DuckSouth.com

Two long weeks in travel status, visited 4 lodges and hosted a great group of clients at what has been our Argentina duck hunting mainstay for several years now (that may change as Pat and I visited a couple of real sleeping giants down there this season - as well as some that best remain unknown to anyone and forgotten by everyone). Had some seriously capable shooters and we bagged a respectable 2,047 ducks in 4 fun-filled days. Whether tired from shotgunning or laughing so hard between hunts remains undecided, but it was fun in all regards. Each member of the group participated in a 100+ duck hunt at least once, and several guests enjoyed solo shoots the likes of which few lucky hunters will ever, in South America or elsewhere.

Pat's down there pulling the second shift and I feel certain he'll have a good report when he returns. Here are some photographical highlights for the first half of July:

The first couple hunts took place adjacent to the Parana River in northern Argentina. Enjoyable though it was, it certainly won't make the cut or a number of reasons. Highlights included seeing new country, hunting along the Parana River where golden dorado literally jumped in the boat's wake and meeting a 28-gauge toting gentleman from Maryland's eastern shore with whom I became fast friends.

Silver teal were plentiful and second only to Brazilian ducks in abundance. The distance at which 20 grams of lead 5s through a 28-bore will kill a duck was surprising, but I used a big-bore 20 instead.



Two-pound T-Bones slow cooked to perfection, easily the best cut of beef I had down there this year.



Rosybill appetizers proved simple is great - real butter and cracked peppercorns



Spent a night in Cordoba at a dove operation, it was packaged with the Santa Fe duck hunt. I shot about a case during the afternoon under a steady stream of 50-yarders and had a great time picking my shots and keeping score. Met a couple from Dallas. The husband was 80 and the wife was not quite that. He had enjoyed several 1000-bird days and she had scored 800 one afternoon. They were quite the hunters and a true pleasure to be around, I can only hope I'll still be going at it that hard in as many years. Rather than a cap that is popular at some estancias, a novel momento was presented at dinner...

The next few days was a blur of world-class shooting, laughing, eating and fellowship.

They were so pretty didn't know whether to drink them or stare at them. The vodka helped.



Duck hourdevers, usually rosybills, cooked alot of different ways and all of them excellent.



Lunch daily consisted of ribs, steak, flank, chicken and sweet bread.



The desserts are always edible art.

A happy guest shot 70 on a solo hunt, easily the best hunt of his lifetime by his own admission. Other hunters shot in the high-50s and mid-70s, respectively, while hunting solo.



Here's a photo I wish had turned out much better. While hunting in a small, grass-enclosed hole we witnessed a solar eclipse, I'd say about 1/2 of the sun was covered up. Hunted with a young man that held his own and we enjoyed a pretty good shoot depsite tough conditions.



White-cheeked pintail were relatively scarce this year, but we managed several.



White-faced (and fulvous) whistling ducks were abundant.



Last morning turned out perfectly cold and windy. All blinds managed 100+ ducks.



One more round of photos coming. Y'all stay tuned, saved the best for last.

Dangit man I have been waiting a week to see one particular duck. Hurry up!!! Some of us are really wanting to see it!

Where is the aflac duck? All reports I've heard were unbelievable.

One day.. One day..

ramsey, my buddies just returned as well. They said it was the best its been in a few years. There was snow and ice whereever they were. they smoked them.

@ Kris - that would have been much further south in the Bahia Blanca vicinity. We pulled Pat and a guest off of a hunt down in that area due to ice-related ground transfer problems. I don't think Pat minded Plan B one bit, from the sounds of things, but don't want to steal his thunder so will leave that for him to tell.

I've been to Argentina once to shoot doves but never for ducks. Someday I will make a return trip but it will be a while. Thanks for the great pics! I can't wait to see some more. It's almost a toss up between what's better - the food or the hunting!

awesome!
thanks for sharing ramsey.

we want to see the white whale captain!

and congrats on the shoot man. I'm saving up my pennies.

For the poor folks on the board that can only dream of a hunt like that, what kinda money would a fella have to save up
to get to go on one of them ther Argentina trips? I know they vary by specifics, but on avg. ballpark number so I will know
how old I will be before I can go.

fireplug wrote:For the poor folks on the board that can only dream of a hunt like that, what kinda money would a fella have to save up
to get to go on one of them ther Argentina trips? I know they vary by specifics, but on avg. ballpark number so I will know
how old I will be before I can go.

Depending on airfare costs (anywhere from $1200 round-trip from Jackson to $600 round-trip from Miami), expect total out-of-pocket expenses to range from $4,000 to $7000. The new venue I'll describe later today runs on the lower end because of its all-inclusivenes. Expensive, sure. But relative to seasonal costs of leases, dogs, dues, ammo, fuel, meals, etc etc etc, for a precious handful of ducks in an average season, I'll bet a sharp pencil and calculator will demonstrate how practical these costs really are given the consistently abundant opportunity to shoot decoying birds! For price-point conscious dove hunters, we can price packages at about $3500 to include rt airfare from Jackson, 2000-2500 rounds AND basic trip insurance - hot barrelled action in the fabled Macha roost area of Cordoba, but non-luxury amenities.

To anyone the talk of money offends, I think it's very important to understand that both my associate The Waterfowler and I work very hard for an honest dollar; we take our business very seriously and like a good portion of our clients, understand the necessity of life priorities and the importance of ensuring quality for what will likely be the single trip of a lifetime. Above all else, I attribute this to our continued success.

Sounds like a fair enough price to me. Maybe in 5 - 10 years I will be able to save enough to go for a double trip dove and duck.

Double R 2 wrote: The Waterfowler and I work very hard for an honest dollar; we take our business very seriously and like a good portion of our clients, understand the necessity of life priorities and the importance of ensuring quality for what will likely be the single trip of a lifetime. Above all else, I attribute this to our continued success.

That is the truest most correctest thing I've read on here in a while. If there is anyone NOT looking to gouge the average hunter it is GETDUCKS. Let no one besmirch them.