Quail Hunting in Argentina
PRG offers some of the finest wild quail hunting in South America, providing guests the unique opportunity to combine fly fishing and wing shooting (cast and blast) in the same trip from March 15th to May 1st. There are few places in the world where one can hunt quail offering numbers of wild birds in such a remarkable setting; and no place on earth that one can enjoy fly fishing and quail hunting of this caliber from the same lodge.
Six breeding pairs of California quail were released in Valle Traful just over fifty years ago. Temperate weather and few predators have led to an explosion in the population and wild birds can now be found throughout Central Patagonia. Although birds are abundant, California quail thrive in specific habitat and have a tendency to run, so expert guide knowledge and dog work are critical to find them and pin them down in just the right cover. Wild Patagonia quail are as tough, hearty, quick to fly and very challenging for the average hunter due to their speed and random flushing nature. For those who enjoy challenging wild bird hunting, our quail program offers a spectacular venue.
About the Hunt & Terrain
We take our quail hunting just as serious as our flyfishing and have developed an extensive kennel of well-trained pointers and a professional guide staff, who scout extensively, rotate hunting circuits and work tirelessly to ensure quality hunting for each guest. During a typical day, guests will encounter between four and ten coveys containing between twenty and one hundred quail each. A good shot should expect between ten and fifteen quail per day and shoot an average of fifty shells to bag a full limit of fifteen bids. Guests should be physically fit and enjoy easy to moderate walking for two to five miles per day. There is a direct correlation between those who walk well and the number of birds they see as well as between how well they shoot and how many birds are bagged. Our hunting should not be compared to plantation, shooting preserve or vehicle hunting and we have a style and program adapted specifically to raise the maximum number of quail for our guests.
Shotguns & Hunting Gear
PRG offers Beretta Silver Pigeon 20 & 28-gauge over and under shotguns as well as Urika 391 Automatic 20-gauge shotguns for rent along with shells for purchase. Hunters are welcome to travel with their own guns but should check in advance for government requirements. The process is straight forward but requires more time at the airport. Guests should pack field pants or chaps and high quality field boots with some waterproofness. Optionally, guests may choose to pack a game bag or vest, shooting glasses, and gloves. PRG will provide orange hats and vests to each hunter as well as a comprehensive safety lesson prior to shooting.
