Open season: Between the 1st of December and the 15th of February is the most appropriate season for Wolf hunting because they are hungry and less wary at this time.

Method: The hunting is often very difficult and uncertain. It is practiced by stalking during the daytime or from hides over bait. Our guide will choose the method of hunting in order to obtain the best result.

Game population: It is difficult to quantify, because wolves change their territory so often. We do have a resident population to enable us to organize Wolf hunting, but due to it nature we can never guarantee the result.

Other game hunting: At the same time hunting the following game is also available:

Itinerary: Rancho Hunting normally recommends a stay for 7 days full board accommodation, with 5 days of hunting, all inclusive, including 1 Wolf trophy. Short stay programs are available by request.

Dogs: For this hunting dogs are not required.

Firearms and ammunitions: We recommend to use medium-calibre carbine of 6 or 7 mm for this hunting.