Argentina Mixed-Bag Bird Hunting Pre-Trip Information

GUN PERMITS/ENTRY/TRANSFERS

A passport is required to enter Argentina. Visas are not required. The process of taking your shotguns to Argentina is simple. Rod & Gun Resources will send you a one page “gun permit pre-registration” form. You just fill it out and have it back to us no later than 30 days prior to your departure. That’s it. We will fill out the required Argentine technical form— ficha technica and send it (with three copies) to you, along with your other final documents.

Hunters may take up to three shotguns per person. Hunters have to be 21 years of age or older to import guns.

PLEASE NOTE

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires you proceed to the gun clearance area, present the form and pay approximately $100 (US dollars accepted) for each firearm. Please make sure you have this amount of cash on hand when you arrive. Of course, our representative will provide assistance throughout.

All of our mixed bag lodge have fine autoloaders and over/unders available to rent, if you prefer to avoid bringing your guns. The current price is $75/day.

Keep in mind that if you plan to spend any time in Buenos Aires before or after the shoot, he or she can also assist with dinner reservations or plan shopping and sightseeing excursions at a slight extra charge.

GUNS/CHOKES

Either 12 or 20-gauge is suitable for geese, ducks, doves and perdiz. 28 gauge shells are also available, but 410 gauge is not available. Price for the shells is $11/box (subject to change). We recommend you bring two guns. Doubles, semi-autos or pumps are fine. We suggest improved/modified for doves/pigeons; skeet/improved for perdiz and improved/modified for ducks and geese. Screw-in chokes can provide flexibility.

Make sure your guns are in good working order before you leave; this can be high-volume shooting, in the country away from gunsmiths. Take extra parts for repair if you have them. You should transport your guns in lockable hard cases, or packed well in a duffel bag. We also suggest a lightweight, storable soft case to carry guns into the field.

CLIMATE/CLOTHING

Drab-colored apparel is important for duck or goose hunts—camo, khaki, greens and browns. On ducks: For wading an occasional flooded ditch and for additional comfort, take lightweight waist-high or chest waders (stocking foot or booted). For this type of temperate-weather duck hunting, we really like feather-light stocking foot waders with a light-weight shoe or bootie. They roll up tight and pack efficiently. For geese: Take a warm camo coat and warm camo pants (no waders). Light rain gear is always a must.

For perdiz, take traditional upland hunting clothes (not too bright—the perdiz will run) with light walking boots. Snake protection is not necessary. For pigeons and doves, wear brown, dark green or camo with a similar hat. Ankle-height shoes/boots are perfectly adequate.

Temperatures will range from lows of 30°-40° to highs of 60°-70°.

Evening wear in all areas will be very informal — whatever is most comfortable, including hunting clothes if you wish. The only need for coat and tie is at sophisticated restaurants in Buenos Aires.

IMPORTANT
Upon your return, the U.S.Customs authorities frequently require you to have proof-of-ownership of your firearms. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you take a copy of the purchase receipt, or register your guns with U.S. Customs (personal effects form 4457) prior to your departure from the U.S. This can be accomplished at your home city airport. PLEASE DO THIS TO AVOID ANY HASSLES

OTHER ITEMS TO INCLUDE

  • Shooting safety glasses—yellow for dark days, dark for sun
  • Thin, soft leather shooting gloves or adhesive tape to protect hands and fingers while loading and firing
  • Shell bag or vest
  • Ear plugs for protection while shooting
  • Shoulder pad recoil reduction device (optional)
  • Camera or video camera with extra battery
  • Small container of bug repellant
  • Light raincoat (brown, green, camo, etc.)
  • Small backpack or field bag
  • Copy of passport—packed separately
  • Multi-tool or pocketknife
  • Reading glasses
  • Toiletry items and prescription drugs
  • Zip-lock bag or case to protect camera
  • Reading material
  • Lip balm
  • Travel alarm clock and flashlight
  • Garbage bags for dirty laundry

BAG LIMITS

Bag limits in most provinces of Argentina are very liberal, and on some species that are considered “plagues” there are no limits. The shooting in Argentina is quite good for a number of reasons, ranging from lack of shooting pressure to undisturbed nesting and roosting habitat. We want you to enjoy your hunt but also consider that these resources need to be preserved for generations to come.

Limits are generally 40-50 ducks per hunter, 25 geese per hunter, 12-15 perdiz per hunter and there are no limits on doves or pigeons. Specific limits for a specific trip will be outlined when reservations are made.

AIRLINE SCHEDULING

Many excellent carriers, such as American, United, Delta, Lan Chile, Aerolineas Argentinas and Varig offer flight service to Argentina from New York, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, or Los Angeles. All of the flights depart the U. S. in the evening and arrive in Argentina early to mid-morning the next day. Most of the flights from Buenos Aires back to the U.S. also depart in the evening.

Rod & Gun Resources will be happy to arrange your air travel or you are welcome to purchase tickets on your own. If you wish to travel to Buenos Aires on frequent flyer miles, the requirement for coach is generally 40,000-60,000 miles, business class is generally 90,000 miles and you can buy a coach ticket and upgrade with miles—usually 25,000 miles plus a fee.

We are in constant contact with our outfitters and ground transfer agents, who do an outstanding job handling all incoming/outgoing transfers. Our office communicates via e-mail, fax or phone regarding any alterations to flight arrivals.

TIME

When we are on Daylight Savings Time here in the U.S., Argentina is Eastern time plus one hour (it’s later in Argentina). The remainder of the year they are Eastern Time plus two hours.

PHONE SERVICE

All of the mixed bag lodges have good phone service. Guests can call home using calling cards via the international operator of their long-distance carrier.

COCKTAILS

All lodges provide a good but simple bar, along with good beer and wine. Guests are welcome to bring their own favorite brand of liquor.

CURRENCY

The official currency is the peso; the exchange rate fluctuates, but is roughly at US $1 = 2.8 pesos as of this printing. If you plan to spend time shopping in Buenos Aires, you should exchange some dollars into pesos for cash purchases, but US dollars are pretty widely accepted. If you pay with dollars you will usually receive your change in pesos.

You will also need cash in dollars or pesos for the airport departure tax (around $15)

Visa, Mastercard and American Express are widely accepted in larger cities.

TRIP CANCELLATION & BAGGAGE INSURANCE

You may want to check your homeowner’s insurance for coverage of your shotguns and baggage contents while traveling. For cancellation insurance, here are two companies to contact: www.sportsmanstravelinsurance.com 866-877-3241 and www.travelinsured.com 800-243-3174

ELECTRIC CURRENT

220 volts; a standard converter and European adapter for two-pronged plug works fine.

GRATUITIES

Gratuities for hotel and field staff are not included in hunt cost, and we suggest $50 per day per shooter as a general guideline. This will be distributed by the outfitters to luggage handlers, pick-up boys, and lodge or hotel staff. Camouflage caps, shirts, or other shooting-related items are also appreciated by younger bird boys as an extra tip.

Gratuities to hotel staff and at restaurants in Buenos Aires are not included; the standard restaurant tip is 10-15%.

LANGUAGE

Spanish is the national language, although English is spoken in most shops and restaurants.

IN BUENOS AIRES

SHOPPING: Most shops are generally open all day to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Calle Florida is for pedestrians only and is lined with attractive shops for leather, silver, antiques, mementos,etc.

RESTAURANTS: In the stylish Puerto Madero area, near the downtown Yacht Club, we suggest Cabana Las Lilas for steaks and mixed-grill, Marcela for international cuisine and Katrine for Mediterranean/Italian.

In the Recoleta (an upscale downtown area with good shopping and sidewalk cafes) we suggest Lola, for Mediterranean and Au Bec Fin for French/Continental.

You should plan on eating a little later than you may be accustomed to in the U.S.---many Argentines don’t eat dinner until 10 p.m., and most restaurants do not begin serving dinner until 8:30 p.m.

Revised 8-22-08