Dates of Hunt: May 7 thru May 18
Where: Cordoba and San Fransico, Argentina
Outfitter Used: Los Dogos/Dr. Juan Pozzi
Travel Consultant: Travel With Guns/Steve Turner
Airline Used: American Airlines
Weapons Used: CZ .375 H & H Magnum, several 12 gauge semi auto shotguns
Ammo: Handloaded with Barnes 300 gr. TSX bullets

The trip started off from Albuquerque, New Mexico continuing through DFW; Santiago, Chile; into Cordoba, Argentina. I was met at the airport by AR member, and now good friend, Guillermo Amestoy. A short ride to downtown Cordoba and Guillermo dropped me off at the Windsor Hotel for a quick shower and short cat nap.

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Two hours later found Guillermo and I walking the beautiful streets of Cordoba taking in all the sight, sounds and smells of that great Argentina food and coffee.

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We soon picked a spot where fellow AR member billinthewild is known to hang out while in Cordoba and
had a great coffee and a sweet empanada.

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After a fine dinner and good nights rest, Guillermo fetched me from my hotel and we were off for some local sightseeing. We drove East into the hills, had a look around the Country, stopped for some lunch and of course more coffee. The plan was to meet Dr. Juan back in Cordoba early evening for the drive to the hunts' home base in Juans' home town of San Franciso. After facing the rush hour traffic we finally made the switch to Juans' truck and we were off on the next part of my adventure. The drive took a little over three hours if I recall, including a couple of pit stops for fuel and snacks.

After another good nights rest, I am finally catching up on the missed sleep, the first days plan was to shoot some doves and pigeons in the AM, lunch, a couple more hours with the shotguns in the PM, dinner and finalize plans for the trip to fishing and Buffalo camp.

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All in all spent two mornings and three evenings or so shooting doves and pigeons. I shot 1,850 rounds of 12 ga. throug Juans' two semi autos with an average of 60% shots to hit ratio. One could shoot 2,000 rounds per day at doves if so inclined. We also managed to shoot a duck enroute to the dove fields one day and Juan said it was a shoveler.

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Next morning after a quick breakfast, it was alway quick as we were always ready to get the next day started, we headed for the river camp for some fishing. This delightful lodge facility would be our homebase for not only the fishing but the hunt for Buffalo and other area species as well.

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Along with the Dorado above, catfish and no explanation needed for the other toothy one, we had a great afternoon on the Parana River.

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Fishing until dark thirty we headed in for what was to be a really great dinner of lamb and all the trimmings cooked up by the lodge owner and his staff. Of course, a few sundowners were consumed before, during and after dinner.

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Tomorrow we are off to the Buffalo area and whatever else might be found by Juan and his assistant Julio. This Buffalo hunt is conducted on a strictly free range area of over 200,000 acres of low fence private property that only Juan has access to.

After arriving at the ranch, we proceeded to look for some of the local Guachos for some updates on where we might start our search for the Buffalo. Juan found three of the guys and after a quick greeting and consultation we had a plan. Loading up the daypack, placing some rounds in the .375 we were off in the direction our local guys had pointed out to us. After a rather short, I thought, trek we spotted three Buff and quickly ducked out of sight. They had see us, or some movement, but Juan suggested we circle downwind and make an approach and they might just stay put so we could get close enough for a shot. The plan was coming together as we got the wind and started to make a stalk to get in position. We crawled about 50 yards or so and I tucked in beside a tree with a dirt mound to one side and set up in a prone position. Juan made the call that it was a very large Bull and I set things in motion. The Bull would not step clear so we moved up closer behind some cover and using my shooting stick, managed a broadside shoulder shot at 80 meters. The Bull took the shot, turned, took two steps and was down. One well placed shot from the .373 H & H had done it's job. We approached the downed Bull and no follow up shot was necessary and Juan confirmend it was indeed a very large Bull indeed. We sent Julio off to find our Guacho friends to help with the "work" that was about to start and started taking photos.

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Part two will continue shortly with many additional photos, accounts of this really great adventure. Hope you are enjoying so far, it's been fun reliving the moments for sure.

Larry Sellers

Part two!!!!

Now let's get back to the Gauchos and the Buffalo. The three G's gladly took on the job of getting the Buff back to the shade, skinned and quartered and hung it in a large tree. A lot of meat would be coming their way so no problem. They actually made quick work of the chore and we proceeded to eat some of the meat along with a wonderful bread cooked on the spot over an open fire.Yum, yum, as Juan pronounced the feast one of the best he had ever had.

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Before going any further, let's go back a few days and take care of that all important sighting in of the firearm of record. Remember it is Juans' .375 H & H with my ammo. We set up a 1" square target on a handy milk carton, backed off to 50 meters, took a steady rest on the hood and put the one and only shot taken in the black. I mentioned to Juan, "No excuse now", to which he replied to the afirmative.

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After we put the finishing touches to the Buffalo feast, drove back to the lodge, took a much needed rest, then got ready for another great dinner in the lodge dinning area. It may seem we are eating a lot, and we did, but remember dinner in Argentina doesn't even start until around 10:00PM, so the Buff feast was long gone by the time they rang the dinner bell. We had fish from the nearby river, with all the trimmings. I must say this was some of the best I have tasted.

With the Buff in the salt it was back to the Ranch, in search of more species, namely the Capibarra. Around 10:00 AM we spotted about a dozen grazing on the green grass at the waters edge of a small lake. I picked out what looked like a good one, and the .375 spoke up and the result was a very big male down with the one shot. Juan proclaimed a very large male and again it was time for some photos.

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Juan, Julio, myself and the big rat, not in any particular order.

We spent the rest of the afternoon on the ranch. While we were exploring for other species we spotted a group of Ostrich. Want to take one Juan asked? Sure, why not was my answer. After a short stalk, I picked again what I thought was a big one, .375 barks again and down right there. As we approach the big bird Juan comments it's a really big male. Not knowing anything about Ostrich, I just picked out one that looked big. My luck is holding and off we go. We visited with the ranch manager awhile and started back to the lodge. A fox was encountered, same result, down right there. A mile or so down the road a rabbit/hare pops up. Grab the shotgun and we add a rabbit to the pot.

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This AM we are busy packing up, another quick breakfast of coffee and sweets at the lodge and we are headed back to San Fransisco. Great trip, good sights of the countryside. Oh, we stop for more coffee and a munchie at a nice place along the way. I have to keep mentioning the coffee stops for the benefit of billinthewild, it's his favorite thing in Argentina.

Get back in time for a PM dove shoot, at the insistance of Juan, this man never stops. Two hours of this and I call it quits. There will be an unlimited supply for next time believe me.

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OK that's it for today. I must have set some kind of record for being on a computer. You guys asked for this, you got me started and see what happens. Part three and the final?? Chapter later. Good night.

Larry Sellers

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
Sorry folks, have no idea why this posted up with two photos each???? Unless someone can help me correct this, you will just have to be content with "seeing double"

Larry Sellers

It was a double pleasure.....you looked very comfy at Bonafide , and in the rest of your hunting adventure... You could not have been with two finer men, Juan and Guillermo. Guillermo, the truck looks new....

I am pleased you got to fish that big river and the toothy devil is interesting...both you, Juan and Guillermo look great. That is truly one fine buffalo, and I know you must have enjoyed the experience with the gauchos. Juan is a master...

What a treat to have the gauchos prepare some of the meat on the open fire.... Wish I could have been with...

Your comment about eating alot....caramba, with good food like you were served one cannot get enough....Argentina is meat, and then a little more meat...

Congratulations on the carpincho..I once told Juan and Guillermo that we need to start a fast food restaurant in San Francisco....MacPinchos....

I really enjoyed your story and am sure the chaps on this thread will as well...you made us feel as if we were with you, and, amigo, I was in spirit. Maybe next year we go together....

Thanks for writing, all the best

This session should put a cap on this great adventure. Part 3

After returning to San Fransico from up North in the Pastizal Correntina area it's time to concentrate on finding a Wild Boar. We had scouted an area previous to our trip for Buff and found lots of sign around a waterpoint, even saw a few small hogs so we had a starting point for the Big guy we hoped to find.

After a morning of dove shooting we stopped by a field where Juan thought we might find a partridge or two before our lunch break and waiting for the evening shadows to appear near the place that held numerous Wild Boar. We had all the dogs, three Labs and Limay the little Pointer so we fanned out and let the dogs have a go at it. It was really hot and the mozzies were terrible, but we did manage to find and shoot four partridge and a stray pigeon that wandered too close.

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Finally after a short nap, around 4:30 PM we headed out for the 30 minute or so drive to where we were going to try and locate a good Boar for the evening hunt. It was still very warm and not much activity on or around the waterhole so we relaxed, kept watch and waited. We set up on some female pigs and hoped a big guy would show prior to dark. With just enough light for Juan to check for the telltale signs of a Boar, that had come out of a corn field, it was game on. Two or three sows had walked past at about 30 meters and the Boar was following to catch up. As he got even with us, he stopped looked directlly at us and Juan was telling me to shoot and shoot quickly. Things we getting serious, Juan had ahold of my right shoulder while relaying the shoot, shoot command and I couldn't get the rifle up for the shot. We finally got our act together and I viurtually fired the .375 point blank and dropped the pig right on the spot. We approached and he was down for the count. Juan hollered with a lot of enthusiasm that this was indeed a very huge Boar. Lots of tusk showing and I could not believe the body size. Julio was close by in the vehicle so he joined us for photos and what turned out to be quite the job in getting this hog in the truck.

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We had to figure a way to get this thing about 50 meters to where the truck was. The three of us each took a handful and could not move it one inch. Julio suggested we field dress it there and he and Juan proceeded to do just that. We tried again and still could not move it. So the two hind quarters were removed, still nothing. We then removed the head and we struggled to finally foot by foot make our way to the truck. Loading was another adventure in itself hey Julio.

The next day Juan suggested we go back to where we took the big Boar and try and shoot some small "eating size" pigs he wanted to give to his Gauchos. We managed to take three youngs ones, delivered them to the eager recipiants and you guessed it, more shotshells to shoot. The dove shooting here is outrageous, none stop clouds of doves each day, every day.

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Back to the homefront for another great meal at the Pozzi family table. As this would be my last night we stayed up later than usual, drinking a bit of vino, recounting the many days of great adventures and watching the sunset and the stars coming out overhead.

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Today we head back to the airport in Cordoba and make ready for the long trip back to my home in New Mexico. I will never be able to thank Guillermo and his family, Dr. Juan and his family enough for their help in this adventure, and their genuine efforts in making me one of their family. It will be a trip I will never forget and WILL return once again to see and hunt with my new found friends in the wonderful Country called Argentina. Thank you all and adios for now.

Larry Sellers

Looks like a great time was had by all! Thanks for the report.

What a wonderful trip you had! Congratulations to you and those who helped you to those great trophies.

Bill Quimby

Thanks for all the comments so far. Fixed the double picture post thing with the help of a computer genius, 12 year old. Oh well!!

Larry Sellers

No doubt! Juan is a great outfitter and a very good friend; Congratulations.

You did it all, my friend, and did it very well indeed. A marvelous adventure. Looking forward to visiting with you here at home.

This is one of the best photo and hunt stories we have seen in a long time....

Larry,

Looks like a wonderful trip and thanks for inviting me on it. Looks like I really screwed up by not going!!! Look forward to more pics and a visit when you are home and situated.

Hunter

Glad the trip turned out so well Larry...Arg is a wonderful hunting destination...

Thanks for sharing, looks like everyone had a great time during your adventure. Congratulations on your success.

What a great adventure. I was just looking at Juan's website last week. Since I'm not a bird shooter, seems like great fun, just never seem to have the time to learn or go, what would you substitute if you were me?

Chuck - Juan has the guns and ammo so you could give it a go with little or no effort just for the experience. I would opt for more fishing, as we only spent a half day on the river. A really neat river, good lodge, good boats and guides. Lost a really good fish before getting to see it, so would love to go back for a day or two on the river.

Larry Sellers

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Originally posted by chuck375:
What a great adventure. I was just looking at Juan's website last week. Since I'm not a bird shooter, seems like great fun, just never seem to have the time to learn or go, what would you substitute if you were me?

Dear friends we have had a great adventure ,excellent report ,thank you LARRY im trying to show the foreign hunters the real Argentina and not a MACDONNALS HUNT ,NOW IM WITH SOUTH AFRICAN PROFESSIONAL HUNTER WILLEM DE JAEGER IN HIS SECOND SAFARI WITH ME ,WE WILL REPORT AFTER HIS 15 DAYS wing shooting safari.

thank you for the report and my thanks to JULIO FABRY excellent PH ,and to my lifetime friend PH and shooting instructor GUILLERMO AMESTOY ,THANKS TOO TO LARRY SELLERS HE KILLED ALL HIS GAME WITH ONE SHOT DOING THINGS EASY.

THANKS FOR A GREAT REPORT LARRY ,WE ARE PROUD TO WORK TREATING THE HUNTER LIKE A FRIEND AND SHOWING HIM THE REAL ARGENTINA NOT A FAST FOOD HUNT.THANKS MY FRIEND I WAS A BIT DEPRESSED WHILE I GUIDE YOU BUT I APPRECIATED YOUR GOOD HUMOUR .IM OK NOW RECOVERING FOR MY LOSS ,HOPE YOU RECOVER TOO .

NOW we are hunting and eating asados and drinking with famous PH WILLEM DE JAEGER hes rigth now cooking here ,he shot 3000shells yesterday on doves he participated in a gauchos party and he will be 15days hunting ,WE HAVE 30 LITERS OF BEER IN A WOOD BOTTLE .BIG PARTY TODAY MANY HUNTERS INVITED.

WILLEM DE JAEGER IS A SOUTH AFRICA PH that hunts mostly in the KAROO and in MOZAMBIQUE Juan will take a group of his clients to the KAROO and MOZAMBIQUE each year.

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Originally posted by juanpozzi:
Dear friends we have had a great adventure ,excellent report ,thank you LARRY im trying to show the foreign hunters the real Argentina and not a MACDONNALS HUNT ,NOW IM WITH SOUTH AFRICAN PROFESSIONAL HUNTER WILLEM DE JAEGER IN HIS SECOND SAFARI WITH ME ,WE WILL REPORT AFTER HIS 15 DAYS wing shooting safari.

Juan, tell your African PH amigo that I will be in RSA in August....would enjoy meeting him if possible....

Larry ; Nice report, beautifull pictures except for the first one , lol, thanks for sharing it look You had a great trip with my friend Juan and the SF gang, He told me You are a "Hell of a Shooter & Hunter"...13 African trips is a huge experience !!!...hope to see You again...here or in the States, A big Hug. Guillermo & Family

Juan ; Well done !!!...You owe to the "AZ Gringo" a Carpincho, ja, ja, Big Hug my friend. Guille

Larry,
Great report on a great hunt. Looks like Dr Juan and Guillermo really took care of you.

Hi Larry, I currently have the honor to visit Juan and his family here in Argentina. I have read your report and I cannot agree with you more, I feel like a member of the family. This is my second visit to Argentina and also my second time to be the guest of Juan. Yet again, it is the most amazing experience. I have been hunting partridges with Juan and Ikey and I am convinced that Argentina and especially this area must be the best wingshooters destination in the world. I have a few more days left of hunting and hope to share a few more experiences. I have attended a cattle rounding and branding festival (yerra) which was amazing. The testicals were prepared assado style and the gaucho tradition is incredible. We are drinking fine malbec wines and I must be the happiest hunter in the world. I confirm every statement made by you in the report - Juan is a great host and outfitter - I feel like family. We will continue hunting tomorrow and I will keep you posted, Willem de Jager

Willem:

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but are you related to the Oom Willie de Jager who captured the animals for the John Wayne movie, Hatari?

Bill Quimby

Willem - Needless to say I know you will continue to have a great hunt and stay with Dr. Juan. Continued success wishes for you and everyone involved. We must talk after you return home as I am very interested in visiting with you about your African operation. All the best and good luck. More later.

Larry Sellers

quote:

Originally posted by Willem de Jager:
Hi Larry, I currently have the honor to visit Juan and his family here in Argentina. I have read your report and I cannot agree with you more, I feel like a member of the family. This is my second visit to Argentina and also my second time to be the guest of Juan. Yet again, it is the most amazing experience. I have been hunting partridges with Juan and Ikey and I am convinced that Argentina and especially this area must be the best wingshooters destination in the world. I have a few more days left of hunting and hope to share a few more experiences. I have attended a cattle rounding and branding festival (yerra) which was amazing. The testicals were prepared assado style and the gaucho tradition is incredible. We are drinking fine malbec wines and I must be the happiest hunter in the world. I confirm every statement made by you in the report - Juan is a great host and outfitter - I feel like family. We will continue hunting tomorrow and I will keep you posted, Willem de Jager

quote:

Originally posted by Willem de Jager:
Hi Larry, I currently have the honor to visit Juan and his family here in Argentina. I have read your report and I cannot agree with you more, I feel like a member of the family. This is my second visit to Argentina and also my second time to be the guest of Juan. Yet again, it is the most amazing experience. I have been hunting partridges with Juan and Ikey and I am convinced that Argentina and especially this area must be the best wingshooters destination in the world. I have a few more days left of hunting and hope to share a few more experiences. I have attended a cattle rounding and branding festival (yerra) which was amazing. The testicals were prepared assado style and the gaucho tradition is incredible. We are drinking fine malbec wines and I must be the happiest hunter in the world. I confirm every statement made by you in the report - Juan is a great host and outfitter - I feel like family. We will continue hunting tomorrow and I will keep you posted, Willem de Jager

Willem, After all these years Juan and Guillermo are part of my family....it would be hard to meet two finer men. I will be in RSA in August. Perhaps we could meet for a lunch or some such.
Give Juan my fond regards....

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Originally posted by Guillermo Amestoy:
Juan ; Well done !!!...You owe to the "AZ Gringo" a Carpincho, ja, ja, Big Hug my friend. Guille

Dos carpinchos y una dia en la rio para pescado....y uno cosa mas, cena a Comida Piotti

Larry i have been hunting with Willem in the Karoo and he has a wonderfull operation ,even in his farm near MOSSEL BAY he has many bushpigs and bushbucks WE CAN GO TOGETHER TO HUNT THERE.

Willem shot 1789 doves with 3000 shells in one day and hes only learning ,he killed many partriges too ,this nigth he will participate in a rifle shooting tournament .Tomorrow he will go after boars ,by horseback .

Willem is cooking chiken in the barbecue with special african species ,we have had many many asados and hunts ,this is his last nigth here ,he will write a report soon .

Juan/Willem - I know you guys had a blast and wish I was still there to enjoy along with you two. Looking forward to the hunt report and we will think about making a plan to hunt with Willem in the future. Willem, have a safe return and will visit with you soon.

Larry Sellers

Gentlemen, my apologies for the delay in answering to your posts. But, as you know hunting with Juan is an extremely time-consuming exercise, one that hardly affords the time to access and respond to communication.
I am at the airport in BA - ready to board and I have a few minutes to respond to everyone - please note that within a week or two I will post a proper report and more information
Billinthewild: I am in SA in August and would love to invite you for a few days - not for hunting but merely a visit. You come highly reccomended from JUan and it will be my pleasure to host you for a few nights on my farm -
BillRQuimby: wish I could say Willie was a family member - h propably was - not many of us around - butcannot confirm without lying outright
Larry: I will post a detailed report soon. I would love to have you in SA - especially because Juan speaks highly of yoy - Juan is visiting me again next year with Ikey - perhaps a good time to come to our neck of the woods?
Kind regards all - have to board now - will report soon
Willem de Jager

Very nice write up, 3,000 rounds in one day is one heck of a lot of shooting! Just visited with Bill in Raton, New Mexico & he told me a bit about your hunt, very nice! Sounds like a dream hunt.

Dick

Indeed you can shoot as much as you want ,doves are a pest here and hey are everywhere ,we can shoot pidgeons ,and periquits too.

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Originally posted by sixshot_01:
Very nice write up, 3,000 rounds in one day is one heck of a lot of shooting! Just visited with Bill in Raton, New Mexico & he told me a bit about your hunt, very nice! Sounds like a dream hunt.

Dick

Dick, I know you would love it....and in addition, knowing what a dedicated handgun hunter you are, there is no trouble getting yours into the country. You need talk to Juan about buffalo and boars....

I am heading back in March....hopefully for stag, but if not, a lot of Juan's beef awaits my knife and fork....

Bill is rigth ,i can guaranteed a good oportunity to shoot boars ,capibaras and buffalos ,with revolver ,indeed we took many big game with handguns .

Excellent! I'm waiting for someone to say that their experience with Dr. P was less than fantastic.....I'm guessing that's not gonna happen. Looks like you run a good show down there Juan. Kudos to you.

Thanks Norton ,im trying to guide my AR clients like good friends and many of them became very good friends .

Juan is one of the finest PHs I have ever hunted with and he makes you feel like a friend and member of the family. He is a fun guy to hunt with.

Perry