EP 338 Stefan Bengtson and Hunting Europe - On Location

In this episode of the DSC's Campfires podcast, recorded on location at a battlefield in Scotland, Larry interviews Stefan Bengtson, who has co-owned and operated Scandinavian Pro Hunters with his wife, Sophia, since 2002. Stefan and his wife run an outfitting business that specializes in big game hunting and wing shooting worldwide, with a primary focus on short-travel European destinations. Big Game Hunting Destinations Scandinavian Pro Hunters offers a wide variety of big game species across several European countries: Sweden: Hunters can pursue European bison (wisent), large roebucks, European red stag, fallow stag, mouflon sheep, wild boar, and European moose. Norway: The outfitter provides scenic walk-and-stalk hunts for European reindeer in pure wilderness environments. Finland: The country offers unique opportunities for free-range whitetail and forest reindeer. Greenland: Available species include muskox and Greenland caribou. Scotland: Hunters can target roe deer, sika, and Scottish red stag. England: Available game includes Chinese water deer, muntjac, English red stag, Manchurian sika, Japanese sika, and roe deer. Eastern Europe: Hunts in Poland, Hungary, Serbia, and Romania are primarily focused on roe deer and red stag. Multi-Species Trips: Dedicated hunters have the unique opportunity to target multiple red stag species across different countries during a single trip. Wing Shooting and Waterfowl The outfitter provides highly social and challenging bird hunting experiences: VIP Upland Hunts: Hosted in Sweden, these hunts operate without strict bag limits, allowing hunters to take 10 to 30 birds each. Mixed Bags: Shooters can expect a mixture of pheasants, Hungarian partridges, hare, mallards, and teal, hunted alongside pointing dogs and spaniels. High-Volume Duck Hunts: Groups of 10 to 12 guns can shoot between 400 and 700 birds in a single day across various ponds. Driven Woodcock: A highly challenging late-season hunt is offered in the Scottish Highlands from late November through January. Driven Hunts: Traditional driven bird hunts are also available in Spain, Italy, and France. Guest Logistics and Amenities The company focuses heavily on the overall client experience, catering to both hunters and their companions: Firearms: While clients can navigate the paperwork to bring their own equipment, the outfitter highly recommends utilizing the quality local firearms provided by their gamekeepers. Fishing Combinations: Clients hunting in Scotland can easily combine their trips with salmon fishing or lake fishing for large trout using a Spey rod. Non-Hunter Activities: The company offers "hosted hunts" which include renting large manor houses equipped with private chefs, along with organized sightseeing tours for spouses and non-hunting companions. Expert Local Guides: Stefan notes that their success and high rate of repeat clientele are largely due to their relationships with expert local guides. Conservation and Contact Information Conservation Support: The host explicitly thanks Stefan and Sophia for their ongoing support of conservation efforts and for consistently donating hunts to the DSC and the DSC Foundation. Website: scandinavianprohunters.com. Email: [email protected] and [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices