“La Zenaida” is the most exclusive dove shooting lodge in Cordoba. It is located in front of one of the largest and most compact dove roosts in Argentina making it perfect for thrilling and high volume shooting experience. Every effort is made to ensure that all of our guests have a comfortable stay in the purpose-built facilities which are within walking distance of where you will enjoy an incredible shoot. This elegant and cozy lodge is decorated in the Patagonian and Northern Argentinean style. It is surrounded by nature and a dove flyway. It offers 8 en suite bedrooms to accommodate a maximum of 16 guests, a comfortable living-room and fully stocked complimentary bar, a large dining room and great recreation and gun cleaning room with all the amenities. With the best Argentine beef and quality ingredients the chef creates an array of delicious traditional specialties and international dishes. Carefully selected Argentine FW wines complement his mouth-watering menus. From the moment you arrive in Argentina, service is personalized and attention is paid to every imaginable detail. This standard is maintained throughout the house staff and guide team making this dove shooting program hard to beat.
• Cordoba is considered the dove shooting capital of the world. The 100 square mile radius (60 km) around the lodge is annually inhabited by over 30 million dove. The lodge has 25 shooting fields, which are within a walk or a drive through the region’s rich farmland.
• The program generally starts at 8:00 AM with a hearty breakfast followed by a walk or short drive to the shoot.
• In the field you will be assigned a bird-boy, who will provide you with cartridges and refreshments and direct you to your shooting stand.
• You will be constantly visited by your main guide who will be available to assist you with any need, even give you some tips on your shooting if required.
• Depending on the time of the year you will shoot till noon when you will be treated to an incredible barbeque lunch at the lodge, tasting some of Argentina’s wonderful beef and superb wines.
• Afternoon begins at around 2 or 2:30 hr., and continues until almost dark. There is no definite time to close the shoot.
• Return to the lodge for cocktails and early dinner.
Airline regulations usually permit two (2) checked bags not to exceed 70 lbs. each and two carry-on pieces per passenger.
Carrions’ must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. Please check with your Airline.
NOTE: SOME GUESTS RECENTLY HAVE BEEN CHARGED A USD40 FEE FOR CHECKING A SHOTGUN CASE AS BAGGAGE. THIS POLICY, WHILE VALID WITH SOME U.S. CARRIERS, IS RARELY ENFORCED. WE WANT YOU TO BE AWARE OF IT, DO NOT MENTION IT TO THE TICKETING AGENT; BUT BE PREPARED SHOULD IT BE LEVIED.
From time to time outfitters need things in the shooting fields, and they will ship them to us and ask that they be carried down by clients, as customs and shipping expenses are prohibitive for them. Usually items are things like jackets, hats, camouflage netting, or boots. If you have some extra room in your bags, and would not mind carrying things down, outfitters will reimburse you for any expense you incur, and will often throw in some free shotgun shells for your trouble. Let us know if you have an interest in lending a hand.
We strongly recommend that all shot cartridges be purchased in Argentina. Buying them there eliminates baggage hassle and overweight charges, and cartridges available are very good. Argentine cartridges £8.50 per box (for gauges 12, 20, 28 & 410); payment will be handled prior to your departure. You may settle your cartridge account either in cash or personal checks. Prices are subjected to changes.
In selecting which shotgun you take, it boils down to personal preference. Since 2001 we have seen almost every shotgun imaginable in Cordoba, from single-shot Iver Johnson's in the hands of youngsters-to the finest European double guns-and everything in between. Gas-operated (inertia system) semiautomatics offer less felt recoil but are more likely to malfunction, as they contain more moving parts. However the Benelli and Beretta gas (inertia system) guns. If you opt for a double, choose a heavier rather than a lighter gun and one with automatic ejectors. Regardless of the gun you choose, we would strongly suggest taking some type of recoil-reduction device such as the Kick Killer shoulder pads available from many shooting supply houses.
The high volume and rapidity of shooting, together with a generally warm climate, will put any gun to a severe test. Ammunition availability dictates that 12-, 20- or 28-gauge guns are the best choice. Each day, you'll encounter every imaginable type of shot, from high passing birds to close-in shooting. Improved cylinder and modified are the best middle-of-the-road choices - however the variable choke tubes guns are ideal. If you are taking a magazine-type shotgun (pump or automatic) make sure it is immaculately clean - and while there is cleaning equipment available at the lodge, you may wish to take some light cleaning equipment and lubricant. Try shooting some high doves if you have not done so before. Use this trip to sharpen your shooting skills. You'll be amazed at what you'll learn - and at the results!
For the Field: Shooting clothes should be light green, green or brown; camouflage is optional. Pack a sweater or jacket in case it's cool in the early morning and also a flannel or chamois shirt. Don't forget to bring a rain coat (See table above for average temperatures.)
Shoes: Lightweight, ankle-height is all you need. Many shooters even wear sneakers. A Gore-Tex breathing shoe, like the Rocky Boot, is excellent. You may also wish to visit www.weatherunderground.com, they will provide a Cordoba forecast.
Important Accessories for the Field
SHOOTING SAFETY GLASSES - also serve as sunglasses and should be the shatterproof variety. The green or yellow protective glasses that can be worn over regular glasses are good. They have a small side panel, which protects against glare.
Available from many shooting sports suppliers.
SHOOTING GLOVES - important item to protect hands from hot shotgun barrels and nicks and blisters from reloading, breaking guns or activating safeties. Golf or batting gloves are a good substitute if you can't find quality, sensitive leather shooting gloves.
EAR PLUGS – Ear protection is essential. Many field the expandable silicone plugs are best. These protect your hearing and help prevent headaches.
RECOIL REDUCTION DEVICE - recoil pad to wear under a shirt or shooting vest, or over either.
SOFT PROTECTIVE GUN CASE FOR DAILY USE
SHELL POUCH - one that will hold a box or two of shells - or belt-type pouch or vest. Especially handy for dove and pigeon shooting.
LIGHTWEIGHT HAT - one with a wide brim is best
SMALL FIELD BAG - to carry camera gear and other personal items into the field
INSECT REPELLENT - Mosquitoes or other bothersome insects are very unusual in the field - you might take a small bottle of
Cutter's Cream.
CAMERA - The area is scenic and photographic possibilities abound.
FLASHLIGHT
EVENING DRESS - Clothing is casual, with slacks and sport shirt all you need.
MEDICATION - Most people have no stomach problems in this part of Argentina. Nevertheless, it's a good idea, as when travelling anywhere, to take along medication for symptomatic relief. Also, take aspirin, in case you get a shooting headache, in addition to other medications you normally use.
BAND-AIDS - for sore fingers from shooting
NOTE: LAUNDRY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE AT THE LODGE IF DESIRED.
AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE AT THE LODGE: SHELL POUCH, SOFT GUN CASE, LIGHTWEIGH HAT AND SMALL FIELD
BAG.
Health
We suggest that you consult with your physician for medical advice on travel to Argentina. If your physician is not familiar with travel-related medicine, the CDC offers excellent, up-to-date information on health precautions for travellers by fax; call toll-free 888-236-1033 and follow the recorded instructions. You may also visit the CDC's Web site at www.cdc.gov.
Gratuities
Gratuities for lodge and field staff are not included in the shoot cost since we feel that tipping, in general, is discretionary.
However, clients have asked that we provide general guidelines; therefore, we suggest:
* £25 per bird boy, per guest/day
* £20 to 25 for the household staff, per guest/day
* A total of £30 to £60 for your shooting guide, per person for the total stay.
As an example for a three day stay you will spend approximately £180 in tips, which is £60 per day. Our policy is that guests should tip pick-up boys directly in the field. Thus we have no arrangements for including tips in the final bill. For transfers in
Buenos Aires, your PE guide will tip the drivers and airport porters but not hotel or restaurant personnel. If you wish to tip your guide, do so at your discretion.
Currency
The official currency is the Argentine peso, which is no longer tied to the U.S. dollar. However, most shops in Buenos Aires accept dollars or pesos, but if you pay with dollars, expect pesos in change. You'll need cash or credit cards to pay for dinner in Buenos Aires or Cordoba, if you're overnighting there, and also to pay an airport departure tax (approx. £7.80) on the domestic airlines and £12 for international flights. The lodge accepts payment in cash and personal checks (American Dollar or GBP).
Electric Current
220 volts; a standard converter and European adapter for two-pronged plug should work fine.
Customs Allowance
Two bottles of liquor and two cartons of cigarettes can be taken into Argentina duty-free. Our suggestion is that you purchase these at the airport before departure. If there is any special brand of liquor that you like we recommend that you purchase it at the duty free.
Terms & Conditions
Inclusions: All meals in the shooting fields with wines and beer; best available lodging based on double occupancy (£50 surcharge for single room when available); services of a professional shooting-guide; all vehicles and ground transportation as required by the itinerary; bird-boys as required; all payments to landowners for shooting rights; meeting and customs assistance; round ground transfer (Cordoba/La Zenaida) only for parties arriving and departing together; taxes and service charges.
Exclusions: Scheduled air fares required by itinerary from point of origin through return; shot shells; shotgun rental (£40 per person per day); all gratuities; shooting license (£45 per person per day); telephone calls, laundry/dry cleaning, room service, or items of a strictly personal nature; baggage overweight charges; personal/baggage insurance; passport expense; transfer to and from the lodge for clients not arriving or departing with the whole party (please refer to our transfer policy below); cost of
itinerary modification requested by passenger; transfers in Buenos Aires if your airline schedule requires you to change airports.
Transfer Policy
1. Only two transfers are included: one for arrivals and one for departures (they apply to parties arriving together).
2. For transfers on different schedules there will be a £50 surcharge (one way) per single passenger and £25 per person (one way) for groups (3 or more passengers).
Check In / Check Out Policy
All clients may shoot half a day on arrival date provided they arrive at the airport no later than 14.00 hrs; and they may shoot half a day on departure date provided their flight is scheduled for departure after 14.30 hrs.
An Important Last Word - Safety
For some reason, more shooters, dogs and bird-boys take stray pellets when dove shooting than in any other shot gunning activity. There should be no reason for this. There's plenty of room, so shotguns are placed well apart with an eye to safety.
Nevertheless, in fields being harvested, there often are workers or farm animals in proximity - people on horseback or workers will edge into a shooting area, assuming that guns are prudent and will never shoot low. The point is, you have to be aware of
this activity and aware at all times as to the position of fellow shooters and bird-boys. The bottom line is:
There is never any excuse for taking a low-angle shot (below 45 degrees). Get that rule in your head; it requires virtually no concentration and will certainly in no way inhibit your shoot. Don't take chances on shot angles - ever!
Check guns to make sure they're unloaded before leaving the ranch - recheck in the field and again on departure. Don't be offended if our staffs check them again. Everyone wants to be as safe as possible. Magazine shotguns should be carried with the receiver open; uncased doubles always broken when walking in the field, in a vehicle, or any time when not in shooting position. Don't hand loaded shotguns to bird-boys. Also, don't let bird-boys shoot. Some know how and are competent shots,but this simply introduces another element of risk.
If your assigned location is a little off the flight line, or not productive, make sure you let your outfitter know; they will move you to a better place. Someone will always be close by. If you are taking a break from shooting, be aware of others around you. If you are in the open, you may be flaring birds away from others who are shooting.
It is a good idea to always wear safety shooting glasses to protect your eyes. And protect your ears with plugs or a quality headset type of ear protector. Many times during the shoot there will be birds in the air, including songbirds. Some of these are protected and should not be shot under any circumstance. The basic rule is stick with doves. Check with the outfitter for any other game birds.
