General
Information about Hunting in
ARGENTINA
| General
Information about Hunting in ARGENTINA |
 Argentina is the eighth
largest country
in the world. Located on the eastern side of South America, just south
of
Brazil, it is a peaceful country of about 30 million inhabitants, with
half
of the population living in the capitol city of Buenos Aires. Better
than
60% are of European descent. Unlike other countries in South America,
the
ethnic background is primarily European, predominately Spanish. While
they
speak Spanish, their main language is hospitality. The government is
stable,
and the population is Pro American. No special personal safety measures
other
than common sense are required, as the crime rates are extremely low,
with
very few drug problems. It is the land of the gaucho, but in addition
to
cattle and sheep, grain crops are an important part of their
agricultural
output. The primary area we hunt in Cordoba, which is west of Buenos
Aires,
is largely devoted to the production of corn, wheat, sorghum, and
soybeans.
Above the farmland are brush-covered hills, which provide excellent
roost,
and nesting areas. Where there are planted crops, there are incredible
numbers
and concentrations of doves.
It is now mandatory that U.S. Customs Form 4457 be filled out and signed by a Customs officer or your guns may be confiscated by Customs. This new enforcement is one of the by-products of The Brady Law. We will send a form to you or you can obtain the form from the Customs Office. You will need to take your guns and any other personal effects such as cameras, etc, that you would like to register. It is then stamped by a Customs Officer. If there is a Customs Office in your city or in the airport from which you will be departing, we strongly suggest that you complete the form before arriving in Miami or your gateway city for international departure. If not, please be sure to allow enough time after your arrival in Miami to get this process completed at the airport. The Customs Office in the Miami airport is located one floor below the Aerolineas Argentina check-in desk. You will see a small window with roll door metal cover. Knock if it is not open. Form 4457 is good for life It has always been a good idea and strongly suggested that you do this since it proves ownership of the guns and any other items you travel with that have serial numbers both in this country and the country in which you will be hunting. And it is now essential that you do this. Upon your arrival in Buenos
Aires
have your passport and gun papers available. Please do not pack them.
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The city of Buenos Aires, known as the Paris
of South America, is an enchanting city of wide boulevards and
large
parks. It is a sophisticated, dynamic cosmopolitan city; the
place
where the tango was born. A city of theaters, opera, excellent
restaurants
and chic cafes. A safe, swinging city that never sleeps.
Pack your guns in an airline proof, locked case, for the journey down.
Because of the volume of shooting, you will be pushing your gun to its
limits, so
it is wise to bring your favorite gun cleaning equipment. Many shooters
prefer
to use a gas operated shotgun because they have less recoil, but they
are
also more likely to malfunction. We also recommend you bring a shoulder
style
recoil pad to reduce recoil injuries. Choke selection is also a matter
of
personal choice. You will encounter a wide variety of shots, from
close-in
to high-flying. A gun with a variable choke is ideal. Guns bored
improved
cylinder or modified are also good choices THE HUNTING
Morning hunts for doves and pigeons, normally begin after a leisurely breakfast. The shooting is so good you do not have to rush. Because of the location of our estancias, you usually only have to travel 30-45 minutes or less in a comfortable van. The location will have been selected based on the previous evenings scouting. It might be a cultivated field in various stages of harvest, or a flyway. Bird boys carry the shells, soft drinks, and shooting stool, and assist you to your shooting station. They will make sure you do not run out of shells. From then on, it is fire at will! Since the birds are coming in to feed they will be flying in at all directions and heights. The only difference between these doves and those back home, is the incredible volume. After the morning shoot you can choose to travel back to the estancia for lunch, 
but will usually have an asado, BBQ, in the field.
Afternoon
Dove hunts usually take place after a siesta, and are mid to late
afternoon affairs on flyways to known roost sites. The roosts tend to
really concentrate the birds, which makes for very high volume
shooting. The variety of shots are endless, as the flocks come in
continuous waves, and there seem to always
be birds within reasonable range. You will probably give out before the
birds
do, and will welcome the setting sun.
During the months of May, June and July, in some locations Perdiz can be hunted in conjunction with doves. Perdiz, are a little larger than a quail, and slightly smaller than a partridge. They are hunted over pointing dogs, and the hunt is similar to following up quail singles, as these birds do not covey. They are hunted in open terrain so it is easy walking, and there are no briars! On a morning hunt, depending on your wingshooting skill, you can expect to put 10-12 of these tasty birds in the bag per gun. While this is not a high volume hunt, Perdiz are challenging, the dogs are well trained, and hunting them adds greatly to the over all Argentinean bird hunting experience.
In hunting circles when you mention Argentina, one usually thinks of the great year-round dove hunting, but the duck hunting is equally fantastic. From mid April until the end of July flocks of ducks fill the sky. Local hunting pressure is non-existent, limits are liberal and local farmers consider them to be an unwanted pest. While the dozen or so species, such as Rosy Billed Pochard, and Brazilian Teal are different, the thrill of ducks coming in to the decoys is the same. We hunt ducks mainly in Buenos Aires province and in Entre Rios or Bahia Blanca. The countryside is comprised of small farms, with lots of potholes and marshes. Since there is plenty of food and water, it is a paradise for ducks. Because of the close proximity of the Buenos Aires province estancias to the airport, you can usually get in a 1/2 day hunt on your arrival day and sometimes a full day hunting on your departure day. We usually combine afternoon Perdiz or pigeon hunts with the morning duck hunting, since their seasons run concurrently. Morning hunts for ducks are early morning affairs. We like to be in the marsh by dawn. Chest waders are best for the walk to  the blind. A bird
boy will assist you in carrying your gun and shells. The blind is
built from natural materials and provides adequate concealment from the
decoying ducks. Every afternoon, while you are hunting Perdiz, the
entire area is scouted in order to find large concentrations of ducks
for
the following morning shoot. The average shoot is about 20-30 ducks per
gun,
per morning. High brass, 23/4 inch shells, are all you will need, and
are
readily available.
We hunt large concentrations of Ashy head and Magellan geese in Patagonia and in the Bahia Blanca area. Expect 25 birds for a morning hunt. In the afternoon it is usually pigeons. Do not let their size fool you, big Blue Rock pigeons are tough birds to bring down and they are a lot faster than they look. We try and find a field where they are feeding, and often use the first birds downed as decoys for the balance of the shoot. If you intend to bring birds or game back for taxidermy or for consumption, please advise us well in advance. there are some very specific regulations for both that vary by country. |
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CHECKLIST
We always want to hear from you if you encounter problems at
any point
in
your trip. |