doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Who has been dove hunting in Argentina?

Kind of a funny way of looking at it but it is roughly 50 cents a shell in Argentina to shoot and here we pay about 40 cents a target and 20 to 25 cents for a shell which is around 60-65 cents a clay target. I am not counting the cost of getting there and being there of course but once you are there......

I hear you...that's an interesting way to look at the costs in comparing a clay presentation vs. a live bird presentation. Plus the different scenery, food, travel, etc. that adds up to more value.

Cost per shot is not a major consideration for most of our shooting but the volume does call for a little planning. The way I figured and justified my trip was that I was able to give myself and my son ten years of shooting experience in a few days. Plus you can not take it with you.

I agree that cost per shot in a high volume dove hunt is a non issue and that the total cost including airfare is one the the best deals going. Compared to a 3 day hunt including lodging and meals at a fancy put out quail lodge and its easy for me to decide which I would rather do.

I believe it is better practice for hunting back in the U.S. Than any of the clay games going. Plus a lot more fun. And I love shooting sporting, but I'll take Doves any day.

My experience with SA dove shooting is pretty dated. I began shooting in Argentina and Uruguay in 1988 or 1989 and went every Spring up through 2001. All of my trips were done through the Florida travel agent Trek Safaris. Uruguay is a little less expensive than Argentina.
<https://treksafaris.com>

The advice provided by others above conforms to my own. By all means make your first trip a mixed bag deal, including dove, pigeon, perdiz, and ducks. The dove shooting is just too much of a good thing and the shell expense is substantial unless you limit your shooting. One thing for sure is that after a SA dove trip, you won't miss a dove at home for a couple of years when the muscle groove wears off.

Have fun!...Geo

I always figure double the price for shells. Plus 20% tip. It's been over 25 years since I have been. I think the entire trip was just under 5k. It was almost a even split of the service to shells.
The bird boys got a penny a bird. Food and wine and lodge was outstanding. I know we used a local Argentina Rancher That was an outfitter for Dove/duck shooting which is no longer in service Ponchos' Argentina Safaris. Been thinking of going again it's unbelievable shooting. And yes you'll have a bruised shoulder and cheek.

Since the topic was Argentina, I didn't mention Bolivia, but I 2nd the option of Santa Cruz, Bolivia . They even have their own brewery between the 2 lodges.

Cheers,

Raimey
rse

The topic was Argentina but any high-volume dove shoot info is welcome.

I was recently at Sierra Verde Lodge in Cordoba this past August. Everything was first class at the lodge and in the field. The food was fantastic. We took nothing but a couple of changes of clothes. You can shoot their Beretta Silver Pigeons or Benelli Montefeltros for $50 per day. I wasn't trying to set any records so I limited myself to 500 shells in the mornings and 750 in the afternoons. You can google information and images about that lodge. The outfitter was Trek Safaris here in Florida.

I would recommend a booking agent to help you sort through the paperwork involved now with taking guns to Argentina. We I first started going (1995 or so) it was simple in and out procedure at the Cordoba airport. It has become more complicated.

Now one has to visit an Argentine consulate in USA to register your guns and also the officials in Santiago, Chili want to look at all the guns even though the guns are in a transit baggage situation.

Some of this may have changed but again ask your agent.

I've shot probably 8 times there mostly with Miles & Miles and once with Los Chanares, both operate in the Cordoba area. Drives to the field are very short with Los Chanares 15 minutes max and 20 to 45 minutes with M&M. Both outfits have very nice lodges. M&Ms rent guns were not very good but that didn't affect me. I think they have improved their rentals.

We have always taken the time and additional expense of arranging a trip for one day to shoot pigeons, lots of fun and I would highly recommend doing that.

Also, the 28 gauge is the proper gun for doves and it will also hammer pigeons with no problem. You'll still need a pad on the 28 and/or a strap on pad depending on how much you want to shoot.

Its a fun trip, but if I were to go again I would consider Bolivia and Uruguay because of gun import rules in Argentina.

If going to Argentina I would take an extra day going down and spend the first night in BA for dinner and recovery at the Avelar Palace and then travel to the shooting area the next day.

Hope all this helps.