Shogren hunted this past September in Krapkowice County on the Czech border. As we had reported, Shogren says the country has a wonderful population of wild game, including wild boar, red stag and roe deer. The reason for such high game populations is two-fold and has to do with Poland's Communist past. Under the totalitarian system, government planners forced people to live in towns and cities, leaving much of the countryside unpopulated and farms organized as co-ops outside of the settlements. Also, farming practices in Poland are not as advanced, meaning they don't use the technology, machinery and chemicals employed in the US and other countries. Shogren says their farming and harvesting methods create ideal hunting conditions.
While game populations are good, Shogren says the key to hunting successfully in Poland is choosing the species you want and hunting the right time for that particular species. Although there is a variety of game available, he says traveling hunters should not go to Poland expecting to take a full mixed bag of game. He hunted wild boar, red stag and roe deer. He was successful only with roe deer, which are best hunted in July and August during the rut or late in September when Shogren was there. Hunting can be done by spotting and stalking on foot through wooded areas on the edge of agricultural fields or from high seats. He says he hunted mostly by driving around in a 4wd vehicle until he and his guide spotted deer in the open glades between agricultural areas. He reports seeing abundant roe deer, which he says could be a........(continued)
