Bird Hunting in Argentina Los Ombues Lodge

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1 Bird Hunting in Argentina Los Ombues Lodge Ducks Dove Perdiz Luxurious Lodge To put it in perspective for American hunters, if you took the best duck hunting Arkansas ever offered, the finest walk-up quail shooting there ever was in Georgia and dove shooting that was twice as good as any state ever had it and put them all together in one place, you d only be getting close to the shooting at Los Ombues. Charles Gaines, Orvis Advisor, Forbes FYI Los Ombues lodge is perched on a hill overlooking 37,000 acres of prime bird hunting land in the rich floodplain of the Parana River, with another 120,000 acres under lease for shooting. 20 million eared doves roost in native woodlands, an abundance of ducks inhabit marshes that rival anything in the world, and perdiz (partridge) rise over dogs in the rolling grassland. Carlos Sanchez built the lodge for bird hunting and everything about it reflects his passion for the sport and an understanding of what makes a high quality shooting experience. Dove and duck hunts are on the property, close to the lodge; every bit of equipment vehicles, boats, rental guns is perfectly maintained; and the staff is organized to keep things running smoothly. After a day of memorable shooting, you sink into a comfortable chair at the lodge among a dozen other shooters. The eared dove is the primary reason shooters come to Argentina and they are so numerous that the local farmers consider them pests. Approximately 16 million dove inhabit the area around Los Ombues. The shooting challenges shooters of all skill levels. Beginners will enjoy the incredible number of birds, while advanced shooters can pick and choose their shots opting to take only the most difficult shots or practice their most challenging swings. Non-Stop dove shooting can be had throughout the day but the early morning and late afternoon and evening hours are best. There are no limits on dove in Argentina, and the season is open year-round. Skilled shooters should expect to shoot 3-5 cases of shells each day. For shooters that enjoy diversity, you can take in a classic perdiz hunt. The perdiz lives in nearby grain-fields and offers classic upland shooting over dogs specially trained to follow the

2 scent of running birds rather than stay on point. This makes for exciting flushes and challenging shooting. Similar to and approximately the size of a quail, the perdiz is a wonderful bird to hunt. Duck shooting at Los Ombues is a real treat. A 10-minute boat trip from the lodge will put you in the midst of a duck-hunting wonderland. On an average day s shoot over decoys, you may expect a mixed bag which can include brown pintail, white cheeked pintail, cinnamon teal, speckled teal, ringed teal, silver teal, southern widgeon, red shoveler, tree ducks and the popular rosy billed pochard. To put it simply, the number of ducks and the quality of shooting is unmatched anywhere. Driving time from the lodge to the shooting fields is approximately 5 to 15 minutes. Sometimes you literally walk right out of the lodge to shoot. The Lodge Los Ombues Lodge, sitting on a bluff overlooking the vast fields and wetlands, is a beautiful 12,000 sq. ft red brick and yellow stucco building constructed in authentic Argentine style. The lounge and dining room look out across an endless expanse of the Delta and the viewer may see half a dozen blinds just a little over half a mile away through the panoramic windows. The lodge has nine spacious two bedded bedrooms with private bathrooms, a mudroom for removing and drying boots and clothing, a gun cleaning room, a large dining room, an ultra modern kitchen and a large living room with overstuffed chairs and sofas arranged around a fire place. The walls are adorned with mounted ducks and paintings of hunting scenes. Food and wines are of gourmet quality. The newest addition at the lodge is a state of the art exercise facility with a sauna. There is also a new hot tub located on the deck overlooking the pool. It also has most of the other facilities that any businessman may need while being abroad, such as telephone, fax machine, and PC. For operating in the field, there are four 4x4 vehicles. Eight John boats with Go-devil engines provide quick access to the marsh. During the hunt every guest has a field assistant who will be either picking and counting the dove you shoot, calling and picking up the ducks you hunt in the blind or handling the dogs for the perdiz shoot. For convenience and safety every car, boat and guide has a VHF two-way radio for immediate contact with the lodge.

3 Details Season: Dove, All Year, no bag limit ("dove-only" shoots are not available during the mixed-bag season) Ducks, May - mid August, limit - 20 per person per day Perdiz, May - mid August, limit 7 per person per day 2009 Pricing-REDUCED RATES Limited time offer: 3 pay, 3 go FREE in October and November 2009 *Please note: as a condition of the 3 pay, 3 go FREE offer, you are agreeing to a minimum shell purchase of 10 cases per person, payable directly to the lodge at checkout Pricing $2100 Dove Shoot 3 or 4 days shooting ( two to eighteen shooters (land transfer is free for parties of 6 or more dove shooters. No extra charge for the fourth day of shooting.) $500 Single supplement dove shoots $1500 Non-shooter, sharing a room/dove Shoots $ day Mixed Bag duck-perdiz- dove, 4 days shooting (3 full days and two half days),4 nights lodging $ day Mixed Bag duck-perdiz- dove, 3 days shooting (2 full days and two half days), 3 nights lodging $600/night Single supplement mixed bag shoots. $900/night Non-shooter $2100 Dove Shoot 3 or 4 days shooting ( two to eighteen shooters (land transfer is free for parties of 6 or more dove shooters. No extra charge for the fourth day of shooting.) $500 Single supplement dove shoots $1500 Non-shooter, sharing a room/dove Shoots Shooting days : you shoot ½ day on arrival and departure days. Four shooting days means you have three full days of shooting plus two half days. Three shooting days equals 2 full days and two half days. Transfers Transfers from Buenos Aires can be done overland by car or van. Air transfers are also available from both the domestic and international airports. Orvis Travel will arrange your transfers. The basic overland transfer costs approximately $500 per person (based on 2) round trip from Buenos Aires international airport. Air charter costs start at approximately $2500 per airplane one way from Buenos Aires or back. We will quote you a firm price for the transfers based on party size, aircraft and exchange rate. The cost of the transfer is in addition to the cost of the shoot, however a free land transfer is provided for the dove-shoots with a group of 6 or more. Included: Deluxe accommodations with all meals, beer & wine; guided shooting each day; hunting license Not Included: International Flights between the U.S. and Argentina, hotels and transfers in Buenos Aires, transfers to and from Los Ombues from Buenos Aires, 12 or 20 gauge ammunition (about $11-$13 per box, depending on season ) please request 28 or 410 ga. well ahead of scheduled trip, gun Permit, gun

4 rental (Beretta and Benelli shotguns can be rented for approximately $60 per day), gratuities - the lodge manager will collect $70 per person/per day to distribute to the lodge staff and field gun assistants. To secure your reservation call Orvis Travel at Sample itinerary: four shooting days, four nights at Los Ombues: Day 1: Buenos Aires Arrive in the morning. You have the option of going straight to the lodge, a four to five hour drive, or spending a few days in Buenos Aires. The choice is yours, but we recommend at least a day in the city. Buenos Aires is one of the most interesting cities in South America and it s well worth spending a few days exploring it. With wide boulevards for walking, excellent restaurants and lively nightlife that lasts until dawn, it s sometimes called the Paris of Latin America. The music and restaurant scene is among the best anywhere, and Orvis Travel will gladly arrange a visit of a few days so you can get to know B.A., as it s commonly called. Forget your preconceptions about South American cities. B.A. is clean, well laid out for walking, and as safe as any large city in the United States. The hotels are well run, and one of the best in the world, The Alvear Palace, is a favorite with Orvis guests. Located in an upscale neighborhood near the city center, some of the best steakhouses in Argentina are around the corner in the Recoleta area. If you prefer to go straight to Los Ombues and bypass Buenos Aires, an overland transfer from the airport takes about five hours. A charter flight can be arranged from the domestic or international airports in Buenos Aires directly to Los Ombues, or in some cases to Rosario. Direct flights to Los Ombues take about an hour. Flights to Rosario also take about one hour, followed by a one-hour land transfer to the lodge. Flights within Argentina, hotels or sightseeing in Buenos Aires are not included in the trip price. Orvis Travel can take care of these arrangements for you and will quote a price based on prevailing rates. Arrive Los Ombues, unpack and have lunch. In the afternoon you will go shooting with your guides. There is shooting very close to the lodge, and you won t spend a lot of time in transit. Day 2-4: Los Ombues After an early breakfast, leave the lodge around 7:30am with your shooting assistants and drive to your shooting area, where the guide helps you pick out the best locations. If you are shooting May-August for mixed bag, you will normally shoot ducks early in the day and most likely take your limit. Perdiz shooting normally follows a little later in the morning, with dove last.

5 If you are shooting for dove at other times of the year, October through April, you will go into the field after breakfast, and shoot all morning until the lunchtime break. The break lasts long enough to have a good meal and rest your arm, before resuming shooting for the afternoon. This is high volume shooting, so the mid-day break is appreciated. You re usually back in the lodge around 5:00 pm. There is also some golden dorado fishing on the property. So, if you like, you can include some fishing as well. It s not unusual for someone to take their limit of ducks and perdiz early in the day, then take a break for some dorado fishing before going out for dove later. You will need to bring your own fishing gear for the dorado. Any outfit you would normally use for bass fishing will suffice, but you will need some wire bite-guards to keep the fish from biting through your leader. Day 5: Morning shoot, Airport transfer, Flights home. Shoot in the morning, then return to Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) after lunch. International flights typically depart EZE in the evening, so there is plenty of time to enjoy a final half-day of shooting before leaving. If you want to avoid the four to five-hour drive, a flight may be arranged to either the international airport or the domestic airport.

6 The deposit is 50% of the trip cost. Reserving your space is easy. Call Orvis Travel and place your deposit by credit card Sign up online at If we are unable to confirm space, your card will not be charged. 15% discount on Orvis merchandise when you arrange your trip through Orvis Travel. You will received a VIP customer card for booking a trip through Orvis Travel and it entitles you to a 15% discount on Orvis merchandise from the time you book until long after your trip is over. Orvis has been outfitting travelers since 1856 and you can find all the specialty clothing, luggage and gear you need in our catalogs, stores and website. When you book though Orvis Travel you will never pay a booking fee and will save on every purchase. We also supply you with a detailed packing list so you know exactly what to take. Airline reservations and tickets: For details about fares, routes and airlines for this trip, please contact our affiliate Airtreks. They specialize in international airfare and are knowledgeable about our itineraries. You can expect excellent service and competitive fares. Airtreks is based in California and their offices are open from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Pacific time, Monday-Friday. Phone: or Orvistravel@airtreks.com Fax:

7 Orvis Travel Los Ombues Lodge Important Information -- Please Read Carefully Reservations, Deposits & Payments The deposit is 50% of the trip price. Deposits may be made by check or credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. The balance of the trip cost is due 90 days before departure, except where specified differently on individual itineraries. A signed reservation form and release are required prior to departure. All prices must be paid in U.S. dollars. Prices do not include airfare. Deposits are not transferable from one trip to another. Prices quoted are based on foreign exchange values and tariffs currently in effect and prices are subject to change. Orvis Travel reserves the right to adjust prices accordingly until the time of departure. Cancellation and Refund Policy If you must cancel your reservation, the following fees apply: days prior to trip fee +90 days 50% of land cost 89 days or less 100% of land cost Cancellation fees cannot be waived for any reason, including health, business or personal emergencies, or weather. We strongly urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance. No refunds will be made for unused portions of a trip, including late arrival or early departure. Orvis reserves the right to modify an itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control. In the unlikely event that Orvis must cancel a tour, all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes a full settlement. Orvis is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation of any canceled trip, including airline tickets and visas fees. Cancellation Insurance Your planning information includes an application for travel insurance covering cancellation for medical reasons, trip delay, medical expenses, lost baggage and medical evacuation. We urge you to obtain this coverage. Share policies Trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms & cabins are limited. If you request a single room, a single supplement will apply as noted in the itinerary. We will confirm the single room as early as possible, but in some cases it may not be earlier than 30 days prior to the trip. If you request a roommate, we can usually pair you with another guest of the same gender, and no single supplement will apply. If you request a roommate, and one is not available, we will only charge you the single supplement if required by the lodge or facility used in the trip. Children under 18 must share a room with a parent or other family member. In some cases this may be waived. Passports and documents Argentina requires a passport for US citizens. Check your passport early and make sure it has six months validity at the time of travel. An Argentine gun license is required and has to be obtained from the closest Consulate (as of 8/1/2005). Bringing a gun into Argentina may cause delays on arrival of several hours and we encourage you to rent a gun at Los Ombues. License instructions will be provided to anyone who requires it. Arrival and Departure Group transfers from the international airport. Cost varies by group size and season. See trip planner for details. Individual transfers before and after the shoot are extra. Equipment & clothing You will receive a detailed list of appropriate gear with your trip planning information. If you have technical questions our customer service team in Roanoke, Virginia, may be reached for consultation at Customer service advisors are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Airline reservations The land cost of your trip does not include airfare. Orvis Travel trips are designed so you may join the trip at the international destination. You are free to make air travel arrangements independent of the tour or use frequent flier awards.

8 We urge you to make your airline arrangements early. Space to many destinations is sold out in advance. Orvis Travel is not responsible for non-refundable, advance purchase airline tickets, cancellation fees or penalties of any kind. Limitation of liability This section defines Orvis Travel s responsibility with regard to all travel arrangements made by Orvis Travel, including individual travel and pre- and posttrip extensions. Please read it carefully. Upon sending your deposit to Orvis Travel, you acknowledge that you have read and understand all the terms and conditions outlined here, and agree to be bound by them. Orvis Travel, its Owners, Employees, Associates and Agents give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or other services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the passengers. This shooting trip involves hazards and dangers, such as the use of firearms, the handling of ammunition, vehicular travel on rough roads and across fields, bad weather, the handling of wild birds, and other unforeseen conditions. Such hazards are a condition of this activity. As a participant in this trip, you acknowledge that such dangers are present and beyond the control of Orvis or its agents. Baggage and personal effects, including items purchased, guns, fishing equipment or sporting goods are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times and no employee/agent of Orvis Travel, its subsidiaries, affiliated or associated companies is authorized to accept these for storage, safekeeping, or transportation.