Croatia is a country of arich hunting tradition, attractive hunting areas and diverse wildlife. Modern organized hunting in Croatia began in 1881 and by then hunting had adouble role throughout the history. The majority of poorer and mainly rural population found hunting extremely important for daily survival struggle, since it represented an important food source, while the wealthy aristocratic minority hunted for fun, pleasureor social status confirmation.
In 1881, the Government of the Kingdom of Croatia and Slavonia decided to confirm so called “Hunting Rules” developed by “Society for defense of hunting in the Kingdom of Croatia and Slavonia” and already in 1882 the society published “The First Common Croatian Hunting and Fishing Cultivation Society Courier ”. Even before these decisions and actions the well-organized hunting already existed, which was mainly due to people from the existing social elite, who have contributed to the common understanding of overall hunting development in Croatia.
Geographical location and natural features of Croatia, make hunting a variety of wildlife throughout the country.
In the eastern lowland Croatian regions, Slavonia and Baranja, it is possible to hunt deer, roebuck, wild boar, and the small, hairy and feathery fowl. In central Croatia it is also possible to hunt all the wildlife above, while in the area of Lika and Gorski Kotar it is possible to hunt bear and grouse. On the coast of Dalmatia, the special attraction is hunting chamois and mouflon, and the specific types of smallgame birds that inhabits high altitudes like the rock partridge, grouse and the hryvnia.
For each ofthese areas, in addition to a variety of hunting game, and a specific way of hunting, hunting practices, breeds of hunting dogs, etc.