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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359 |
always wanted to go; has anyone made the trip? things to look for, or avoid? sounds like a good time, good shooting and great grub. I did talk to an outfitter a few years ago, he said I should be ready to fire 1,000 rounds....before lunch, on the first day. I had one of my usual dove hunts here yesterday, saw 4 , fired at 2 and got zero,
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,086
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,086 |
Have been twice.
!000 rounds before lunch on the first day might be a little exaggerated, but let's just say that on my first morning doves were almost always in the air and in range, to the point where reloading the shotguns resulted in "missed opportunities." Eventually I got over worrying about that. Did go through a 250-round case long before lunch (and we didn't start shooting until around 9:30) so had to wander over where my companions were shooting to get more ammo.
One of my friends on the trip, a world-class shotgunner who had been down many times, said that instead of just shooting at every dove within range, you should concentrate on one shot-angle until you get it down, which will make you a better dove shooter and all-around wingshooter. He was right.
The big decision, I would say, is not whether or not to go, but whether to take your own guns or rent them down there from the outfitter. Have done it both ways and renting easier and cheaper--unless, of course, you absolutely want to bring your own.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,971
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,971 |
It would be cool to list a couple outfitter you guys may have used and enjoyed
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359 |
yes, that would be helpful. JB, I will PM you in a bit. I just counted 8 doves in my front yard. I drive 40 minutes to my hunting spot and get zip, and there are 8 I am feeding right here. sheesh!
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 144
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 144 |
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359 |
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359 |
also liking JJ Caceria.com, pigeon option is tempting. Interesting, they don't take credit card but will take US cash(3% discount) or your personal check (2% fee added)
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 2
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 2 |
also liking JJ Caceria.com, pigeon option is tempting. Interesting, they don't take credit card but will take US cash(3% discount) or your personal check (2% fee added) I have hunted with JJ three times over the past dozen years. JJ runs a good operation and his prices are very competitive. Two good friends hunted with him this year for doves, pigeons and perdiz and all went well. Some outfitters charge far more than JJ but not sure what you get for the extra fees. I've met a lot of hunters at JJ's lodge and I have never heard any grumbles.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 11,304
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 11,304 |
I have hunted with JJ twice, doves and red stag. Thumbs up.
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." Thomas Paine
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 380
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 380 |
Does JJ do any archery hunts?
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 489
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 489 |
Hayes and Hayes are everything you could dream of. I highly recommend them
How can I tell you bye if you wont leave?
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 279
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 279 |
[quote=kid0917]
I have hunted with JJ three times over the past dozen years. JJ runs a good operation and his prices are very competitive. Two good friends hunted with him this year for doves, pigeons and perdiz and all went well. Some outfitters charge far more than JJ but not sure what you get for the extra fees. I've met a lot of hunters at JJ's lodge and I have never heard any grumbles.
For those interested "perdiz" are partridge.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,002
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,002 |
Have been twice.
!000 rounds before lunch on the first day might be a little exaggerated, but let's just say that on my first morning doves were almost always in the air and in range, to the point where reloading the shotguns resulted in "missed opportunities." Eventually I got over worrying about that. Did go through a 250-round case long before lunch (and we didn't start shooting until around 9:30) so had to wander over where my companions were shooting to get more ammo.
One of my friends on the trip, a world-class shotgunner who had been down many times, said that instead of just shooting at every dove within range, you should concentrate on one shot-angle until you get it down, which will make you a better dove shooter and all-around wingshooter. He was right.
The big decision, I would say, is not whether or not to go, but whether to take your own guns or rent them down there from the outfitter. Have done it both ways and renting easier and cheaper--unless, of course, you absolutely want to bring your own.
All good advice, MD- concentrating on one shot angle for a while will up your kill percentage, based upon my own experience in Argentina. I took my own shotgun last time, but next trip I will be renting one of the outfitter's shotguns- bringing your own is a lot of hassle and expense. Another interesting target, at least where I shot, was the hordes of parakeets that feed in the fields. They are every bit as challenging a target as doves, although my wife was horrified that I was shooting songbirds. They are a real nuisance, and damage crops as well when present in large numbers.
I'd rather be a free man in my grave, than living as a puppet or a slave....
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359 |
This outfitter also looks good, https://www.sycsporting.com/dove-hunting/lodge-el-cortijo , some good video of Tom Knapp having fun with some exhibition shooting. I saw an internet story about a "lodge invasion" at JJ's a few years ago, pretty scary sounding, but JJ made it good as he could afterwards for all the guests.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 496
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 496 |
https://www.sierrabrava.com/I've been there. Everything was perfect. You can shoot as much as you want to shoot.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359 |
I love this "ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE UNLIMITED DOVE SHOOTING Rate: $2477 per hunter for the 3 Nights/4 Days stay" A lot of the others, gun rental $65 a day extra, bird boy $50-60 a day extra, license $65 a day extra. What time of year did you go? any pigeons or parakeets in the bag, and is the beef really THAT good?
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 496
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 496 |
I was there in early September. We did shoot pigeons/parakeets 1 afternoon, but it was an hour or so drive away. If I remember correctly we were on the tail end of when they typically shoot pigeons. They had a limit and we could only shoot 100 pigeons each. It was a nice change from just shooting doves around the lodge.
The food at Sierra Brava was spectacular, but we didn't have beef as much as you'd expect. Lots of variety.
I'd recommend at least 3 full days at the lodge with a half day on each end. I know most of the packages are 2 full days, but why go all that way and not stay a little extra. Don't be afraid to make them an all inclusive offer that includes everything and at least 1000 shells per day. That's how I've gotten my best deals there.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,359 |
I do get the feeling you could deal with them (Sierra Brava) by making an offer, that could be a factor in booking them vs some of the others.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,756
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 11,756 |
I have not been but know several guys that have been multiple times. According to them, 500-1000 shots per day is very doable. Food wine and accommodations are very good. Whether to take or rent guns is an issue. If I go,I’ll rent. And the cost of shells can sneak up on you.
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