Upon arrival at Estancia La Morena, you will be immediately transported into the rich sporting heritage of Argentina.
Upon arrival at Estancia La Morena, you will be immediately transported into the rich sporting heritage of Argentina. Famously known throughout the central San Luis province, this historic working estancia is centered around an authentic Argentine-style compound. Do not be fooled by the old-world elegance of the estate, however; at its heart lies a first-class, modern launchpad for passionate wingshooters.
With access to over 300,000 acres of land, the lodge provides unparalleled opportunities for high-volume dove and pigeon hunting across a challenging and diverse mix of terrain. These pristine shooting grounds are dynamically tailored to the seasons, ensuring variety and quality year-round. Additionally, during the season, hunters can enjoy classic perdiz hunting right on the property and surrounding lands.
The sheer scale of our 12,000-acre private property ensures you will experience the true, untouched Argentine wilderness. Anchored by its own private mountain range, the estancia shares its landscape with a working herd of 800 cattle and roaming wild horses.
This vast, biodiverse landscape is teeming with life. While traversing the grounds, you may cross paths with wild boar, pumas, pampas foxes, native rheas (South American ostriches), and hares, all while majestic Andean condors soar overhead. As a wonderful complement to the wingshooting, the estate also features a secluded mountain lake fully stocked with trout and pejerrey, offering a peaceful fishing retreat right on the property.
When you arrive at the swinging gates, you will sense at once that the lodge has had time to amass a unique ambiance, seamlessly blending historic grandeur with modern comfort. The lodge can comfortably accommodate up to 16 guests across 8 spacious double bedrooms, all fitted out to an exceptionally high standard with private ensuite bathrooms.
The facilities are designed perfectly for post-hunt relaxation. The estancia houses a welcoming restaurant offering an à la carte menu, alongside a comfortable lounge and fully stocked open bar featuring imported spirits and the finest Argentine wines. After a long day in the field, unwind with a cocktail or step outside to relax beside our inviting firepit, sharing stories under the expansive Southern Hemisphere sky.
We often get asked, "What is the best time to wingshoot in Argentina?" When it comes to dove and pigeon hunting in San Luis province, there is no closed season; rather, the action depends on the behavior and flight paths of the birds themselves. Throughout the year, immense flocks are in constant search of food and water. This behavior shifts dynamically depending on the location, the weather, and regional agricultural cycles.
With access to over 300,000 acres surrounding Estancia La Morena, there are countless locations where you can experience high-volume dove and pigeon shooting at any given time—ranging from sweeping flats and active feedlots to harvested sunflower fields, waterholes, and roosts. The choice of location is dictated entirely by bird behavior. While certain areas may be more productive during specific harvests, our incredibly diverse terrain ensures world-class shooting year-round. Additionally, when the season arrives, our private mountain range provides the perfect upland habitat for classic walk-up perdiz hunting.
At Estancia La Morena, we understand the importance of staying one step ahead of the birds. Our dedicated scouts constantly monitor the expansive areas we hunt, gathering vital daily information. Our seasoned head guides analyze this data to plan your day, carefully balancing optimal flight lines with driving times, always with the single mission of providing you with the ultimate San Luis wingshooting experience.
Whether you prefer the warm summer sun or the crisp, cool winter air, there is always a perfect time for you to come and enjoy the unmatched wingshooting at Estancia La Morena.
Temperatures typically range from 75 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Because midday can be quite warm, it is the perfect time to embrace the traditional Argentine schedule. You will take a break from the field to enjoy a spectacular asado under our safari-style tented quinchos. Resting in the shade before the afternoon flight ensures you stay refreshed and energized for the rest of the day's action.
Temperatures in San Luis are beautifully mild during these transitional months, with highs generally ranging from the mid-60s to the high-70s Fahrenheit. The weather tends to be dry and incredibly pleasant, making for absolutely ideal, comfortable hunting conditions. (Note: Late fall is also when our classic perdiz hunting season begins in the mountains!)
Winter offers crisp, clear days, with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s in the early mornings to the mid-60s Fahrenheit by the afternoon. While it is the coolest time of the year, the flying action remains red-hot, and the cooler air is a favorite among many traveling sportsmen.
To get to Estancia La Morena, there are daily direct flights from many U.S. and European cities to Buenos Aires (Ezeiza Intl. Airport – EZE). From Ezeiza, guests typically take a ground transfer to the domestic airport, Jorge Newbery – AEP (a 40-minute to 1-hour drive), to connect to a short domestic flight.
For the ultimate convenience and luxury, we can arrange private charter flights directly from Buenos Aires (or other regional hubs) to our own airstrip located right on the estancia. This is an ideal option for groups, allowing you to step off the plane, settle into your room, and immediately begin your Argentine wingshooting experience with zero ground transfer time.
The most common commercial route. It is a quick 1.5-hour domestic flight from Buenos Aires. From the San Luis airport, it is a straightforward and scenic 1.5-hour drive to the lodge.
Located just across the border in neighboring Córdoba province, this airport also receives domestic flights from Buenos Aires. The drive from Río Cuarto to the estancia is a very easy 2-hour transfer.
Located less than an hour from the lodge, this is another fantastic nearby option for guests arriving via private charter who may require a larger runway before making the short drive to the estate.
For guests arriving internationally from neighboring countries like Chile, or those looking to combine their hunting trip with a world-class wine tour, flying directly into Mendoza (MDZ) or Córdoba (COR) is a great option. Both are major international hubs and sit about 3.5 hours away from the lodge by private ground transfer.
Once you arrive at the lodge, you are perfectly situated for the hunt. You are conveniently close to terrific dove and pigeon fields, with daily drives from the estancia averaging around 30 to 45 minutes depending on the time of the year and the birds' flight patterns.
At Estancia La Morena, the focus of our program is the thoughtful pairing of historic, luxurious hospitality with truly world-class wingshooting to create the ultimate sporting holiday. While other provinces have long been famous, San Luis has rapidly emerged as Argentina's premier frontier for spectacular, high-volume dove and pigeon hunting.
Your primary quarry will be the incredibly fast-flying Eared Dove—which is similar in size to North America's popular mourning dove-alongside the larger, challenging wild pigeons. In the San Luis region, the perfect storm of thriving agricultural practices (including massive feedlots and grain crops) and vast natural roosting areas allows these birds to thrive in monumental numbers. Furthermore, when the season permits, the rugged mountain range right on our 12,000-acre estate provides the perfect upland habitat for classic, walk-up perdiz hunting.
With access to over 300,000 acres of land surrounding the lodge, we can easily access a wide range of shooting fields via short, scenic drives through the province's breathtaking landscapes. Hunters will experience a wide variety of shooting scenarios throughout the year. Depending on the season and daily bird behavior, you might find yourself shooting over active feedlots, sweeping flats, waterholes, or vast agricultural fields of harvested sunflowers, sorghum, and corn. While each location offers its own special scenarios and angles, all provide incredible numbers of birds.
The driving time from the lodge to the fields can vary depending on the daily flight paths and environmental factors, but our prime location in San José Del Morro keeps distances highly manageable. Driving distances usually range from 20 to 60 minutes, with a daily average of just 30 to 45 minutes. Our priority is to provide you with the best hunting experience, so our seasoned head guides use daily scout reports to balance the absolute best shooting with the shortest possible route.
In the field, each hunter will be accompanied by a dedicated field assistant who will prepare your shooting blind, seamlessly provide shells and cold refreshments, and oversee your experience. Our field assistants are full-time professionals with years of guiding and shooting experience. There are no inexperienced “bird boys” in our fields; our staff is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to high-volume wingshooting, and their expertise will bring your experience to the next level.
One of the most common questions we are asked in regard to the shooting is, "What happens to the birds?" We hold a deep respect for both the resource and our local community. Each day, our staff ensures that hundreds of pounds of processed game meat are carefully harvested and distributed to local families, community dining halls, and agricultural workers throughout the San Luis region, ensuring the harvest is put to excellent and sustainable use.
Mornings at Estancia La Morena begin with a gentle wakeup call approximately an hour before departure. A hearty, made-to-order breakfast will be waiting for you in the restaurant, featuring everything from classic eggs and local favorites to fresh fruit and coffee, ensuring you are properly fueled for a high-volume day in the field.
Following breakfast, usually around 8:30 to 9:00 am, hunters depart the estancia. Thanks to our prime location in San Luis, drives to the shooting grounds are scenic and brief, generally averaging just 30 to 45 minutes depending on the season and daily bird patterns.
The morning shoot begins the moment you arrive at the field. You will be greeted by your dedicated, professional field assistant and escorted directly to your prepared shooting blind. Throughout the morning, our seasoned head guide will also circulate among the blinds to offer expert tips, ensure your comfort, and help maximize your success.
Depending on the time of year, you will shoot until around midday before taking a well-deserved break to enjoy an incredible, traditional Argentine asado (BBQ). Served right in the field under the shade of our comfortable safari-style tents, this lunch is a daily highlight. You will be treated to world-renowned Argentine beef, fresh side dishes, and superb local wines, completely eliminating the need to lose hunting time driving back to the lodge.
After lunch and a relaxing field siesta in the shade, the afternoon flight begins around 2:00 to 2:30 pm and continues until about 5:00 pm. There is no strict quitting time at La Morena; good sense and tired shoulders usually dictate when the day is through!
As the shooting day winds down, you will head back to the historic estate. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed with cold cocktails, imported spirits, and gourmet appetizers. You can unwind in the lounge, share stories of the day's best shots out by the firepit, and prepare for a high-end, à la carte culinary experience in the dining room—the perfect end to a thrilling day in San Luis.
Many of our guests find renting firearms directly from Estancia La Morena to be a much easier and more relaxing solution than applying for consular permits and dealing with the hassles of traveling internationally with their own shotguns.
Renting a gun at the lodge is an incredibly easy and seamless process. Upon arrival, simply browse our gun rack until you find a shotgun that mounts and feels right for you. The lodge manager or your head guide will note the specific number, and that gun will be dedicated to you for the duration of your stay. However, our primary goal is to ensure you are shooting a gun you are entirely comfortable and effective with! If you ever wish to switch to another gun from the rack during your trip, you are more than welcome to do so. You are only charged for a single rental, regardless of whether you switch guns. You will simply settle up for the gun rental, shells, and any other incidentals at the end of your trip.
At Estancia La Morena, we offer a dedicated, high-quality inventory specifically chosen to handle the demands of high-volume San Luis wingshooting. We exclusively provide a fleet of top-tier 20-gauge Benelli semi-automatic shotguns. These specific firearms are world-renowned for their absolute reliability, manageable recoil, and all-day comfort in the field. All of our lodge guns are meticulously cleaned and maintained daily by our professional staff, ensuring they are in perfect working order for you to enjoy a flawless shooting experience.
(Prices are in US$ and per person) Rates fluctuate between $650 and $875 per person per night. These rates are flexible based on the month of the season, the number of hunters in your group, and lodge availability. Please CONTACT US for a precise and accurate quote for your trip.
Occupancy: 16 guns (8 double bedrooms, all with private ensuite bathrooms).
Non-hunters: $450 per person per night.
Private parties: $8,950 per night (up to 16 guests) + extras (Hunting Licenses, Gun Rental, Shells & Gratuities).
Hunting licenses: $85 per person per day.
Gun Rental: $130 per person per day (approx).
“Everything was set up perfectly, from the field blinds to the incredible safari style lunches. The staff runs a flawless operation at La Morena, and the bird hunting in San Luis is unmatched. It was the trip of a lifetime!”
David
“The historic estancia has such great charm and is the perfect setting for a high-end hunting lodge. The rooms were first class, and the food was outstanding in both quality and quantity. The team took care of our every need.”
George B.
“Thank you for the warm hospitality and world-class service. We had an unbelievable dove hunting experience. The field asados were so delicious we definitely gained weight on this trip! We will absolutely be coming back.”
Michael
“Outstanding trip that exceeded all my expectations. The sheer volume of birds across the property was unbelievable. I highly recommend Estancia La Morena.”