Driven Quail Hunting at Deliblato Sands Hunting District

Introduction to Driven European Quail Shooting

The practice of driven shooting is common in Europe. A dog and beaters drive birds, such as pheasants, partridge, grouse or quail, towards the line of guns in this type of hunting.

Beaters often walk through fields and beat bushes with sticks or throw clods of earth into the air to flush quail.

Since more people are looking for novel and exciting ways to enjoy their time outdoors, driven shooting has become increasingly popular in the United Kingdom, Spain and across Eastern Europe in recent years.

The experience of driven European quail hunting is unique. Driven hunting differs from traditional upland bird hunting over pointes. The hunter does not flush the game, but instead other teams of beaters and dogs drive the birds toward his shooting team firing line.

European quail hunting is different from other types of hunting

In this type of hunting, the game is driven towards the hunter at a high rate of speed, leaving not enough time for the hunter to react.

With a driven hunt, up to 5 drives are set each day from a 4×4 vehicle. A calm and organized team works together to provide the most positive outcome for everyone involved.

There is an unobstructed view of the birds and shooting lanes. Therefore, you will have a greater chance of success as well as notice how others are shooting from your left and your right side.

Deliblato Sands and European Quail Hunting

Among the most popular types of hunting in the world is European Quail Hunting.

Besides being a fun sport, it also helps the conservation of these birds. This is because most of the birds are now released as 6 to 8-week-old chicks. This allows plenty of time to adapt to the sand dunes of Deliblato Sands and birds become completely wild in less than a few weeks’ time thanks to their extremely fast metabolism. The area of just under 100 000 acres is home to more than 120 000 birds that we breed every year out of what many are food to birds of prey and other predators like jackals.

In Serbia, the Deliblato Sands are home to a significant population of Wild European Quail.

There’s a lot of grasslands, scrubland, and other types of vegetation there that they enjoy eating. It’s a healthy habitat for them, as our quail populations are not exposed to the agricultural pesticides used in modern farming. These pesticides are destroying wild bird populations in other areas of Eastern Europe.

Along with a few other species like Pheasants and Ducks, the European Quail is by far the most numerous bird in this area close to Danube. Belgrade is only 1 hour 20 minutes east of the point where Deliblato Sands Hunting District meets Danube

Deliblato Sands European Quail Hunting

A member of one of the largest bird families, the European Wild Quail belongs to the grouse family. The season and methods are very similar to those of Driven Grouse Shooting in Scotland.

In order to avoid predators like foxes, Jackals and owls, they use grassland for roosting. This allows them to fly away from predators at any sign of a fox or jackal breaking through the grassland.

Quail sing a sequence of chirps and whistles as part of their mating call.

Northern Serbia is the biggest breeding area for European Quail and North Africa is where European Quail can be found on its migratory route only during the overwintering period.

Quails eat seeds, berries, leaves, and insects. Without seeds or berries in its habitat, it may consume worms and even animal carcasses.

Driven Quail Hunting Techniques for Beginners

There are many people all over the world who enjoy quail hunting. Precision and patience are required to participate in this challenging sport that was once considered a privilege for extremely rich individuals.

Facts About Deliblato Sands - The Home of
Our Unique European Quail Farm

In addition to its unique hunting grounds, the Deliblato Sands have other advantages as well.

First of all, the terrain is a set of rolling sand dunes, which is perfect for novice hunters.

There are many different species of animals that you won’t find anywhere else in the world in the Deliblato Sands, too.

My uncle and father took me hunting at the Deliblato Sands for the first time when I was a little boy. These areas have always reminded me of my childhood as well. It is my destiny to manage wildlife in my part of the world. My family and I have hunting rights in these areas together with other farmers. A few years ago we released large quantities of Quail, expecting to create a blend of Grouse Shooting in Scotland and Partridge Shooting in Spain.

Birds are both challenging and fast, which makes them challenging even for the most experienced bird hunters.

Since we had no idea what we were doing, we sought assistance from a few gamekeepers as well as some friends. Those British gamekeepers provided us with valuable advice, and so far, we are in our 4th year of organising Driven European Quail Shooting in Serbia.

Besides wild boar and European Red Deer, Deliblato Sands Hunting district also has Pheasants, Ducks and Geese. Each February, we organise Driven Jackal Hunting in Deliblato Sands to prepare the ground for releasing chicks in April/May.

Now is the time to hunt Deliblato Sands Quail

Deliblato Sands Quails have been hunted for centuries. Eastern Europe and the Balkans are home to this amazing bird species that was described also in the Bible as a food that God provided for Israeli people in the Sinai Desert on the way to the Promised Land.

Known as the fastest European partridge, the Deliblato Quail is also known as the African Quail since it is a migratory bird that leaves our areas mid October.

The hunting season begins in June and lasts all the way until the end of September.

In Serbia, 40% of European quails are hatched, and Eastern Central Europe is their main breeding ground.

When startled, these quails can be seen in flight with a bronze-brown pattern along their throat and belly.

In addition to its long, thin neck and large head, the Deliblato Quail is also a bird just a bit smaller than a partridge but exceptionally fast with a pattern of flying similar to snipe.

Breeding takes place between the months of April and August.

There are several behaviours that occur during courtship displays, including leaping, nuzzling, and running around. Our sand is the main attraction for birds to stay in this area during the long summer before departing for Africa in October each year. Washing in the sand gives Quail specific protection from fleas as well as helps with feather maintenance. Together with the sun, insects provide essential nutrition for quail as a game bird with an extremely fast metabolism. It is scientifically proven that quail meat improves hormonal imbalances and boosts the immune system of humans as well as improving metabolism of reproductive organs.

Besides, we are looking forward to meeting you soon in Serbia and hosting your Driven Quail Hunting party this summer.