Our Essential guide to
Argentina Dove and Pigeon Hunting at Estancia La Emilia
Argentina holds the largest wild dove population on earth, and the primary roosts sit in Córdoba, Tucumán, and Salta. In the farmland of Catamarca, reached in about two hours and twenty minutes from Tucumán International Airport, Estancia La Emilia puts you in the heart of the northern roost country with unlimited eared dove shooting and some of the finest pigeon hunting in the world.
This guide covers what makes La Emilia special: the birds, the lodge, the daily rhythm, and how to plan a trip. Owned and personally managed by veteran outfitter Diego Guerineau, La Emilia keeps each party private, the shooting close to the lodge, and the hospitality genuinely Argentine.
Why La Emilia Is a Top Choice for Premium Wingshooting
La Emilia is built around two things hunters care about most: bird volume and personal attention. Doves are present in extraordinary numbers and shooting is unlimited each day, while the open woodland nearby holds strong concentrations of big Picazuro and spot-winged pigeons.
The lodge accommodates up to eight guests across four rooms, so groups are never mixed with strangers. Fields sit between fifteen minutes and an hour away, which means more time shooting and less time driving.
Diego runs the operation himself and is an excellent wingshot, knowledgeable in both the hunting and the kitchen. That combination of close birds, private lodging, and hands-on ownership is what sets La Emilia apart.
Which Areas In Northern Argentina Deliver the Best Action
The northern roosts span several provinces and habitat types, and La Emilia sits at the center of it. These are the areas and field types that drive the shooting:
Catamarca Farmland
La Emilia's home ground, mixed agriculture and open woodland that holds birds year round.
Tucumán
Productive feedlots and grain country, and the gateway airport for the whole region.
Open Woodland Roosts
The morning pigeon ground, where birds pour in to feed at first light.
Grain Fields and Feedlots
Prime dove ground that shifts with the harvest through the season.
Seasonal Considerations and Timing
Seasons in Argentina run opposite the northern hemisphere, with mild temperatures and winters that rarely drop near freezing. Plan around these points:
Seasonal Hunting Patterns:
Doves are hunted year round but pigeons are primarialy hunted from April to August at La Emilia. Field selection shifts with the harvest, with feedlots and cut grain fields concentrating birds at different times.
Daily Timing:
Mornings and late afternoons are the prime windows, with steady action around feeding and roosting movement throughout the day.
Planning Your Dates:
Because shooting is available all year, dates come down to your schedule and your target bird. Contact us for available dates.
How Our Northern Packages Deliver a Complete Experience
A trip to La Emilia is handled end to end, so you arrive, hunt, and enjoy while the logistics run in the background.
-
Airport Transfers: Fly into Buenos Aires, connect to Tucumán, Catamarca or Santiago Del Estero, and Diego meets you and drives you to the lodge.
-
Professional Outfitter and Guides: Diego runs the operation personally, with experienced local guides who know the fields and flight lines.
-
Bird Boys on Every Stand: Dedicated helpers keep your shells coming and your barrels cool during high-volume sessions.
- Argentine Lodge Cuisine: Traditional asado in the evenings and a curated wine program built on Mendoza vintages, served without any pretension.
- Licensing and Gun Rental: Quality rental shotguns and ammunition are available, and permits are handled for you, so many guests travel without bringing a gun. Most of our guests choose to travel without their gun.
- Flexible Shoot Schedules: Mix half days and full days, add perdiz walk-up shooting, and build the itinerary around your group.
What Our La Emilia Guides Bring to the Field
A good guide is the difference between a fine day and a memorable one. Diego's team knows this country and how to put you on birds.
-
Field Reading and Stand Placement: Guides scout active feed and roost patterns daily, then position you under the heaviest flight lines for consistent shots.
-
Shooting Coaching On Demand: Whether you want help with lead, swing, or gun fit on a rental, your guide is there to tune your shooting throughout the day.
-
Safety and Shell Management: On high-volume days, guides manage spacing, barrel heat, and shell supply so the action never slows.
Ready to Book Your La Emilia Hunting Expedition?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do international hunters arrange travel and entry to reach La Emilia?
Most travelers fly into Buenos Aires, then take a short connecting flight to Tucumán, Catamarca or Santiago Del Estero, where Diego meets the group and drives roughly two hours and twenty minutes to the lodge. A valid passport is required, and Wings coordinates the logistics from arrival to departure.
What is the typical cost range for a dove and pigeon package here?
Pricing depends on group size, number of shooting days, and whether you rent guns and ammunition. The typical cost range for pigeon and dove hunt per day is $1200. Contact Wings for a current quote built around your trip.
What does a typical daily schedule look like?
Enjoy an early breakfast before heading out for a morning dove or pigeon hunt. You'll head back to the lodge for lunch and a relaxing siesta or a field, followed by an afternoon hunt and a hearty evening dinner.
What non-hunting activities are available?
Experience Argentina by wandering the European-style streets of Buenos Aires, feasting on world-class grass-fed beef, and enjoying a passionate tango show. Afterward, explore the thundering roar of Iguazú Falls, marvel at Patagonia's immense Perito Moreno Glacier, and relax with a wine tasting in the sun-drenched vineyards of Mendoza
How do I import or rent firearms for hunting in Argentina?
Shotgun rental is available dirctly through your outfitter. Wings can coordinate everything required to brig your own gun.
Which species are commonly hunted at La Emilia?
Commonly targeted species at La Emilia include Picazuro and spot-winged pigeons, eared doves, and perdiz.
How do local hunting regulations and seasons work?
Wings manages this aspect for the client and will inform you of the best times of and availability of the open seasons.