The question we get most from international hunters is not about price, but about dates. When should I come? The honest answer is that there is no single best week: there is a best week for what you want. A mature billy in rut colours, a comfortable walk with your partner, a quiet hunt in spring light — each points to a different part of the season.
First, the official dates
Spanish ibex hunting seasons are set by each region, every year. In Andalusia, the 2026–27 season runs from 17 October 2026 to 25 April 2027. Other regions — Aragón, Valencia, Castilla y León — have their own calendars, and some extend further into spring.
Within those dates, every hunting ground works to its own approved management plan and quota. That is why it pays to book early: on small, well-managed grounds the number of mature males available each season is limited.
Month by month in the Subbéticas
October: the quiet opening
The season opens with mild days, often still warm at midday. Billies are in small bachelor groups and tend to stay high and in shade. Walking is comfortable, the light is beautiful and the olive harvest has not yet started. A good choice if you value comfort over the best possible trophy.
November: the rut begins
As temperatures drop, males start moving towards the females. They become more visible and spend more time in the open. Coats begin to darken. For many hunters this is the best compromise: rut activity, still-reasonable weather and the olive harvest getting under way around the mountains.
December: the peak of the rut
The heart of the rut. Mature billies are at their most active and least cautious, and their winter coats, with black markings on legs and flanks, are at their most striking. It is also the coldest and most changeable month: fog, wind and the odd frosty morning. If a big, mature male is your priority, this is your month.
January and February: after the rut
The rut fades and males, tired and lighter, move lower and gather again. Horn growth for the year is complete, so trophies are what they are. Hunting is calmer, with fewer people in the hills and often clear winter light after the fronts pass.
March and April: spring
The hills turn green and the days lengthen. Weather is usually pleasant and it is a lovely time to travel with a non-hunting partner. The trade-off: coats start to shed and look patchy in photographs. Hunting is still very good, and the season in Andalusia closes on 25 April.
How to choose
| If your priority is… | Come in… |
|---|---|
| The best chance at a mature, old billy | Late November – December |
| Rut activity with milder weather | November |
| Comfort and good light | October, March or April |
| Travelling with a non-hunting partner | October or spring |
| The best-looking coat for photos and a full mount | December – January |
Weather and what to pack
The Subbéticas are not high mountains, but limestone ridges catch the wind and fog can sit in the valleys for hours. Expect anything from 20 °C at midday in October to below-freezing dawns in December and January. Pack in layers: a warm base layer, a windproof outer shell, gloves and a hat, and boots with a stiff sole and good grip on rock. Leave anything that rustles at home.
For the rest of your planning — licences, rifles and costs — see our complete guide to Spanish ibex hunting.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Spanish ibex rut take place?
In November and December, peaking around December in the south of Spain. It is the best time to see mature males.
When is the Spanish ibex season in Andalusia?
For 2026–27, from 17 October to 25 April, according to the Andalusian hunting order. Dates change slightly every year.
Is spring a good time to hunt Spanish ibex?
Yes. Hunting is good and the weather pleasant, although coats begin to shed, which matters if you plan a full-body mount.
Limited places each season
Thinking about a Spanish ibex hunt?
Tell us what you have in mind and we will give you a straight answer — including whether the Subbéticas is the right place for what you want.
Request a quote →Regulations, seasons and fees change. Everything here reflects the situation as we understand it at the time of writing; always confirm current conditions before travelling.
