European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 6, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Am Jar m. Wjk. Miler v \ x .7 .>.a.sx.�. A of s a pointing Hunters in the right direction by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer a common misconception among american outdoor enthusiasts especially Hunters is that they have to put their sport on hold when they come to Europe. Many have heard rumours that Hunting on this Side of the Atlantic is too expensive and too complicated. Others Are convinced the continent is too densely populated to have much game. None of these is True. It is True that Hunting Here is regulated More closely than in the United states. Europe does not have vast wilderness areas and game management policies Are generally formulated for much smaller area units. But there Are still plenty of open spaces a forests Fields mountains and marshes a teeming with wildlife. One of Europe s great advantages is that in some places there is Hunting throughout much of the year. For example in Germany some species of Deer Roe red or fallow can be hunted from May through january. Roe Deer season in Many regions opens in mid May. An excellent Way for americans to get involved with Hunting in Europe is through the association of american Rod and gun clubs Europe. According to Lee Miethke Usa eur Hunting and fishing officer there Are currently 48 Rod and gun clubs throughout Europe. They provide facilities conduct classes and sell equipment to service members and Dod civilian employees. According to Miethke much of the effectiveness of the clubs depends on Volunteer help. A the manager is mainly concerned with the running of the club Overall the business aspects a she says. A it s the volunteers that make things the Best country in Europe for american Hunters to be stationed is Germany. The reason is a 1952 pact the agreement concerning Hunting in Lander Baden Wurttemberge Bavaria and Hessen by members of the foreign forces. This document gives special privileges to american Hunters. Germany has one of the most stringent Hunting licensing systems anywhere. For German citizens it requires months of study in All aspects of the sport Lee Miethke from firearms safety to conservation practices european Hunting customs and game management policy. It can also be very expensive. Fortunately for americans the pact with the German government allows the Rod and gun clubs to conduct their own Hunter certification courses. A we do about 60 to 70 Hunting classes a year Quot Miethke says. Quot some of the clubs run As Many As two or three based on the size of the classes varies from five to 50. Last year during the Gulf War most were very Small but after it ended Quot we had a slew of big classes Quot she says. At $25 per student these courses Are a bargain and provide a great introduction into Host country traditions. Those who grew up Hunting will be familiar with much of the general information especially the sections about firearms safety and woodsman ship but everyone can also learn Many new aspects of the sport. The Hunting courses Are conducted by people trained and certified at the annual Usa eur Hunting instructors course plus German foresters and other experts. The courses involve a minimum of 20 hours of classroom instruction usually conducted Over several weeks. At the end of the course students must pass a written examination As Well As on Range weapons qualification segments with Shotgun and Rifle. Those who successfully Complete the course Are presented with a certificate entitling them to Purchase a German Hunting License. In most cases they also get a Jage Brief Hunter s document suitable for framing. In addition to the certificate Hunters in Germany must buy Hunting liability insurance which costs Between 80 and 100 Marks about $50-$62 per year. Once a Hunter has obtained a German Hunting License it is Good Tor life. But it must be renewed periodically. In the state of i Lessen licenses Are renewed annually at a yearly a it St of no Marks about $56. In Bavaria and Rheinland pal licenses Are issued for three years. I Hunters who return to the United states can allow their licenses to lapse and renew them during their next tour in Germany. Each year in Early summer the Usa eur Hunting and fishing Ottice in Schwet Ingen Germany conducts a capital game drawing. Any american who holds a military id lives in Germany and has a German License May enter. Quot this is a great privilege we have under the terms of the agreement Quot Miethke says. The lottery includes Hunts for fallow Deer red Deer Chamois and Mouflon a wild sheep. The capital game drawing provides an excellent Opportunity to enjoy the Hunt of a lifetime. Miethke says that Over the years Hunters have half a Good Success rate in bagging game on these Hunts. It varies according to species. On red Deer she estimates the Success rate at around 40 percent. It skyrockets to Quot about 95 percent Quot for Chamois the1 Goa like Mountain Antelope that inhabit Many parts of the Alps. In England american sportsmen can Hunt on two areas administered by Rod and gun clubs at Raf Chicksands and at Raf Lakenheath. The Lakenheath area is some 4,500 acres and according to Miethke features Quot very Good Quot Small game Hunting for pheasants grouse Hare ducks and Woodcock. Another option in Europe is to use the Many companies that organize Hunting trips. The Range of Quarry covers virtually All game varieties from pheasants and ducks to bears Ibex and wild boar. These firms advertise in local Hunting magazines. In Germany the Best known periodic Al for Hunters is the Deutsche jag Zeitung. Regardless of which path the Hunters eventually take there Are two key Points All arriving in Europe should remember. Those arc says Miethke to Quot bring equipment and get involved right away. Don t wait a year or army sgt. Barry Cohen looks Over the Large selection of Hunting knives under the display Case at the Rod and gun club at Rhein main a Germany. 888 pm it e m february 6, 1992 stripes Magazine 7
