HUNTER INFORMATION

GENERAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

  • Beyond what I have already paid for the hunt what additional costs will I incur?

  1. Airfare & Potentially Argentina’s Banking Fees

    1. Airfare: We recommend that you reserve your hunt dates as quickly as possible after purchasing the hunt, and immediately book flights to obtain the best itineraries and prices.

    2. Uruguay’s rules are more flexible than Argentina’s. Credit cards (Visa only) may be used at the lodge. Fees may vary slightly but generally, there is a credit card convenience fee of 5%, a check fee of 3% and there is not a fee for US cash. Ask about our prepayment options if you wish to avoid these fees and the amount of cash that you must bring – unlike Argentina, Uruguay allows for the prepayment of all expenses except for gratuities.

  2. Gratuities for field guides, hunt guides/coordinators, drivers, laundry services, gun cleaning and lodge staff. Massage services are extra and require a 24-hr notice. Please note that gratuities are strictly discretionary. A high percentage of our hunters are normally generous and appreciative of the high level of service that they receive and tip a larger amount than what is outlined below:

    1. Each hunter individually tips his field guide at the end of the week (as a rule of thumb, typically in the range of $50 day)

    2. At the end of each week each hunter generally provides the outfitter with a discretionary gratuity in the range of $200 - $300 for the entire week to be dispersed among all staff, including drivers, other than field guides

  3. Dove hunting licenses are $375 for the entire hunt week, licenses are $425 in Uruguay for the entire week. Hunting licenses for the group are purchased at time of booking in order to confirm the selected dates. If the group cancels within 90-days of departure, the group forfeits their license fees. If the group cancels outside of 90-days, the license fees will be refunded in full. If the group reschedules, the license fees will apply to the extended period. Note: it is acceptable if a hunter or group decides not to hunt all 5 days. However, all hunters will be charged for a minimum 5-day hunting license - $375. The license may be paid using either a credit card (plus a 3% convenience fee) or a check.

  4. Gun rental (optional) $100/day in Argentina and $110/day in Uruguay. Hunters will only be charged for the days they actually rent the gun.

  5. Shells- market price

  6. Transportation to and from Cordoba, Argentina ($125/person), from Montevideo to Mercedes, State of Soriano, Uruguay ($300/person).

  • How do I pay for my expenses at the end of the week?

Cash in US currency will always be accepted and should be used for gratuities for field guides and other lodge staff. At this time, there are different options/rules depending on whether you are hunting in Argentina or Uruguay. Please see Question 1.a.ii & 1.a.iii for details.

  • Do I need to exchange US dollars for pesos?  

No - US dollars are accepted throughout Argentina and Uruguay (100 bills or 50 bills should be used).

  • MGW attempts to use only quality shells. Our experience with less expensive shells is that they are inferior and they do not work as well in autoloaders. Hunters come a considerable distance to hunt and for only a slight monetary difference, most have indicated that they prefer to keep hunting and enjoying themselves instead of being frustrated with unreliable shells that cause gun malfunctions and jams. Please note that the cost per box is subject to slight fluctuations due to lead and powder market conditions, government regulations, or taxes.

  • What kind of Shotguns are available for rental?

The guns we typically use for rental are Benelli 20 gauges in Argentina and a variety of 20 gauges in Uruguay (Benelli, Beretta, and Armed). Due to the increases in registering foreign firearms and additional hassles upon arrival in Argentina or Uruguay, there is little cost savings in bringing your own shotgun. However, if you have an unusual gun fit, a favorite type of gun or prefer to shoot a 28 gauge or smaller bore then you probably should consider bringing your own firearm. If you decide to bring your own firearm(s) it is highly recommended that, in addition to your FIREARM REGISTRATION FORM, you should also have in your possession a completed and "Certified" Customs Form 4457, CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION FOR PERSONAL EFFECTS TAKEN ABROAD & the REGISTRO NACIONAL de ARMAS y EXPLOSIVOS if traveling to Argentina. We recommend that you bring 3 hand written copies of each form (NO photocopies!) and 3 blank copies of each Argentine form. If you are bringing a gun you should plan to clear customs in Cordoba (We STRONGLY suggest that you do not connect in Buenos Aires and you should contact us for guidance before purchasing your airfare). The following information should be provided no later than 45 days from departure - failure to provide this information within this time frame may result in your firearm not clearing customs. We need to know the Make, Model, Serial #, Gauge, Number of Barrels, and the address where the gun is registered. In the case of a semi-automatic shotgun, we will need a copy of the form obtained from the Argentine Consulate Office. Offices are located in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, New York City, Houston, and Chicago. Double Barrel guns are not required to obtain this form. No additional forms are required if entering Montevideo, Uruguay. If bringing guns into Uruguay, you may bring up to 3 guns per hunter at a rate of $250/hunter paid to the lodge.

  • What is the best way to get to Cordoba or Montevideo?

There are many routes available, but if you are coming just to hunt doves we recommend that you attempt to make connections that will allow you to fly directly into Cordoba (COR) or Montevideo (MVD) and clear customs. This is critical if you are bringing your own firearms (please contact us directly if you are planning to bring a firearm before you purchase your airfare). MGW cannot be held responsible to assist any hunter attempting to bring guns into Argentina through Buenos Aires. The most popular connecting cities are Miami, FL (MIA), Santiago, Chile (SCL), Panama City, Panama (PTY) Lima, Peru (LIM), or the Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) (avoid AEP – the Buenos Aires Domestic Airport). *Dove hunters should plan their travel to arrive in COR on a Monday and depart on a Saturday. Hunters should plan their travel to arrive in MVD on a Sunday and depart on a Saturday. Please confirm which airport should be your final destination based on the lodge that you are visiting. Hunters may leave prior to Saturday but are still subject to the 5-day license fee. It is recommended that hunters coordinate the schedule of their arrival and departure times. Departures from the lodge on Saturday begins at 4 AM and the last transportation service leaves at 11 AM.

  • How do I contact the Outfitter once I arrive at the Airport?

COR and MVD are extremely modest. Once you exit the plane, you will go to the immigration area. Once your Passport has been stamped you will exit the immigration station and enter the baggage claim area. Once you claim your luggage (often baggage handlers identify MGW clients and you will receive priority service with baggage handling and Customs) and clear the Customs area, you will be identified through the bag tags that you will be provided and greeted by the Outfitter's representative. You will then be transported to the lodge. Approximately 2-weeks prior to your departure 2 bag tags per hunter will be provided to the group leader. Approximately 1-week prior to departure, contact/emergency information will be provided to the group leader.

  • Is it possible to hunt something other than doves during the scheduled hunt week?

Other wingshooting opportunities are possible, but these hunts are strictly supplemental and need to be scheduled to precede or follow the scheduled dove hunting week. These opportunities have limited availability so your interest in such hunting opportunities should be expressed early in the planning process.

  • What do I need to do if I want to add additional hunters beyond the original number purchased?

The first thing that needs to be done immediately after the purchase of a hunt is to contact BRIAN or KRISTY ESPY in order to determine available open hunt weeks, and reserve your selection. The availability of additional slots beyond the original number purchased is dependent entirely on existing available slots at the time of contact and the receipt of payment per additional person. All hunt bookings are reserved on a first come first served basis.

  • Are there better times than others to shoot doves in Argentina or Uruguay?

No, the birds are there all year long! You should have an opportunity at your calendar's convenience to shoot until your heart's content! Dove season is year around in both Argentina and Uruguay locations. We can provide a 10-yr average temperature chart to assist you with your weather considerations. Please note that there is not a wet or dry season.

  • What communication capabilities are available at the lodge?

The lodges have satellite cable connection and Wi-Fi capabilities. Also, the outfitters have phones available if an unusual or emergency situation arises and a call needs to be made to the states. We have found that International Texting works well out in the field and the application "What'sApp" installed on your device in airplane mode works best for verbal communication using the Wi-Fi in the lodge.

  • Do we need to bring electrical adaptors for our appliances?

Our La Volanta lodge is capable of handling both US and other types of electrical connections, but you should bring an adaptor if you are hunting out of any other location. However, we recommend that you bring an adaptor for international travel purposes while in the airport or other locations abroad away from the lodge. Please note that Chile and Argentina use different plugs so if you plan to connect through Santiago, Chile you should bring both adaptors. You may consider bringing a converter if the device that you plan to bring does not have a converter built into the plug (most electronic devices have this feature built in).

  • Does the Outfitter have a fully stocked bar?

We feature premium Argentine beer and outstanding red Malbec wines. Red liquors especially American/Canadian bourbons, whiskeys and blends are difficult to obtain in Argentina and Uruguay. Therefore, if that is your beverage of choice, we would recommend that you pick up your favorite brand at the Duty Free store located within the airport at your connecting flight prior to arrival into Argentina or Uruguay. In addition, based off of insurance requirements, safety considerations, convenience and courtesy to other staff or hunters, MGW reserves the right to restrict the use of alcohol in certain conditions or situations at the discretion of whomever is running the lodge.

  • Which lodge will my group and I be staying in?

MGW uses discretion to determine the best lodging facility for your group to provide the best experience possible. Factors that determine the location are weather forecasts for the scheduled hunt week, group size and quality of the expected hunt based on bird scouting reports, other hunt opportunities planned to precede or follow the scheduled dove hunt, etc. At the time of scheduling, we will plan to send your group to a specific lodge; however, changes may be made up to the day arrival based on any of the factors listed above. Each group should know that we have your best interests in mind when making any last minute changes to the pre-determined plans and quality of the hunt, culinary delights or the overall experience will not be compromised.

  • Is there anything else to do during the hunt week outside of hunting?

This is a hunting trip, designed for hunters. We are not set up to accommodate general tourists. That said, we cater to the needs of hunters before, during and after the hunt and do not have the staff available to conduct general tours, etc.

  • If I have other questions about hunts, the lodge, travel, weather, etc. who do I contact?

The quickest and best way to get your initial questions answered is to first contact:

BRIAN OR KRISTY ESPY 334-569-9624 or 334-569-9724 reserve@mgwoutfitters.com

  • What are the essential items that I need to take on the trip

    1. Ear & Eye protection

    2. Shoulder/recoil protection (we have found that Evo Shield makes the best pad – the Shooter Shield)

    3. Sun block & insect repellent wipes (optional)

    4. Band-Aids, electrical tape, or (anything to prevent "Benelli Thumb")

    5. Shooting vest, shell pouch, or shooting coat

      1. Items ‘d’ & ‘e’ are not necessary if you allow your field guide to load your shotgun

    6. Cap, visor, or some sort of head protection for sun

    7. Shooting gloves – we have found the FootJoy Rain Grip golf gloves to be most effective

    8. Lightweight, comfortable boots (comfortable hiking boots are ideal)

    9. Lightweight ("Under Armour" type) layered clothing for cool weather shooting

    10. Light rain gear just in case

  • Do I need to be able to speak Spanish?

No – the outfitters who run the lodge speak fluent English. However, if you want to enhance your trip abroad try communicating with the lodge and field staff in their native language. It will be fun and make the trip even more enjoyable. Laughter is the same in any language. Here are a few phrases and words to get you started. Keep in mind the single most important phrase you need to remember is: "Como se dice?" which means, “How do you say?” Then you can point to a tree or a table or any object and learn the word. Some other useful things to learn might be:

1. Tengo sed. “I’m thirsty.”
2. Tengo hambre. "I'm hungry."
3. Que hora es? "What time is it?"
4. Necessito el cuarto de bano. "I need a restroom."
5. La paloma esta muerta! "Dead dove!"

*Costs not included in this package may be subject to minor changes (modifications) due to government requirements, restrictions or economic mandates.