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Started By
Message
Argentina Dove Hunt
Posted on 2/18/24 at 5:37 pm
Posted on 2/18/24 at 5:37 pm
Heading down to Argentina next month for a dove hunt. I've been wanting to go for a long time, so I'm excited about finally checking this one off the ole bucket list. Looking for general advice from the guys that have been before. We're going with David Denies outfit to Tucuman. I've read several of the past threads, lots of good info in those.
The biggest question I have is about shells which they're saying will be $22.50/box. I cringe just typing that number
. I'd like to go ahead and buy some ahead of time if I can. From some of the previous threads I read people have said you can negotiate a better price if you buy them in advance. However, I don’t know how many I should buy. I've seen several people talk about killing 1000 doves in a day so even for a good shot that must mean like a minimum of 1300 shells, right? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around firing 1300-1500 times in a day, but I'm looking forward to getting the chance. I'm not looking to set any world records or anything, but I also want to feel like I got the full experience and not be worrying about how much money I'm spending everytime I pull the trigger.
Do you think 1000/day is a good advance order? More/Less?
All input is appreciated. T.I.A.
The biggest question I have is about shells which they're saying will be $22.50/box. I cringe just typing that number
. I'd like to go ahead and buy some ahead of time if I can. From some of the previous threads I read people have said you can negotiate a better price if you buy them in advance. However, I don’t know how many I should buy. I've seen several people talk about killing 1000 doves in a day so even for a good shot that must mean like a minimum of 1300 shells, right? I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around firing 1300-1500 times in a day, but I'm looking forward to getting the chance. I'm not looking to set any world records or anything, but I also want to feel like I got the full experience and not be worrying about how much money I'm spending everytime I pull the trigger. Do you think 1000/day is a good advance order? More/Less?
All input is appreciated. T.I.A.
7
Posted on 2/18/24 at 7:35 pm to WONTONGO
I went with David Denies a few years ago at the Pica Zura lodge. I pre bought 100 boxes and shot as much as I cared to. I shot 104 boxes total. I think my best morning I shot 550 or so, I still have my scorecard somewhere I'll try to find it.
ETA: I rented a gun. The guides kept penty for back up in case something went wrong. One of the Montefeltros started jamming up and it only took a minute for them to have a new gun in my hands.
The food at the lodge and in the field was incredible. I think the field lunches were better than the meals at the lodge.
They would set up cots in the field so you could nap after lunch.
The bird men we got to hunt with were really cool. Pretty much the only english that they spoke was filthy stuff. My guy let me know which masseuse had the biggest cans so I could request that one.
ETA: I rented a gun. The guides kept penty for back up in case something went wrong. One of the Montefeltros started jamming up and it only took a minute for them to have a new gun in my hands.
The food at the lodge and in the field was incredible. I think the field lunches were better than the meals at the lodge.
They would set up cots in the field so you could nap after lunch.
The bird men we got to hunt with were really cool. Pretty much the only english that they spoke was filthy stuff. My guy let me know which masseuse had the biggest cans so I could request that one.
This post was edited on 2/19/24 at 2:23 pm
Posted on 2/18/24 at 7:47 pm to WONTONGO
I’m headed down March 14. Shells are definitely more than normal. I can’t tell you for me on a normal year I’ll shoot 20 boxes a hunt. For me that’s plenty and keeps the hunt affordable. If I’m really feeling it I can get more shells out there.
I think pre buying 1k per day is risky you may not shoot that. If pre buying I would buy less. Our outfitter who we have been with for 27 years has no discount pre buying vs buying while there so check with yours to see if it even matters.
I think pre buying 1k per day is risky you may not shoot that. If pre buying I would buy less. Our outfitter who we have been with for 27 years has no discount pre buying vs buying while there so check with yours to see if it even matters.
Posted on 2/18/24 at 8:45 pm to Cracker
quote:
what gun you taking ?
I'm planning on using one of their semiautomatic 20 guages.
Posted on 2/19/24 at 8:30 am to WONTONGO
I went about 15 years ago. I was not as mad at them as some are. I know guys who KILL 5000 doves per day but I did not do that. I made 6 hunts total. I limited myself to 500 shots per hunt and that was enough for me. I was shooting a 20 ga. So I bought and shot 3000 shells and killed almost exactly 2000 doves. That is about a 66% kill ratio. I asked the outfitter what was the best kill ratio he had ever seen and it was about 75%. BTW shells were $12/box back then.
Hope this helps and have a great hunt.
Hope this helps and have a great hunt.
Posted on 2/19/24 at 11:10 am to WONTONGO
I went back in 2015 and had a blast.
Here's the deal, your bird boy will be reloading one of your guns as fast as you can shoot the other and hand it to him. You could literally shoot non-stop if you want. The bird boy's job is to make sure you're not waiting on him and to keep you shooting. That's how the outfit makes most of their money.
This doesn't mean you have to shoot non-stop. It's your trip. Take breaks when you want. Shoot as fast or slow as you want. Whatever gives you the most joy. It's a once in a lifetime trip for most people.
In regard to pre-buying shells, I mean if there's a considerable discount I guess it's smart to do that. I personally would just wait to see how much you shot and settle up at the end but that's just me.
One thing I did learn is while tipping is great, these workers and bird boys also like merchandise. The way it was explained to me was that it doesn't matter if you tip $100 a day there's nowhere for them to go purchase things like an academy.. On the last day I gave my bird boy my noise cancelling ear protection, my hunting vest and a few more items I thought he could use. He was more appreciative of that than the money I gave him.
Hope you have a great time!!!
ETA- On the third day of hunting, me and a buddy were wore out. We got our bird boys to shoot and we loaded for them for about 100 rounds. It was a stiff competition and these little frickers could shoot!! They enjoyed that too.
Here's the deal, your bird boy will be reloading one of your guns as fast as you can shoot the other and hand it to him. You could literally shoot non-stop if you want. The bird boy's job is to make sure you're not waiting on him and to keep you shooting. That's how the outfit makes most of their money.
This doesn't mean you have to shoot non-stop. It's your trip. Take breaks when you want. Shoot as fast or slow as you want. Whatever gives you the most joy. It's a once in a lifetime trip for most people.
In regard to pre-buying shells, I mean if there's a considerable discount I guess it's smart to do that. I personally would just wait to see how much you shot and settle up at the end but that's just me.
One thing I did learn is while tipping is great, these workers and bird boys also like merchandise. The way it was explained to me was that it doesn't matter if you tip $100 a day there's nowhere for them to go purchase things like an academy.. On the last day I gave my bird boy my noise cancelling ear protection, my hunting vest and a few more items I thought he could use. He was more appreciative of that than the money I gave him.
Hope you have a great time!!!
ETA- On the third day of hunting, me and a buddy were wore out. We got our bird boys to shoot and we loaded for them for about 100 rounds. It was a stiff competition and these little frickers could shoot!! They enjoyed that too.
This post was edited on 2/19/24 at 11:14 am
Posted on 2/19/24 at 11:20 am to jimbeaux82
quote:
5000 doves per day
At a 75% hit rate that's 6,667 shells a day or 267 boxes of shells. That is insane. Also at 7/8oz of lead in each that is something like 365 pounds of lead being slug around the shooter.
Of course my math may be off or I am completely misunderstanding these hunts.
Posted on 2/19/24 at 11:22 am to WONTONGO
I know all sorts of ranges in kills (claimed and actual). The best advice is to set your budget to what you feel comfortable with and stick to it. It's late summer now; you'll have a great shoot and get your money's worth.
Regarding bringing a gun or renting one, I think it's about a wash. Some pain traveling internationally with a weapon, but it's not too difficult as it's a big part of hunting tourism. The only reservation I've heard from friends is unwarranted concern over renting guns with 1000s of shots a day through them. Personally, I'd err on renting. Saves any issues if travel delays arise.
Enjoy some Malbec, Quilmes Cristal and good food
The exchange rate is heavily in your favor. Enjoy it.
I lived in Buenos Aires for 2.5 years. I was invited to a few dove hunts and never made it out.
I am planning a trip back to Argentina with a buddy of mine for dove and stag. But, we have been planning it for 8 years now...
Headed to Chile and Brazil in April, but work-related.
Enjoy/safe trip
Regarding bringing a gun or renting one, I think it's about a wash. Some pain traveling internationally with a weapon, but it's not too difficult as it's a big part of hunting tourism. The only reservation I've heard from friends is unwarranted concern over renting guns with 1000s of shots a day through them. Personally, I'd err on renting. Saves any issues if travel delays arise.
Enjoy some Malbec, Quilmes Cristal and good food
The exchange rate is heavily in your favor. Enjoy it.
I lived in Buenos Aires for 2.5 years. I was invited to a few dove hunts and never made it out.
I am planning a trip back to Argentina with a buddy of mine for dove and stag. But, we have been planning it for 8 years now...
Headed to Chile and Brazil in April, but work-related.
Enjoy/safe trip
This post was edited on 2/19/24 at 11:23 am
Posted on 2/19/24 at 2:05 pm to WONTONGO
I just got back from there. We went to Santa Rosa Lodge outside of Gualeguay. It was a blast. We had a morning and evening hunt. We only shot two cases per hunt, but could have shot as much as we wanted. Two cases was plenty for me. We had four days of hunting so we weren't trying to kill ourselves. If it was one or two day hunt I would have stayed all day and just kept shooting, and there were plenty of birds to do that.
We didn't preorder shells. They would just count our boxes per hunt and gave us a total at the end of the trip. I think it ended up being $20.00/box. Bring cash for tips. The exchange rate right now is heavily in our favor. We didn't tip every hunt, just one tip for all the guides and kitchen staff at the end.
We rented their 20 gauge guns. They were some nice Berettas and didn't seem too worn out. They would give us two guns each per hunt in case one would jam up. We did have a few issues with them not picking up a round.
People say bring gloves and hearing protection. I never wore the gloves as it's hard to load fast with them. I did burn my hand a few times on the barrel, but it was still better than the gloves.
The food at the lodge was incredible. Wine and beer are also really good there. The local beer is Quilmes which is pretty damn good.
Literally nobody spoke English. Brush up on your Spanish or keep a translator app handy. The only person we met from when we landed to when we left who spoke English was the owner of the lodge who stopped by in the evenings.
We didn't preorder shells. They would just count our boxes per hunt and gave us a total at the end of the trip. I think it ended up being $20.00/box. Bring cash for tips. The exchange rate right now is heavily in our favor. We didn't tip every hunt, just one tip for all the guides and kitchen staff at the end.
We rented their 20 gauge guns. They were some nice Berettas and didn't seem too worn out. They would give us two guns each per hunt in case one would jam up. We did have a few issues with them not picking up a round.
People say bring gloves and hearing protection. I never wore the gloves as it's hard to load fast with them. I did burn my hand a few times on the barrel, but it was still better than the gloves.
The food at the lodge was incredible. Wine and beer are also really good there. The local beer is Quilmes which is pretty damn good.
Literally nobody spoke English. Brush up on your Spanish or keep a translator app handy. The only person we met from when we landed to when we left who spoke English was the owner of the lodge who stopped by in the evenings.
Posted on 2/19/24 at 2:15 pm to JDPndahizzy
quote:
ETA- On the third day of hunting, me and a buddy were wore out. We got our bird boys to shoot and we loaded for them for about 100 rounds. It was a stiff competition and these little frickers could shoot!! They enjoyed that too.
Me and my buddy did the same thing when we went. We drank beer and let the bird boys shoot until they stopped (like you said you just get wore out after awhile), which was about 3-4 boxes each. Legit best dove shooters i have ever seen. They were smoking the doves.
Posted on 2/19/24 at 2:20 pm to JDPndahizzy
quote:
One thing I did learn is while tipping is great, these workers and bird boys also like merchandise. The way it was explained to me was that it doesn't matter if you tip $100 a day there's nowhere for them to go purchase things like an academy.. On the last day I gave my bird boy my noise cancelling ear protection, my hunting vest and a few more items I thought he could use. He was more appreciative of that than the money I gave him.
This right here. They have a real lack of suppliers for things like tablets. One of the guys I went with waited for Amazon Prime Day and picked up a few of those Google Tablets for not much. You should have seen those bird boys faces when they got those things. I've also seen guys give carhartt pants (after coordinating in advance with the outfit to get sizes). Same deal. They were over the moon.
Posted on 2/19/24 at 6:18 pm to Tiger Pants 318
All manufactured goods are at a high price. They still have a controlled substitution market with a highly unionized workforce that makes basic clothing, toys, and tech high-priced, even with the exchange rate.
Pack gifts in your bag and bring with you. Great tip, Tiger Pants
Pack gifts in your bag and bring with you. Great tip, Tiger Pants
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