We just got back from Argentina yesterday and what an adventure it was. We flew from Calgary to Toronto, Toronto to Buenos Aires, overnighted in Buenos Aires and then flew to Santa Rosa. Getting our rifle into the country was relatively simple with the permit costing around $80 U.S. We had to visit the police station in the airport before traveling to Santa Rosa and again upon our arrival there with each adding about an hour. It was relatively simple and painless but one does need to allow time for it.

Our first stop was at Caza Pampa. This working ranch is best known for their free ranging red stags and that was first on the list.


Vanessa was hunting first and while we got on a ton of roaring stags the first day, we just couldn't close the deal. It was Vanessa's birthday so there was a big celebration that night for her.


It was awesome. We got beat by the stags on the second day again but while walking back to camp, we came upon a big herd of water buffalo and Vanessa shot a big old bull with the 7RM and 139 grain GMX bullet. While I'm not sure I'd recommend the cartridge for buff, it did do and admirable job.


That afternoon we headed to the sandhills to search for free-range blackbuck and after walking for several hours we bumped a herd in the cover. We were able to locate them again, this time in the open and I was able to put a big buck down at 250 yards.


The next day, we were in search of red stag again and while unseasonably warm 6temperatures had shut the roar pretty well down, we did find one stag and after following him for several hours through the thick cover, Vanessa was able to thread a bullet through the branches and put him down.


That afternoon, we went looking for a big hybrid ram for Vanessa. The ranch has a huge population of sheep and they wanted to thuin them out so Vanessa shot a big old ram.


The next day we spent the day in search of an axis buck and Vanessa was finally able to close the deal late in the afternoon. These deer are like ghosts in the heavy cover.


We moved over to TGB Outfitters the following day to hunt fallow deer, axis and wild boar. We heard loads of fallow bucks that afternoon as they were very heavy in the rut but were unable to find one I wanted.


The following morning, we heard a buck grunting in the thick cover and after playing cat and mouse with him for several hours, I was finally offered an 80 yard shot and I made it count.


We concentrated on axis deer for the next three days but only saw one really big buck and he offered no opportunity for a shot. We did get to see two bucks fighting one days and that was really cool. Axis deer are without question the most difficult of all the animals to hunt at TGB. Vanessa did luck in to a huge boar one morning and put him down quickly at 20 yards.


The lodge and facilities at TGB are incredible and of course the food and wine was the best.

We drove to Santa Rosa to catch our flight back to BA only to be informed it was cancelled until the following day. We decided to catch the bus that evening which turned out to be a great decision. The bus was incredible with full reclining seats and even meal service. We arrived early in the morning in BA and got checked in our hotel and then enjoyed the sights for a day before flying home.


Overall it was an incredible experience. I'd highly recommend Caza Pampa for their free-range red stag and blackbuck and it is the perfect desitination for a family as there are opportunities to go horseback riding, hiking, etc for the none hunters.

TGB is more of a dedicated hunting lodge but they offer some of the best water buffalo and fallow deer in the country. Axis deer are not plentiful but some true monstes inhabit the area and the hogs are huge. There are also some great opportunities for stags behind high fence but with the thick cover and spooky nature of the beasts, this is anything but an easy hunt. It's definitely the real deal. This was our first visit to Argentina but won't be our last. Both facilities were very comfortable and of course the food, wine and people were awesome. We were taken care of from the moment we landed in BA to the time we left with people meeting us at the airport, helping us with firearms and making alternate travel arrangements when flights were cancelled. They really know how to cater to hunters.

What a wonderful trip. My hearty congratulations to Vanessa. Hunt well executed. I am seriously considering Casa Pampa next year.

Vanessa's middle name must be Diana. She cleaned house!

Congrats on a obvious great adventure. Monster hog!! Will be looking for one just like that in a couple of weeks.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Sounds like you had a great trip. I'm curious about the exchange rate. When my wife and I hunted there in 06 the dollar was very strong and the prices on items in the stores were very attractive. We did all of our birthday and Christmas shopping for the year while we were there. Did you get a chance to shop in Santa Rosa or BA?

sheephunterab
wonderful Hunt,Congratulatios both and Thanks for sharing it !!!.

Blacktailer;

Now the exchange rate is 1 Dolar = 4,60 Pesos, but we have high inflation undercover, and even prices in pesos are relative High, but on Hunt and Hotels fees are like same, some years ago or maybe a litle cheaper, now is more expensive the food ( Specially Meat), services (electricity,gas,taxes,tv & web services etc) Cabs(Taxi) gas, clothes, electronics and non first necessity items (Guns,ammo, wines, wisky,ciggars). Cheers, Guille

Well done! Thanks for the pics & report !

quote:

Originally posted by Blacktailer:
Sounds like you had a great trip. I'm curious about the exchange rate. When my wife and I hunted there in 06 the dollar was very strong and the prices on items in the stores were very attractive. We did all of our birthday and Christmas shopping for the year while we were there. Did you get a chance to shop in Santa Rosa or BA?

We hit the shops one day in BA. No real bargains but Vanessa picked up a few leather goods that were kind of cool. I was actually surprised how much things cost.