Fishhunter1019
New member
We returned Memorial Day from a phenomenal trip to Argentina with @MG Hunting. Let me start with first time post so bare with me if I get wordy. Trip was 2 seasoned hunters (Husbands) and 2 very new Hunters (Wives). Susan had had never taken an animal and Nicole had a couple whitetails and an Axis to date. We are getting close to retirement age and hoping to get our brides on board for some international hunting trips.
Day 1
Depart Jax FL - Miami for a 12hr layover in Miami before flight to BA. Worked out great as we did a city Bus Tour, visited Little Havana for some coffee, cocktails and great Cuban sandwiches. 9pm on board for flight into BA.
Day 2
Manuel met us at the Airport for pickup and drop off at our hotel. (Slight step back - We via comments on Africa Hunting chose to let Manuel handle 100% of our trip, hotel booking, tours, sightseeing, transportation, etc.) Best choice by a million percent. So dropped off at hotel around 10am on Day 2. Checked in, took showers, short nap (2hrs) and got on our feet to match time zone and schedule of the city. It was Sunday afternoon so many of the city markets, craft booths, etc. were open and many families out and about in the city. Unique thing happened that we are not accustom to in USA. We stopped at a Beer Garden around 4 and were told due to election that week, they could not serve alcohol until after 6pm. It was a surprise but can understand since they typically have large protest during their elections.
Day 3
Manuel setup a city tour in the morning for 3-4 hours. It went so good, very informative and we saw many areas we would not have seen if we would have managed on our own. Few sightseeing photos:
We wrapped up the city tour in time for early afternoon coffee and snacks before we had our dinner show (Tango). Again Manuel knocked it out of the park. All we had to do was walk in, give our name, be seated and wine, food and show was at our fingertips. Seat location was best in the house. No obstructions or crowded tables against us. Even though we do not speak or understand Spanish, we understood the plot of the show.
Night ended around 11:30. Even though we are from Florida we both are cowboy hat wearers and we were stopped by 10-12 groups asking us to take photos with them and they all assumed we were from TX.
Day 4
Day 4 was a full day at an Estancia that once again Manuel setup. Approx. 1 hr drive out of the city, then we transferred to 4x4 to make last 3km to the ranch. Upon arrival we are greeted with glasses of Malbec, Coffee and Empanadas. Then we had our choices for the morning (Horseback Riding, Carriage Ride, Relax in Hammock, watch the BBQ (Asada) being prepped, your choice). We took them up on the horseback ride and then relaxing until lunch while enjoying unlimited glasses of Malbec. Then lunch was served and it was everything from Blood Sausage, Beef Intestine, Short Ribs, Pork Ribs, Chicken, Chorizo, Asada cut, Ribeye and finished with baseball cut tenderloin. It was all exceptional and as all meals in Argentina, way to much food. They wrapped up with local singer and couple people playing instruments, taught a little local dancing to anyone that wanted to participate. Then quick 1 hr ride back into BA for a good night sleep and prep for departure to the ranch for and hunting with MG Hunting.
Day 5
Pedro and Manuel arrive at 0700 for pickup and a short 6-7hr ride across the country side. I will note this is not the normal plan but was our plan. We wanted to see what the country looked like and not just blow over it on an airplane. Turned out to be a great idea. Each truck having one of the owning brothers driving both couples were able to really get to know them, find out about their background, what motivates them, what makes them happy, some personal life and they got to know us as well. We stopped a few times to take breaks, grab coffee, see a Basilica, small lunch place off the side of the road that was superb.
Around 4pm we arrived at the lodge and were meet by the remainder of the team. We unpacked, relaxed, started our daily ritual with glass of wine. We would not add scotch to the routine until we had animals down.
Day 5
Jim and I start our hunt for Red Stags. Due to time of year, we opted for Ranch hunt. We both arrived at the gate as the sun was starting to come up. As we entered into the ranch (High Fence) we split up and drove approx. 1500 yds. Stopped got out and started getting ready. I assume Jim's Team did the same. Since Jim shot first I will start with his recap. Jim had Pedro and Ezekiel as his guides. Jim said they started walking through the thick tree cover and approx. 10 min in Zeke spotted a decent stag but did not want to pursue. Understand we are May 22, next thing Pedro tells Jim, that was a roar. Yes - he had a bull roar and they were off in pursuit. They approached carefully and got within 120 yds, Pedro told Jim that's a really nice bull. Jim was not happy, he was like that isn't the class bull I was hoping for in a ranch hunt. Problem was Jim was looking at a 3pt probably 2 year old, (He left his Bino's for his wife, Susan, to use). Pedro loaned him his bino's and told him the one on the left. Immediately Jim gave bino's back and asked for the shooting sticks. One shot with the loaner 300WM and dropped in his tracks. Roughly 45 min into the hunt he had a stag that he got to hear roar. Did not have to come in March and fight the heat, it was a brisk 35 deg F morning and a little frost on the grass not covered by trees.
Those of you who hunt with your buddies, I got that instant feeling, dang, that was quick, where is mine.
Now to my start. Start with I had my bow and wanted to give it the 'ol college try to take one with my bow. From the cover and the trees, I was sure we would be able but I really wanted to give it an effort. We were probably 50yds from the truck when Tony spotted a stag bedded down and immediately stood up. My Guides were Rocket and Tony. It ended up there were 3 bulls together, they were roughly 70 yds out. Problem was the one that we could have worked a move on was a giant 40+ pt (500+") that was not anywhere near my price range. We pursued them to about 65yds and they walked off, not fast, not spooked but alert. We put a plan together with the wind to stalk the middle bull which I would have been very happy with (especially with my bow). We made 2 more attempts, probably covered 1500 yds, heard Jim's shot and we stopped for a minute to catch our breath, make a plan on either those or something new and about that time, one roared like 500yds to our right. So much for game plan and resting a minute, off we go at a really quick pace covering some real ground while we have dense cover. We get to the edge of a pipeline lane that is just as the ones in TX or a powerline in the southeast. We are 190yds out, 2 bulls and 5 cows. At my angle, I can see a approx. 300" bull and legs of other stags. No other horns. Tony says Grande, Rocket lays down, takes a look and says that is a for sure shooter. We try to decide how we can stalk/crawl to this bull to get an archery shot off. Because of the number of eyes and them being in the open on this pipeline, its going to be really tough. Maybe if I belly crawl by myself but still very unlikely. They both try to talk me into taking shot with rifle. I really want to get an archery kill. About that time the bigger bull that I haven't laid eyes on starts chasing cows around and roaring like a mad man. I watch for 10-15 seconds and said give me the rifle. Due to one member being working for school system, March was never going to happen so to get to witness the roar, see the bull roaring and chasing, I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity. 190yds, I asked Rocket how is the gun zeroed. 100yds, 200yds, Language barrier he said it is perfect. I placed it slight high shoulder and squeezed. Staggered and down goes "Frazier". Bull down.
We get them loaded in the trucks, and head back to the ranch to see if the girls had any luck with Blackbucks. After some congratulations from them, they looked at the size of our stags bodies, and both asked, why are we hunting the smallest, fastest animal they have down here. I reminded my wife, Nicole, that she picked the BB because she wanted one to match mine at the house. They saw plenty but never got within range for a good shot.
We changed clothes, got comfortable, sat by the fire and told hunting stories. Around 1:30-2:00, we were served a 3 course meal that one persons meal would have feed all 4. Amazing food and my wife has a wheat allergy and they never missed a beat and she was able to have apps, mains and dessert at every meal. Great job.
Afternoon started around 3-3:30, Jim and I headed out for Water Buffalo and the girls went back out in search of BB's. We finally found a group of WB around 5, and prepared a stalk to try and get an arrow in a bull. They have had very little rain in that area so no water holes to sit over at this time. Got to 82 yds and a cow we missed to our left busted and off they went. With light fading quickly, we never found them again. But we did hear a rifle shot around 4:40 in the direction the girls were hunting BB's. Ended up being a swing and a miss, which was God's blessing for Susan as she will later see why. As a first time hunter, she got to live the highs and lows of spot and stalk. Also a miss is not always a bad thing. We had it on film and allowed us to coach her. She pulled up off the rifle immediately to ask if she got him. That slight movement in follow through caused her to pull off the animal and at 175 yds it doesn't take much.
Day 6
Focus is on getting the girls their Blackbucks. We pile in 3 trucks, all guides and team for a 30-45 min drive to a property that has a large population of Blackbucks. Boy did it, we pulled up to a water trough that had 75-100 on it that bolted as we entered the area. We could see about as far as bino's would let you in all directions. Almost every square had groups of Blackbucks in them. Made a game plan, split up with our guides and the 3 trucks kept eye on other groups and communicated via 2-way radio to make sure we did not bump animals that we haven't seen yet. For Nicole and I, we made 5 stalks and just could not get close enough or a solid trophy to work out. We ended up spotting a good buck all alone between 2 groups of does. He could not make up his mind which group was the best one to run with. This allowed us to make a stalk. We used some horses and cattle in the pasture as cover to get us to a low spot with some small trees. First range was 500yds. Way too far even with a perfect situation. So we start low, then crawled to about 408 and had a really good situation for stable shot on tri-pod. My wife is an excellent shot as long as I don't tell her how far. 300 WM, not sure if it is zeroed at 100, 200 or what. So I am guessing on where to have her hold. If zero at 200, we are 13-14" low at 400, if 100 zero we are 20". I have her hold horizontal with top of back. She gets comfy and squeezes. Bullet hits dirt between his legs, buck starts the bouncing game all over the place so we are not sure if he is hit and it was pass through or missed. After approaching his position, we look up approx. 800 yds and he has joined the does and was a clean miss under. Now I have a game plan for that length shot. She was dead on just trajectory was low. While we are pursuing this buck, we hear a shot and get word via radio that Susan has hit paydirt with her first animal. They had stalked and walked nearly 6 miles with no success, and decided to go back to the truck to try a new area. As they go through a patch of trees and bushes, Zeke stops them. 150 yards directly in front of them is a stud. They get Susan on the sticks, she has to take a couple breaks and deep breathes as she can't get the gun stable as the emotion is over whelming her. She takes it off safety and he is quartering hard at so she starts it at the crease in his chest, bullet exits opposite shoulder and he drops immediately. We all load up and go celebrate her accomplishment as that is more important at this time than Nicole getting a buck. We have 2.5 more days to make it happen. He is just over 21" straight line and tons of mass.
Back at it for another hour with Nicole, 3 more stalks on bucks and just couldn't close the deal. Back to the lodge for another over kill lunch. They brought out these steaks that were 20oz ribeyes with fries stacked on top and over easy egg on top of that. Nuts for a 2:30 lunch.
Afternoon approaches and the girls are going horseback riding and Jim and I are going with large group to find the Water Buffalo Herd from the previous day. Plan is to get an archery shot, but Jim will be ready for backup if its not possible. Game plan worked to perfection, lookout helped spot the herd from up high, so we planned a stalk. We got to 92yds before the main bull knew we were there. Then it got interesting. We tried to game plan a stalk in the brush to get within 40yds, but the wind swirled and they busted. 2500-3000 lb animals running through the brush break tree limbs cover a ton of ground really quickly. Lookout informs us we are approx. 2000yds away from were they settled and started back feeding. They are now in the open and light is fading. We all get in a single file line and cover yardage as quick as possible. Jim gets on the sticks at 130-150 yd range. Squeeze and bull stumbles and bucks, then heads off with heard. We make chase and he lands a second shot, bull keeps going. Now nerves and adrenaline have kicked in, shot 3, clean miss. Reloads and 4th shot hits hard and bull breaks away from herd. We game plan, get guns reloaded and start to track. After 10 min, we decide its better and safer to come back in the morning. They mark our last spot via GPS and will get after it the next morning.
Day 7
Jim, Perdro and team all set out to find Jim's bull. He ended up being 55yds from where we last stood and was probably dead when we left him. Amazing old bull and crazy they can absorb 3 shots from a 375 H&H.
Meanwhile - Rocket, Tony and Mario take me to a new property at daylight in search of a Water Buffalo. As we enter the property, it is foggy in the low trees this morning. Making visibility difficult to spot as the ranch is an active cattle ranch so almost everything is large and black in color. Mario spots a bull and we make a stalk quickly but a group of cattle bust and he gets nervous and leaves. We head back to truck and keep going. To our right is typical La Pampa trees and brush, to our left a huge pasture loaded with cattle and then a loan bull water buffalo. Really nice looking and would be happy with my bow. While making a game plan, I look to the end of the road and notice a large group of black mass and Rocket and I both glance, then say cattle. We slowly creep closer to the bull in the pasture to get a better look and I take another look at the group at the end of the road. Its not cattle, its WB and one is huge in my eyes. He is part of a group of 7 and we will decide as we get closer about archery. Being honest, MG Team wasn't keen on taking a Bull with bow in open terrain like this. Odds of losing him are very high when not at a water hole. As we neared and made a plan, I agreed to leave the bow in the truck and take the rifle. Team seemed very happy. With Tony's assistance we stalked to 100yds without any notice from the herd. I was able to get on the sticks, get very comfortable. Largest bull was quartering to me so my plan was hit the crease of the chest, exit through the lungs just behind off shoulder. 375 H&H hit paydirt, bull stumbled and the herd surrounded him. As they moved to our right we slowly followed while getting ever so closer. The bull was easy to recognize as his nose was painted red. Every breath he sprayed blood. Finally the heard allowed for a second shot and centered just above shoulder bone in chest. Bull stumbled and no longer able to keep up with herd. We now get a 3rd and final shot into him and he crashed into a tree. Unbelievable experience.
Team gets to work and capes, debones and loads the truck with meat and trophy. Tons of high fives, lots of pictures and celebrations. Now we start on the scotch.
Afternoon comes and we head out in search of our final prey. Nicole and her Blackbuck. She is getting nervous as this is afternoon before the last day. The miss from the day before is weighing heavy on her. I'm being told, nothing over 200 as I can't do it. This is when I have to be positive and motivate her as she is truly a great shot. We make what feels like 20 stalks, all of them just short of getting on sticks. Finally we are making a play on a group, Tony leading us through a group of trees and Rocket in the truck communicating with Tony which way they are moving. We cover just over 800yds and fawn bust out of grass and off they go. Its getting dark quick and I'm both pissed and upset as I'm now starting to feel my bride's pressure as well. We move left to meet up with Rocket and regroup for one final stalk when Tony spots a lone buck approx. 1000yds away. One lone tree between him and us. We get in a tight line and go slowly not to get over excited or winded. We get to the tree/bush, I range and he is at 408. It's now or tomorrow. Nicole ask how far, I said I need you to line the vertical cross hair with his forward leg and the horizontal with his nose. If the shot 2 days before was under and we were inline with back, this should cover. She said she was stable and asked me to take rifle off safety so she could stay in contact. One last word of encouragement "Only shot when you are 100% comfortable. If we need to wait until tomorrow its not an issue. Buck starts to walk left quickly, did not range again. We readjust, he stops perfect broadside and looks at us. Perfect setup for the nose, leg line up. She squeezes and drops him in his tracks. I'm going crazy, much more excited than she is at the time. Tony takes a large clump if grass and places in the bush so we can get an accurate range. When we get to the Buck, celebrate, she breaks into tears of joy and excitement, I turn and range. Not the biggest buck ever, but she loves it, likes the fact he has a brown streak down his back as it doesn't match mine exactly.
We get back to the lodge, everyone is celebrating and we still have a full day to chill, relax and just enjoy this great country. Perfect way to end a perfect vacation.
Day 8
Easy day, relaxing day, went for walks, had great food, more wine. Then just as we are wrapping up dinner, the team comes out and ask if we wanted to go snipe a few Vizcaya. This was perfect as we had watched this on Youtube before coming. Our wives thought it was helerious when they bounced around after being shot. From the pictures they looked to us like a cross between a Rabbit and very large Chinchila. So my wife decided to call them "Chabbits" So we are off to kill Chabbits. We may have converted the MG Team to add Chabbit Hunting to their website. It was a great time, we were able to assist the ranchers with 12-13, a few grey foxes and just a great way to wrap up a week and half in Argentina.
I cannot express how good a job the complete team. Pedro, Manuel, Austin, Rocket, Tony, Ezekiel, Mario and all the staff behind the scenes. I would highly recommend.
Day 9
Drive back to BA and directly to Airport for flight back to the states.
Few more pictures of the trip and the trophies. My wife having fun, asked us to shush - You have to be Vary, Vary Quite for Chabbit Hunting
Day 1
Depart Jax FL - Miami for a 12hr layover in Miami before flight to BA. Worked out great as we did a city Bus Tour, visited Little Havana for some coffee, cocktails and great Cuban sandwiches. 9pm on board for flight into BA.
Day 2
Manuel met us at the Airport for pickup and drop off at our hotel. (Slight step back - We via comments on Africa Hunting chose to let Manuel handle 100% of our trip, hotel booking, tours, sightseeing, transportation, etc.) Best choice by a million percent. So dropped off at hotel around 10am on Day 2. Checked in, took showers, short nap (2hrs) and got on our feet to match time zone and schedule of the city. It was Sunday afternoon so many of the city markets, craft booths, etc. were open and many families out and about in the city. Unique thing happened that we are not accustom to in USA. We stopped at a Beer Garden around 4 and were told due to election that week, they could not serve alcohol until after 6pm. It was a surprise but can understand since they typically have large protest during their elections.
Day 3
Manuel setup a city tour in the morning for 3-4 hours. It went so good, very informative and we saw many areas we would not have seen if we would have managed on our own. Few sightseeing photos:
We wrapped up the city tour in time for early afternoon coffee and snacks before we had our dinner show (Tango). Again Manuel knocked it out of the park. All we had to do was walk in, give our name, be seated and wine, food and show was at our fingertips. Seat location was best in the house. No obstructions or crowded tables against us. Even though we do not speak or understand Spanish, we understood the plot of the show.
Night ended around 11:30. Even though we are from Florida we both are cowboy hat wearers and we were stopped by 10-12 groups asking us to take photos with them and they all assumed we were from TX.
Day 4
Day 4 was a full day at an Estancia that once again Manuel setup. Approx. 1 hr drive out of the city, then we transferred to 4x4 to make last 3km to the ranch. Upon arrival we are greeted with glasses of Malbec, Coffee and Empanadas. Then we had our choices for the morning (Horseback Riding, Carriage Ride, Relax in Hammock, watch the BBQ (Asada) being prepped, your choice). We took them up on the horseback ride and then relaxing until lunch while enjoying unlimited glasses of Malbec. Then lunch was served and it was everything from Blood Sausage, Beef Intestine, Short Ribs, Pork Ribs, Chicken, Chorizo, Asada cut, Ribeye and finished with baseball cut tenderloin. It was all exceptional and as all meals in Argentina, way to much food. They wrapped up with local singer and couple people playing instruments, taught a little local dancing to anyone that wanted to participate. Then quick 1 hr ride back into BA for a good night sleep and prep for departure to the ranch for and hunting with MG Hunting.
Day 5
Pedro and Manuel arrive at 0700 for pickup and a short 6-7hr ride across the country side. I will note this is not the normal plan but was our plan. We wanted to see what the country looked like and not just blow over it on an airplane. Turned out to be a great idea. Each truck having one of the owning brothers driving both couples were able to really get to know them, find out about their background, what motivates them, what makes them happy, some personal life and they got to know us as well. We stopped a few times to take breaks, grab coffee, see a Basilica, small lunch place off the side of the road that was superb.
Around 4pm we arrived at the lodge and were meet by the remainder of the team. We unpacked, relaxed, started our daily ritual with glass of wine. We would not add scotch to the routine until we had animals down.
Day 5
Jim and I start our hunt for Red Stags. Due to time of year, we opted for Ranch hunt. We both arrived at the gate as the sun was starting to come up. As we entered into the ranch (High Fence) we split up and drove approx. 1500 yds. Stopped got out and started getting ready. I assume Jim's Team did the same. Since Jim shot first I will start with his recap. Jim had Pedro and Ezekiel as his guides. Jim said they started walking through the thick tree cover and approx. 10 min in Zeke spotted a decent stag but did not want to pursue. Understand we are May 22, next thing Pedro tells Jim, that was a roar. Yes - he had a bull roar and they were off in pursuit. They approached carefully and got within 120 yds, Pedro told Jim that's a really nice bull. Jim was not happy, he was like that isn't the class bull I was hoping for in a ranch hunt. Problem was Jim was looking at a 3pt probably 2 year old, (He left his Bino's for his wife, Susan, to use). Pedro loaned him his bino's and told him the one on the left. Immediately Jim gave bino's back and asked for the shooting sticks. One shot with the loaner 300WM and dropped in his tracks. Roughly 45 min into the hunt he had a stag that he got to hear roar. Did not have to come in March and fight the heat, it was a brisk 35 deg F morning and a little frost on the grass not covered by trees.
Those of you who hunt with your buddies, I got that instant feeling, dang, that was quick, where is mine.
Now to my start. Start with I had my bow and wanted to give it the 'ol college try to take one with my bow. From the cover and the trees, I was sure we would be able but I really wanted to give it an effort. We were probably 50yds from the truck when Tony spotted a stag bedded down and immediately stood up. My Guides were Rocket and Tony. It ended up there were 3 bulls together, they were roughly 70 yds out. Problem was the one that we could have worked a move on was a giant 40+ pt (500+") that was not anywhere near my price range. We pursued them to about 65yds and they walked off, not fast, not spooked but alert. We put a plan together with the wind to stalk the middle bull which I would have been very happy with (especially with my bow). We made 2 more attempts, probably covered 1500 yds, heard Jim's shot and we stopped for a minute to catch our breath, make a plan on either those or something new and about that time, one roared like 500yds to our right. So much for game plan and resting a minute, off we go at a really quick pace covering some real ground while we have dense cover. We get to the edge of a pipeline lane that is just as the ones in TX or a powerline in the southeast. We are 190yds out, 2 bulls and 5 cows. At my angle, I can see a approx. 300" bull and legs of other stags. No other horns. Tony says Grande, Rocket lays down, takes a look and says that is a for sure shooter. We try to decide how we can stalk/crawl to this bull to get an archery shot off. Because of the number of eyes and them being in the open on this pipeline, its going to be really tough. Maybe if I belly crawl by myself but still very unlikely. They both try to talk me into taking shot with rifle. I really want to get an archery kill. About that time the bigger bull that I haven't laid eyes on starts chasing cows around and roaring like a mad man. I watch for 10-15 seconds and said give me the rifle. Due to one member being working for school system, March was never going to happen so to get to witness the roar, see the bull roaring and chasing, I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity. 190yds, I asked Rocket how is the gun zeroed. 100yds, 200yds, Language barrier he said it is perfect. I placed it slight high shoulder and squeezed. Staggered and down goes "Frazier". Bull down.
We get them loaded in the trucks, and head back to the ranch to see if the girls had any luck with Blackbucks. After some congratulations from them, they looked at the size of our stags bodies, and both asked, why are we hunting the smallest, fastest animal they have down here. I reminded my wife, Nicole, that she picked the BB because she wanted one to match mine at the house. They saw plenty but never got within range for a good shot.
We changed clothes, got comfortable, sat by the fire and told hunting stories. Around 1:30-2:00, we were served a 3 course meal that one persons meal would have feed all 4. Amazing food and my wife has a wheat allergy and they never missed a beat and she was able to have apps, mains and dessert at every meal. Great job.
Afternoon started around 3-3:30, Jim and I headed out for Water Buffalo and the girls went back out in search of BB's. We finally found a group of WB around 5, and prepared a stalk to try and get an arrow in a bull. They have had very little rain in that area so no water holes to sit over at this time. Got to 82 yds and a cow we missed to our left busted and off they went. With light fading quickly, we never found them again. But we did hear a rifle shot around 4:40 in the direction the girls were hunting BB's. Ended up being a swing and a miss, which was God's blessing for Susan as she will later see why. As a first time hunter, she got to live the highs and lows of spot and stalk. Also a miss is not always a bad thing. We had it on film and allowed us to coach her. She pulled up off the rifle immediately to ask if she got him. That slight movement in follow through caused her to pull off the animal and at 175 yds it doesn't take much.
Day 6
Focus is on getting the girls their Blackbucks. We pile in 3 trucks, all guides and team for a 30-45 min drive to a property that has a large population of Blackbucks. Boy did it, we pulled up to a water trough that had 75-100 on it that bolted as we entered the area. We could see about as far as bino's would let you in all directions. Almost every square had groups of Blackbucks in them. Made a game plan, split up with our guides and the 3 trucks kept eye on other groups and communicated via 2-way radio to make sure we did not bump animals that we haven't seen yet. For Nicole and I, we made 5 stalks and just could not get close enough or a solid trophy to work out. We ended up spotting a good buck all alone between 2 groups of does. He could not make up his mind which group was the best one to run with. This allowed us to make a stalk. We used some horses and cattle in the pasture as cover to get us to a low spot with some small trees. First range was 500yds. Way too far even with a perfect situation. So we start low, then crawled to about 408 and had a really good situation for stable shot on tri-pod. My wife is an excellent shot as long as I don't tell her how far. 300 WM, not sure if it is zeroed at 100, 200 or what. So I am guessing on where to have her hold. If zero at 200, we are 13-14" low at 400, if 100 zero we are 20". I have her hold horizontal with top of back. She gets comfy and squeezes. Bullet hits dirt between his legs, buck starts the bouncing game all over the place so we are not sure if he is hit and it was pass through or missed. After approaching his position, we look up approx. 800 yds and he has joined the does and was a clean miss under. Now I have a game plan for that length shot. She was dead on just trajectory was low. While we are pursuing this buck, we hear a shot and get word via radio that Susan has hit paydirt with her first animal. They had stalked and walked nearly 6 miles with no success, and decided to go back to the truck to try a new area. As they go through a patch of trees and bushes, Zeke stops them. 150 yards directly in front of them is a stud. They get Susan on the sticks, she has to take a couple breaks and deep breathes as she can't get the gun stable as the emotion is over whelming her. She takes it off safety and he is quartering hard at so she starts it at the crease in his chest, bullet exits opposite shoulder and he drops immediately. We all load up and go celebrate her accomplishment as that is more important at this time than Nicole getting a buck. We have 2.5 more days to make it happen. He is just over 21" straight line and tons of mass.
Back at it for another hour with Nicole, 3 more stalks on bucks and just couldn't close the deal. Back to the lodge for another over kill lunch. They brought out these steaks that were 20oz ribeyes with fries stacked on top and over easy egg on top of that. Nuts for a 2:30 lunch.
Afternoon approaches and the girls are going horseback riding and Jim and I are going with large group to find the Water Buffalo Herd from the previous day. Plan is to get an archery shot, but Jim will be ready for backup if its not possible. Game plan worked to perfection, lookout helped spot the herd from up high, so we planned a stalk. We got to 92yds before the main bull knew we were there. Then it got interesting. We tried to game plan a stalk in the brush to get within 40yds, but the wind swirled and they busted. 2500-3000 lb animals running through the brush break tree limbs cover a ton of ground really quickly. Lookout informs us we are approx. 2000yds away from were they settled and started back feeding. They are now in the open and light is fading. We all get in a single file line and cover yardage as quick as possible. Jim gets on the sticks at 130-150 yd range. Squeeze and bull stumbles and bucks, then heads off with heard. We make chase and he lands a second shot, bull keeps going. Now nerves and adrenaline have kicked in, shot 3, clean miss. Reloads and 4th shot hits hard and bull breaks away from herd. We game plan, get guns reloaded and start to track. After 10 min, we decide its better and safer to come back in the morning. They mark our last spot via GPS and will get after it the next morning.
Day 7
Jim, Perdro and team all set out to find Jim's bull. He ended up being 55yds from where we last stood and was probably dead when we left him. Amazing old bull and crazy they can absorb 3 shots from a 375 H&H.
Meanwhile - Rocket, Tony and Mario take me to a new property at daylight in search of a Water Buffalo. As we enter the property, it is foggy in the low trees this morning. Making visibility difficult to spot as the ranch is an active cattle ranch so almost everything is large and black in color. Mario spots a bull and we make a stalk quickly but a group of cattle bust and he gets nervous and leaves. We head back to truck and keep going. To our right is typical La Pampa trees and brush, to our left a huge pasture loaded with cattle and then a loan bull water buffalo. Really nice looking and would be happy with my bow. While making a game plan, I look to the end of the road and notice a large group of black mass and Rocket and I both glance, then say cattle. We slowly creep closer to the bull in the pasture to get a better look and I take another look at the group at the end of the road. Its not cattle, its WB and one is huge in my eyes. He is part of a group of 7 and we will decide as we get closer about archery. Being honest, MG Team wasn't keen on taking a Bull with bow in open terrain like this. Odds of losing him are very high when not at a water hole. As we neared and made a plan, I agreed to leave the bow in the truck and take the rifle. Team seemed very happy. With Tony's assistance we stalked to 100yds without any notice from the herd. I was able to get on the sticks, get very comfortable. Largest bull was quartering to me so my plan was hit the crease of the chest, exit through the lungs just behind off shoulder. 375 H&H hit paydirt, bull stumbled and the herd surrounded him. As they moved to our right we slowly followed while getting ever so closer. The bull was easy to recognize as his nose was painted red. Every breath he sprayed blood. Finally the heard allowed for a second shot and centered just above shoulder bone in chest. Bull stumbled and no longer able to keep up with herd. We now get a 3rd and final shot into him and he crashed into a tree. Unbelievable experience.
Team gets to work and capes, debones and loads the truck with meat and trophy. Tons of high fives, lots of pictures and celebrations. Now we start on the scotch.
Afternoon comes and we head out in search of our final prey. Nicole and her Blackbuck. She is getting nervous as this is afternoon before the last day. The miss from the day before is weighing heavy on her. I'm being told, nothing over 200 as I can't do it. This is when I have to be positive and motivate her as she is truly a great shot. We make what feels like 20 stalks, all of them just short of getting on sticks. Finally we are making a play on a group, Tony leading us through a group of trees and Rocket in the truck communicating with Tony which way they are moving. We cover just over 800yds and fawn bust out of grass and off they go. Its getting dark quick and I'm both pissed and upset as I'm now starting to feel my bride's pressure as well. We move left to meet up with Rocket and regroup for one final stalk when Tony spots a lone buck approx. 1000yds away. One lone tree between him and us. We get in a tight line and go slowly not to get over excited or winded. We get to the tree/bush, I range and he is at 408. It's now or tomorrow. Nicole ask how far, I said I need you to line the vertical cross hair with his forward leg and the horizontal with his nose. If the shot 2 days before was under and we were inline with back, this should cover. She said she was stable and asked me to take rifle off safety so she could stay in contact. One last word of encouragement "Only shot when you are 100% comfortable. If we need to wait until tomorrow its not an issue. Buck starts to walk left quickly, did not range again. We readjust, he stops perfect broadside and looks at us. Perfect setup for the nose, leg line up. She squeezes and drops him in his tracks. I'm going crazy, much more excited than she is at the time. Tony takes a large clump if grass and places in the bush so we can get an accurate range. When we get to the Buck, celebrate, she breaks into tears of joy and excitement, I turn and range. Not the biggest buck ever, but she loves it, likes the fact he has a brown streak down his back as it doesn't match mine exactly.
We get back to the lodge, everyone is celebrating and we still have a full day to chill, relax and just enjoy this great country. Perfect way to end a perfect vacation.
Day 8
Easy day, relaxing day, went for walks, had great food, more wine. Then just as we are wrapping up dinner, the team comes out and ask if we wanted to go snipe a few Vizcaya. This was perfect as we had watched this on Youtube before coming. Our wives thought it was helerious when they bounced around after being shot. From the pictures they looked to us like a cross between a Rabbit and very large Chinchila. So my wife decided to call them "Chabbits" So we are off to kill Chabbits. We may have converted the MG Team to add Chabbit Hunting to their website. It was a great time, we were able to assist the ranchers with 12-13, a few grey foxes and just a great way to wrap up a week and half in Argentina.
I cannot express how good a job the complete team. Pedro, Manuel, Austin, Rocket, Tony, Ezekiel, Mario and all the staff behind the scenes. I would highly recommend.
Day 9
Drive back to BA and directly to Airport for flight back to the states.
Few more pictures of the trip and the trophies. My wife having fun, asked us to shush - You have to be Vary, Vary Quite for Chabbit Hunting
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