France

Historically, hunting in France was a privilege of the nobility until after the French Revolution. Today, hunting is a widespread activity with about 1.1 million licensed French hunters and a professional outfitting industry that hosts a sizeable cadre of global hunters annually seeking its attractive game species.

From the forests of the Ardennes to the marshes of the Camargue, hunters have an array of big game adventures offering a challenge of skills and shooting ability and enjoyment. Most notably are red deer, roe deer, mouflon, fallow deer, wild boar, and multiple classifications of chamois. The type of hunting ranges from chateaux- and estate-based hunts with luxury lodging and gourmet meals to the more classic free-range mountain hunts with hunters staying in rural village inns and hunting lodges.

France's prized game species are its variety of chamois found in high-altitude peaks, scree slopes, and alpine meadows at elevations ranging from 1500-3000 meters (4900-9800 feet). The chamois season extends from September 1–February 28, with October–November being prime time when males become more active in the rut.

The Alps, Pyrenees, and Vosges are the primary stalking ground for France's alluring Capra. These diverse mountainous regions offer distinct chamois hunting experiences, each with unique landscapes, population densities, and hunting traditions.

The Alpine Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra) is a sub-species of the broader chamois family found across Europe. It is characterized by its slender build, short curved horns, and reddish-brown summer coat that turns darker in winter. They are agile climbers, making them a challenging quarry. A healthy Alpine Chamois population, estimated at over 100,000 animals, has benefitted from strong conservation measures to ensure sustainable hunting.

The Pyrenees Chamois, although genetically similar to the Alpine Chamois, has adapted to the region's rugged, less forested terrain. They inhabit the Pyrenees Mountains, which are wilder and less accessible than the Alps, adding to the challenge. And although less in population compared to the Alpine Chamois, they are still very plentiful. An estimated 20000–30000 Pyrenees Chamois provide ample opportunity for properly-guided hunters.

The "Chartreuse Chamois", with no universally recognized genetic or phenotypic distinction separating them from Alpine Chamois, have adapted to the specific environment of the Chartreuse Massif, a mountain range of the northern French Alps in southeastern France (primarily in Savoie and Isère). This unique environment has influenced their behavior, population dynamics, and hunting opportunities.

Grand Slam Club/Ovis (GSCO) treats Chartreuse Chamois as a separate category for trophy registration due to this geographic isolation. The distinct classification of the Chartreuse Chamois (despite genetic similarity to Alpine chamois) further enhances its status.

Chartreuse Chamois are noted for slightly larger bodies and darker coats compared to typical Alpine Chamois. They inhabit steep limestone cliffs, alpine meadows, and forested slopes at elevations of 800–2500 meters (2600-8200 feet), and favor areas with rocky outcrops for escape routes and open grassy patches for feeding.

Like the Chartreuse Chamois, the Vercors Chamois is treated as a separate trophy category by Grand Slam Club/Ovis (GSCO) due to their geographic isolation (Vercors Massif). The Vercors Massif is a renowned hunting destination due to its dramatic terrain and stable chamois population estimated at 3000–5000) that are managed through strict quotas to ensure sustainability. This region south of Grenoble is now the designated as the area from which a Vercors Chamois may be hunted and registered with GSCO.

Throughout the rest of France are free-range areas and estates where exceptional mouflon, red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, and wild boar can be hunted. Caprinae Safaris has an exceptional operation in France and we outfit for all of its species, many of which can configured as combination hunts. And with so much history wrapped in both its cultural and modern attractions, France, both civilized and wild, has something for everyone to enjoy.