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Anytime that you travel to remote areas half way around the world, you have to plan your trip down to the last detail. Many of the things that you are used to having at your fingertips on a day to day basis are not always available when you travel to a foreign country, so you need to bring them with you. From many years of experience in making these trips, we have created some trip check lists for you to insure that you come prepared to have a safe and enjoyable trip. We have created a General Check List that lists everything you will need for the traveling end of your trip, a Shooting Check List that lists everything you will need for the shooting part of your trip, and a Clothing Check List that lists what you will need to bring to wear. If you adhere to these lists, you will have a trouble free trip.

General Check List

Passport: Please make sure your passport is up to date. Make a photocopy of your passport and keep it separate from the original so that in the event that you should lose the original, you will have all of the info you need for a replacement. Immunizations or visas are not necessary for U.S. citizens traveling to Argentina.

U.S. Customs Form 4457: It is now mandatory that U.S. Customs Form 4457 be filled out and signed by a Customs officer for every item of value that you plan on taking with you. These items include your guns, laptops, cameras, jewellery, or anything else of value. Without this form, you may have your items confiscated or have to pay duty on them upon your return. Form 4457 is good for life. It proves ownership of the guns and any other items you travel with that have serial numbers both in this country and the country in which you will be hunting. Make a photocopy of it and keep it separate from the original so that in the event that you should lose the original, you will have all of the info you need for a replacement.

Baggage: Airlines allow only 2 checked bags and one carry-on per person. Your guns will be one (1st) and your suitcase will be the (2nd) second. Most US Domestic airlines now limit each bag to no more than 50 lbs. each or overweight charges will apply. If you plan on taking 2 guns, make sure you have a single case that holds 2 guns or you will be paying for an extra bag.

Carry On Bag: If you plan to bring anything fragile or of value such as cameras or laptop computers, you will want to keep them with with you at all times in a carry on bag. The baggage handlers can be very rough on your bags, so a carry on is your best bet with these kinds of items. They have some of the best wine in the world down there and a carry on bag is the safest way to bring it back with you.

Travel Pillow: For the trip down and back, you will be sleeping all night on the airplane. This can be very uncomfortable at times. We have found that one of the travel pillows that wrap around your neck make it much more comfortable to sleep while sitting up. These can be purchased at most pharmacies, office supply stores, or Walmart. Inflatable versions will take up less room in your carry on bag.

Sun Screen: You will be exposed to the direct rays of the sun for many hours each day so sun screen is a good idea. Nothing can make a trip more miserable than sunburn.

Insect Repellent: When you spend a lot of time outdoors, there is always the chance of encountering biting insects so never leave home without it.

Camera: You always want to bring some kind of camera to record memories of your trip whether it be a still camera or video camera. The sight of millions of birds in the air is something that you will want to take pictures of to show to friends and family. Remember to bring plenty of film and batteries to last the entire trip.

Electric Converter: Electricity is 220V, so if you have items that run off of electricity such as laptop computers or battery chargers for cameras and computers, you will want to bring a suitable electric converter that converts from 220V to 110V. Almost all battery chargers for cameras and laptops are already set up for 100-240v, so all you will need is a plug adapter. Converters and plug adapters can be purchases at Radio Shack or most office supply stores.

Medications: Remember to bring any prescription medications that you require. You might also want to bring pepto bismol or immodian in case of diarrhea, and aspirin, advil or tylenol for headaches and general aches and pain associated with high volume shooting. Visitors to Argentina do not usually experience stomach problems associated with drinking water, nevertheless, it always pays to have treatment available since you may also be eating foods different than you are used to.

Toiletries: Bring all of the toiletries that you normally use including deodorant, shampoo, and tooth paste.

Alcoholic Beverages: Although wine, beer and other spirits are always on hand, if you are brand sensitive, we recommend that you purchase your favorite alcoholic beverage at the duty free shop in the airport before you leave the U.S. Certain brands of liquor are hard to find and very expensive in Argentina.

Shooting Check List

Guns: You can bring up to 2 guns in your choice of  gauge. We recommend 20 gauge as the best all around for high volume shooting. Make sure your guns are in good working order before you depart and we recommend that you have a competent gunsmith inspect them for you. Since you will be shooting thousands of shells, gas operated autoloaders are a good choice because they are low in recoil, however, over/unders, sideXsides, and pumps are fine. Because of the high volume of shooting, your guns will get pushed to the limits, so it is wise to bring along spare parts and the tools needed to make repairs. The second gun is primary a backup in case your first gun can't be repaired. If you do not want to bring your own guns with you, rental guns are available for $70 per day.

Chokes: Choke selection is a personal choice, but you will encounter a wide variety of shots, from close in to high flying. We recommend that you bring along several different chokes to cover all conditions. Improved cylinder is a good all around choice.

Hard Sided Lockable Case that holds 2 Guns: If you plan on bringing your own guns with you, the FAA requires they must be secured in hard sided lockable gun cases. The airlines can be rough of them so if you have valuable guns, make sure you carry them in cases that can withstand the abuse. You are only allowed 2 bags on international flights, so it is important to make sure your case will hold both guns or you will be charged for an extra bag.

Soft Gun Sleeve: Since you will be taking short rides over bumpy roads to and from the hunting areas, it is a good idea to bring a soft gun sleeve to carry your gun in. You will also need one for any air charter flights on our combo hunts.

Gun Cleaning Kit: The high volume of shooting will require that your gun be cleaned daily to keep it functioning properly. You will want to include bore and chamber brushes and non-flammable cleaning lubricant. The airlines are very strict on flammable cleaning products and will confiscate it from you so make sure you only bring non-flammable solvents. The lodges do offer gun cleaning services for $5 per gun which is usually the best choice. You can be relaxing in comfort with a glass of world famous Argentina wine while your gun is being cleaned.

Small Backpack or Field Bag: Because you will be out in the field for several hours at a time, you will want to bring a small backpack or field bag to carry things you might need while in the field. These things can include your camera, rain suit, choke tubes, shell pouch, glasses, ear plugs, jacket, or a change of clothes in case the weather changes. This can also make a nice gift for your bird boy when the trip is over.

Shooting Vest or Shell Pouch: You will need something to hold you shells while shooting. You will need to bring either a shooting vest with shell pockets or some kind of pouch to wear around your waist to hold your shells. One that will hold 50 shells at a time will suffice.

Shooting Recoil Pad: You will be shooting lots of shells, so make sure that you have something with padding in the shoulder to prevent getting bruised, blistered and sore which can make the remainder of your trip miserable. A padded shooting vest, shirts with pads built into them, or one of the strap on shoulder pads will work. These items can be purchased thru Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops. Make sure any guns that you bring have soft rubber recoil pads. Do not bring guns with metal or hard plastic buttplates or you will be sorry immediately.

Shooting Gloves: Some people find that the ends of their fingers get raw spots rubbed on them from loading shells into the magazine of pumps or autoloaders. With lots of rapid shooting, the guns can get pretty hot as well. Therefore, you might want to wear shooting gloves to protect you hands.

Shooting Glasses: When hunting in fields with other hunters, stray shot is always possible, so always wear protective shooting glasses.

Hearing Protection: As always when shooting, hearing protection is a must. The high volume of shooting can permanently damage your hearing so you will need to wear ear plugs or ear muffs for protection.

Rain Suit or Poncho: Although it rarely rains during the dove hunting seasons, it is a good idea to bring a light rain suit or poncho as insurance. Getting wet can make the hunt miserable.

Waders: If you are going on a combo hunt that involves waterfowl hunting or fishing, you will need a pair of waders to keep you dry. Waders are not necessary for dove hunting.

Clothing Check List

Other than what you plan on wearing on the plane down and back and socks and underwear, below is a list of clothing that you will need to bring along. Things are very casual around the lodge and casual clothing, shorts, jeans, and t-shirts are perfectly fine. You will be wearing your hunting clothes at breakfast and at lunch anyway. In the evenings, you can come to dinner wearing them as well or you can shower and change to something more comfortable and casual (shorts, sweatpants, t-shirt). Either way it is fine as nothing is formal.

Camo or Khaki Clothing: Even though there are millions of birds flying by you and they see very few hunters, they still flare from people, movement and bright colors. We have found that wearing camo will help bring them closer to you. We are sure that you will get all of the shooting you want without it, but our suggestion is to at least wear a camo shirt and hat.

Long Pants: For the field -2 pairs of light weight camo or khaki hunting pants or jeans. You rarely get dirty in the dove fields so don't over pack with too many pairs of pants. We have found that you can wear the same pair to the field every day and use the second pair for back up in case you get wet or muddy. Laundry service is available daily at the lodge if you need something cleaned.

Shorts: Depending on the time of year of your trip, a couple of pairs of shorts might be more comfortable to wear. One thing to be aware of, most every bush or tree down there has some kind of thorn or sticker on it so you will have to be more careful when wearing shorts depending on where we are hunting.

Swimsuit: The lodge has a swimming pool, so bring one along.

Shirts: For the field - 2-4 short sleeve and 2 long sleeve shirts will cover all conditions year round. It can be chilly in the mornings so the long sleeve may be more comfortable while later in the day short sleeve will do. Long sleeve can be used for sun protection even in the warmer months as you will be out in the open most of the day.

Jacket: A light weight jacket or windbreaker combined with a long sleeve shirt is all you will ever need most of the time. If you are combining waterfowl hunting with your trip, a heavier jacket may be in order as it is colder on the water.

Hat: A brimmed hat of some sort is necessary to protect you from the sun and stray shot fall.

Footwear: For the field -  Light-weight ankle high hunting boots, hiking style shoes, or tennis shoes is all you need. The majority of the areas where you will be hunting are clean, open and dry. Cordura or cordura-leather combinations are great. Bring something more comfortable to wear around the lodge.

Dress Clothes: You will not need any unless you have arranged for side trips to town and plan to dine in fancy restaurants.