Dear Hunters,

I've just returned from a hunting trip to one of the most beautiful and excitating places to hunt Red Stag, Fallow Deer and Wild Boar, the Patagonia, south region of my country, Argentina.

Let me say a few words about Argentina as a hunting destination.

1) It's blessed with a combination of factors, in terms of a pure hunting experience that is no easy to found today elsewhere.

2) The hunting areas are huge, no fences, no nothing, just you and the animals.

3) You can cover thousand of miles to cover any weather, any terrain and any species you want to hunt.

Specifically, Patagonia is to my point of view, one of the last places where hunting, especially the Red Stag, can be hunted in all its glory.

Here you have, mountains, lakes, deep forest, snow... and the nearer human being very very far...

I've arranged with a professional (registered) guide to put a special package for those of you interested in the next season (rut) which is in the south hunting area, from mid-march to mid-may.

This is Public Land, ( "Lanin" or "Nahuel Huapi" National Forests ) with the following conditions :

1) 8 full hunting days
2) On horseback only (no vehicles allowed)
3) Full provision of guides, horses, tents, food and any other necessary items.
4) this is the "real" thing
5) Only 2 hunters allowed per turn at the same area
6) Hunting area is an average of 10000 acres.
7) Bag limit is 4 stag plus 2 does. Only mature specimens.

What the offer is :

1) To have a guarantee of accessing the hunting areas, which is draw by a public auction.

2) Full guided (registered professional) service, including all logistics.

3) Many other details (will deepen for interested people)

This offer is valid this season ONLY FOR 5 HUNTERS !

The value of this hunt is $ 5000.00 per hunter.

Excluding :
-cost of air fares.
-any other transport to/from the hunting area.
-public land fee (this is auctioned so prices vary)
-any import/export fee or tax

Please feel free to contact me so we can work out any other details. Time is running and 5 hunters is a very tiny limit...

Regards,

Gustavo

Gus,
John has trophy Red Stag for half the price of the chap you hunted with. www.sportingdestinations.com. Check out his web site.

Gustavo-- Let me see if I get this right, 4 Stags and 2 Hinds per hunter and on horseback. Can the meat be imported back to the States or is it like going to the BIG A and only horns and skins allowed.

Hawkeye47 and 475,

I was checking the web page mentioned. Believe me, what they are offering are "canned" hunts, I know the pictures and the ranches they were taken.

I'm not saying this hunt is cheap (but you have a nice bag limit don't you?) and is absolute wilderness, if this type of hunt suits you.

Of course,it 's possible to arrange a Red Stag hunt for less, in a private ranch.

Just let me know.

Please feel free to ask an questions about these public land hunts.

Regards, Gustavo

Okey-Dokey: When I feel like having a true Hunting experience down in South America, you will definitely be the guy I will get in contact with. Thanks

Gustavo,

I have hunted with John at Sporting Destinations and their hunts are not high fence unless you specify that you want that kind of a hunt. The ranches are huge and have cattle fencing only.
I have hunted Worldwide and john has one of the best hunting operations I have hunted with.

Thanks y'all: When I finally go to the Big A, I will probably do some tune-up hunts. Destinations to be determined at that time. Alaska, Australia and South America. Those are places I've been through while doing something else. Now I've been dreaming of hunting at these places at least once.

An excerpt I took form a field report by Craig Boddington

"... As a popular and typical game animal, European settlers moved red deer around quite a bit in the 19th Century. Thank goodness North America wasn't a recipient! There are some fenced herds here and there, but over time, free ranging red stag would wreak havoc with our bigger-bodied elk!

Places where introductions of red stag were spectacularly successful include New Zealand and the Bariloche region of Argentina. In fact, with a total absence of predators the red deer increased to nuisance numbers in New Zealand. Years of market hunting eventually reduced the population.

Today the best New Zealand stags are behind game fences, with free-range hunting still available but pretty catch-as-catch-can.

Argentina is another story. Down there the population is almost entirely free range, and while the best Argentinean stags don't rival the best from eastern Europe, the average is very good and the hunts quite economical. Actually, a red stag hunt in Argentina was one of my very best and most memorable hunts ever, a horseback affair in big, open country that backed up to the foothills of the Andes. I didn't get a genuine monster, but in a week's hunt I took two very nice stags, saw a lot of game, and had a wonderful time.

In Europe, the stags generally roar in September, but in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons reverse, so April catches the rut in both New Zealand and Argentina. This offers a unique opportunity for a good off-season hunt...although it can cut into the turkey season a bit!..."

Gustavo, is this a one-on-one guiding setup??
- mike

Gustavo,

I don't know that I could afford such a trip, but is the following available all in one trip, how many days would you recommend, and at what approximate price?

One mature stag during the rut, one wild boar, a day or two of dove shooting, and a couple days of trout fishing in prime waters.

HAWKEYE47 read your pm.

Be careful with this guy Gustavo. He is trying to rip you off. The auctions to hunt on these national parks usually run around 200 to 500 US dollars for both hunters to hunt the area. The local guides charge $100 a day for the services he mentions i.e. tent, food, horses, guiding. So he is charging you about $4000 more for doing practically nothing since he is in Buenos Aires and just takes your money and hands you over to the guide in patagonia. In addition, you are looking at a hunt that has meat hunting not trophy hunting written all over it, and whats the use of that when you can't even take the meat home with you. Then there is the extra costs that he mentions i.e. transport and auction fee. How much of a surprise are you going to get from that at the end of the trip.

This guy is a liar. I am John Airala of Sporting Destinations, and he probably never thought that I would read what he said about me and my operation. Ask him for references and see what happens.

I received a PM from a member in Argentina that stated that Gustavos hunts were rip-offs as well.
I would be out of control if I traveled to south America and was ripped off.

Interesting comments from Mr. Airala ...

Let's take a look ( a good one )

1) Actual fees for foreign hunters is 3 (three) times the value for a local resident. See the National Parks regulations. ANYONE interested (including Mr. Airala) can ask for it and I will send it by email.

2) Actual cost of this type of hunt is expensive when you use the services of a REGISTERED OUTFITTER, plus the costs of the local guides, horses, etc, etc

3) Please, check the local association in Argentina for pricing references, not what Mr. Airala says without any proper reference

4) Of course a full service is provided from the International Airport to and from the hunting areas, which are in the Patagonia, as well all the usual support that is expected from an international hunter.

5) Mr. Airala, hunts are conducted in private ranch around the country, where he arranges his fee from the owners. Am I wrong ?? and they ARE FENCED HUNTS, ask him for the actual ranches name's

6) Ethics ?? Liar ?? my God!

7) Check the photo of the Record Bull depicted in his website, intended to attract clients in the Big Game section... and let's talk about business ethics... and liars.

8) Actually, that bull was taken by Rafael Malo at "La Escondida" ranch (he is the owner), in the province of La Pampa (near the city of General Acha) NOT REMOTELY RELATED to Mr. Airala hunting service...

9) By the way, hunting in the National Parks, is hunting at its purest form. No fences, just high country, you, the game and the horses, with the sky as your witness. A far cry from the private hunts that Mr. Airala is offering.

10) I must declare that I have nothing against this type of hunt, in fact I've been there many times, the issue is that the Patagonia (at the Parks) is not for everyone.

11) Am I charging $ 4000 for nothing ?? interestig assertion at least... actual costs of these hunts is pretty high, since the logistics involved are many and everything must me taken there... as well as a hunt in Alaska or Russia. You pay the logistics more that the head.

12) Did I say that there are no references ?? please, I'm an international hunter, partnering with a REGISTERED OUTFITTER out of Patagonia, with almost 15 years of being in the run.

13) The essence of this hunt is to have a real experience, and a most interesting bag limit, with the possibility of having very good trophies. By the same token, no one, nor the Parks guarantee nothing in terms of head quality, since this is fair chase.

14) The fact that Hawkeye47 hunted with Mr. Airala, proves nothing, just a happy customer, and a valid opinion. I see his point when he takes position defending Mr. Airala, but instead of PRIVATE MESSAGES, please speak freely.

15) Do you want a great stag with a full 5 stars service ? OK. No problem, check with some of the best ranches in Argentina, and you can be charged easily more that $ 10000 for a real 350 SCI points head.

16) Quality and seriousness means something in the real world. And what my partner is offering is just that.

17) As to me personal background, you can check my work on ballistics with may articles published in local and international hunting magazines. Also many members of this forum know some of my work as users of my software. Nothing to hide.

18) Please anyone interested ask for details, references, prices, regulations and I'm sure we can have a serious chat without the cry of an old woman, that happens to hate competition.


Regards,

Well, let's address this garbage by parts.

QUOTE] -"3 times the value for a foreigner"-: [/QUOTE]

I have no doubt that you charge that, but even if what you say is true, gee wiz you just reduced the price by a whole $400.

quote:

---

-Actual cost is expensive because of the logistics involved-

---

You have no idea. You list your outfitting experience as having published reloading articles in a magazine; you use another outfitter and another guide and don't even say who they are. It says a lot that nobody on this site full of well traveled and knowledgeable hunters has hunted with you or has anything good to say about your services. You have no experience do you?

"

quote:

---

Excluding :
-cost of air fares.
-any other transport to/from the hunting area.
-public land fee (this is auctioned so prices vary)
-any import/export fee or tax

---

"

And now you say that the "other transport" is included? Off to a bad start. And expect a worse finish.

I do fence hunts if the client wants it. I never pass off a fence hunt as anything else. ALL the pictures on my web site are from places that I have or have had access to. Some are leased for the season and some are commission.

You say I hate competition:
Well I am in this argument because a satisfied client stated that my hunts were better and less expensive. You just dismissed my hunts as canned, and slung mud because your services can't stand of there own merit. So who hates competition?

This is another Argentina horror story in the making. These one season wonders pop up with no name and rip people off. They give Argentina a bad name and hurt the business for real outfitters. Who is he? He doesn't give his real name or even the name of his business. If it even has one.

To who it may concern.I started looking in to stag hunts in argentina about a year ago.I looked in to at least 40 to 50 outfitters.Thats no BS I have been burned befor by outfitters that promised you every thing and gave you a lousy hunt.I chose sportingdistenations. Most outfitters could not give me references from the USA.Jhon did.They all checked out good.Then he picked up the phone and called me one day.I was very impressed with what jhon had to say.So I send him a deposit and I am looking forward hunting with jhon next march.

Let me address this comments by Mr. Airala (of course without using his blunt and innecesary language, proving he is nothing ...)

1) As stated, I'm working with a REGISTERED OUTFITTER with full references. Of course anyone interested could ask for his name and resume. Also, in a couple of weeks his website will be up and running.

2) Of course, with REAL CUSTOMERS and REAL PHOTOS...

3) Mr. Airala, please take note of your lack of ethics, by portraying fake customers and trophies.

4) I'm happy to see THAT FINALLY you recognize that you conduct CANNED HUNTS. Nothing against that, but for the sake of honesty WRITE AN STATEMENT in your brochure.

5) We don't need another guy blaming others for his own faults.

6) Yes. You do hate competition. I never said nothing bad about your canned hunts, just that and in fact you RECOGNIZED as true what I said. Problem is that the world is too small, especially for this kind of attitudes.

7) To take note. You asserted what I said after I put you in evidence, your false photos and the fact that I written the REAL NAME OF THE HUNTER and the RANCH, again NOT RELATED TO YOU.

8) What you said about the prices... is a nice proof of your total lack of knowledge of the National Parks regulations... which speaks very bad of you.

9) PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR (also to other members in this forum) CHECK AND READ the REGULATIONS !

10)Did I say that I'm the outfitter in any of my posts ????? Good Lord this Airala!!

11) Who in this forum EVER HUNTED THE NATIONAL PARKS areas ?? suree not Mr. Airala

12) The transport cost that I do not include, as well as any other outfitter are the AIR FARES from Buenos Aires to Patagonia, I admit that it was unclear, BUT I said that anyone interested could ask for further details.

13) Please be honest... you charge $ 3500 (at least in your website) for a stag a boar and doe... clarify THAT for this price you will only deliver medium quality stags (well below quality heads)

14) Also MAKE A CLEAR STATETMENT that some of the material you use to bait your customers are way out your chances in terms of price or availability, also LIST the NAMES OF THE RANCHES

15) Again, when the website is ready I will place the address so everybody could check the package and REFERENCES, including this Mr. Airala, who operates out of the province of Cordoba


16) As said before, I'm the first to admit that huntig high country is not for everyone.

17) I know it is pricy, but any good real hunt is

18) Yes, you don't like competition.

19) And to ANYONE INTERESTED, including happy customers like Firemen and HAwkeye47, interested in hunting the same ranchs as Mr. Airala, please just send an emalil, I could afford you the same package at half the price. Trophy fee only.

20) This is REAL OFFER, just to prove who is the liar here.

Ok, this Mr. Airala is another bad businessman who uses bad manners just to defend his operation. And the members wanting or haappy with him, please do not take for grant that other offers are bad, JUST ASK

Yes I'm a recognized writer (not handloading my friend, ballistics a level of knowledge you could never afford) and most people in the hunting circles of Argentina knows me fairly well. In fact some of my buddies are diplomats and Ambassadors and MANY of them aree wealthy and very well known businessmen.

I never offense others without any proof.

Again, if someone is interested in this type of hunt, please let me know.

regards,

You still haven't said who you are and just keep spouting the same BS. Apparently you don't even know the difference between canned hunts and high fence hunts. I never do canned hunts. Besides, you are busted already. I'm just happy knowing that the members of this forum now have the info they need.

To firemen and hawkeye:
Thanks for the support. I'm looking forward to seeing firemen in March and hope that Hawkeye and friends will be able to make it this year. For others interested in great stag and boar hunting I have 7 day hunts for both species all included for $2500 for the March 15 to 21 hunt.

John Airala
www.sportingd.com

Gustavo,

Why do you persist in posting these lies? Have you hunted with John? Do you know any of the owners of the ranches he hunts? When you say John has canned hunts you are a BARE FACED LIAR. John has as good a hunt as any man can offer and his operation is equal to any African hunt in service, food, and quality. I don't know what you are up to but these vicious lies will get you nowhere. American Hunters will not do business with a Liar.

Hawkeye,

Thanks, but don't even bother with this guy anymore. I think everyone has a pretty good idea of what he is.

Following is an offer of a company that works with the Airala family. Check the conditions, the price, of course in Patagonia... and let me know WHY THIS AIRALA IS CALLING OTHERS A LIAR

"World Class Red Stag Hunting with Gustavo Olsen
Hunters will hunt for only at this privately owned lodge in Southern Argentina.

The Olsen Family who has been guiding successful hunts for Red Stag and Trout for the past 35 years owns the lodge and surrounding property.

San Huberto is the private lodge for Carmen and Carlos Olsen and the Olsens use the lodge for their clients only. The surrounding property, which encompasses approximately 20,000 acres hold some of the best Red Stag anywhere in the world. The Olsens employ only the best guides including their two sons Ronnie and Gustavo Olsen, who grew up on the property so they know everywhere the stag feed and bed and they know all the trails the stag use. The Olsens guarantee you a shot at a stag every hunt. Last year the success ratio was just over 90%. Every hunter had a chance to take a trophy stag, some missed and some decided not to shoot because they kept wanting a bigger trophy.

The trip includes 6 FULL days hunting. Hunters can elect to trout fish in between hunts at no additional charge. The Olsen Property has approximately 20-plus miles of one of the worlds best �Dry Fly� trout streams. People travel from all over the world to fish the famed �Malleo River� During Red Stag hunting season is the BEST time to �Dry Fly� fish for the trout of the Malleo.

Mar. 10 � Apr. 15: U$ 7,520.00 - U$ 2,500.00 Deposit
A FIRST CLASS TRIP IN EVERYWAY!!!

INCLUDED IN THE TRIP: International Airfare from Miami to San Martin de los Andes, Airport Transfers, Assistance through Customs and with the Gun Permitting process, Hunting Licenses, Trophy Export permits, 1st Class Meals, 1st Class Lodging, One on One Guiding, Trout fishing with one of the lodges guides, Gun Permits, Airport Transfers.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE TRIP: US Domestic Airfare to Miami, Items of a personal nature, shipping of trophy home, shells, & tips."

I told hawkeye not to bother with you because I take care of my clients who after a trip usually become my friends as well.

Now about your post:

Are you saying that I book for Olsen, because that's what it sounds like. Well for your information I don't, but I sure would like to. From what I know of Olsen he is an excellent outfitter and person. John McKenzie of ssportingsafaris.com books for him, and for anyone interested those are real hunts, not the public land trash stags out of tents that Mr. anonymous is offering for 5 grand.

You just keep heaping more lies on top of lies when you write about me. I would be offended by those statements if they came from someone other that an outfitter wannabe computer geek like yourself.

Airala (car washer is a good new alias... or not)

As said before, ou were confronted with some real issues, that finally (at least you admitted as true )

1) Posting photos of world record stags... not remotely associated with you or your hunters, and of course not given proper credit... the so-called honest outfitter....

2) Doing fenced hunts

3) Not even heard or read the National Park regulations or hunted there

4) Never listed the ranches you operated with

5) Never said that you book with Olsen... as usual your own stupid brainchild

6) Of course, that hunt in Patagonia is not cheap, and for just one stag.

7) Tell your clients/friends that you cannot afford them a world class stag plus a boar for the $ 2500... this is an absolute lie and you know that perfectly well. Otherwise list the SCI scores for your last hunts...

8) What you offer is a cheap hunt (affordable I must admit) for hunters on a budget...nothing else

9) Your tactic is not to answer... just to offend

10) An serious outfitter will have local references at the SCI chapter... interesting, nobody heard of you

11) I'm happy that you reduced $ 1000 from your hunts... so you were stealing $ 1000 before my offer???

See you soon

Your incoherence is due to:

option 1)
That your english is so bad you don't understand the posts.

Option 2)
That your really pissed off because I ruined your scam.

Option 3)
That a lifetime of underachieving has driven you mad.

I'll bet on all of the above.

So long Mr. Anonymous.

Cool .....

BITCH FIGHT!

Airala, do our fellow members a gret favor

1) Stop offending, unless it's your only way to bait clients

2) Answer what I said or deny it with enough proof

3) Otherwise, go back to your car wash business...

BTW, you never ruined nothing... that's whhat amuses me most!!

Be prepared, in the next days I'm receiving a full coverage of your activities in Cordoba an La Pampa. We are going to have a nice fun!! hope your sense of humor is refined!

See you soon

PS: I chose to remain anonymous for a very simple reason... you and the lies and offenses you throw at me without any reason...now is my turn

My modest opinion,
Foreign hunters must pay three times more: the auction price and the hunting licence.

Describing as a meat hunt the hunt that takes place in the Lanin Park is compltely wrong and describing these hunts as public land trash out of tents is COMPLETELY incorrect. To be honest, I'm completly surprised about these comments.

Many of my friends hunt there and they have taken incredible trophies, is true hunt. I will not give my opinion about prices as that is nothing of my business, but please don't call it meat hunt.

I have nothing against fenced areas, I've hunted them in South Africa and is true hunt also, it's fair chase if the area is big enough.

My 2 cts
LG