Argentina Dove Hunt

[Jamvo]

I got lucky enough to be invited to go to Argentina the first part of October to dove hunt. I couldn’t be more excited but I have no idea on what to bring with me to make the most of it.

Any tips on clothes, gear, etc?

TIA!

[El General]

I got lucky enough to be invited to go to Argentina the first part of October to dove hunt. I couldn’t be more excited but I have no idea on what to bring with me to make the most of it.

Any tips on clothes, gear, etc?

TIA!

I just got back from my first trip. I spent money on good ear plugs and I think they worked great.

https://otoprotechnologies.square.site/

Some sort of wearable recoil pad. I used a shock eater and an undershirt that had a pocket for it.

https://shockeater.com/product/shockeater-recoil-pad/

Aside from that, you don’t need to bring much in the way of clothes. They will launder everything while you are hunting.

[docmay]

Good ear plugs are a most. Get the molded kind for best fit. I think game guard or poncho type shirts and hiker type boots are the best. I took some lightweight shooting gloves as well. Make sure you pack good sunglasses to shoot in. We used evoshield shirts the first trip with the moldable shoulder pad. Second time we took the slide over gel recoil pads for the shotguns. Made it more comfortable but I didn’t use it the whole time. Enjoy yourself and budget more for shells than you think!!!!

[Hatfield]

Shoulder pad got in my way and i quit wearing it the first day. You may look for a pad that slips on the butt of your gun.

Good sunglasses and ear protection are a must

[Landrover]

nothing much honestly. Recoil pad would have been nice after that many shells thru a 20 gauge. Sunglasses on occassion but not really needed for me. Light jacket.

[Czechfish]

Hearing protection
Shooting gloves
Evoshield shirt
Shooting glasses
Comfortable foot wear
Travel adapter plugs for charging phone or laptop

[keestan31]

As others have already said recoil pad, ear plugs, gloves, glasses, comfortable shirts and boots. Shells are expensive and add up very quick so be prepared. If you are going on a budget ask at the end of each day for your shell total so you have any idea of what its going to be. It will shock you at the end of the trip how much you have shot.

[175gr7.62]

I used the Evoshield shirt and was very happy with it. I ruined my ears years ago in the service so I don't use earplugs except when shooting handguns or big rifles. I wouldn't hurt to have them though.

1. In October you will want a pack a waterproof light jacket.
2. A shooting glove for your support hand. Your gun can get hot.
3. Leather boots are fine. The lodge will clean them if they get muddy.
4. I just brought 2 changes of clothes. The lodge will do your laundry.
5. Aspirin
6. Sunscreen
7. Small bluetooth speaker.
8. Sunglasses

To be honest, you don't really need to bring much. I fit everything in a small backpack that I carried on. That's a long way to go and worry about a bag getting lost. You will be waited on hand and foot so their really isn't any need to bring much.

Halfway through our last afternoon I was done shooting. Even with the Evoshield shirt I was beat up. We just sat around and let the birdboys shoot and made bets on whose shot the best. Give each of them 10 shells, everyone put a $20 in the pot and whoever killed the most with those 10 shells won the pot. That was almost as much fun as shooting.

[DEADEYE1]

Hunt

I just got back from Uruguay and shells for 28 guage were $20 per box. You will most likely shoot a case of shells in the morning ( theirs is 20 boxes) and case to 2 cases in the evening I shot 126 boxes in 6 hunts with my highest being 31 boxes 1 evening!!Enjoy your time and don't chinch on shells! I've been to Argentina twice and shot more than I did there then I did last week

ear plugs
ask to shoot their 28 gauges, you will thank me later!!!!!

[dclifton]

OP if you dont mind me asking for everyone thats been. What is a realistic budget for shells average? This hunt is on my radar for me and my dad soon. Ive heard anywhere from 2-10K

[joey1656]

Penicillin! hahaha

[Collier]

I would figure at least 40 boxes per day, with 50 being more realistic. I shot 200 boxes for 3 1/2 days. I treated it as a once in a lifetime deal and wasn't going to cheap out on the shells.
I wasn't a fan of the Evoshield shirts. My shoulder never hurt, but my support arm was wore out, you never let the gun down out of shooting position. Don't over pack, wear a set of hunting clothes down, pack a couple sets in carry on with some loaf around shoes.
Hearing protection and glasses
Charging cords with compatible adapters for there

[AntlerCollector]

Do y’all bring this meat home?

[Rubi513]

OP if you dont mind me asking for everyone thats been. What is a realistic budget for shells average? This hunt is on my radar for me and my dad soon. Ive heard anywhere from 2-10K

I shot around 4,500 shells on a 3 day hunt.
We are going in June of next year and the price of shells as of now is $13.75 a box. For 4,500 shells that would be $2,475.00

[ThisLadyHunts]

I got lucky enough to be invited to go to Argentina the first part of October to dove hunt. I couldn’t be more excited but I have no idea on what to bring with me to make the most of it.

Any tips on clothes, gear, etc?

TIA!

I think everyone has pretty well covered everything you'll need for your hunt. However, there is much more you'll want to prepare for when traveling abroad than simply your hunt. What should you do if you get sick? What to do if you're a victim of a crime? Whom do you call if your passport, credit cards, and cash are stolen?

My list--and, yes, it's a lengthy one--helps you address these questions IN ADVANCE of your trip. So grab a comfortable chair, have a seat, and ignore the ribbing I'm about to take from everyone regarding my **** retentive nature. As my father always says, "Forewarned is forearmed."

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Register for the Global Entry program: It's a lot like TSA's Pre-check with the added benefit of getting you through Customs much faster. Important if you don't want to miss a connecting flight.

Register with the U.S. State Department: You know, just in case you disappear ... This also makes it easier for loved ones back home to track you down in case of an emergency if they can't reach you.

Traveling with guns...yes or no? I say no, the risks aren't worth it. If, however, you decide to do so, I recommend a professional (one who speaks the language) to assist with the paperwork and to meet you at the airport in case you get hung up.

Travel Insurance: To included medical insurance, medievac coverage for you AND companion, repatriation of remains (in the event of your death) for you AND companion.

Travel Cancellation Insurance: Different than the Travel Insurance above, travel cancellation insurance is important right now as airlines are changing and cancelling flights (including at the last minute) all over the world. Shop this insurance carefully; some refund only cost of travel and lodging, others include additional expenses incurred if these changes result in additional expenses. Estimate this insurance to be at least 10% of the cost of your trip.

Vaccinations: Familiarize yourself with both the required and recommended vaccinations, not only for Argentina but also for the province(s) to which you'll be traveling. (For example, some provinces require Yellow Fever vaccine, some do not.)

Cellular Communication and Data: Check with your carrier to see what they offer in the way of a "temporary" cellular and/or data plan. Note: most lodges will have WiFi but cellular and data coverage out in the field are scarce and unreliable.

Electric/voltage converter: Anymore, most lodges provide them in the room. However, in my experience, there are either not enough (usually only one per room) or the guest before you has taken it.

Customs Restrictions and Local Laws: Familiarize yourself with these before you go. In my experience, Customs officials are particularly hard on U.S. citizens (which is also why I don't bring my own gun).

Taking medications with you: 1) Research the requirements (and restrictions) for traveling to Argentina with your prescription meds and know that some meds prescribed in the U.S. are considered illegal in other countries. 2) Ask your doctor to prescribe for you additional prophylactic medications in case you get sick. I specifically recommend Cipro (broad-spectrum antibiotic) and Xanax to help you sleep during your flight. It's roughly a 10 to 12 hour flight and you are often scheduled for an afternoon hunt after you arrive. Don't arrive exhausted! (A note about Xanax, if the first one doesn't seem to work, give it time (an hour or more). DON'T take a second one. And definitely don't chase these with Benadryl or the like.)

Take with you any OTC meds you might need but, specifically, your favorite analgesic (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) and an anti-diarrheal (Immodium). A bad headache and explosive diarrhea can ruin a good hunt and you likely won't be close to the lodge when you're out in the field.

Cash, credit cards, and checks: Bring FAR more cash than you think you'll need. Argentines prefer not to take credit cards as the cc fees were (as of six weeks ago) 23%. Pay cash for as much as you can and you'll get a very advantageous exchange rate. For example, when we were there, the exchange rate if paying by cc was 1 to 180; if paying with cash, it was 1 to 300. Take a personal check to settle your final expenses with the lodge. Believe it or not, they'll risk the possibility of an NSF check not to have to run your credit card through an Argentine bank.

Medical issues or emergencies: In the event of illness or emergency, familiarize yourself with the location of the nearest PRIVATE health care facility (usually referred to as a "clinical"). Do not use the state-sponsored hospitals and medical facilities. Johns-Hopkins has an international network of branch hospitals that are highly reputable. Find out if there will be one near you.

Medical information card: Type up your own Medical Information Card in SPANISH and carry it with you wherever you go. It should include the name of the medical facility to which you prefer to be taken (because you've already researched this), and any other information a doctor will need to know before treating you: your list of medications, existing medical conditions, previous surgeries, etc.)

End of Life documents: And, of course, make sure your "house in order" before you leave. Make sure your will is up to date and designate a trustee who will know what to do in the event of your untimely demise. Yes, this sounds morbid, but your family will be grateful.

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There are other items I would add to this list if I weren't pressed for time, but these are some of the most important ones. Additionally, in the interest of brevity, I left out a lot of details for most of the items listed above. If you are interested in pursuing any of the further, please PM me and I'll be happy to help.


Okay, All, go ahead and pile on...!