17 minute read
Argentina
Dove Pigeon
Buenos Aires
Ducks Doves
Ducks Perdiz
Dry blinds and plenty of birds to decoy
Estancia Santa Rita
Twelve Species of Ducks Over Decoys and More in Buenos Aires Province
The stately Estancia Santa Rita is situated smack dab in the middle of the “La Pampa Grain Belt” among some of the finest pothole and wetland shooting grounds in all of South America.
At Santa Rita, hunters will target up to 12 duck species over decoys in both morning and evening shoots. Perdiz populations are also ample in the region, and the Estancia offers an inclusive outing for perdiz over pointers..
The luxurious Bavarian-style hunting lodge features six sprawling bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, three stories of common areas including two bar rooms, a billiards room, multiple living rooms, and a private cinema. Outside, a Jacuzzi will ease shot-weary muscles, and a grass runway allows private charters to arrive at the lodge’s front door.
Frontiers offers custom stays and can quote round-trip charter flights to and from Buenos Aires.
Traditional and international cuisine
Tuku Lodge
Salta Province – Northwestern Argentina
Located in a fertile valley near Las Lajitas due east of Salta, Tuku Lodge is surrounded by a spectacular mountain range and lush natural forests. This Lodge is a year-round volume dove and seasonal decoyed pigeon shooting stronghold. Salta Province offers some of the most talked about leisure travel in Argentina—be it the mighty salt flats, rafting, artisan fairs, historical tours, or high-altitude wine production— making it perfect for couples. Seasonally, the Lodge offers golden Dorado fishing on regional rivers for a legitimate cast and blast opportunity..
The 20,000-square-foot red stucco and terracotta Lodge is perched on the hillside of an 80,000-acre ranch and offers nine bedrooms and spacious common areas reminiscent of a charming Spanish country villa. The Lodge’s Le Cordon Bleu chef prepares traditional and international cuisine.
Limay offers a late trout season ideal for an Argentine cast & blast
Limay River Lodge
Northern Patagonia
Coursing through the lower-elevation, semi-arid region of Patagonia, the Limay tailwater produces extraordinary fishing and temperate weather well into the Argentina big game and wingshooting season, making it a premier destination for a cast and blast opportunity. Three regional airports offer equal access to the area, so connecting flights from Limay to the shooting grounds in La Pampa, Buenos Aires, Entre Rios, and Córdoba Provinces are within easy reach by South American standards. Shooters will often be in the field the same day they depart the fishing. The Limay season is unique to Argentina and should be a top consideration for anyone looking to combine world-class trout fishing with hunting.
Sitting just a few hundred meters off the water, nestled in a glade of cottonwood, the Limay River Lodge offers guests eight double-occupancy rooms, each with an en suite bath. There is plenty of room to spread out with a spacious living and dining area complemented by a beckoning central fireplace to enhance comfort and camaraderie on cool desert evenings.
The Limay River offers big water drift fishing combined with ample walk and wade opportunities. In a region of small farming and ranching towns, Limay River Lodge accommodates just 12–16 anglers and has the distinction of being the only fishing lodge on the banks of this tailwater, with exclusive put-in access and 10 breathtaking beats.
El Monte Lodge
Decoyed Pigeon and Passing Doves in San Luis
Operated by the most gracious and professional of host teams, this impressive turn-of-the-century Lodge is located in the developing farming areas of the San Luis Province. Here, decoyed pigeon and volume dove shoots will satisfy the most discriminating wingshooter; and because this area gets limited hunting pressure, game populations are robust and continue to increase.
Lodge owners Juan and Maria Alberdi have worked diligently to create a program that offers a spectrum of experiences for guests. Wonderful hospitality, a tranquil setting, live regional music, and tempting culinary treats complement the shooting.
The property features a tastefully decorated English country-style home with six bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. Guests will enjoy wonderful views of the magnificent gardens and relaxing on the sun porch with a cocktail after a great day of shooting. El Monte is quickly becoming a favorite for many of our well-traveled clients.
*Please note Perdiz are suspended indefinitely in San Luis Province and not available to hunt. Refer to our website for the most current information.
Which is better: the shooting or the scenery?
Delicious Cuisine and first-rate camaraderie
Jacana Lodge = absolute luxury
Jacana Lodge
Duck Hunting Over Decoys in Buenos Aires Province
As the sun lights the eastern horizon, shooters hidden in a barrel blind on Jacana Lodge’s vast tracts of land see a faraway wisp of smoke that indicates the beginning preparations for the midday traditional asado, a kind of barbecue featuring an array of Argentine meats. The promise of the fire’s heat beckons to the cold shooters bundled head to toe, but the promise of something far more exciting peaks their interest.
The shooters’ eyes turn back to the gray horizon, searching. A guide whispers, “bird,” as the unmistakable vibration of ducks dropping from the sky breaks the silence. The ducks lock on the decoy spread and come in fast. The shooters raise their shotguns, ready, and wait for the perfect moment to pull the trigger, all thoughts of warmth and food forgotten.
Jacana is situated within the heart of western Buenos Aires duck country and offers as many as 12 species of decoying waterfowl. After shooting ducks morning and evening, guests relax next to the Lodge’s roaring fire to enjoy hearty appetizers and generous glasses of renowned Mendoza wine. Delicious cuisine and first-rate camaraderie are just an added bonus, and regular connecting flights make it an ideal destination for a Córdoba dove shoot stopover when traveling to or from the United States.
Los Crestones Lodge
Mixed Bag Shooting Focusing on Ducks, Doves, and Perdiz a Short Drive from the Airport
Los Crestones Lodge offers a program featuring decoyed duck shooting for an impressive variety of birds over purebred retrievers, and it’s just an hour and a half drive from Buenos Aires. It’s the most accessible shoot in Argentina. During a stay here, shooters can also hunt perdiz over pointers, low-volume passing doves, and decoyed pigeons.
Are you worried about weight and luggage restrictions? Los Crestones has insulated waders and Wellies for loan, along with a supply of quality shotguns for rent.
Los Crestones Lodge sits on the banks of the Salado River with superior accommodations. This beautiful estancia has eight bedrooms each with en suite bathroom. The property is close to the shooting grounds and features a spa, gym, two private massage rooms, and a billiards room. A 100- acre native forest has trails that are perfect for biking, trekking, and horseback riding.
This palatial estate, combined with David Denies’ renowned chefs and a superior wine selection, will keep non-shooters comfortable and active.
Pica Zuro Lodge
The First and Finest High Volume Dove Lodge in Argentina in Córdoba Province
Pica Zuro Lodge is a stunning property located in Argentina’s Córdoba province. Córdoba Province – All headings missing accent mark as well as the Córdoba Province title. This colonial Spanish estancia features 10 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, so it’s an ideal place for larger groups or smaller mixed parties. Pica Zuro offers year-round shooting in the gentle hills that surround the estancia. Expert scouts lead the way to satisfy all guests’ shooting ambitions. High birds, fast birds, two-way action—shooters make the call.
The Lodge’s veteran scouts and guides provide perfectly arranged, unsurpassed shooting, and staff will attend to guests’ every need. Wonderfully prepared meals and superb wines will complement a great day in the field. Easily accessed from the United States or Europe via Santiago, Chile, or Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pica Zuro remains the standard by which to compare all other lodges.
La Dormida Lodge
Small Group Luxury Accommodations for Big Volume Dove Shoot in Córdoba Province
La Dormida and its sophisticated sister lodge, Pica Zuro, offer unmatched volume dove shoots, as does the newest addition, Córdoba Lodge. Together, these properties offer the best shooting and lodge selection in Córdoba.
With a reliable 12-month shooting season, La Dormida and Pica Zuro are ideal locations from which to launch any sporting adventure. From mid-April through August, guests can combine dove shoots with duck and pigeon shoots at another one of the fine properties Frontiers represents in the region. Extend travel from May through July to include world-class perdiz shooting over well-trained pointers. In March and April, combine dove shooting with trophy red stag hunting in the same vicinity.
With nine private bedrooms each with en suite bathroom, this classic Argentine Lodge is perfect for smaller groups and intact parties.
Córdoba Lodge
High Volume Dove Shooting Located Near Central Córdoba City in Córdoba Province
The newest addition to the David Denies family, Córdoba Lodge, was conceived for small intact groups, families, corporate parties, or shooting school hosted departures. This Lodge in the village of Las Penas is just one hour from Córdoba International Airport in the heart of the flyway. Perfect for fiscally-minded travelers, it features inclusive rates, spacious shared accommodations, pre-purchase shell pricing, and geographical desirability. Córdoba Lodge is optimal for a quick shoot complementing seasonal Argentine or Chilean fishing or waterfowl hunts.
Short drives to private, pre-selected locations in undulating, provincial terrain and 25 million eared doves passing assures high birds, close shots, and unlimited shooting scenarios. At mid-day, a world-famous asado lunch features an open-air barbecue of select Argentine meats and Mendoza wines.
Although new in name, repeat shooters will recognize the Lodge’s tenured David Denies wingshooting and hospitality staff and the five-star service that is the resounding hallmark of this remarkable outfitter and its shooting properties.
Montaraz Lodge
Decoyed and Passing Pigeons in Northern Córdoba Province
A pigeon shooting trip should include ample numbers of decoyed birds, top guides, exceptional regional cuisine, and fine Argentine Malbec. Most importantly, it should be headquartered on a sprawling 17th-century estancia, upgraded to include all the creature comforts. Enter Montaraz Lodge.
Gliding in from their wooded mountain roosts on high thermals, northern Córdoba Province’s picazuro pigeons will decoy from vast distances only to vanish at the slightest hint of a concealed shooter. A keen eye and quick gun is the only way to success, but the challenge and sheer grace of the bird will mesmerize any shooter.
Montaraz is an Argentine estancia of rich Spanish influence that offers eight comfortable bedrooms and amenities that will entice both shooters and non-shooters.
Under an Entre Rios sky
River Plate Wingshooting
A Duck and Dove Combination in an Aquaticallyrich Environment in Entre Rios Province
Shooters won’t find a more well-positioned destination than River Plate Outfitter’s Entre Rios program. Drawing from three major water systems—the Uruguay River, the Parana River, and regional marshes—Entre Rios Province is a composite of vast forests and agricultural wetlands that produces more than 60 percent of Argentina’s rice harvest.
River Plate guests enjoy hunting rosy-billed pochard, yellowbilled pintail, and other duck species over decoys in the morning, then target passing doves in the afternoon after a traditional Argentine lunch and siesta. The lodge offers walkup perdiz shooting over pointers as an optional morning hunt.
River Plate personnel hand-picked guest accommodations at Estancias El Rincon and Santa Rosa for geographic desirability, comfort, and ample floor plans. These historic structures date back to the 1920s when custom handcrafted woodwork and stone imported from Europe were commonplace.
Boasting a wealth of game birds, top hunting managers, and rich regional cuisine, River Plate Wingshooting in Entre Rios will amaze the most seasoned shooters and have them ready to return before they fire the last shell.
South America Big Game
When it comes to big game hunting, South America doesn’t always top people’s destination lists, but it should. South America’s deer hunting is phenomenal, and Argentina and Chile are genuine bargains. The ranches we represent offer red deer, wild boar and numerous exotic species.
The Andes, with their high alpine basins and immense mesas, loom in the background. Concealed mountain springs make ideal staging areas for rutting wild red deer, and the experienced guides who work at the properties we represent know the location of each one.
Choosing the right property is an important element of any successful hunting trip. Frontiers has worked hard to assemble a list of premier properties to make dream trips a reality. Whether it’s a challenging bow hunt in the pampas or a rifle hunt through rocky mountain passes on horseback, Frontiers can arrange the perfect trip.
Most of the ranches are situated in the Patagonia region of Argentina. The high desert-like steppe and mesa country abounds with short grasses and undergrowth capable of sustaining large populations of red deer.
Spot-and-stalk tactics are the ideal hunting method here, and the guides are trained professionals who will put hunters on the animals and call the shots. The average shot for gun hunters is less than 200 yards. Bow hunters can get inside a comfortable range with a well-planned stalk.
March and April are the prime “roar” or rut dates. Red deer season starts in early March and continues into July at some locations. Most locations also have wild European boar in free-range conditions that may be targeted as well. Exotic species are available year-round at Rincon de Luna in Argentina’s Cordoba Province.
In addition to finding the best property for clients’ objectives, another benefit of booking with Frontiers is our ability to plan add-ons and side trips. We can provide detailed information about trout fishing in Patagonia, sea run brown trout fishing in Tierra del Fuego, volume wingshooting for dove and pigeon, and freshwater fishing for golden dorado.
Argentina Outfitters
Argentina Outfitters offers an outstanding big game hunting experience for wild red stag. These hunts provide challenging stalking in the rugged mountains of Patagonia. This stunning and rugged landscape presents the ultimate big game experience as you glass and stalk through mountain passes and thick forests.
The most rousing opportunity with Argentina Outfitters is at their AO Mountain Camp, which lies within the boundaries of Lanin National Park. This adventurous horseback hunt takes place in the jagged foothills of the Andes tent camping at a number of different spike camp locations.
Estancia Collunco is the legendary property where red deer were first introduced in the early 1900s. This carefully managed operation offers free-range hunting for some of the finest trophies in Argentina. The Estancia is a combination of open country, forested areas, and high foothills covered in pine. Collunco’s 50,000 acres are a truly gorgeous and productive environment for wildlife—most importantly some of the largest wild Red Stags trophies in Argentina.
Chile
Chile’s Central Valley
(Region IX) is big red deer country located near the city of Temuco. This area has been strictly managed for large trophies in the SCI 400 range. For those looking for exceptional trophies, this is the place. Hunts are executed on horseback or by vehicle. Hunters will move through undulating hills, thick forests, and wheat fields during their stay.
Red Stag Patagonia
Longtime Frontiers business partner, David Denies Wingshooting, manages these destinations. This consummate outfitter operates some of the finest hunting and fishing lodges in the world.
Red Stag Patagonia – Junîn de los Andes is located in the Collón Curá region of Argentina about 40 miles from San Martin de los Andes. This 100,000-acre property offers a wealth of hunting experiences.
Red Stag Patagonia – Mendoza is a 10,000-acre Argentine ranch in the Tupungato region just 50 miles south of the Mendoza Airport. The estate’s high ground is dedicated solely to red deer hunting, and the lowlands hold ample family vineyards. Some free-range trophies of over SCI 400 occur naturally on this property.
AK Hunts
Red Stag Hunting Located in Close Proximity to Bariloche in Patagonia
AK Hunts is a 120,000-acre private estancia situated in a vast valley at the foothills of the Andes. The property is near the airport in Bariloche, Argentina, so it’s perfect for those who want to add a few days of trout fishing in Patagonia.
After working over 10 years with prestigious hunting lodges in New Zealand and Argentina, Andres Kempel developed his own red stag hunting operation where all the deer are wild and free-ranging. Andres takes 10 to 12 hunters per year and only offers dates during the March and April rut. We have a long history with Andres and know first-hand that he’s a true professional.
Rincon de Luna
Nearly a Dozen Big Game Species in Córdoba
Featuring nearly a dozen big game species, fishing, a variety of nonsporting activities, and customizable itineraries, Rincon de Luna’s staff, guides, and hosts will also make you feel like part of their family.
We are fortunate to have made the acquaintance of the Speranza family and their wonderful operation in Córdoba, Argentina. This ranch produces results and will send guests home with a smile and a big game hunting experience they’ll recount over and over.
Not only does the ranch offer big red deer, but it also boasts a great list of exotic species. Guests can hunt fallow and red deer from March to July and mouflon sheep, multi-horn sheep, blackbuck antelope, wild goat, Scottish blackface, wild boar, and water buffalo year-round.
For red deer hunters, the prime rut runs from March to mid-April. The lodge has quality guns available, making travel easier. Hunters will have time to shoot their chosen firearm before hunting begins.
The lodge is a stunning estancia centrally located in the hunting area with 20,000 private acres for just one group to hunt. Oversized bedrooms with king-size beds, private bath, Jacuzzi, and gorgeous vistas add to the allure. Their chef prepares excellent dishes, and the fully stocked wine cellar complements each one.
Fishing guests have access to trout fishing on the Las Canas and Los Machos rivers, which flow through the property and are chock full of sporty rainbow trout. Add an extra day to fish or enjoy other alternatives if you tag out early.
