When most people think of Mallorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, they think of package holidays, busy beaches and swarms of ‘Brits abroad’! However, beyond the crowds, there lies a hidden gem for the country sports enthusiast, offering exceptional shooting, breathtaking landscapes and warm Mediterranean hospitality.
Located only a 25min drive west from Palma, tucked away from the busy tourist zones, sits Las Barracas, a beautifully managed private estate. Protected from any development in such proximity to the particularly ‘saturated’ southern coastline, this hidden paradise offers an exclusive experience for guns seeking something special.
First Impressions of the Lodge
I joined a team of guns on 9th November 2025 for a day of driven partridge shooting organised by Roxtons. The island holds a special place in my heart having spent many summers there in my youth with my father who based himself here. November is well out of the holiday-making season, and I had not seen Mallorca this late in the year. The scorching summer heat is typically between 30-40 ˚C and therefore the landscape is arid and lacking foliage. To my surprise, I was greeted to luscious green scenery, and the island took on a completely different look. Having got on the plane, fresh from a week of ‘3-coat days’ in Dumfries, the 22˚C Mediterranean sun was quite uplifting!
As you enter the long winding track from the tarmac clad coastline the terrain becomes more undulating and wooded. It takes a good 15 minutes to reach the shoot lodge as you leave suburban landscape behind.
The lodge itself is a traditional ‘finca’ perched alone amongst the pine and olive tree-covered landscape. We were greeted by the magnificent hosts Sio, the estate owner’s daughter and Matteo, the shoot manager. Immediately you are struck with the relaxed atmosphere and their laid-back hosting style. The finca offers accommodation consisting of 12 double rooms which are extremely comfortable. A central courtyard links them all and provides space for outside dining – frequently possible in winter with the favourable climate.
Partridge Shooting at Las Barracas
After coffee and pastries, each member of the team was introduced to their individual loader and secratario (secretary who counts and marks the fallen birds). I really enjoy the Spanish shooting system; you get a real sense that the team here is a close family with jokes cracking as soon as the guns are introduced.
Loaded into vehicles, we begun the short journey to the first drive with some very healthy looking red-legged partridges spotted along the track.
Matteo explained they had experienced some unusually heavy rain in the days prior to our shoot and this had caused it to be abnormally muddy underfoot – something we are more than accustomed to back home!
The guns lined out in a small, cultivated field facing a pine wood line emitting the familiar sweet smell of sap. The loaders and secratarios came fully laden with guns, cartridges, seats and tables – each could be mistaken for a ‘one-man-band’ if glanced at!
The operation is very slick as they organised their kit; tables unfolded, cartridges neatly stacked and the gun’s selected footing cleared of rocks and levelled. Even a sun-blocking ‘lollipop’ erected to shield the gun’s eyes – a nice touch to allow full enjoyment of the drive.
The beaters began hollering in the distance and the birds began flicking above the tree line in small packs with some impressive velocity. I was impressed how they began to appear in well mediated small flushes, rather causing than the sky going black for a few minutes and the fun ending prematurely.
I think this is a byproduct of the more natural approach to how the birds are held on the estate. The Spanish utilise blocks of cover crop as we do in the UK and solely rely on the existing foliage and the rise and fall of the ground. This system seems to prevent the birds from ‘packing-up’ and therefore taking flight all at once.
The partridge are of course put down, but the drive had a very satisfying wild feel to it provided by the unadulterated landscape. The entire line had ample shots and were left grinning after their first taste of Las Barracas, with all anticipation of the unknown melted away. We can all relate to this when visiting a new shoot for the first time and not knowing what to expect or what is expected. The firm attitude here is shoot what gives you pleasure and get stuck in!
The second drive was a short walk and offered the same enjoyment with a marked increase of the ‘snappiness’ of the shooting. Your peg accomplices (loader and secretario) really get into in the drive. They hurl well humoured banter to their neighbouring colleagues when birds are dropped in front of adjacent guns and eyes are wiped. We really had a lot of fun with these guys, and their exuberance made the day. They were incredibly attentive and at one point even fashioned a shooting platform from pine tree limbs for a gun stood on a particularly muddy peg.
Spanish Hospitality & Spectacular Views
Onto elevenses. We reached a viewpoint that left me and the team speechless. A stunning vista unfolded as we crested the peak of a south facing hill. The rich blue of the Mediterranean Sea could be seen past rolling green hills and olive groves. Traditional Spanish tapas and fine wines completed the moment.
The resulting drives just got better and better. Each brought something distinctly different – from tight wooded gills producing snap shooting to higher banks showing taller birds that required some serious gun speed and ‘gaps’.
Returning to the lodge, the team were jubilant. A delicious alfresco lunch in the courtyard rounded the day off and the game cards were distributed by Matteo. The shoot data is precisely recorded on Spanish shoots and this makes for an interesting summary where the guns know each other’s exact shot ratio and birds per drive. As you can imagine, this extra information spurred on some further friendly encouragement amongst the 10 shooting pals.
Goodbyes were said and team left for the airport. What a brilliant day; in my books it was perfect from the presentation of birds, exquisite local food and drink, and the overwhelming welcoming attitude from the Las Barracas family. My first thoughts upon leaving were how soon can I get back!
Make Las Barracas your Next Sporting Destination
If you are looking for an authentic Spanish partridge shooting experience, complete with exceptional sport, outstanding scenery, warm hospitality and exquisite cuisine – make sure to add Las Barracas to your list.
To enquire about availability and to book your shoot day in Mallorca, please contact Adam.Bromfield@roxtons.com.
