Tucumán Lodge
Tucumán is the newest frontier in dove hunting in Argentina, with what appears to be virtually endless shooting. Tucumán Lodge encompasses over 120.000 acres, and by maintaining modern management techniques, we’ve become the only outfitters in the area that offer superb hunting all year long. In addition- we shoot right on the lodge property, so once you get here, drives are as short as they get!
Why Choose Tucumán Lodge?
Short drives, endless doves
- Operated by David Denies, the pioneer of dove shooting since 1984, Tucumán Lodge offers the very best high-volume dove shooting in the region.
- With less than a two-hour ride from Tucumán Airport (TUC), or just 45 minutes from the Río Hondo airport (RHD); most flights will have you arriving in the morning, and swinging a shotgun just after lunch.
- The shortest dove shooting drives you’ll find anyplace south of Texas. The only lodging with an average of a 30-minute drive to the dove shooting locations.
- Most days you will return to the lodge for lunch and siesta. However many shooters wish to stay a full day in the field and that is a possibility as well, with a tented lunch and naps in the cool shade. As you wish… Large dove roosts within the property.
- Only self-sufficient game management program in the industry: we plant crops exclusively for doves, which provide constant and unlimited amounts of food for the birds.
- More than 120.000 acres of land means that you will shoot a challenging mix of scenarios, so you can enjoy variety and quality hunting year-round
- Ideal for small groups – families, close friends, business groups.
- Memorable service: from welcome drinks every day and cool towels in the field to turn down service at night, we continue to redefine service in the sporting realm.
- Luxurious living, à la carte menu, open bar with imported spirits, and the best Argentine wines.
Besides the terrific shooting, the main attraction of Tucumán Lodge is privacy for small parties, something rarely found elsewhere in dove shooting. Groups of eight or more can book the entire lodge (up to 12). In addition to the fast-paced shooting, the distant views of the Cocha Mountains and the sights and sounds of being on a working ranch add a particular charm to your stay. Surrounded by fields of shooting excellence, the colonial-style lodge has been virtually reborn with a sleek and stylish remodel that makes it highly comfortable and functional, yet pays homage to ranch life in the region. It all combines to make Tucumán Lodge a must-see for serious dove shooters looking to make a significant dent in Argentina’s prolific doves.
- Capacity: 12 hunters.
- Accommodations: 6 double rooms with queen size beds and en-suite bathrooms.
- The lodge atmosphere is very warm with the idea of making you feel quite at home.
- Open bar with a special selection of the best wines.
- A gourmet dining experience each day, with delicious menu options including local Argentinian beef as well as wild game and fine wines, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, traditional Asado, and more.
- Comfortable Fire Pit with sitting area.
- Wi-Fi Internet access, Satellite telephone, and satellite TV.
- Maid and laundry service.
- Masseuse.
- Professional hunting guides.
- Gun rental, with a selection of fine over and under and semiautomatic shotguns, from Beretta, Benelli, and Browning.
- Gift shop offers local artwork and crafts, logo wear, and accessories.
What time of the year should I come?
Dove hunting season runs all year round, but the locations vary according to the harvest time. From March until June, the highest volume of doves is found mostly on the feedlots and fields where the corn harvest took place, where the doves have temporary roost areas. In early June the doves return to their usual roost area with over 40 thousand hectares of forest, where they find important rivers that allow them to stay for a long period, until late February.
Location
Tucumán Lodge is located in the province of the same name, in northern Argentina, 88 miles (143 km) south of the Tucumán Airport (TUC); or 50 miles (80km) southwest of the Termas de Río Hondo (RHD) Airport. The driving time from Tucumán Airport to the lodge is 1 hr. and 45 minutes by paved road or 1 hour from Río Hondo Airport. Nicknamed ‘’The Garden of the Republic’’, the province of Tucumán is one of the most productive agricultural areas in the country. In addition, its temperate weather and excellent roost conditions create a perfect storm to produce an overwhelming dove population that grows constantly, creating the best dove shooting in the world.
The Hunting
What to expect on the fields
There are roughly twenty-five shooting positions that are just a short drive away through the region’s rich farmland. The overwhelming number of birds flying over our terrain throughout the day guarantees great opportunities for non-stop shooting, suitable for all skill levels. Beginners have an unparalleled opportunity to improve their shooting skills by targeting low-flying doves, while more experienced shooters will find higher, faster targets a challenge. And like elsewhere in Argentina where doves are abundant, there is no bag limit.
In addition to the acreage surrounding the lodge, we also have the exclusive rights to many of the most revered dove hunting properties in the province, in the highlands and plains areas. The options available, depending on the time of year:
- Shot migration routes: a point between the resting area and the feeding field.
- Fields: crops, such as soybeans, corn, or sorghum (especially from March to May).
- Food Batches: Birds congregate to harvest large food batches. They are excellent hunting options at certain times of the year (March to July).
- Waterholes: These are excellent options to photograph, especially in summer (October to April).
In the field, you will be assigned a field assistant who will provide you with shells and refreshments, direct you to your shooting stand and serve as a loader should you wish. Assistants are equipped with radios for easy and fast communication and can quickly solve any small problem that might arise. You will be visited by your field guide many times throughout who will help you with any need, even giving you some tips on how to shoot particular shots if desired.
Morning will begin with a wake-up call, approximately an hour before departure time. Breakfast will be served shortly thereafter, with everything from waffles to Eggs Benedict, all made to order. Then it is off to the vehicles for the shooting day.
You will shoot until noon each day, then return to the lodge for an incredible asado lunch, where you will enjoy Argentina’s wonderful beef and superb wines. After lunch, and a short siesta, hunters will again begin their afternoon hunt around 3 to 4pm.
Depending on the time of the year, evening hunts last until 6:00 to 7:30pm, after which you will return to the lodge, where you will be met with cocktails and appetizers, followed by a delicious dinner and time to relax.
Sample Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival at Tucumán Airport (TUC), direct transfer to the shooting field (1:45-hour drive), shooting and lunch depending on schedule, nap and afternoon dove shooting, return to the lodge for cocktails/dinner, and overnight stay.
- Day 2: Breakfast, morning dove shooting, lunch/nap, afternoon dove shooting, cocktails/dinner, and overnight stay.
- Day 3: Breakfast, morning dove shooting, lunch/nap, afternoon dove shooting, cocktails/dinner, and overnight stay.
- Day 4: Breakfast, morning dove shooting, lunch and afternoon departure to Tucumán Airport (TUC) for the return flight home.
Culinary Experience
At Tucumán Lodge, our goal is to deliver a true taste or Argentina
Our kitchens come to life through the use of fresh, locally sourced meats and produce. By combining these elements, we create delicious flavors and varied textures that harbor hidden stories and package traditions on each plate. A top-notch team of experienced national and international chefs, trained in both classic and avant-garde culinary techniques will prepare your meals, with an artisan’s touch.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – in our lodges, it consists of choices going from local free-range eggs benedict, fresh-baked bread and pastries, and organic & healthy foods – we change the options daily to keep things fresh.
Dinner menus, influenced by the earthiness of the surrounding landscape, will be enjoyed in our beautifully designed dining room and each day you will enjoy an outdoor lunch experience, where chefs prepare every dish from scratch to be served at a minute’s notice. Freshness is paramount and the flavor is key.
Our famed Argentine beef comes from Aberdeen Angus and Hereford steers, grass-fed, from our Pampas. We carefully select our suppliers, guaranteeing the highest quality, flavor, and tenderness of our meat. All of our inspired lunch and dinner menus are paired with some of Argentina’s—and the world’s—best wines; Bodega Catena Zapata.
In addition to our focus on fresh food with organic origins, we also celebrate our Argentine heritage with a wine partnership that brings truly world-class wines to our lodges. Our wide selection of finest wines, the best Argentine malbec from our region in Mendoza, and a large variety of other grape selections, are served by a prepared team. We feel that the food we present and the wines we serve should mirror the sporting opportunities we offer—and be the very best available. While our vast country offers many options for traditional activities such as riding, hunting, eating good meats, and drinking good wines, we have chosen to blend fine food and outdoor activity at an even higher level
Rates
Season 2023 - All year round
* Prices are in US$ and per person
Rates fluctuate between $750 and $850 per person per night. These rates are flexible based on the month of the season, number of hunters in the group, and lodge availability— please CONTACT US for an accurate quote.
* Non-hunters: $350 per person per night
* Hunting Licenses: $70 per person per day
* Gun Rental: $115 per person p/day
Included
- Lodging
- Meals, all wines, beer and local spirits (open bar)
- Transfer to and from Tucumán (TUC) Airport (one transfer per way per group) to the lodge
- Professional guide service and field assistants
- Payment to landowners for hunting rights
Not Included
- Airfares
- Hunting licenses & Gun entry permits
- Gun Rental & Shells
- Gratuities for guides and house staff
- Masseuse & Laundry service; International Phone calls
- Tours, shopping trips, etc.
- Any items of a strictly personal nature; Baggage overweight charges; Personal and baggage insurance; Cost of itinerary modifications requested by passenger.