I just returned from an unforgettable 12-day trip to Argentina. It was my 5th visit, but this one was by far the best.
I hosted a group of 13 friends and clients who flew from Montana to Atlanta, then boarded a red-eye flight to Buenos Aires. We arrived at 9:00 a.m. the next day, where a charter bus was waiting to take us to a beautiful estate just three hours outside the city. As we drove up, we were welcomed by the sound of millions of doves in the air and the charm of a historic lodge built in the early 1900s. This property once hosted European dignitaries for exclusive hunting trips, and now, it’s open to those seeking an exceptional experience.
After a quick lunch of perfectly cooked beef tenderloin, we headed straight to our first dove hunt. Our guides kept apologizing for the slow action, but honestly, it was wingshooting like nothing I’d ever seen. There was never a moment without doves in the air. We each went through almost a full case of shells in a matter of hours—truly unbelievable!
That evening, we enjoyed another fantastic meal under the stars of the Argentinian night, (pictured below). The next day, we split into two groups—one group went fishing for golden dorado, while the other continued dove hunting. Every boat caught fish and the dove hunting was even faster than the day before. We ended the day by swapping groups and doing the same activities again. Once more, all the boats came back with fish, and countless 20-gauge shells were fired. This is a perfect addition to a big game hunt and well worth a few extra days if you have the time.
On the third day, we said goodbye to this amazing place and headed back to Buenos Aires. From there, we took a private charter to one of our top stag hunting destinations. I’ve been to this free-range estate four times before, accompanying guests on our exclusive March roar hunts. This property has hosted numerous Cabela’s SOA events and hundreds of clients, and we’ve always had great success here. This year was no different. The first day was a bit slow, but we still took two stags, a few blackbuck, and a buffalo. On the second day, things really picked up with 10 stags, more blackbuck, and another gold-medal buffalo.
As always, the hospitality at this estancia was exceptional, and the big game hunting, especially for free-range stags, was top-notch. After bidding farewell to my group as they headed home, I caught a domestic flight to San Martin in the Andes, a new leg of the trip for me but a staple of WTA offerings. This part of the journey completely blew me away. The landscape was stunning, with mountains that reminded me of the western U.S.
The ranch owner picked me up at the airport, and we chatted during the short 45-minute drive to the property. From the moment I arrived, I was in awe. The mile-long, cottonwood-lined driveway led to individual cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom, comfortable front rooms, and California king beds. The ranch also offered full-time power, Wi-Fi, and fresh mountain well water, making it feel like home away from home.
This ranch has a long history of hosting European royalty and aristocrats for invitation-only hunts. Hungarian and English deer genetics were introduced here in the 1960s, and you could see the results in the impressive size and quality of the stags. This unique property is now open to hunters looking for a once-in-a-lifetime stag experience. The ranch is also a great destination for non-hunters, offering activities like fishing, horseback riding, spa days, and shopping trips to town.
What makes this place special is its blend of estate-style hunting and free-range conditions. While there’s still some high fencing on the property, many areas have been opened up to allow wildlife to roam freely between neighboring properties. The ranch is also home to over 200 Alpine Ibex, which are available for hunting. One of the unique aspects of this estate is the large number of female red deer (called hinds) that live here year-round. These hinds attract stags from all over the valley, especially during the rut in March and early April.
The roar here was something I’ve never experienced before. Each morning and evening, you could hear 8–10 stags calling and challenging each other. The sound was deafening at times. You never knew if you’d spot a 400 or 500-inch monster trophy, or a more typical management stag. The whole experience including the stunning mountain scenery, the hunting style, and the high-quality game, would rival the best elk hunts in the western U.S.
In short, Argentina offers an incredible mix of easy travel, exceptional lodging, top-tier hospitality, and world-class big-game hunting, wingshooting, and fishing. If you’re considering an unforgettable adventure, let us design the perfect Argentinian trip for you, your significant other, or your whole group.
