Our premier Argentine wing-shooting experience was delayed a day thanks to a last-minute flight cancellation, but it neither dampened our spirits nor staunched flowing juices because most of our party were revisiting the world capital of duck and dove shooting. Any inconveniences, I knew, would soon be forgotten once we ourselves were on the wing.

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, we met guide Patrick Geijo, partner in Argentina Bird Shooting Company, who drove us three hours to Gualeguaychu, famous for its festivals. We were greeted by the staff at Bolacua Lodge and served the first of many gourmet meals featuring Argentine beef.

But the truly appealing aspect of the trip yet loomed: Our afternoon duck shoot would commence in but two hours, giving we weary travelers time to refresh after our 4,500-mile trip. That included a one-hour nap and a quick change into camo outfits before charging off into thousands of acres of marshland controlled by our outfitters.

Paul McClinton (front, from left), Bo Harris, Roger Batey, Clark Parrott, (back) Clifton Robinson, Bo Campbell and Parker Batey recently went on a hunting expedition in Argentina.
Clifton Robinson photo

Arriving about two hours before sunset, we were positioned on small, interlocking ponds about 500 yards apart. Our bird boys set out decoys and simple blinds in the 6-foot salt grass surrounding the ponds. Perfect conditions prevailed, complete with cover, cold and overcast weather. The shooting was immediate since we raised several hundred ducks upon our marshland arrival.

The new rental Bennelli 12-gauge Cordoba shotguns did their job masterfully and limits of 35 were filled within 45 minutes, consisting of silver teal, cinnamon teal, ring-necked teal, yellow-billed pintail, whistling pintail, rosy-billed bochard and Brazilian duck. While waiting to return to Bolacua Lodge, hundreds of birds in flights of 10 to 25 came into the decoys.

Unbelievable! Can we come back here tomorrow?

Good morning hunt

An interesting experience revealing the enormity of our high-tech world occurred in our blinds as our bird boys received and placed calls on iPhones. Is this a new world or what?

Our morning hunt was in the same hot spot for friends Paul “Crunch” McClinton and E.R. “Bo” Campbell. Everything was the same except temperatures shivered in the high 20s. It was clear with ice on the ponds. Some birds came calling early, landing in the decoys in difficult pre-dawn visibility. Even so, all had a good laugh when Crunch missed a sitting duck just 15 feet away, swimming happy as you please with the decoys.

For the record, Crunch missed not once but twice.

My morning hunt close by on a series of small ponds concluded within 45 minutes, as it did for our friends from Louisiana, Robert and Clark Parrott, a father and son who incidentally fought the intense cold without proper clothing. Unprepared? Hardly. Their luggage was lost by the airline. But they were good sports about it.

After a gourmet lunch of duck and Argentine beef, we set out for Buenos Aires, arriving after dark to enjoy more Argentine beef with another owner of Argentine Bird Shooting Company. Buenos Aires, in my opinion, can best be described as the jewel of South America, with its wide boulevards, grand architecture and an educated people who are cosmopolitan and classy, and always cordial. This is the home of Eva “Evita” Peron and “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina.”

Early the morning of July 17 we left Buenos Aires for Cordoba, located in north-central Argentina. This area is considered the breadbasket of the country and home to more than 100 million eared doves. There’s no limit or season on these birds, considered pests by both government and farmers, who routinely poison to eradicate and protect crops.

Premier spot for shoot

Our hunt in Cordoba was at Estancia Los Chanares, with Alex Mitri our host for the final three-day shoot. The 7,000-acre estancia (or ranch) is more than an hour from the airport and has a 2,000-acre dove roost within its perimeter. Having hunted in Cordoba for 15 years, our group considers Los Chanares the premier location due to the proximity of this roost, a first-class hacienda, gourmet food and, yes, reasonable pricing.

The estancia hosts folks from all over the world, but Texas shooters make up 40 percent of all guests, with Louisiana coming in second. The 5,000 acres outside the roost are primarily devoted to agricultural crops to keep the doves on the property. Daily shooting locations change, enabling rest, and will not be active for eight to 10 days. After very few shooting sessions, even unaccomplished hunters become good wing shots. There are some 50 shooting locations, all within 10 minutes of the hacienda.

Three gourmet meals are served in grand style, including dove served in unique ways never imagined. After a week eating Argentine beef twice a day, fish and chicken never looked so good.

Our group of shooters reduced the population by 5,000; however, it’s not uncommon for one shooter to do the same in a day.

The nimrods composing our party were Paul “Crunch” McClinton, E.R. “Bo” Campbell, Shreveport, La.; “Bo” Harris, Shreveport, La.; Robert and Clark Parrott, also from Louisiana; and Roger and Parker Batey, Tennessee.

Clifton Robinson is chairman of Robinson Media, which owns the Tribiune-Herald.