I was going to send this as a PM, but my mouse decided to give itself the finger just now and so I'll just post it.
Irrespective of the outfitter, if you figure roughly $1K/day you should get very close to reality. Some shoots can be as small as 4's and others 6's, but by & large a grand a day will cover it, all inclusive. Having said that, it is with the proviso that you don't go 'nuts' shooting and of course that is exactly what the outfitters hope you will do for the simple reason that is where they make their money, on the shells. Shell bills can get very expensive and the shooters frightfully pummeled and not become one iota the better shot for the punishment. If you take a gun that fits and shoot reasonable shot charges in some moderation you can have great sport and become a much better field shot in the process. To me, that normally means a flat[10boxes] in the morning and another in the afternoon, if you are only shooting dove. I have shot much more that that on some occasions, but I'm not mad at them. That assumes you ask the outfitter to place you somewhere that the shooting will be both sporting & difficult or at least challenging; that way you can practice and learn to make those field shots found most difficult. You are not going to eat all the birds shot. I have never really understood those that wish their pics taken by a 'pile' of birds tho I've certainly seen it done, inclusive of even being in some of them, only because I was there. I personally look at it as bad ecology and if it involves roost shooting even worse as that could become killing their 'golden geese'. That is a VERY personal perspective, but I hold it nonetheless. There was a bird decline around Cordoba some years back, a serious decline. Today it seems pretty OK and probably more birds or at least as many as 25 years previous. According to some folks I know who have been going down there [around Cordoba, in this case] to shoot for over 50 years, it is presently as good as ever. I dunno, I wasn't there in days that far back.
Bolivia is closer and less wear & tear on your person flying from Miami. It may also prove less expensive from an air fare perspective. As far as I know all the shooting will be from 'camps', but very nice ones. All, also require travel time to the shooting destinations, either charter flights or lorrie travel. Roads in Bolivia are at best thrilling. Some outfitters as stated earier, do package deals & it will be hard, tho not always impossible, to beat the prices they have locked in for airline seats. Miami customs can be a PITA or not. Personally never had a hitch, but have seen others, inclusive of some traveling w/me, subjected to major silly that resulted in their missing connecting flights and all of that. Ten to Fifteen years ago the shells were higher in Bolivia. Not anymore. The range previously stated is the norm anywhere down there, just know beforehand what that cost is and exactly how many, if any, are included w/your deal.
I think it is well worth staying at one of the many estancia's on bird ventures south [Argentina & Uruguay] and that can mean added travel time to the shooting fields. Uruguay has great roads. Argentina has good roads, but police checks also, when you are traveling into some areas by lorrie. It's a personal choice you have to make. Estancia food, remoteness and history all contribute to the quality of the misadventure, IMHO. I like the winters there, others from here do not. Again, it is a personal choice. Winter can be cold & wet, but there are no bugs and the winds are normally blowing making for better sport and some serious pass shooting, if you are taking only birds in following winds.
If you wish to kill birds and not simply hit them, take fully choked guns & shoot #7.5 shot or #7's which is oft available, if you ask beforehand. You do not need a 12ga. to kill dove, but you do need choke to take them cleanly at any significant range. 25grams of #7's from a 20ga. will kill any dove you are entitled to. I do not mind using 6's when available and they take the pigeon & paloma grandes with good authority in winter winds.
Lastly, I would suggest that you weigh putting a group of known friends together to go on a shoot vs. just filling a spot in an available time frame or slot w/an outfitter. In the former, you have the opportunity for both comraderie and control and in the latter it's a crap shoot. One premadonna or jerk can make it a serious bust for all. That's best avoided, whenever possible.
These are all personal opinions and observations. Take them for what they are worth. And as any outfitter will or should advise you, anything & everything not specifically included in writing is an extra. Doing your own permits and such, while possible, is not generally worthwhile nor cost effective; better to let those who are doing it routinely handle those issues for you. Take your own guns, if you have them. What's the point of using some off the shelf well used semi-auto? It defeats the whole purpose of taking the trip, unless it's just to shoot a lot of ammunition or kill a lot of birds. Most estancias will prepare some 'horse divers' from dove and most will do admirable work with the perdiz, if you are hunting them, as they are highly valued as game birds while the dove are mostly seen as pests. It is also possible to pre-arrainge your choice of meals w/some estancias, should you wish to do so. Any of the better outfitters will go out of their way to see your needs are met; they live off of repeat business and satisfied clients. Courtesy and respect always bring the same in return, at least that has been my experience.
Sorry for the length of this post, but it sounds as you have many questions. Perhaps some answered here that were not addressed in other posts.
Kind regards, tw
