 Arrival/Departure Airport(s)
Mode of Transportation
Accomodation
Hunting Overview
Species Available
Season(s) and Optimum Dates for Specific Species
Special Hunt Considerations
Weapons/Calibers Recommended
Clothing/Equipment Suggestions
Climatic Considerations
Hunt Difficulty/Health level
Booking Information
Travelling with Guns
What documents will I need when traveling to Argentina?
Arrival/Departure Airport(s)
As because our strategic location South Pioneers can receive their visitors at two Airports.
One is Mendoza were you arrive with daily LAN Chile flights form USA, previous scale in Santiago. Flight arrives Mendoza at 11 am. After a quick gun check-in (is the only outfitter arriving with hunters to that airport this will make you avoid classic Cordoba long lines) there are 3 hours driving to the lodge.
On your way back after a relaxed morning departure from the lodge is at 10.30 am arriving with enough time to have lunch at the airport and make your baggage check-in. Flight from Mendoza to Santiago and USA depart at 17.30 hs.
Other chance is to fly to Buenos Aires, connecting with BA Jorge Newbery airport and take a flight to San Luis Province airport, just 1:15 minutes far from the lodge. Flights are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday departuring 13.15 from BA arriving 14.45 to San Luis. Arrival to the accomodation is arround 16.15 hs. Fly back to Buenos Aires is 15.20 arriving BA 16.40 hs. on perfect time to connect with your international flight or go to a Hotel.
South Pioneers representatives will meet you upon arrival in Mendoza or San Luis Airport and transport you to the accomodation. For passengers arriving to Buenos Aires we can arrange to have our representatives who will meet you at Ezeiza International Airport.
Mode of Transportation
Either for Mendoza or San Luis airports transfer will be accomplished by either truck, or van depending upon the size of the group. All vehicles will be very comfortable air-conditioned for your traveling comfort.
Accomodation
Hunters lodge into a very comfortable and elegant spanish arquitecture style hotel located on a beautiful mountain area, sorrounded by a 40 acres green park with fine tree spices, and view to the magnificent valley where dove & pigeon huntings take held.
Hunters groups are practically the only and special guests, (only sometimes there are between 2 to 6 other passengers) as this hotel works hard only during the Argentina summer period in January and February.
Hunters have their own exclusive living and dinning room areas at the hotel: only for South Pioneers visitors. Even the menu is designed by South Pioneers exclusively for their passengers.
Each hunter will have his individual room with queen size bed and private bathroom. This up-grade is something only available at an extra cost at the mayority of the hunting lodges.
Hunting Overview
At South Pioneers you will find a unique hunting adventure were you will be able to combine the best dove shooting (it is usual to shoot more than 1000/1500 shells per day with superb pigeon hunting (more than 250/300 hundred pigeons per hunter/day). As we said South Pioneers hunting is like to combine the famous Cordoba dove shooting with the well known Paraguay Pigeon hunting!!! All at the same place!
Even you will be able to hunt English style pigeon over decoys, an experience each hunter must do at least once in his life.
Species Available
Eared Dove (Zenaida Auriculata) and Spot Winged Pigeon (Columba Maculosa) both by the millions.
Season(s) and Optimum Dates for Specific Species
Dove Shooting: Year Round.
Pigeon & Doves: April to December.
There is no specific peack seasson for pigeon or dove hunting. As we explained because of the seeding and harvesting system, food is available year round, assuring good hunting at any time, something just a few places can offer.
Special Hunt Considerations
As mentioned South Pioneers offers two programs.
Pigeon & Dove hunting is a combination of pigeon and doves, normally time is distributed 50% on each specie during your visit.
Our dove hunting program is literally a dive in a sea of doves where you can find your own limit while shooting without stopping
Wake up call is a 7 a.m. After a strong breackfast we drive between 15 to 25 minutes depending were are the best hunting spots at the time of your visit. We shoot till 12.30 hs. to enjoy the barbecue and a relaxing siesta. At 14.30 hs begins the afternoon shoot until sunset.
Back at the lodge you will be received with some delicious snacks and you will be able to have some drinks at the open bar.
Dinner will be served at 8:00, then you can relax at the living room or the wide terrace. The beautiful and illuminated park is always a chance to enjoy a night walk and watch a sky full of stars like in no other place.
Weapons/Calibers Recommended
As the hunting is a combination of Dove & Pigeons 20 ga works great with both species, 12 ga is also good.but a little bit heavy for dove shooting.
If you would prefer to rent a shotgun from the Lodge, we have Beretta semi-auto 20 gauge shotguns.
Shotgun shells are available in 20 and 12 gauge.
Shells for .410 & 28 shotguns are available with 45 days in advance notice.
Clothing/Equipment Suggestions
• Recoil reduction equipment including shoulder pads, Kevlar-lined vests, etc.
• Bring modified, improved cylinder, or improved-modified chokes.
• Dark colored or camouflage hunting clothes and hats.
• Upland hunting boots (preferably waterproof as there may be standing water). We also recommend both wool and cotton socks.
• Hearing protection!
• Wool sweaters, long sleeve cotton shirts, and polar fleece zip-up tops. Layering is important
• Side-carry shooting pouch for shells or a shell vest.
• Leather shooting gloves are an absolute must!
• Lightweight rain gear and waterproof hat - you won’t need it unless you don’t bring it.
• Shooting glasses, sunglasses, 30 SPF sunscreen (or stronger) and lip balm.
• Comfortable clothes for relaxing around the Lodge: jeans, tennis shoes, baseball caps, etc.
• All electricity in Argentina is 220 (European-style). We have converters for your laptop computers, digital cameras, PDA’s, electric razors, etc.
• Shaving kit with Mylanta, Advil (or preferred painkiller), Neosporin, band-aids, vitamins, prescription medications, etc.
• Digital camera with extra battery and media cards.
Climatic Considerations
The region has a sunny a mild weather. It only rains occasionally.
Keep in mind that the temperature will vary not only between the seasons, but also between morning, afternoon and evening hours. Depending on the time of year it can be 40 degrees (F) and windy in the morning and in the high 70s with calm winds by the afternoon.
Hunt Difficulty/Health level
South Pioneers holds an exclusive hunting area granted by the Government of San Luis. This means no competition for the best spots, so from beginners to experimented hunters the lodge can provide each hunter with his own shooting requirement.
Each shooting spot will have at least one bird boy, a chair with back, a cooler with cold water and soft drinks. The bird boys also load your guns.
All staff is communicated by radio assuring whatever you need will be available in just some minutes.
Booking Information
Reserving dates. first please send us an email asking for available dates.
Once I decide to book a trip, what do I have to do to reserve my dates?
We require a non-refundable deposit in the amount of 50% of the land package cost. Deposits may be transferred to another hunter but may not be applied to a future season or year. We recommend that all guests protect their investments and purchase trip cancellation insurance.
Travelling with Guns
If you want to come with your guns we will send you US and Argentina gun forms, both are very easy to fill. You just need to have a gun case for the international flight. The rest is very easy.
What documents will I need when traveling to Argentina?
If you are a US citizen, you do not need to apply for a visa, but you will need to bring a valid passport. The passport expiration date must be at least 6 months after your arrival date. If you are not an American citizen, please check with the appropriate consulate in your country to find out if you will need a visa.
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