El Raigon

Argentina has earned its reputation as one of the world’s great wingshooting destinations, and El Raigón showcases just how diverse that experience can be.

Dove shooting delivers the fast-paced action that made Argentina famous. Perdiz hunting slows things down and puts hunters behind good dogs in classic walk-up fashion. And during the open season, duck hunting brings another dimension entirely, with the waterways and wetlands of Entre Ríos providing tremendous habitat for waterfowl. Anglers can pursue golden dorado, surubí and other native species, while soaking in a remarkable ecosystem inhabited by capybaras, caimans and an extraordinary variety of birdlife.

That variety makes El Raigón particularly appealing for hunters who want more from an Argentine trip than several days of the same shooting. A stay can be built around different species and different styles of hunting, creating a sporting experience that feels fresh every time you head into the field.

The start time for each day depends on what species we are shooting. After breakfast, we will drive to the field or lagoon for a two to three hour morning hunt. We return to the lodge during midday for lunch and a rest, followed by a three-hour afternoon hunt.

You can expect to shoot a case of 500 shells per half day on doves, 15-20 boxes on a full-day pigeon shoot, 3-4 boxes per duck hunt, and a couple of boxes on a morning perdiz shoot. Most shooting is pass or roost shooting this time of year. If the group wants to shoot ducks, we are in the blinds before first light. In the afternoon we’ll generally shoot dove or perdiz. On this trip, we are offering a tremendous variety of shooting activities. In five full days of action, you’ll have four different types of shooting encountering dove, duck, pigeon and perdiz.

Your duck and perdiz hunts are generally half-day shoots. Our pigeons are the Argentine blue-grey pigeon. They have wingspans of over 26 inches, larger than a blue-winged teal. They are a sporty bird, and a day of pigeon hunting is something you’ll always remember. Perdiz hunting is very similar to quail hunting. We shoot over pointing dogs, with a limit of eight per day, and it usually takes an hour and a half to limit out. Perdiz season runs from May to the end of August.

El Raigón delivers exactly what you hope to find at the end of a great day in the field.

The recently renovated estancia features eight spacious guest rooms, including four private en-suite rooms in the main house and four additional rooms arranged as two master suites in the adjoining guest wing. Rooms range from approximately 270 to 860 square feet and feature air conditioning, radiator heat, Wi-Fi and king- or queen-size hotel bedding.

Throughout the property, the feeling is unmistakably Argentine—refined without losing the warmth and character of a historic country estate. Guests can enjoy the swimming pool and solarium, dry sauna and massage room, game room, reading and card room and a comfortable bar made for recounting the day’s best shots.

And then there is the food. Meals celebrate the traditions that make a trip to Argentina memorable: beautifully prepared local cuisine, excellent grilled meats, classic asado, Argentine wines and the kind of long dinners that turn a group of hunters into old friends.