Dobersberg Estate, Austria
Traditional Roebuck Stalking Séjours. August 4th – 7th, 2025
Dobersberg Estate is located in northern Austria, roughly halfway between Vienna (1.5 hours) and Prague (2 hours). Owned by the Szápáry family since 1797, it borders the Czech Republic, where the “Iron Curtain” once literally ran along parts of the property line. Today, it offers an untouched landscape of forests, meadows, and rolling hills ideal for hunting and outdoor pursuits.
Covering 7,500 acres, Dobersberg is a working forestry property dominated by Norway spruce woodlands, which not only sustain the estate but provide exceptional habitat for roe deer and other game. Its rich history and secluded location create an atmosphere of tradition and exclusivity, perfect for hunters seeking an authentic European stalking experience.
The Hunt Experience
A typical day begins at dawn, stalking through the estate or calling bucks from high-seats for 2–3 hours. After a relaxed lunch, afternoons are free for clay shooting, tennis, golf, or sightseeing, while evenings bring another outing into the woods and open meadows.
Every hunter is accompanied by an experienced guide who knows the terrain intimately, helping to select mature bucks and ensuring a safe and successful stalk.
Shot distances range from 15 to 200 meters, averaging around 60–70 meters. Rifles (.243 to .30 caliber) are recommended, and loaner rifles are available with the option to practice on the estate’s private shooting range.
Hunting focuses on roe deer during the rut in late July and early August, when mature bucks are highly territorial and respond dramatically to calling. The hunt follows old-world traditions: stalking through dense forest, calling from well-positioned high-seats, and making quick, instinctive shots as roebuck emerge from cover.
Trophy management is strictly regulated under Austrian law, with around 30 mature bucks harvested annually to ensure sustainability and quality.
Wild boar are abundant and can be hunted year-round, often at night using legal thermal optics for an exciting and challenging experience. Red deer and foxes are also present and may be taken opportunistically.
Roe Deer:
The Roe Deer (capreolus capreolus) is the main species on the estate. The weight of a mature roe deer will be between 35 and 55 pounds. Hunting the roebuck during the rut has a very long tradition in the “old world”. The roebuck sheds his antlers every winter. During the spring they grow back and on a mature buck of 4+ years of age regularly have three points and grow appr. 8 – 12 inches long. In Austria managing the deer herd is a legal requirement and is done according to a management plan, which is submitted every three years to the local authority and strictly monitored. The annual quota of trophy bucks harvested on the estate is around 30 heads, most of which are culled during the rut in early August. The hunt during the rut of the roe-deer on the Dobersberg estate has a long history based on customs, traditions and observations over the last decades.
The Accommodations
Guests may stay in the “Gardener’s Cottage”, a charming home within the castle park featuring four en-suite double rooms, or choose the “Forester’s Cottage”, a private lodge nestled directly in the hunting grounds with three en-suite rooms.
Meals are served en-famille with the Szápáry family in their historic home, combining warm hospitality with locally inspired cuisine and Austrian wines.
Beyond Hunting
Dobersberg is also a gateway to Vienna, Prague, and the Danube wine region, perfect for cultural day trips. Non-hunters can enjoy cycling, visiting medieval castles and abbeys, or simply relaxing in the tranquil Austrian countryside.
Three day “Roebuck – Hunting - Séjours”:
(2 full days and 2 half days on arrival and departure days):
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3 days full board accommodation.
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Up to 3 hunting outings per day (1-on-1 guided hunts).
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Harvesting of up to 4 trophy roebucks.
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Hunting license, guide, trophy fees, preparation, loaner rifle, ammunition, local transport.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 – Monday, Aug. 4th – Arrival & Afternoon Hunt
-Arrive for lunch or mid-afternoon.
-Settle in and test rifles at the estate’s range.
-Afternoon/evening hunt.
-Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2 – Tuesday, Aug. 5th – Full Hunting Day
-Early morning or mid-morning hunt.
-Afternoon/evening hunt.
-Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3 – Wednesday, Aug. 6th – Full Hunting Day
-Early morning or mid-morning hunt.
-Afternoon/evening hunt.
-Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4 – Thursday, Aug. 7th – Departure
-Early morning or mid-morning hunt.
-Lunch at the lodge.
-Departure after lunch.
Alternative/side programs available upon request.
COST OF THE TRIP
€ 6,450 (incl. VAT) per hunter.
€ 750 (incl. VAT) per non-hunting companion (double room).
NOT INCLUDED: Transfers (except local), day trips, and tips. Additional trophy roebuck: € 1,150 (incl. VAT) per head
(No charge for yearling or “button bucks”).
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PAYMENTS TERMS:
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€ 1,935 (30%) at booking (non-refundable).
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€ 4,515 (70%) due by July 1.