PATAGONIA OUTFITTERS SHOOTING

Jorge Trucco's Patagonia Outfitters has a rich hunting history that began in Argentina over a quarter century ago. From Cordoba to Patagonia, Goya to Buenos Aires Province, there is not a region of Argentina that Jorge has not explored and a species he has not guided. However Jorge's true passion of ducks over decoys remains in the forefront and there is not an outfitter south of the equator who knows waterfowl better.

For the 2012 shooting season Patagonia Outfitters will again be located in the San Cayetano area of Southern Buenos Aires Province near the town of Necochea. Here waterfowlers will be shooting over decoys from dry barrel blinds quite literally spread over thousands of acres of fields, marshes, and potholes. This hand-picked location holds an abundance of natural fresh water providing the ideal habitat to support large numbers of regional ducks and sitting smack on the southern flyway. Seasonally, 12 species will frequent your decoys offering the most extensive variety of waterfowl in Argentina. Mild winters, ample water and feed as well as duck hunts in both the morning and afternoon make this a waterfowlers dream.

For the 2012 duck season, Patagonia Outfitters will be using San Luis Lodge, a well appointed estate near the town of Benito Juarez in southeastern Buenos Aires province.

San Luis Lodge is a classic old world estancia rich with spanish arcitucture in an estate setting. Boasting 9 unique and spacious bedrooms and 5 accompanying bathrooms, this unique property features a large gathering room to spin shooting tails, a grand dining room area and the creature comforts shooters would expect to make any stay relaxing.

This lodge will be hosted by long time Patagonia Outfitters staff and shooting guides who are a welcome sight to repeat guests. They stand ready to accommodate all needs or answer any questions new shooters may have.

While Patagonia Outfitters knows you are there for the shooting, they also realize that Argentina is a "complete experience." They have spent over 25 years fine tuning the shooting program as well as the lodging and dining arrangements. Enjoy fine wines and delicious regional cuisine after first-rate days in the field.

Patagonia Outfitters offers ducks over decoys both in the morning and afternoon hunt - a duck hunters dream.

After a full early morning breakfast and a cup of some of the world's strongest coffee shooters will be taken into the fields and escorted into dry barrel blinds in the predawn mist by a shooting guide and accompanying bird boy. Dry blinds are equipped with an "ammo" box to store shells ready at hand, stools, duck calls and ample room for two shooters. At dawn the shoot begins and carries on until the fast action flight evaporates into the mid-morning hours. While bird boys collect the days game shooters will be escorted back to the transport vehicles and the Estancia were the mid-day meal - a sit-down affair in Argentina - and a well-earned rest awaits before heading back into the fields for the afternoon flight.

Afternoons are characterized by waive upon waive of birds waffling in to drink and settle for the evening. As the sun settles over the western horizon barrels are allowed to cool, spent cartridges are birds collected while a well-earned cervesa or mineral water is enjoyed in the field and the day reflected upon. These are the kind of days that most shooter only read about in sporting magazines. Now, back to the Estancia for a hot shower, cocktails and appetizers, fine cuisine complemented by hand-picked regional wines. May we suggest the Malbec?

The Hunt:

While ponds and slews are not deep Patagonia Outfitters strongly suggests chest waders. Waist high waders can be accommodated in most blinds however nothing is worse than a wet duck hunt and the added insulation of waders are welcomed on crisp mornings. Breathable waders are ample as insulating layers can me varied to accommodate the fluctuating temperatures in the region.

While many shooter prefer their own custom fit guns - which can be easily arranged by Frontiers - the lodge has an arsenal of semi-automatic 12 and 20 gauge shotguns to include Benelli, Beretta and Browning among other models. Lodge gun lists are available from Frontiers upon request.

Predominant Duck Species:

·    Yellow Billed Pintail

·    Speckled Teal

·    Rosy Billed Pochard

·    Red Shoveler

·    White Faced Tree Duck

·    White Cheeked Pintail

·    Silver Teal

·    Cinnamon Teal

·    Southern Widgeon

Average drive times - Drive times will average from 10 minutes to approximately 45 minutes based on where hunters will shoot that particular day.

Shot Shells - 12G  2 3/4" shells : Fiocchi 32gr and Orbea 36 gr, number 5 shot or 20 G  2 3/4" shells:  Fiocchi 25 gr and RD 28 gr; number 5 shot.

PATAGONIA OUTFITTERS SHOOTING

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PATAGONIA OUTFITTERS SHOOTING

PATAGONIA OUTFITTERS SHOOTING

Cost

4 night 4 day package - $4,980 per person - 2 or more hunters (Includes private charter flight to/from Ezeiza International Airport).
4 night 4 day package - $4,320 per person - 2 or more hunters (Includes road transfer to/from Buenos Aires to lodge - 5.5 hour drive).

A flat one-time surcharge applies for shorter term hunts.

Bedrooms
9 bedrooms

Massage
Yes

Single Supplement
No

Species of duck encountered include
Rosy-billed Pochard, Southern Widgeon, Red Shoveler, Yellow-billed Pintail, White-cheeked Pintail, Speckled Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Silver Teal, Ringed Teal, White-faced Tree Duck, Folvous Tree Duck, Black Headed Duck, Brazilian Teal (very seldom).
Inclusions
Transfers from Buenos Aires to/from lodge, airport meet and greet assistance by the outfitter, all meals and beverages (including beer, wine and liquor), Estancia accommodations, service of a professional guide and bird boys, local hunting licenses and transport from the lodge to the shooting location.

Exclusions
Commercial air travel from point of origin through return; shotshells; Argentina gun permit (if bringing your own gun); gun rental if needed, gratuities; telephone calls and faxes; items of a personal nature; laundry service; baggage overweight charges or insurance. Transfer cost from Buenos Aires to the estancia and back.

PATAGONIA OUTFITTERS SHOOTING

Time difference
GMT -3 hrs

Flight Time from the UK

Several flight options exist from the UK, many of which utilise major european cities such as Paris, Madrid, Barcelona and Frankfurt as a hub with carriers such as Air France, Iberia, Lufthansa all providing connecting flights to Buenos Aires from the UK. British Airways offers a direct flight from Heathrow and this is the preferred route for the majority of our passengers. For detailed information and to discuss suitable options for your trip please contact us and we will happily pass on recommendations and suitable schedules for your trip.
 
As a guideline, the following is based on the British Airways flight from London:

London - Buenos Aires: 13 hrs 40 mins

Travel Documents/Requirements
Valid passport with 6 months remaining beyond the end of your trip.
No Visa requirements for UK citizens.
A temporary export permit is required by UK residents to take guns into Argentina. Please call for application details.

Season to Travel
April 20 – July 30

Climate
Opposite seasons to UK. Winters are dry but cold nights.

Clothing
Lightweight, neutral coloured clothes recommended. Warmer clothes needed for winter mornings, sturdy shoes or lightweight walking shoes. Lightweight waterproof jacket. Laundry services are available at the lodge so pack light. Chest waders are essential.

Tips
Remember to pack a recoil pad, finger plasters, sun cream, sunglasses and lightweight gloves along with good quality hearing protection. Taking guns to Argentina is becoming increasingly hindered with red tape. A selection of guns are available to hire at the lodges, so why not use them affording peace of mind during other legs of your trip. Try combining duck and dove shooting.

PATAGONIA OUTFITTERS SHOOTING