WING SHOOTING: Argentina - Esquina

Estancia La Pelada is a small Argentina hunting lodge, located on the Corriente River, 35 kilometers north of the small town of Esquina.  This 25,000 acres family ranch was never intended to become a guest lodge, yet its remote location is ideally suited for anglers, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts.  Since the day we discovered it 2001, we’ve knew this was an extraordinary property in an exceptional location and made it our home base for hunting and fishing in northern Argentina.

Although this Spanish Colonial style estancia has an ancient feel, it is only about 45 years old.  Its design represents classic Spanish architecture with stucco walls, high ceilings, courtyards, rounded windows, archways, and pillars.   There’s nothing too fancy or overdone, however, from the moment guests pull up to the house, they feel privileged to be in such an intimate and unique place.

The estancia holds eights guests in European style rooms all with private baths.  Meals are either served in the elegant dinning room or in the veranda overlooking the gardens. The veranda is also where drinks and appetizers will be waiting every evening upon the guests return.  In the warmer months, a swim in the riverside pool with a cold beverage is the perfect way to wind down after a long day fishing or hunting.  Meals are cooked in the traditional Argentine fashion including delicious specialty meats and fruits from the region which are complimented by fine wines from the province of Mendoza.

Wing Shooting at La Pelada
On Estancia La Pelada there are multiple lagoons scattered on its 25,000 hectares. These lagoons are natural ponds that serve as watering holes for livestock and habitat for resident and migrating ducks, including a large number of whistling ducks.  The closest lagoon is about 10 minutes from the lodge via truck and the farthest lagoon is about 25 minutes.

The ranch also supports a great number of Perdiz. We can start walking right from the lodge and begin flushing Perdiz in a matter of minutes.

From the ranch we can access other ranches that are inhabited by water buffalo, Brocket Deer, and wild boar.  From La Pelada we also hunt various farms that are plagued by doves and pigeons.

Fishing at La Pelada
The Corriente River runs along the ranch’s property only 100 yards from the lodge depending on water levels. For our hunters interested in catching Dorado, the fishing on the Corriente can be fantastic and is done by wading white sandy beaches and slowly floating in our 21 ft boats while casting to structure on the banks. The river averages 100 yards in width with slow but steady current. Mouths of small channels and the top of runs always hold fish. We fish the Corriente both upstream and down stream of the lodge, usually returning for lunch and siesta.

Non-hunting activities
At Estancia La Pelada, non-hunting guests can enjoy an array of other activities such as fishing, bird watching, horseback riding and hiking. Nature lovers can navigate the Corriente River or the Parana River via motor boat to observe some of the native animals such as capybara, water buffalo, black caiman, storks, thousands of exotic birds. The lagoons on the ranch properties also are perfect habitat for wild animals.
La Pelada is the perfect place to learn how to play polo. The owner, Augusto is a skilled player and patient teacher. He has top bread polo ponies and high quality tack.  A favorite activity at la Pelada is to go for a long horseback or buggy ride to the lagoons to watch wildlife, then enjoy an asado in the middle of the wide open ranch. Afterwards, guests can relax by the pool.

Additional non-hunting options are lunch and a tour in the historic town of Esquina or perhaps an afternoon visit to neighboring ranches.  Spa services are also easily accessible via a 45 minute drive to the town of La Paz.  However, guests who just want to relax can enjoy a reclining chair by the pool overlooking the Corriente River.