Uruguay Duck Hunting – Tactics for South America Hunting Trips

April 19, 2010
After two decades of duck hunting, I’ve learned a lot from the ducks I’ve shot – but even more from the ones I didn’t.
So much has been written about the stereotypical duck hunt where you sit in a “stylish” blind, hot coffee in hand and countless ducks coming into the decoys that someone else set up in the early morning hours. However, as the leader of Los Gauchos and a leader in the duck hunting sport, I don’t hesitate to turn conventional wisdom upside down when it suits me and especially when it suits my waterfowl hunting friends. More often, I tend to scoff at the so-called “expert outfitters” and try things and offer some of the best duck hunting – but in a different way. Another way to put it – Los Gauchos likes to “think outside the blind (or box)”.
Los Gauchos Outfitters has partners in both Uruguay and Argentina that are tried and true and they are experts. We hunt with them, plan duck hunting trips for clients with them, and purchase and provide top hunting gear with them.
So, what makes Uruguay duck hunting different or better with Los Gauchos?

Good question – and sit back we like to discuss our duck hunting tactics with all of our potential and recurrent clients, who we now call friends.

First: Duck hunting all day. Yes, Uruguay has the resources, the guides find the resources, and the duck hunting is consistently good in the areas of Uruguay we hunt ducks. Where, you ask? Undisclosed territory! No, just kidding. Uruguay’s eastern side is full of rice crops and thousands of acres of farm land and water marshes that make this the perfect habitat for ducks in South America. It is legal to bait with rice in Uruguay, and Los Gauchos does to provide consistency with the duck hunting.

Second: The rates. Yes, there is a cost for duck hunting in Uruguay but it is not as much as many other duck hunting vacations and with an inclusive pricing plan, we have this part down. Many others are trying to figure out how they can be just like Los Gauchos, so we will offer and provide duck hunting while they continue to meet over their business plan. Los Gauchos rates includes guns (20 gauge high quality guns from Beretta or Benelli), lodging, meals, beverages, and tips.

Third: Service. Something more and more people do not expect and when dealing with an outfitter about an international hunting trip and especially Uruguay (Uruguay is not England or even Buenos Aires or Canada) – we will help you with the pronunciation of Montevideo (the city you fly into and the capital of Uruguay). The best way to pack and what to pack for your duck hunting trip. And best of all – your bags fly free! We can’t claim this advantage, but most international flights allow up to 2 pieces of luggage free, no charge.

So when it’s all said and done and you’ve looked at several websites, tried to contact several companies and not quite sure what you are getting or what you are paying for – then just send us an email (we are old-time duck hunters but up to date techno freaks that keep the blackberry on hand) or give us a call (800) 420-8707 and let us do something for you.

Los Gauchos want to bring you Duck Hunting to Uruguay, and remember while some say “one day, you will want to tell your grandchildren about duck hunting in Uruguay” we know and want you to tell your colleagues and friends about it after the first time in the blind and seeing and shooting ducks in South America.
Los Gauchos Outfitters – Uruguay Duck Hunting – (800) 420-8707 – info@losgauchos.comhttp://www.LosGauchos.com

What’s in a Name? Hunting in South America – A LOT!

April 6, 2010

What is in a name?  A question I started thinking about as I listen to news, listen to the radio, and read about current events.

We all know the name, Tiger Woods.  The name Michael Jackson means a lot to the world.  Going further the name Coca Cola, Cabelas, Starbucks and so on each has a certain meaning to you.  Los Gauchos Outfitters hopefully means something to the wingshooters and waterfowl hunters looking for a hunting trip in Uruguay and Argentina.

Los Gauchos is about to begin our ninth duck hunting season in South America and our name has become a well known one in the hunting industry.  I am thrilled to realize that Uruguay (and Argentina) duck hunting and Los Gauchos goes hand in hand.  We have worked hard to make it a positive, accurate, well known name that delivers and is more than “just a name”.

I have worked for Los Gauchos Outfitters and stand proud to be a part of the name and everything behind it.  I am about to take a new step and gain a name – CRIDDLE.  I am proud and excited to have the honor of being a Criddle and as I take such pride each and everyday to stand behind and work to make the name Los Gauchos a respected name in the hunting industry, I will do the same with the Criddle name.  For those who do not realize the name Criddle is the backbone of Los Gauchos Outfitters.

I recently read a story about a student who was visiting the Vietnam Memorial and was overwhelmed by the memorials and the names  engraved.  But, I know and she eloquently discovered that all of those engraved names were much more.  They were husbands, sons, grandpas, and friends that had served our country and had their names out for the public to honor and show their respect.  And they were individuals who made a difference and were loved and respected by others.

I have come to the conclusion that a name is more than a brand or the top pop song or idol but a part of an individual that will cherish so many people in life and death that the sight of their name can cause great emotion in those they have touched.

And I take the name as a true Southern Girl would – I eagerly and fully will be known as Ms. Susan (have Louisiana roots – so will never get away from this!) or Mrs. Criddle. No hyphen or combining of the name – my father would wholeheartedly agree .  And with the man that stands behind the name Criddle and his father (Captain Criddle), that played a huge part in the man he is,  it is an absolute honor to have and hold dear.

I look forward to taking on the cherished name of Criddle and feel proud to work and stand behind the name Los Gauchos Outfitters.

5 Ways to Charm Your Duck Hunter

March 23, 2010

Want to impress a duck hunter?  How about a “Southern Duck Hunter”?  Just think, Los Gauchos and the country of Uruguay or Argentina and soon Peru.

We write this today for a female audience.  While we typically have a majority of males and a nice crowd of female wingshooters.  In fact, many of our female wingshooters and waterfowlers can show the men a thing or 2 about hunting in Uruguay.  But, I regress and back to the topic.

You have a boyfriend, husband, friend, father, grandfather, or third cousin twice removed that lives and breathes for duck hunting season.  Los Gauchos Outfitters is here to show you how to mind your manners and grant the duck hunting gentlemen their needs.

Number One: Uruguay duck hunting during the South American waterfowl season – May, June, July, or August.
No matter what you wanted to plan for summer vacation – beach, landscaping the yard, adding on to the house, or Disney World with or without the kids – Uruguay duck hunting for 4 days is the way to charm any man who finds the sport of waterfowl a necessity for survival.

Los Gauchos knows the international bird hunting travel is confusing.  The outfitters, lodges, and companies have evolved over the past few years.    As Ted Nugent once sang  ” I just wanna go huntin’  It makes me feel so good.”  Los Gauchos has a simplified efficient way to book and plan a duck hunting trip to Uruguay.  Fees all paid before you depart and all you have to worry about is the next flock of ducks coming over the horizon in Uruguay.

Some other ways to charm your duck hunter include:

2. Help us pack our bag for Uruguay – that’s right.  I speak from experience and loan the best sunscreen and first aid ointment you have for your sharp shooter.  Pack the camera with film and battery in tact.  You need something to show off for your friends on Facebook.

3. Ask for a trophy.  No, don’t ask for them to “swing” thru Buenos Aires and grab a handmade leather jacket, ask for the best looking RosyBill Pochard and have a good spot for it in the den.

4. Brush up on your Tex-Mex recipes.  The one realm of food that is not found in Uruguay or Argentina is Tex-Mex.  So, grab a bag of tositos chips, some good salsa, and tex-mex and have it ready for brunch!

5. Finally, take an interest in duck hunting or dove hunting and really start practicing by shooting clays and get ready for a good time duck hunting in Uruguay.  New shooters and expert shooters are welcome and the ducks are high volume and consistent, so we have room for the family.

Los Gauchos Outfitters

Los Gauchos – Uruguay – Argentina and NOW Peru Bird Hunting..Small is the New Big

March 4, 2010

Los Gauchos is the wingshooting experts for Argentina and Uruguay and now we present Peru bird hunting. Wingshooting and small game is all a hunting man/woman needs. While bird hunting delivers the same rush whether you are in a duck blind in Texas, Oklahoma, South Louisiana, or the marshes of Arkansas. Los Gauchos provides the background and the birds for that same rush in Argentina and Uruguay. And now PERU.

Ducks filling the sky and tearing by at full speed or into the carefully set up decoys, the excitement and the feeling of being outdoors with a flock of ducks unlike those seen in North America – add to the bird hunter’s rush. Home to over 7 species of ducks, and millions of the golden-eared dove that do not migrate, and Perdiz that work with the bird dogs to create an outstanding hunt, Argentina and Uruguay’s wingshooting opportunities span every region of the countries.

This is the good news and the highlights of our article, but as superb as the shooting in Argentina and Uruguay can be, knowing the hotspots and Estancias that give a bird hunting trip merit takes some research and checking. Wingshooters that have never tried bird hunting in Argentina or Uruguay are frequently struck by the country’s enormous size and the volume and variation in birds that are legal and many times limitless.

Los Gauchos suggests reading our website and references and articles that are referenced by many professionals in the hunting business. LosGauchos.com is a large reference center and one we continue to update, since updates are needed but the fact remains that bird hunting in Argentina and Uruguay stays the same – like the good ‘ol days of consistent shooting, liberal limits, good friends, and a beautiful background to enjoy a sport that has been enjoyed for decades.

As Ernest Hemingway states: “When you have shot one bird flying you have shot all birds flying. They are all different and they fly in different ways but the sensation is the same and the last one is as good as the first.”

Contact Los Gauchos today to find out more about the Argentina, Uruguay and now Peru bird hunting opportunities.

Argentina, Uruguay, Peru Bird Hunting

Duck, Dove, Perdiz, PIgeons, Goose Hunting - the Gaucho Way - Only Way!

Paradise? Duck Hunting in Uruguay – Los Gauchos Outfitters

January 22, 2010

It was cold.  The rain was coming down in rapid sheets.  We felt like we were inside a dishwasher…

Where were we really?

In a Uruguay rice field -duck hunting.

The conditions perfect, the company could not have been better.  I was hunting with my longtime friend and fraternity brother, Crawford E McGinnis.  Twenty-six Rosybill Pochards lay on the ground beside us in the duck hunting blind.

Crawford and I have shared duck blinds together on many a rainy day and both of us have shot our fair share of ducks in our lifetimes.  But neither one of us had experienced what we were seeing this morning in Uruguay and the morning had just begun…

We still had hours of shooting left and the black Canvasback-like ducks continued to drop into our decoys like falling rocks.

If you’ve never hunted Rosybill Pochards, you simply cannot relate to what we are seeing this morning because no other birds assault the decoys the way the Rosybill does.

I looked over at Crawford and asked the rhetorical question-“are you having fun?”  He looked at me and replied- “man it’s just another shitty day in paradise..”.


Not a second later after his reply had six more Uruguay ducks cupped their wings and dropped their legs as they gracefully made their final approach into our clever fake-our decoy spread.

In this duck hunting paradise of Uruguay Los Gauchos Outfitters
EVERYDAY is FRIDAY and EVERYDAY is PAYDAY

Uruguay and Argentina Hunting Trips

providing wingshooting and fishing in Argentina and Uruguay

 


Don’t miss paradise in Uruguay this season and don’t worry the Uruguay duck hunting season does not begin until May 1st.

Paradise for duck hunting is big – contact Los Gauchos about Argentina duck hunting too.  Then we discuss heaven on earth!

Colonia, Uruguay – Wings over Uruguay-

June 4, 2009

Wings over Uruguay sounds like a movie title or a book you should have read in high school.  But it is real and reality is good for dove hunters looking at Uruguay as a destination. 

Colonia is a small town with a lot of press due to its location (50 minutes on a fast boat from Buenos Aires) and nature.  The cobblestone street and quaint town of Colonia is enough to write a great travel article about and describe the European flavor, great beaches, pedestrian friendly main street and the wonderful cuisine that only South America can provide.  Yes, this is Colonia; however, we write about hunting trips and Colonia is a great hunting destination for wingshooters. 

Dove hunting is unbelievable, with the endless doves that cover the sky and the few restrictions on dove hunting.  First, there are no limits.  Take ’em as they say.  Second, there is no season, take ’em anytime.  Wow.  OK —now tell me what is wrong.  Well, nothing.  Those going on a hunting trip or bringing non hunters along will find Colonia a perfect destination. 

You can fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina and see the sites in Buenos Aires before boarding the boat for a quick 50 minute ride to Colonia.  Here, you go maybe 15 minutes to the dove field, get your shotgun ready and take ’em.  The doves are harmful to the farmers and their crops, which makes up more than people in Uruguay, so dove hunters are a welcome site and the hunting pressure is low and the dove population is high. 

Enjoy Colonia and enjoy your next hunting trip wherever it may be.  Read more about  Uruguay dove hunting in Colonia  here.