High-volume dove hunting is available
year round. (click to enlarge)

Argentina's eared dove is a species endemic to most of South America, about the same size and coloration as our mourning dove. Like doves worldwide, they offer fast and challenging shooting - the difference here is their monumental numbers. On a typical day, hunters will fire anywhere from 1000 to 2000 shotshells, or even more, depending on conditions and personal inclination. During some periods it is possible to look across a landscape and see flocks of five to fifty Argentine doves traveling at virtually all points of the compass. Shooting stands are generally positioned along flight lines to access doves exiting and returning to the roost.

Each hunter is provided with a young man who assists with shells and drinks, keeps the area around the shooter picked up, serves as a loader if requested and of course, picks up fallen doves. Many of the birds are retrieved immediately after the hunters depart, so as to not interfere with the shooting.

Skybirds.
(click to enlarge)

The hunting for eared doves in this area is excellent twelve months a year, and in certain months - February through July - outings can include field and decoy shooting for wild pigeons (spot-winged and picazuro), either in combination with the doves or as a dedicated shoot.

And of course, all of this shooting is broken up midday for a wonderful lunch at the estancia or more often, with a classic Miles field lunch - an asado of grilled steaks, sausages, ribs, robust wines, salads and fresh breads, followed by some rest and relaxation and then a return to the field.

Argentine-style grilled asado picnic.