Wingshooting for Ducks, Pigeons, Doves and Giant Perdiz in Argentina and Uruguay

During our 30 years of outfitting for discerning guests, entrusted to us by the most prestigious international booking agencies, we have selected the best wingshooting grounds in Uruguay and Argentina. We have perfected our services and logistics such as no one else in the business, in order that you might enjoy the wingshooting trip of a lifetime.

River Plate, in its relentless search for ever-better wingshooting grounds, has expanded its world-class offerings to include Entre Rios province in the East, Buenos Aires province in the South, and our newest and most unique program in the province of La Pampa, in the West. This area offers close proximity to an abundant population of ducks, doves, pigeons, and both spotted and larger elegant crested Tinamou (giant perdiz).

Where is the best wingshooting in South America?

• Buenos Aires – Argentina,
• La Pampa – Argentina
• Entre Ríos – Argentina
• Carmelo – Uruguay
• Punta del Este – Uruguay

Wingshooting and Fly Fishing Outfitter in South America

Luis Brown, received an MS from the Wharton School of Finance. After 10 years of outfitting in and around Uruguay and Brazil, Luis transferred his operations to Argentina and founded River Plate Wingshooting. For over 25 years his River Plate Wingshooting has been selected as the best shooting grounds in Uruguay and Argentina and perfected service and logistics like no one else in the business to ensure that you enjoy the trip of a lifetime.

Hunt Birds with us and AVOID usual inconveniences:

• No domestic commercial flights
• No long car drives on arrival or departure days (max.3½ hrs)
• Complicated logistics from lodge to shooting grounds (30 minutes)

Mixed Bag Hunting Season, Buenas Aires, Argentina and Punta del Este – Uruguay

April thru August

For over two decades River Plate has been a leader in Mixed Bag Shoots in both Uruguay and Argentina. Today, River Plate controls over 80% of the best shooting grounds for all three species in the privileged Entre Rios south, only a 3-hour drive from Buenos Aires. Due to the success of this mixed bag concept, River Plate started another operation in La Pampa province, which also includes giant perdiz over dogs and high-volume decoying pigeons. We take pride in the quality of our “one-stop-shooting” destinations, the training of our staff and the overall service you will receive from the moment we pick you up, all the way to the end of your journey.

The main reason for River Plate’s extraordinary bird shooting is its successful learning curve on feeding, careful management of the hunting areas and the selection of areas with more than one water level. For example, in southern Entre Rios, there are unique marsh systems with three different water levels thus ensuring that at any given time, conditions are ideal in one area or another. This is regardless of ever-changing climate conditions or even phases of the moon.

Hunt Giant Perdez over Dogs–La Pampa, Argentina, April thru August

Giant Perdiz (or Montaraz) either driven or over dogs is bountiful and can only be shot legally in the Pampa’s brushlands.

Perdiz is a world-class upland game bird hunted over well trained pointers. These birds hold very well in ground cover that many times is no higher than your ankles. Perdiz do not covey, and are usually flushed as singles, or occasionally in pairs, but they are very challenging.

Hunters at Los Pampas will have the opportunity to enjoy a world-class shooting experience that is not available anywhere else in all of South America. Within an hour’s drive from the lodge, there are literally millions of acres of brushland, which is home to large populations of fast-flying crested Tinamou (giant Perdiz), larger cousins of the Perdiz normally hunted with bird dogs in Argentina. River Plate has developed a fantastic European-style driven shoot for these challenging targets. As in Europe, shooters will be assigned shooting stands and enjoy three or four different beats in an afternoon of gunning.

The giant Perdiz is also a very sporty shoot over dogs. Expect 6-10 flushes every half an hour walking through brushland resembling South Texas or South Africa. Normally, two guns shoot behind one dog. A dog handler carries all birds and shells. Most of the dogs are quality German shorthairs, and Brittanys, which are best for Perdiz.

A River Plate classic. The spotted tinamou (or common perdiz) gets up with an explosive take-off and flies swiftly and in a straight line making it a very challenging target; one that upland gunners love to hunt over pointing dogs. The terrain is always easy – short-grass pastures with no brush. On a very good day it is possible to see up to 25 points in an hour, making for very exciting action. The dog work set-up is similar to that of the giant perdiz mentioned before.

High Volume Wingshooting for Pigeons

• La Pampa – Argentina
• Punta del Este – Uruguay

Pigeons abound in the brushy habitat favored by the Giant Perdiz. Expect hundreds of pigeons coming in to decoy from all directions. This is truly a great shooting experience that rivals or surpasses the pigeon shooting in England and Paraguay. Abundant, spotted-wing and picazuro pigeons are seen mingling with doves everywhere. However, our dedicated pigeon destinations offer huge flocks of virtually 100% spotted-wing pigeons. They are about the size of a wood pigeon and much larger than the Paraguayan pigeon. We place one or two guests to a blind. Blinds are equipped with swivel seats, and shooting is done over decoys placed on the ground, on stands, or on rotating carousels, modeled after carousels used in Scotland. Expect to shoot 6-8 boxes of shells during a two-hour morning shoot at some of the most challenging and deceptive incoming birds. Experienced shooters always shoot the furthest birds first, thus giving them time to shoot the nearest birds before they get out of gunning range. Easier said than done!

High Volume Wingshooting for Dove in Argentina

• Buenos Aires – Argentina
• La Pampa – Argentina
• Entre Ríos – Argentina
• Carmelo – Uruguay

Hunters can expect to shoot well over 100 boxes per day at doves during the prime time, November thru April. Driving times to the shooting areas are not more than 30 minutes. Guns are available at the Estancias or you can bring your own shotguns as well.

Considered a plague in Uruguay and Argentina, doves provide the ultimate high-volume bird shooting experience. It is no exaggeration to say that you can shoot doves in our areas until you are exhausted. Each hunter is provided with a swivel seat and two assistants to offer cold drinks and shells and attend to the shooter’s needs, perhaps serving as loaders. Shooters can expect to fire 20-40 boxes in a half-day session, rivaling the best of Argentina’s high-volume destinations.

Doves are shot at one of South America’s largest roost next to estancia Luis VI and rivals Cordoba, with the added bonus that there is no significant driving time. The dove shooting in southern Entre Rios Province is truly super-high volume, rivaling anywhere in South America. Hunters will routinely go through 40 – 80 boxes per day and enjoy a variety of shooting blinds – on the perimeter of standing corn or sorghum fields, in the midst of cut sunflowers, in dense roosting cover and along flight lines. The Eared Dove, considered a plague in Argentina, provides the ultimate high-volume Dove hunting experience. Dove presentations are limitless each day and hunters can expect to shoot over 100 boxes per day at doves charging into fresh water holes. After 22 successful seasons of high volume Dove hunting in the Entre Rios province, Rive Plate continues its world-class offerings.  Located in the provinces of Buenos Aires and San Luis, this two-estancia combination offers close proximity to an abundant population of duck, pigeon, both spotted and larger elegant crested tinamou (Giant Perdiz), and dove.

The “Islands” country of the Entre Rios Province of east-central Argentina is a huge agricultural area with tens of thousands of acres of Soy Beans, Maize, Corn and other gains in cultivation. As in the much better known dove hunting areas of central Argentina around Cordoba, the Islands agricultural area of the Entre Rios Province is home to millions of resident Dove. The Eared Dove of Argentina is about the size of our White Wing Dove and are great fliers. I have seen harvested grain fields with literally hundreds of thousands of Dove actively feeding in them! The big difference in Entre Rios province of east-central Argentina is there are basically no hunters and drive times of 15 – 20 minutes from the Estancia to the days hunting area is the norm, not up to an hour like they are in Cordoba where the hunting pressure is very heavy. Hunting is conducted on flyways between feeding areas and roosts of which there are several in the areas we hunt near the towns of Qualequay and Vitoria.

This is truly a mixed-bag wingshooting program offering great gunning for all of Argentina’s sportiest species.

Duck Hunts with River Plate Outfitters

River Plate host bird hunting trips in three separate areas, each featuring a comfortable estancia, ensure that any given season, water levels will be ideal for our guest’s hunt, regardless of the ever-changing rainfall. This is true high-volume duck program for serious waterfowlers. River Plate has selected three separate waterfowl habitats in Argentina, at 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours drive in opposite directions from Buenos Aires International Airport.

Approximately 20 days prior to opening day, we select the optimal location for our duck hunts, inform you of your destination, and immediately begin our feeding program at every one of our duck blinds within a 30-minute drive from the estancia.

All duck blinds are within 30 minutes from the estancia and 10 yds from the pick-up truck. A number of duck blinds are conveniently situated for a half day shoot on the way to the upland area in San Luis Province. This ensured that near the two Estancias would be a high volume of duck hunting among pastures loaded with perdiz and uninterrupted flocks of doves coming into roosts.

Hunting the Rosy Bill Duck

The rosy-bill, South America´s prized large-bodied duck, is normally the most abundant species and decoys with spine-tingling verve. RPW´s guides get you to the blinds in stable 20-foot boats, powered by Go-Devils or with an amphibious 6×6 ATV, set out decoys, retrieve the bag assisted by Labradors, and can call the ducks. Blinds have movable, revolving seats.

Driven Giant Perdiz Hunts in Argentina

The wild native spotted tinamou, “perdiz”, resemble a small partridge. When flushed, “perdiz”  fly fast and skim away on rushing wingbeats that delight upland gunners who love hunting over pointing dogs. Whether in South America or worldwide, this class of wild bird hunting over pointers is a rarity. Not at all unusual are 25 points in an hour.

During 25 years of outfitting for the discerning guests entrusted to us by the most prestigious international booking agencies, we have selected the best shooting grounds in Uruguay and Argentina, and perfected our services and logistics like no one else in the business in order that you might enjoy the trip of a lifetime.

River Plate’s relentless search for ever-better shooting grounds has expanded its world-class offerings to now include Entre Rios Province in the east, to Buenos Aires Province in the south, to their newest and most unique program in the province of La Pampa to the west. This area offers close proximity to an abundant population of ducks, doves, pigeons, and both spotted and larger elegant crested Tinamou (giant perdiz).

Hunting Duck from Blinds in South America

EVERY DAY, River Plate feeds from 150 to 200 blinds. The feeding program involves a team of 15-20 gamekeepers who feed the ducks in varying amounts according to the number of birds on any given body of water and the phase of the moon. The blinds are easily accessible. There is seldom a need to take a boat, wade through treacherous muck or do any walking at all. Hunters simply step out of the vehicle into the blind. Each blind hosts one or two men on swivel seats over conventional decoys and battery-powered or wind-powered decoys, while the guide uses an electronic caller that is capable of attracting all the species available. Guests will see a continuous stream of low-flying decoying ducks of many species—including the prized rosy-billed pochards- charging into the decoys at a shell consumption rate of one box every 15-20 minutes! If you have never experienced this shooting, you haven’t really experienced duck hunting.

The duck hunting experience does not end with departing the blind. Guests will savor duck a l’orange and duck stroganoff and other gourmet duck specialties prepared by River Plate’s master chefs.

There are numerous types of structures that qualify as duck blinds used for hunting. Blinds can be temporary or permanent. They are very effective at concealing hunters and making their movements unnoticed.

For hunting near water, the types of blinds are almost unlimited. A blind may be constructed out of plywood, large logs or branches, burlap fiber or natural vegetation. Many of these permanent blinds look like a small shack with an opening that faces the water and a portion of the sky.

Creating a temporary, natural blind as a method of concealment is a hunter’s best bet. This is done by using logs or tree branches, native grasses, marsh vegetation, natural material or by simply hiding behind a tree or a clump of grass or a shrub. Blinds may have heaters, benches to sit on and tables. There is a small area for the dog also.

At River Plate we select areas with more than one water level. For example, in south Entre Rios, there are unique marsh systems with three different water levels, thus ensuring that at any given time conditions are ideal in one area or another, regardless of ever-changing climate conditions or even phases of the moon.

For each of its duck programs, River Plate feeds from 150 to 200 blinds, EVERY DAY. The feeding program involves a team of 15-20 gamekeepers who feed the ducks in varying amounts according to the number of ducks on any given body of water, and the phase of the moon.

The blinds are easily accessible. There is seldom a need to take a boat or wade through treacherous muck or do any walking at all. Hunters simply step out of the vehicle into the blind. Each blind hosts one or two men on swivel seats over conventional decoys and battery-powered or wind-powered decoys, while the guide uses an electronic caller that is capable of calling all the species available.

Decoyed Duck and and Pigeon Hunts

Pigeon shooting takes place in harvest corn fields or sorghum plantations which provides for incredible decoying. Fields and plantations are constantly scouted by experienced guides. Your personal guide will construct your blind from natural brush, place a nice spread of decoys within gunning range and then position themselves a short distance away so to assist you with gun loading, shells or just serve you a hot cup of coffee or a cold beer. Hunters can expect to shoot 6 boxes in a half-day shoot.

Decoys are one of the most important pieces of equipment for the waterfowler. Using a good spread of decoys and calling, an experienced hunter can successfully bag ducks or geese if birds are flying that day. The first waterfowl decoys were made from vegetation such as cattails by Native Americans. Modern decoys are typically made from molded plastic that began in the 1960s.

Decoys are placed in the water about 30 to 35 yards from the hunters. Usually a gap is in the decoy spread to allow ducks to land in the gap.

Recently, decoys have been introduced that provide life-like movement that adds to the attraction for waterfowl. For example, shakers are decoys with a small electric motor and an offset weighted wheel. As the wheel turns it causes the decoy to “shake” in the water and create realistic wave rings throughout the decoy spread. Spinning wing decoys are also fitted with an electric motor and have wings made of various materials. As the wings spin a optical illusion is created simulating the wing beats for landing birds.

At River Plate, guests will see a continuous stream of low-flying decoying ducks of many species — including the prized rosy-billed pochards — charging into the decoys at a shell consumption rate of one box every 15-20 minutes! If you have never experienced this shooting, maybe you haven’t really experienced duck hunting.

Lodges in Argentina for Bird Hunting

The waterfowl hunting experience does not end when departing the blind. Guests will savor duck a l’orange and duck stroganoff and other gourmet duck specialties prepared by River Plate’s master chefs.

Estancia “La Bellaca” is considered the most luxurious mixed bag destination in South America and the easiest to reach . It is located only 45 minutes drive from the International Airport of Montevideo with direct daily overnight flights from the US and Europe . La Bellaca is situated in the midst of the “Sierra de Minas” hills country. The “Aguas Blancas” stream runs lazily through the property which presents stunning landscapes. Incredibly secluded, this estancia is only 45 minutes from Punta del Este which is commonly known as the Riviera of South America. It combines great beaches with sophisticated restaurants, casinos, and shopping. La Bellaca also is next to the Buddhist temple that Richard Gere usually visits. The stone built lodge was completed in 2013 fully decorated and landscaped by the renowned decorator Carol Raquet. This 15.000 sq.ft. estancia accommodates up to 12 hunters distributed among its 8 very comfortable bedrooms with 7 bathrooms, two large living rooms, three dining rooms, a large partially enclosed terrace, two grill rooms and a small chapel.

La Escondida is a comfortable estancia centered in one of the best waterfowl areas in the Buenos Aires Province. Luis VI, formerly a famed big game estancia located right on the best pigeon and giant perdiz habitat in Argentina, is currently being remodelled for River Plate’s shooting guests. Both estancias have 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. 

Los Barcinos is Just 80 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, the fertile lands of this vast river basin with its many potholes, river channels, and canals are the winter home to millions of ducks and is some of the most fertile land in Argentina producing corn, soybeans and other cereal crops. Duck varieties include speckled teal, silver teal, cinnamon teal, ring teal, Brazilian teal, brown pintail, white cheek pintail, and rosy-billed pochard. Hunters can expect eight boxes of shells per day on ducks. Virtually all shooting areas are within 30 minutes of the estancia.

Santa Rosa Lodge is located in the Entre Rios Province, about 150 miles north of Buenos Aires & 40 miles west of the town of Qualequay located just off the Parana River, is a comfortably remodeled 100 yr old Estancia accommodating 6 people in single occupancy rooms or 12 people in double occupancy. Food service is provided by the on-site chef, with Argentine beef, chicken and pasta serving as the main courses during your stay. Daily maid and laundry service is provided at the Estancias as well as Argentine beer, great Malbec wines and bottled waters.

Fish for the Illusive Iridescent Wolf Fish, only in Uruguay

The Tornasol Tararira (Hoplias Lacerdae) dwells exclusively in the Uruguay river basin, including the Negro river (North) and the Santa Lucia river (South) in Uruguay. In Argentina they are found in lesser numbers in lagoons with muddy and sandy bottoms that are common in the Argentine margin of the river.
Although trophies can reach the 20lbs mark, a usual trophy Wolf Fish normally is within the 12 to 15 lbs range. The most abundant size range is between 4 to 8 lbs..
The Wolf Fish requires different lures than the common tararira (Malabaricus), since they dwell in different environments and have different feeding and reproduction habits. Fishing tactics for this prized fish require extra subtlety, and expert guidance from local guides is strongly advisable to obtain results. Lure selection has to be very precise, because of the sensitivity of this species, everything counts: water conditions, time of day, Season, weather, etc.

AMAZING GOLDEN DORADO FISHING / HIGH-VOLUME DOVE HUNTING COMBO

The Golden Dorado fishing on the Parana River and the millions of Doves in the area 150 miles north of Buenos Aires in the Entre Rios province of Argentina have long been a hidden treasure. The flooded lands adjacent to the river have long been known as an awesome destination for high volume duck hunters while also offering mixed bag hunts for Dove & Perdiz. River Plate Outfitters has long offered duck and mixed bagged hunts at their El Rincon and Santa Rosa Estancias north of Buenos Aires. The number of Dove in this agricultural heartland of Argentina rival those of the better known Dove hunting areas of Cordoba and the Dorado fishing is just now beginning to be “discovered.” In early February of 2017, we sent an exploratory group of fly & conventional fishermen to this area to sample the Golden Dorado fishing on the extensive waters of the Parana River. Fishing for several days they averaged 60+ Golden Dorados upwards of 15 lbs on both fly and conventional tackle while shooting several cases of shells in a ½ day hunt for Dove, all within a ½ hour drive from the Estancia! Due to these great results of our exploratory trip, we are now offering Blast & Cast trips for high volume Dove hunting and Golden Dorado fishing as well as exclusive Golden Dorado fishing trips from November to late April each year. Come experience Argentina’s newest combination Dove and Golden Dorado paradise where success is high and competition is low to non-existent!

Golden Dorado Fishing and High Volume Dove Hunting Combination Trip in Uruguay

Our trips offering 4 full days of Golden Dorado fishing and high volume Dove hunting revolve around clients arriving in Buenos Aires (BA) on the morning of the first day of their trip. Several airlines offer non-stop flights to Buenos Aires from several major airports in the U.S., departing in the evening and arriving early to mid-morning in BA. Guests will be met when exiting customs at the airport, helped with clearing guns and then transported 3 hrs north by van to either Estancia Santa Rosa or El Rincon. Charter aircraft are available at an additional cost between BA and your Estancia. We can customize your trip to accommodate the 5 day Cast & Blast normal trip, Dorado fishing only trip or a Dove only trip.

The Parana River is the 2nd largest river in South America traveling thru Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina for over 3,000 miles eventually flowing into the River Plate and then the Atlantic Ocean at Montevideo, Uruguay. In the Entre Rio Provence north of Buenos Aires in an area called the “islands,” made up of flat open agricultural lands where settlers planted groves, “islands’ of Eucalyptus trees to provide shade and cover for their cattle over a hundred years ago, the marshes, flood plains and the main river itself provide a huge nursery for the hard fighting Golden Dorado. This area has long been overlooked by operators and sport fishermen and is just now beginning to be explored and opened the sport fisherman. Fishing is conducted with 2 anglers and an Argentinian guide in an 18 ft boat fishing the rips and seams of the current where the Dorado like to “stack up” and hold in both the main river and the flooded wetlands.

Fly Fishing in Uruguay

Golden Dorado eagerly strike big streamer type flies, black and dark flies being the favorite colors. You need to have a good number of flies with you as the toothy Dorado can make short work of a fly. Fishing is conducted from boats and thus the casting is unobstructed. 8 & 9 wt fly rods loaded with floating and/or sinking tips fly lines are the norm with 20 – 30 lb tippets sporting steel leaders being necessary as the Dorado have a mouthful of some rather impressive teeth.

Baitcasting and Spinning

Like most fish, Golden Dorado do 95% of their feeding subsurface. Hard plastic subsurface baits, both shallow and medium depth lures are the ticket such as Yo Zuri Crystal Minnows, Rapala and Pervasa type lures. Medium to medium heavy bait casting and/or spinning rods are necessary with reels the size of a Shimano Curado 200 bait casting reel or a Shimano 4000 class spinning reel loaded with 50 lb braided Kevlar line being ideal. Again, you will need 12’ inches or more of steel leader as the Dorado sport a mouthful of impressive teeth.

Typical Rates for Bird Hunting in Argentina and Uruguay

• 3 1/2 days of high volume dove shooting
• Reception at airport
• Transportation to and from airport and shooting areas
• 4 days, 3 nights accommodations at estancia
• All meals and beverages included at the estancia and at shooting fields
• Open bar at the estancia
• Two bird boys per hunter

The following are not included in this package:

• Special transfers and hotel reservations when not arriving or departing with the rest of the party.
• Laundry, telephone calls and personal expenses
• Meals and beverages outside of the estancia or shooting fields
• Tips: suggested US$70/day
• Gun entry permits: US$ 180/gun
• Shells: US$15/box
• Gun rental: US$70/gun /day
• Hunting licenses: US$180

Typical Bird Hunting Itinerary in Argentina