Argentina : Cordoba

More about La Dormida Lodge More about Pica Zuro

Cordoba - The Dove Shooting Capital Of The World

My first introduction to the Argentinean Dove shooting in Cordoba was as a result of schoolboy tales, passed on by fortunate friends who had embarked on a father and sons trip. They travelled with side-by-side shotguns and I would imagine the sort of shooting apparel that one might expect to find on any upmarket driven shoot across the country. They returned with tales of skies black with birds and shooting on a hitherto unprecedented scale. The numbers shot, or as we would prefer to think, shot at would have shamed the cumulative tally I had experienced in five years of shooting. Worst of all, they claimed that they were now capable of one-to-one ratios!

Coming from a background where seventy bird driven days were considered exceptional and most of my shooting experience had been confined to estate boundaries, envious thoughts dominated any real analysis of the quality of the sport they had enjoyed. As a result I was content to file their experiences at the back of my mind as an undoubtedly fun but essentially unchallenging activity with limited sporting merit. Some twenty odd years later I made my own way to Argentina: shooting was not on my mind but rather the simply superb Sea Trout fishing in Southern Argentina. Although doves were far from my priority I was invited to try out the shooting in Cordoba and having travelled a not inconsiderable distance I was not going to miss out on the opportunity to try it for myself and see if my more conservative tendencies could be won over.

The dove populations are endemic in certain parts of Argentina. They are prolific breeders and have multiplied to plague proportions, overwhelming vast tracts of farmland and although decimating would be too strong a word they have substantially reduced the potential yield of crops in the afflicted areas. As a consequence the beleaguered Argentinean farmers warmly welcome shooting parties. The doves are considered vermin and although the effect that shooters have on the numbers is marginal any form of attrition is appreciated.

As with all travel to foreign destinations, working out what you need to take is often the biggest concern. Regardless of how comprehensive a packing list you are given it is always difficult to envision all that might be required without taking the ‘kitchen sink’. Traditional shooting garb such as plus fours did not exactly seem appropriate for this sort of trip and the requirement to bring cartridge belts, bags and all the other gear, whilst recommended, adds hugely to the weight. As I was going to spend the previous week fishing, my wardrobe consisted of waders, wading boots and fishing jackets, augmented by a comprehensive array of fishing gear appropriate for the significantly cooler conditions of southern Patagonia. Although ‘real tree’ jackets and trousers seemed to be de rigueur in many of the pictures tan trousers and a couple of checked shirts were about all I could muster. I had assumed that the quantity of sport on offer meant that the necessity to wear any form of camouflaged or khaki outfits was unnecessary. With the numbers that we expected to shoot it would hardly matter if some flew a little more evasively!

Accompanied by two friends, we were to stay at La Dormida Lodge, considered to be one of the premier shooting lodges in Cordoba. The lodge was fully equipped with most of the shooting gear that you would wish for. Side-by-side guns are not widely used but robust and reliable Silver Pigeon over and under 20 and 12 bores were available. Although it is undoubtedly more pleasurable to shoot with ones own gun where international travel is involved it is a huge bonus not having to struggle with customs and worry about where to secure them en-route. The loan guns are however all in standard sizes so if you have a long reach it is advisable to bring a butt extension, as these were not as widely available at the lodge.

The length of drive to the shooting grounds is entirely dependant on where the birds are concentrated during your stay, but is typically 10-40 minutes from the lodge. One of the advantages of the better organised and well-run lodges is that they will send out spotters to recce the areas both the previous night and early morning, ensuring that you are likely to be positioned in the best places. On arrival we received a straightforward and sensible safety brief which was pitched at exactly the right level to ensure that good shooting practice was applied but without being laborious in intensity and length. Each gun is then assigned a ‘bird boy’ who would act as assistant, loader, tally and general aide for the duration of our time in the field. Equipped with a slab of five hundred cartridges we were initially positioned in a relatively linear fashion along a hedgerow surrounded by sorghum fields. As we walked to our stands it was quite clear that we were in for a very exciting day. Birds whizzed around in every imaginable direction. This was a far cry from regular pigeon flighting where the rough trajectory of the majority of the birds is relatively consistent. Here they criss-crossed at almost every altitude speed and direction.

Forty-five minutes later I had expended cartridges at a staggering rate. My initial choice of a12 bore gun was a bad one. The non-stop action, its heavier weight and increased kick had me in a sweat despite the relatively cool morning temperature. My shoulder was starting to take a beating despite the use of a ‘pussy pad’ (local terminology for a shoulder protector). In fairness, my shoulder hurt more mounting my gun incorrectly, a result of the sort of over eager shooting that one would experience if one had become temporarily lodged in a covey of Grouse! Despite the volume of birds I had not been ‘quite’ as accurate as anticipated. Getting used to a new gun is one thing and Argentinean Doves are comparatively small, probably with half the body mass of a Partridge. They are also very tough. I thought these seemingly delicate birds would drop like a stone when hit but that categorically was not the case. Although the ‘bird boys’ would heartily congratulate us on the slightest buckle in the bird’s flight path it took a solid hit to give what would be considered a ‘confirmed’ bird.

The quantity of Doves flying is at its peak early to mid-morning and then again during the latter half of the afternoon when the birds fly to and from their roosts, but from the moment you arrive to the time you stop shooting there is however almost continuous action. The day is not broken into drives, so the only let up is as and when you choose to have a break. Although it would be usual to stand individually, we migrated to a single hide to take turns shooting alongside each other. It quickly became magnificently competitive with the ‘bird boys’ jockeying to promote ‘their’ gun. Averages became meaningless compared to scoring a kill either in front of a friend or equally wiping his eye behind.

Our first day’s shooting was spent amongst the hedgerows but then on our second day we moved to the hills. Here the terrain was very different, consisting of scrubby bushland interspersed with trees. It was during the afternoon that things got really interesting. A strong wind picked up and the Doves flew not only extraordinarily fast but also at a height which appeared to be almost out of reach. I am not ashamed to say that averages which had been in the region of 2:1 dropped to around 8:1. By now I had totally revised any preconceptions that I had arrived with. This was not just some of the most enjoyable shooting I could imagine but at the same time extremely challenging. Although it was always possible to pick off a few easy birds there was always a multitude of others which would have you searching for answers.

For our final morning we returned to more low-lying farmland, although this time we were shooting in a roughish semi-wooded area on the edge of a grass field. I do not say this lightly, but for four hours we had some of the best shooting any of our team of four experienced shots had ever had. Birds flew at every height, speed and angle. There was just enough of a gap between flights to reload, take a moment to regain one’s balance before jumping back into the fray. Doves crossed right to left and left to right; we had snap-shooting between the trees, birds that soared over us like starlings whilst others sped at contour-hugging height over the bushes. In short, phenomenal variety.

Dove shooting in Argentina is not just about numbers although that goes without question. Some will be happy notching up averages, others perfecting different shots. The crucial factor at the end of the day is to enjoy the almost unlimited sport in whatever way you feel comfortable. With the exception of the final day we limited ourselves to roughly one thousand cartridges per day; a staggering amount in real terms but actually quite conservative relative to what is possible. In terms of considering it as a training camp before the season at home, it will undoubtedly set you up very well. The variety of shots that you are presented with is staggering: each day will be different but over the course of two or three days you will have seen it all.

There are a multitude of lodges where you can shoot Doves in Argentina but our lodge, La Dormida, and its sister lodge, Pica Zuro, stand out from other offerings in the exemplary service they provide. You are looked after from the moment you land in Argentina to the final goodbyes as the staff check your bags in at the airport. Every aspect of your stay is co-ordinated by the team in Argentina hotel reservations are made, flights are booked, comfortable transport is provided and the staff are knowledgeable and speak conversational English.

KEY FACTS

• Seasons: There are no set seasons for the Doves which are prolific all year round. The peak season is considered to be around Sept - Oct although Jan - Apr is equally good and is the best time to combine a trip with some fishing.
• Cordoba: Dove shooting capital of the world! Over 40 million doves inhabit the 100 square mile radius around La Dormida!
• Shots/Day: 1,000 cartridges/person would be considered normal although it is possible to expend triple that during Sept & Oct.
• Length of stay: 3 nights and 3 days shooting is typical.
• Cost: 3 day package at La Dormida or Pica Zuro: US $2,370/person.
• Travel: Fly to Buenos Aires and thence to Cordoba.

Information on the shooting in Argentina can be found at www.WhereWiseMenShoot.com. Anyone interested in arranging a fishing or shooting trip to Argentina can seek advice from Justin Maxwell Stuart. E-mail: Justin@WhereWiseMenShoot.com. tel: +44 (0)845 603 1552

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publication date: 18/01/10 by WhereWiseMenShoot.com