There are many little things that vary from outfitter to outfitter, that aren't little when you are there, that are so important to the overall success and enjoyment of a trip to Cordoba. Things like how far you are staying from the actual shooting locations. You do not have to ride over 5-10 minutes each way ever, if you go with the right one. Some even put you up in a hotel and then transport you up to two hours each way to and from shooting. Because of this, they keep you in the field through lunch and cook for you there. Luis brings you back to the lodge for lunch, where you are met with hors d'oeuvres and a staff waiting to help you in any way they can. You have lunch, and can catch a quick nap in your room, if you'd like, before going back to the field for another three hour shoot in the afternoon. When you return in the late afternoon, same routine ...........hor d'oeuvres, drinks if you'd like, t.v., etc. He has a computer for you to use in the lodge. If you want it, there is a masseuse there in the late afternoons to ease the muscle aches from a long days' shooting. One of the evenings, immediately following the meal, there is entertainment in the form of a young Argentine couple who dance the tango, to traditional music.
But, maybe the biggest "little" thing of all, IMO, is the lady ( in the case of Luis Sier's operation) who is standing there at the Cordoba airport when you get off the plane, to walk you through every minute detail and step of getting through customs and the Policia, who go over your guns with a fine tooth comb. Do what Gloria says, and it's a breeze, each way. They know her, and know she has her ducks in a row. I'd hate to try it without an on-site person to help out there. It could be done, but the Policia know she keeps things straight, to their great pleasure, and there's never a hitch.
It may or may not make any difference in operation, but Luis owns all the land we have ever shot on. He doesn't farm it himself, but leases it to farmers in the area. He owns the 1600 acre roost, which is directly across the road from the La Paloma Lodge, and only about a mile from the bigger Riverside Lodge. Both compounds are fenced with a high security fence that is electrified at night, and have armed guards all night at the only gate. We asked him if this was necessary. He replied, "Never have had problem ............never
will have problem. Clients too important to me".
Group rates can be negotiated, and we always do that. One person who is accustomed to international travel (if possible) should act as contact man for the entire group. Use a travel agent for the ticketing, etc. It is so nice to have a big group of your friends and acquaintances with you.The fellowship and camaraderie just adds another dimension to the hunt.
I much prefer early August there. Weather is crisp and brisk at night, and warms up to shirt-sleeve temps during the day. That would not be a deal breaker for me though, as I am sure there are other times of the year that would be great. But, in August, the crops there are all harvested and the fields are open, with crop residue. Beautiful farmland, beautiful warm gracious people. Everything one could ask for in the way of amenities.
I have heard of the death of one of the hunters at another outfitter's operation, due to an accident of some type involving a vehicle. So, there is another consideration, of which I will avail myself every time I go. There is a service called AirEvac, that will provide you with jet transportation from the site of an accident, or illness, to your choice of hospital in the USA............bed to bed. It is a short-term insurance that you purchase for the length of your trip only. It costs somewhere around $260, according to their representative which whom I spoke this week, for about 7-10 days. She told me of a hunter who was out of country recently, broke his leg badly, and the local medical facility gave him a choice of amputation or screwing a steel rod to the outside of his leg with screws going into the leg bones. He arranged an emergency flight home via a medical transport company, and it cost $25,000. I wouldn't fly overseas without that insurance.
At this point, I wouldn't consider going to Cordoba to hunt with any other outfitter. And, we have the entire Riverside Lodge booked for the first week of August, this year.
http://www.airevacinternational.com Best, SRH
