ARGENTINA WINGSHOOTING WITH COLE

Long before 2000, our neighbor and good friend in Naples, Florida, Skip Hoagland, had a vision. After traveling to every corner of Argentina for 30 years with average shooting and leased lodging, multiple flight connections, lost luggage, and long car/van rides, poor equipment and guides, he began looking for a better way – a ranch to buy where he could build a first-class wingshooting lodge with luxury accommodations; in the heart of the best dove, pigeon, duck, and perdiz shooting Argentina has to offer; make it affordable and easily accessible to American shooters; with first-class staff, food, and wines – a true home away from home with no-hassle travel and the only American-owned lodge in Argentina!

In 2014, after four years of planning and construction, AWS Lodge opened to the sheer delight of its owner, staff, and new patrons. While initial reviews from American shooters were positively off the charts, Cole Fine Guns & Gunsmithing (Naples, Florida) staff NSCA Level II shooting instructor, Brian Featheringham, was invited to the lodge. After a year or so of talking about it, a trip was planned in early August 2015 near the end of the mixed-bag season for ducks, perdiz, doves, and pigeons. From the hassle-free and flawless airport pick-up after arriving on a direct flight from Miami, and two hour ride north from the airport near Buenos Aires, the drive onto the ranch convinced us this was a special place. You are greeted by a warm and friendly staff, a wood fire in the lodge, and luxury accommodations in the middle of nowhere, which make you feel totally safe and at home.

Skip Hoagland has spared no expense in creating, developing, and continuing to expand his beautiful lodge and shooting operations. He and his lodge manager, Gaston Piarrette, have thought of everything American shooters need to be comfortable and experience the best wingshooting the world has to offer. After lunch and a short ride to the first farm it was apparent that doves were everywhere! You walk directly into a pre-set up blind with guides, guns, ammo, and drinks ready to go. After easily shooting 500 shells through soft-recoiling Beretta or Benelli 20 gauge semi-autos, and more than 300 doves later, it was time for clean-up and dinner. Each luxury room has both its own heat and air-conditioning units, beautiful stone/tile work, and very comfortable king-sized beds. For the entire trip, the food and drink were excellent in every respect. From the best local Argentine beef and poultry, fresh grown vegetables, local dairy, wild game, freshly made pasta and desserts, and local wines, the choices were limitless. Even the water used in cooking, in drinks, and even the ice is purified. The staff will always cater to special diets and requests. Check out www.argentinawingshooting.com.

The following three days included three fantastic morning duck hunts (25 bird limit per person) in three different places, perdiz (a very challenging upland game bird hunted over pointers), many more doves (shooting near the river where golden dorado can be caught in season), and a Cole favorite, decoying pigeons! Mixed bag is from May 1 st through August 15 th only while limitless doves and some pigeons can be shot all year around. The return to the Buenos Aires Airport early on a Sunday morning was also flawless as was the day flight back to Miami. Cole arranges for group transport to/from Naples, Florida to Miami and while in Argentina. You can also fly from other major U.S. cities.

Why book through Cole? We have taken care of the arrangements! Whether in our Naples, Florida premium gun, accessory, and repair showroom; at local Southwest Florida gun clubs through our gun demo program and formal shooting instruction; or in the field in Argentina; we are indeed sticklers for details! We have arranged the Argentina dates and packages, found the lodge and guides, and negotiated all pricing in advance. We will help you book your travel, decide what to bring, give you important travel tips, and fly with and assist you during the trip and in the field.

How does it work? Cole will publish packages yearly with future dates/pricing information for groups of 6-10 shooters. A 50% deposit will hold your reservation. Your deposit is non-refundable unless Cole can fill your slot with someone on the waiting list. We will then provide you very specific travel information for each trip. Balance of the package price is due 30 days prior to departure. Custom-tailored trips can also be arranged for groups of 6 to 10 shooters. Non-shooting guests are also welcome as there are many other activities at/near the lodge. Call 239-352- 0345 to inquire or book now!