The extra day in Miami was an opportunity to visit the Versailles restaurant in "little Cuba". The big surprise was the waiter....he was from Argentina! All during our traditional Cuban lunch of "Paella", rice, shellfish, chicken and peas, we discussed hunting in his country. Our scheduled flight had been canceled at the very last minute due to a weather over Buenos Aires. The next day we landed safely amidst heavy fog and light rain. As we walked down the off ramp it was apparent winter had arrived in Argentina.
Checking the temperature it was only in the low 60s....not considered winter by many, but the Argentines were bundled warmly in long mink coats, heavy wool jackets and scarves. 
Yes I did say MINK! In Argentina mink is VERY acceptable for women to wear and there
were many beautiful coats worn by many beautiful women....God I love this country! But since my engine seems to run better at about 68* I was wearing a short sleeve shirt under my jacket...and felt very comfortable. So if your going to bring your wife AND your going to spend some time in Buenas Aries tell her to shake out the mink babe and wear it with pride! (click on photos..)
My first concerns on all flights in or out of any country...including the USA... did the gun case arrive? But the luggage gods once again had smiled on my travel plans. 
The first bag to roll out was my gun case. Just as a side note: Few years ago when a Texas company called "Tuffcase" came out with a tall green thick plastic gun case I immediately ordered one. It's appearance fools most into thinking it is a set of golf clubs...and who would want to steal that?
Oops, sorry if any golfers are reading..including my wife or Wendy and David.....lol.lol..all my friends who don't understand why I would rather "smoke" things flying threw the air than chase things flying threw the air...guess I will never be able to explain that.....
Anyway, clearing the gun was simple and quick right there in the baggage area. I have always found the Customs people in Argentina to be friendly and efficient. Outside the luggage area we were greeted by the Frontiers agents located in Argentina. Victoria spoke good English and had all our
paperwork in hand. We were escorted directly to a waiting van. The drive from (EZE) airport to the Recoleta district is about 45 minutes. We reviewed our itinerary along the way. Arranged transportation and updated Buenos Aries after hours events. The Tango bars, Opera house and shopping.
The drive in is a visitors first view of Buenos Aries, a copy of any European city on any Continent. 2 million people in BA proper, another 12 million in the surrounding area, 50 million in the whole country with a small growing population from USA. Like many cities this size during the rush hours there are congested freeways and streets. There is an obvious division between the "haves and the have nots" here. But a middle class is emerging driven by the cheap labor. Major industry is moving to Argentina from all over the world. It is a very exciting time in Buenas Aires.
We were going to my favorite hotel, one of the worlds finest---> The Alvear Palace. I highly recommend this hotel especially if your taking your wife or just preferred the best. Our summer is their winter AND off season rates! Service is excellent, bedding unbelievable plus you can plug anything right in wall without a special adapter. The bar and dinning areas are unforgettable. A proper tea is served every day at 4pm and the huge silver service Sunday brunch is amazing. 
The hotel has been here since the turn of the century and closely guards traditional Argentine history and elegance and sits in the middle of the very upper class Recoletta district...safe and elegant.There is a dress code boys and girls...so pack with a jacket. 
It is unacceptable to sit at lining covered tables with ball caps and t-shirts...so this may be the wrong hotel for some. My first trip years ago was marked by two great events....this beautiful hotel and terrific duck hunting with Jorge Trucco...so lets get to it!
There is a 4 hour drive west from Buenos Aries to the Estanzia Leocadia in Bayauca near the town of Lincoln. But do not think of this trip as a negative. First you will see Argentina, plus about half way there you stop for a coffee--> which is a National event, almost as popular as sipping Mate( an herbal mix shared in communal fashion from a Mate cup and silver straw)
You are now traveling threw an area of Argentina where the farmers control much of the wealth. Tractors, trucks, cattle, sheep, hogs and grain field after grain field. Then of course lets not forget the world renowned "Gaucho" often and easily seen from the road working fence lines and pushing small herds of Herefords and black Angus.
Argentines are smiling, warm people. Here is a typical example: I wanted to take a photo of the coffee stop. When I removed the camera from my hip pocket I dropped the Argentine money I had changed at the hotel....probably $500.00 in USD. I stood to walk out the door for the photo and a man came running up to me holding out the money....I was confused when he offered it, I still do not speak Argentine well....finely I realized the money was mine and only wished I had better command of the language to thanked him properly. Coming from the United States....and especially California, a man handing you $500.00 cash can be a bit suspicious...lol..lol.. Did I mention the rate of exchange is 3 to 1...that was not $500.00 dollars it was $1,500.00 to the Argentines! Now take a breath and think about that for a second...yea, thats why I love this country.
After arriving at the Estanzia or farm, we quickly changed into waders and drove off for our first afternoon hunt.
My friend Derek Hurt was my shooting partner. My first safari was with
Derek and his father's company Robin Hurt Safari's in Tanzania. Over the years we have become good friends. I invited Derek and his wife to join my wife and I on the best duck hunting I have ever experienced. He accepted. At the end of the day, as they say, we had put 200 + ducks in the bag! Derek in Hurt fashion shot exceptionally well pulling ducks out of the sky at a distance I never dreamed possible. All that experience from "Driven Bird" shooting in the UK. The 4 day hunt was much too short. The adventure much to exciting!
There are somewhere between 9 and 12 different species of ducks in this country.
Argentines for the most part do not hunt. In fact, in the farm lands of Lincoln county Ducks along with the Dove populations up north are considered pests. They steal untold millions of pounds of grain from the fields. So the Argentinian
s welcome hunters. But if the real truth were told even with a season from April-August only a very small percentage of birds are harvested....less than 1% so I am told. But it does create some income for the farmers and great memories for the hunters.
A typical first day hunting goes like this: We were taken directly to a pond about 30 minutes away from the farm as soon as we were ready. Jorge also has a fishing lodge in Patagonia so he brings his fishing guides up to guide the duck hunting. The guides have a long history of handling hunters/fishermen and know exactly what we want in the blind/hunt. After wadding out to the well hidden huge "plastic planter-type" blinds hidden among the weeds---> this big round tapered flower pot looking thing is perfectly designed for just this job, dry it offers great protection from the chilly wind and a stable platform to shoot from. They also add a stool that revolves giving the hunter 
the ability to shoot from a sitting position. The guides hook ammo cans with plenty of shells on the rim of the blind before they wad out to set up the automatic callers, toss out the decoys and finely hand you a portable radio. Turning and leaving quickly they wave their hand calling out---> "adios, buena suerte".
The biggest problem I have ever had in the blind is --->controlling the laughter....there are soooo many ducks coming. From teals to rosy beaks ,tree ducks the endless wave duck after duck. You cannot load fast enough....and you have NO time to count the down birds! It can be truly a "duck flush". Please treat yourself to this experience once in a life time...come with me once and I will see you every season after...I guarantee it! Contact FRONTIERS---> 1-800-245-1950--->ask for Elaine and tell her you want to experience " BLIND AMBITION" with Jorge Trucco. You can thank me when you see me!
On our last day two hunters arrived from another farm Jorge has organized only a few miles away. Mr Hyland Erickson from Northbrook Illinois and his hunting partner Ed Obrecht from Key Largo Florida they were one of the very first who had been able to select the new farmhouse as headquarters for the first portion of their hunt. They reported the accommodations were excellent and they had been 
very happy with the
shooting. Hy was once the second President of SCI so he is well versed in hunting from Kenya to Argentina. He rated the FRONTIERS expedition as one of the best he has attended. Hy will be back! Beck was on his way to Canada after Argentina for more duck hunting and hoped Canada produces as good an experience.....we are waiting to hear Beck so call me. I will be traveling for the next few weeks going to shoots around the country for the radio..but call----->805-680-2841 I want to hear from you! Check your local radio station for our program---> The American Trigger Sport Network"
I want to make speacial mention of a new friend...and good hunter from Hong Kong. Mark Rampton. 
Mark left Hong Kong to New York then Argentina! Now anyone who says Argentian is tooo far the "Trip is too long"...stop whinning! Mark spent more time in the air than anyone I have ever hunted with on any trip. 
He was so determined that Mark agreed to hunted alone on the other side in his own blind driving the birds back towards us as we pelleted flock after flock pushing them back an forth 
between us....and shot for shot he out hunted the BOTH of us! We droped Mark off first on each hunt and by the time we got around the water to our blind he had burned up two box'es of shells and had lifeless birds floating all around him! We found ourselves running to get into our blind before he shot 
up all the good birds! Mark it was a real pleasure hunting with you I hope we all get together again.....but next time we are going to get droped off FIRST!...lol..lol..
Well shooters I'm on my way to the Boomer Esiason shoot in Kentucky, then a few lessons with Bill McGuire before the Great Eastern Lobster Classic in Rhode Island, then on to the Hardy Classic at Nemacoln Penn... lastly ending up in Montana for the Kruger Challenge. All goes well I will be back just in time for my wife's birthday....if not---> I may need room and board somewhere!
I will try to get something posted after each shoot so check back!
C ya on the radio!
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