Montaraz Lodge provides the most exclusive Argentina pigeon hunt available. This historical setting is an architectural treasure characterized by an exquisite colonial style. Built in the second half of the 17th century, it was completely renovated in 2007 to provide maximum luxury and comfort from which you can enjoy the best Argentina pigeon hunting experience ever.

Located between the Sierras Chicas and the Sierras Grandes, this elegantly restored 17th century estancia is decorated with the ease of friendly colonial style and is surrounded by wide verandas overlooking lovely gardens and orchards, even a lake. It offers 8 ensuite bedrooms to accommodate a maximum of 16 guests, a comfortable living room and a spacious, fully stocked wine cellar and complimentary bar. It has a large dining room for entertainment.

With the best Argentine beef and quality ingredients, the chef creates an array of delicious traditional specialties and international dishes. The wine is produced with carefully selected grapes from the lodge's private vineyards. From the moment you arrive in Argentina, service is highly personalized and attention is paid to every imaginable detail. This standard is maintained throughout the house staff and guide team making this Argentina pigeon hunt unequaled.

Cordoba is considered one of the best pigeon hunting capitals of the world. The 50 square-mile radius surrounding the lodge is annually inhabited by over 5 million pigeons. The lodge enjoys 60 shooting fields all within a scenic drive through the region.

The program generally starts at 8:00 AM with a hearty breakfast and a short drive to the shoot. In the field you will be assigned a bird-boy, who will provide you with shot shells and refreshments and direct you to your freshly built blind.

Static and motion decoys are strategically deployed around the blinds, at a suitable distance. Wild pigeons birds are large and fast, which make calculating speed a little bit deceptive. They decoy excellently.

Depending on the time of the year, you will shoot until noon, when you will be treated to an incredible traditional barbeque lunch at the lodge, tasting some of Argentina's wonderful beef and the exclusive wine. Afternoon pigeon hunts begin at around 2 or 2:30 hr., and continues until 5 or 6. Return to the lodge for cocktails at the wine cellar and early dinner.

Don't miss this unique opportunity. Argentina pigeon hunting quickly becomes the favorite among experienced, traveling wingshooters. Decoying pigeons compliment high-volume doves nicely for those that want to spend a few days enjoying each experience.

Timing

Enjoy Argentina pigeon hunting from April 1st through September 15th.

Rates

$830/night Argentina pigeon hunts at Montaraz. Non-hunters $550 per night.

Group discounts available! Please contact us for additional information.

Itinerary

Argentina pigeon hunts conducted the afternoon of your arrival, the morning of your departure and full days between. Following your final morning pigeon hunt, transfer to Cordoba airport or to your next Argentina wingshooting destination.

Included

Argentina Pigeon Hunt package includes all meals in the hunt area with wines and beer; best available lodging based on double occupancy; services of a professional hunter-guide; all vehicles and ground transportation as required by the itinerary; pick-up boys as required; meeting and customs assistance; round-trip ground transfer (Cordoba/Montaraz) only for parties arriving and departing together; taxes and service charges.

Not Included

Argentina Pigeon Hunt package exclusions:

Scheduled air fares required by itinerary from point of origin through return; travel protection plan (trip insurance), shot shells ($14 per box); gun rental ($65 daily); all voluntary gratuities; hunting license ($65 daily); telephone calls, laundry/dry cleaning, or items of a strictly personal nature; baggage overweight charges; personal/baggage insurance; passport expense; transfer to and from the lodge for clients not arriving or departing with the whole party (please refer to our transfer policy below); cost of itinerary modification requested by passenger; transfers in Buenos Aires if your airline schedule requires you to change airports.

Transfer Policy: Only two transfers are included: one for arrivals and one for departures (they apply to parties arriving together). For transfers on different schedules there will be a USD 150 surcharge (one way) per single passenger and USD 75 per person (one way) for groups (2 or more passengers).

Shotshells fired daily varies widely among hunters. Shotshells are available in 12, 20 and 28 gauges. Prices are subject to change.

What to Bring

Pigeon Hunting Checklist - Argentina Pigeon Hunt:

Please note this list should be used as a reminder of things to bring while pigeon hunting in Argentina. It is not necessary to bring all these items.

Dark colored, or camouflage hunting clothes and hats
Wool sweaters, long sleeve cotton shirts, and polar fleece zip-up tops. Layering is important. Depending on the time of year it can be 40F and windy in the morning, then end up in the high 70's and calm winds by the afternoon. Wool socks are sometimes also useful
Lightweight rain suit and waterproof hat. You won't need it unless you don't bring it.
Shoes: Lightweight, ankle-height. Many shooters even wear sneakers.
Comfortable clothes for relaxing around the hunting lodge. Jeans, tennis shoes, etc.
Shooting glasses, sunglasses, 30spf sunscreen or stronger, and Chap Stick
Recoil reduction equipment. Shoulder pads, Kevlar lined vests, etc.
Lockable travel gun case (stainless steel or heavy duty fiberglass)
We have cleaning rods & patches; but please bring oil, choke tubes, tools, and accessories
Bring modified chokes, improved cylinders, or improved-modified
Any gun cleaning equipment you might need
Hearing protection: Earplugs
Side carry shooting pouch for shells, or shell vest
Leather shooting gloves are an absolute must! Or you will have blisters!
All electricity is 220 in Argentina (European style) we have converters for your 110 stuff like: laptop computers, digital cameras, Palm devices, electric razors, etc. But the hotels in Buenos Aires and the airports do not.
Medication - Most people have no stomach problems in this part of Argentina. Nevertheless, it's a good idea, as when traveling anywhere, to take along medication for symptomatic relief
Shaving kit: Mylanta, Advil (or preferred painkiller), Neosporin, Band-Aids, vitamins, prescription medications, etc.
Travel alarm clock
Camera and film

Argentina Pigeon Hunt (Dove Hunt) Checklist (PDF)

More Info

Getting There - Argentina Pigeon Hunting at Montaraz Lodge

Located in the province of Cordoba, in central Argentina, 95 miles (150 kms) northwest of the Cordoba City international airport. Drive time 2 hrs.
To get to Montaraz Lodge there are daily direct flights from many U.S cities to Santiago, Chile with connecting flights to Cordoba city. That will allow you to make the most of your trip as you will be pigeon shooting the day of your arrival.
Guests may also fly into Buenos Aires (Ezeiza Intl. Airport), transfer to the domestic airport and take a 1 hr flight to Cordoba.

Argentina Pigeon Hunting Bag Limits - Montaraz Lodge

The bag limit, or transportation limit is quite generous, but we hope that you will let your conscience be your guide as well, and compare this shooting opportunity to virtually any other decoying experience worldwide. Our lodge imposes a limit of 150 pigeons per day, to ensure balance between action and conservation.

Average Daily Temperature Range - Argentina Pigeon Hunts at Montaraz Lodge

Jan 93°-59°F / 34-15C May 66°-38°F / 19- 4C Sept 68°-40°F / 20- 5C

Feb 90°-58°F / 32-15C June 59°-32°F / 15- 0C Oct 75°-46°F / 24- 8C

Mar 83°-54°F / 28-12C July 59°-37°F / 15- 3C Nov 83°-51°F / 28-11C

Apr 75°-46°F / 24- 8C Aug 64°-34°F / 18- 1C Dec 89°-57°F / 32-14C

Facicilities and Services - Argentina Pigeon Hunting at Montaraz Lodge

Capacity: 16 guns
8 double rooms with private bathroom
$60 per night surcharge for single room
Dining room, sitting room, bar, gun cleaning table and facilities
Swimming pool
Tennis court
Stables, saddle room, and horses
Internet access
Gourmet dining with Argentina's famed beef and the Estancia wine, traditional asados (BBQ) and delicious desserts
Masseuse
Gun rental, semiautomatic 20 gauge
First class professional shooting guides
Bird-boys
Comfortable 13 pax capacity Mercedes Benz vans with LCD
Historical tours and shopping trips.

Gratuities - Argentina Pigeon Hunts at Montaraz Lodge

Gratuities for lodge and field staff are not included in Argentina pigeon hunting package cost since tipping, in general, is discretionary. Because clients have asked that we provide general guidelines we suggest:

$35 per bird boy, per guest/day
$30 to $40 for the household staff, per guest/day
$50 to $100 for your shooting guide, per person for the total stay.

As an example, for a 3-day hunt you will spend approximately $300 in tips, which is $100 per day. Guests should tip pick-up boys directly in the field. For transfers in Buenos Aires, your lodge host will tip the drivers and airport porters but not hotel or restaurant personnel. If you wish to tip your guide, do so at your discretion.

Species Facts - Argentina Pigeon Hunting

Spot-winged Pigeon (Patagioenas maculosa) is distributed from central Peru to south-east Brazil and south to central Argentina. It is found in dry semi-open habitat such as the espinilho near Barra do Quaraí in Rio Grande do Sul and in agricultural land. Its most distinguishing feature is the spotted effect on the wing-coverts. It feeds mainly on seeds and is regarded as a pest in Argentina where feeds heavily on agricultural crops. Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro)
is distributed from north-east Brazil to Bolivia and south-central Argentina. It is found in a variety of habitats from woodland and gallery forest to caatinga and agricultural land. Picazuros have a white band on the wing which is conspicuous in flight and reminiscent of the Common Woodpigeon of Europe. It shows pale edging on the wing-coverts and the back of the neck has a purplish scaled effect.
it is believed that the species is common and the population is thought to be increasing. Picazuro pigeons survive in a variety of habitats; from woodland and forest to agricultural land. Spot-winged pigeons are far more common while pigeon hunting in Argentina. These strong and agile birds respond amazingly to decoys and provide excellent wingshooting sport.

Brochure - Argentina Pigeon Hunting at Montaraz Lodge

Montaraz Lodge Argentina Pigeon Hunt Brochure (PDF)

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