Southern Swing

Want to change up your summer vacation? Head to South America for a mixed-bag wingshooting adventure.

- Phil Bourjaily

FOR A SECOND I regret bringing the o/u. When ducks come nonstop, a break action is always open at the wrong time. But it truly doesn’t matter. If I miss one opportunity, the next bunch of teal will strafe the shoreline in a matter of moments. Raul keeps us in ammo. During rare lulls, he pours coffee. Life is very good right now. It’s June, and I’m shooting ducks.

When it’s summer in the States, it’s hunting season below the equator, and there’s no better escape from our long, hot off-season than a mixed-bag wing shooting adventure in Uruguay or Argentina, where I was this month last year. You can shoot doves year-round in South America, but from May through early August, pigeons and perdiz are also in season. So are ducks—up to 13 different species, only one of which, the cinnamon teal, you’ve likely ever seen before. Waterfowl limits are high: 20 ducks per day in most of Argentina, while in Uruguay your outfitter will typically cut you offat 75 or 100 shells per hunt.

You’ll hunt ducks in the mornings, unless you hunt perdiz, jumpy little pastureland birds that run ahead of pointing dogs like pheasants. The limit is 10, the walking is flat and easy, and you might see 50 of them on a good outing. Dove hunts are afternoon affairs, near a roost. You’ll see birds by the thousands and can burn two to three cases of shells in a couple of hours.

Sound like a better way to spend a few summer days than playing golf? It is. Want to go? Here are five things you need to know first.