The
“Eared Dove” known as Paloma or Torcaza in Argentina is very similar in size to
its North American cousin the Mourning Dove, with the distinct difference that
the Eared Dove has a squared tail rather than a pointed tail of the Mourning
Dove.
These birds
are considered a pestilence in Argentina, in some areas they destroy 30 -60% of
the annual crops of Sunflower, Sorghum, Wheat, Corn and Soybeans.
Their numbers
reach into the tens of Millions, which is the reason why there is no season or
bag limits and hunters are welcome to come shoot all they desire.
Due to the
astronomical numbers of these birds it is common for a shooter to fire anywhere
between 1,000 to 1,500 rounds in a single day and, in some cases, we have had
guests shoot over 6,000 rounds in one day.
Basically it
is up to each individual to pace themselves and set their own shooting limits.
The opportunities are endless from sunrise to sunset.
Our lodges
are located in some of the finest hunting areas northeast of the province of
Cordoba, Argentina. They are located between one and a half to two hours drive
from the airport in Cordoba and three to four hours drive to our lodges in the
province of Santiago del Estero.
Argentina
bird hunts with Paco Riestra offers the lowest
rates on High Volume Dove hunting packages,
without sacrificing the quality of service or the quantity of birds that our
most discriminating guests have come to expect and enjoy.
We have
created these inclusive packages to ensure our guest that there are no hidden
charges. By booking a package hunt there will be a savings of between $250-$350
depending on the season and group size.
Airfares,
hunting licenses and gun permits are not included in the packages due to the
fact that we have no control over these fluctuating expenses.
At the moment,
the cost of the hunting license in Cordoba is $65.00 per day and in Santiago
del Estero the cost is $40 for the entire hunt.
Cordoba
The hunt
package in Cordoba includes four full days of High Volume Dove shooting. But if
you prefer to hunt less days, or combine it with other hunts, we will be more
than happy to arrange it for you.
Upon your
arrival in Cordoba, you will be greeted by one of our English speaking hosts,
who will help you and guide you through customs.
Then it’s off
to the lodge, where you will enjoy a great lunch followed by your first
afternoon of High Volume Dove shooting.
Once you are
done for the day, you will return to the lodge to enjoy drinks, appetizers and a
scrumptious dinner. The next three days you will start your mornings with a
breakfast of your choice and a short drive out to the fields. Depending on the
time of year and crop harvest, the hunting areas may be any where between just
outside of the lodge door or up to 30 minutes drive from the lodge. Around noon
you have the choice of returning to the lodge for lunch and maybe a siesta, or
you may choose to spend the day out on the field and enjoy an Argentinean Bar BQ,
Known as an “ASADO”.
Your bird boy
will accompany you throughout the entire day, supplying you with shells, cold
drinks and snacks and also counting your birds as you knock them down.
As your hunt
comes to a close, you will have one last great morning of shooting, followed by
an amazing lunch and then it is off to the airport for your return trip home.
If you plan on
joining us between March and October, Pigeon Hunting is available in Cordoba at
an additional cost per day.
Go to pigeon page
THIS
3 DAY PACKAGE INCLUDES:
3 Full days
of High Volume Dove shooting.
100
boxes of 12 or 20 gauge shells, (that’s 2,500 rounds per hunter)
All
accommodations, meals, wine, bottled water and spirits.
All ground
transfers and customs clearing assistance.
English
speaking host, guides, drivers, full staff and bird boys.
Open bar
with local beverages.
Not Included:
Round trip
international flight to Cordoba, Argentina.
Non Hunters,
$220 per day.
Hunting
license, $65.00 per day per hunter.
Gun permits
$100 per gun; you may bring up to 3 guns per person.
Optional,
gun rental ($60.00 per day) must reserve at time of booking.
Berettas or
Benellis are available.
Extra shells
$12.00 per box for 12 & 20 gauge, $14.00 per box for 28 & 410 ga.
Tips for bird boys, $40 per day,
and $40 per day for lodge.
Conditions
Low season,
From November 1st through February 14th.
High season,
From February 15th through October 31st.
The difference
between high and low seasons, is that in the high season, other
Species of
game birds are available to combine with the High Volume Dove shooting.
The other
reason is that most Americans prefer to travel to Argentina during our spring
and summer, which are the fall and winter months in Argentina. This has nothing
to do with the number of Doves to be found throughout the year.
Group
size
These packages
are based on a minimum of 4 hunters per group. If less then 4 hunters are in you
party, please contact us for rates and information, as we may be able to add you
onto a group. We often have group leaders putting groups together.
Note that
groups of 10 or more hunters will receive a discount and the 11th
hunter does not pay any daily rates.
Deposits
A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to book a hunt.
Cost
Low
season, group of 10
or more $2,200 per hunter Additional daily
rate during the low season…$350 per day
Low
season, group 10 or less $2,350 per hunter
Additional daily
rate during Low season......$375 per day
High season,
group of 10 or more $2,350 per hunter
Additional daily
rate during low season......$375 per day
High
season, group 10 or less $2,450 per hunter
Additional daily
rate during high season....$400 per day
Santiago del Estero
Our
Hunting area in Santiago del Estero is rapidly building the reputation of
possibly the
greatest destination in the World for High Volume Dove shooting. A combination
of its virgin grounds and very light hunting pressure makes this area
unparalleled. We have never seen the sheer number of doves anywhere in
Argentina that compares to this area.
We predict
that in the near future, many new shooting records will come from Santiago del
Estero.
Our Lodges
are between 3 ˝ to 4 ˝ hour drive from Cordoba depending on the Lodge you will
be staying at. We generally
conduct our Dove hunting packages here during the high season due to the fact
that this area is extraordinary for mixed bag hunts.
From the same
lodge, upon request, you can combine High Volume Doves, Pigeon, Ducks and Perdiz,
as well as Big game.
Due to the
distance involved, there is no hunting on the first and last day of your Package. You
will enjoy 3 full days of Dove shooting, which means you will need to spend one
more night than the Cordoba Package. If you would
like, we can arrange a short 40 minute charter flight from Cordoba to our
landing strip in one of our lodges at a very reasonable rate.
Another
additional benefit of Hunting Santiago del Estero is that the Hunting license only costs $40 for the entire
hunt.
THIS 3 DAY PACKAGE INCLUDES:
3 Full day
of High Volume Dove shooting.
100
boxes of 12 or 20 gauge shells, (that’s 2,500 rounds per hunter)
All
accommodations, meals, wine, bottled water and spirits.
All ground
transfers and customs clearing assistance.
English
speaking hosts, guides, drivers, and full staff and bird boys.
Open bar
with local beverages.
non hunting day of arrival and departure
Not
Included:
* Round trip
international flight to Cordoba, Argentina. Charter flight
* Non Hunters,
$220 per day.
* Hunting
license, $45 entire hunt.
* Gun permits
$100 per gun; you may bring up to 3 guns per person.
* Optional,
gun rental ($60.00 per day) must reserve at time of booking.
* Berettas or Benellis are available.
* Extra shells
$12.00 per box for 12 & 20 gauge, $14.00 per box for 28 & 410 ga.
*
Tips for bird boys, $40 per day, and $40 per day for Lodge.
Conditions
In Santiago del
Estero province, the hunts are only conducted duringthe High season,
From February 15th through October 31st.
Most Americans prefer to travel to Argentina during our spring
and summer, which are the fall and winter months in Argentina. This has nothing
to do with the number of Doves to be found throughout the year.
One of the benefits of hunting
Santiago del Estero is that hunts for ducks, pigeons and Perdiz
can be easily combined with high volume dove shooting from the
same lodges.
Group
size
These packages
are based on a minimum of 4 hunters per group. If less then 4 hunters are in you
party, please contact us for rates and information, as we may be able to add you
on to a group. We often have group leaders putting groups together.
Note that
groups of 10 or more hunters will receive a discount and the 11th
hunter does not pay any daily rates.
Deposits
A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to
book a hunt.
Cost
Group of 10 or more
$2,700 per hunter
Additional daily rate ......$325 per day
Group 10 or less $2,900 per hunter
Additional daily
rate....$375 per day
For
Additional Information specific to this hunt please visit our Dove Hunting FAQ page
below
