Driven Hunt in Young Woodland
My name is Laurenz. I grew up between the rolling hills of the Eifel and the vast open-cast mines of the Rhineland lignite region – pits stretching as far as the eye can see. This is my story.
Reclaimed landscapes, young ground, and intense hunting moments
My name is Laurenz. I grew up between the rolling hills of the Eifel and the vast open-cast mines of the Rhineland lignite region – pits stretching as far as the eye can see.
This landscape is in constant transition. Open-cast mines move on, metre by metre. Where earth is being excavated today, fields or woodland will soon emerge. This process is known as recultivation. And wherever the forest returns, game soon follows.
These young hunting grounds are something special. They demand responsibility, but they also offer unique hunting experiences.
This is my story.
Preparing for the Driven Hunt
The path to my stand is muddy. Wet ground, slippery leaves. I move at a steady pace, but without haste. A driven hunt is not about rushing – it is about being fully prepared before anything begins.
My high-visibility orange clothing stands out clearly against the dull winter woodland. Exactly as it should. Safety is paramount on any driven hunt.
My high seat is solid. A firm grip on the wood, a quick check for stability – only then do I climb up.
I leave my German Wirehaired Pointer girl, Paula, at the base of the stand. Calm and focused, she waits for her turn.
The Stand: Overview and Focus
Once in position, I have a perfect view:
A ride to the left, dense cover to the right, with bramble thickets in between.
A classic holding area – game can appear at any moment.
Now it is all about concentration. Watching every movement, checking the same lines again and again. All senses are sharpened.
No Success Without Dogs
Driven hunting is not defined by the shooters, but by those who bring the game into motion in the first place.
The dogs do essential work: they find the game and push it forward, giving voice as they go.
In short: without dogs, there is no success.
Ammunition for Driven Hunting: GECO Softpoint .308 Win.
The drive begins. I settle into position and load my rifle.
My choice is the GECO Softpoint in .308 Winchester.
This soft-point bullet offers exactly the characteristics I value when hunting cloven-hoofed game:
reliable stopping power
solid penetration
high likelihood of an exit wound
clear tracking signs
Equally important to me is moderate meat damage, as I always process the game myself.
The Drive Begins
I slip Paula. She immediately takes to the thick cover.
A roe deer jumps up – first in sight, then giving voice on the track as it disappears into the drive. Every note full of passion.
A shot rings out in the distance. Moments later, the hound falls silent. One of my fellow hunters has been successful.
More hounds can be heard – first far off, then drawing closer. The calls and voices of the beaters carry through the woodland.
My gaze keeps returning to the same lines: the ride, the edges of cover, the gaps.
A Decision in Seconds
Suddenly – movement to the right.
A wild boar crosses the ride.
Too brief. Too unclear. No safe identification.
I remain steady. No shot.
There is no room for ego on a driven hunt.If the situation is not right, the finger stays off the trigger – no matter how strong the excitement.
Part of Something Bigger
The hounds draw nearer, then pass by.
So much movement in the woodland is an exceptional moment. You become part of a larger interaction between game, dogs and people.
And yet, you remain alone on your stand – responsible for every decision you make.
The End of the Drive
Gradually, everything fades.
The voices grow quieter, the hounds move off. Silence returns to the woodland.
A glance at my watch confirms it: the drive is over. Rifles unloaded.
I unload my rifle and climb down. Paula has returned and sits calmly beside me.
We wait for the gamekeeper to collect us.
Halali and the Bag
An exciting hunt lies behind us – halali.
Paula and I now look forward to the laying out of the game and the social gathering that follows.
Hot soup, a crackling fire, and the stories shared among fellow hunters bring the day to a close.
A day to remember.
