BUENOS AIRES BIG GAME

Facilities & Services

THE LODGE

Los Crestones Lodge sits on a sophisticated and luxurious ranch compound. Its architecture and history merge with the beauty of its unique natural surroundings on the banks of the lower Salado River. The lodge offers comfort and a unique atmosphere given by the combination of design and functionality.

The grand estancia features wide galleries with superlative views, a gourmet restaurant, and pool facilities.

For those willing to practice other sports apart from the hunting, there is a hosrse riding and treking opportunities.
The lodge accommodates a maximum of 8 hunters and 3 non-hunters. There are 9 spacious and elegantly appointed bedrooms. Rooms are fully equipped with upscale furniture and private bathrooms with deluxe amenities so you can relax and enjoy your stay.

FOOD AND DRINK

Our kitchens come to life through the use of fresh and regionally representative meats and produce. By combining these elements, we create delicious flavors and varied textures that harbor hidden stories and package traditions on each plate. A top-notch team of experienced national and international chefs, trained in both classic and avant-garde culinary techniques, execute our food. With an artisan’s touch, chefs prepare every dish by scratch to be served at a minute’s notice.

Days start with a hearty breakfast that includes a variety of homemade breads, jam, meadow honey, fresh fruit, natural yogurts, and cereals. We also offer eggs prepared any one of six ways, porridge, French toast, or the daily special.

Our chefs at Los Crestones Lodge use only the highest quality local meats. This game is prepared and presented during midday barbecues (asados), following appetizers such as grilled duck.

The evening meal is a celebration of fine dining in a casual setting, and it is a chance for our house chefs to really shine. Again, options are a la carte, so if you are enjoying our famous beef and wish to enjoy a steak each evening, we’ll happily grill one to order, but if you’d dare be a bit more adventurous and wish to try Risotto with calamari ink, or grilled trout with tomato puree, then we’d encourage you to sample our specialty dishes. Finally, there are the desserts. Each day brings a new creation, from flan to our local delight, dulce de leche, plus fruit, homemade ice creams, and pies.

WINES

Our lunch and dinner menus are paired with some of Argentina’s—and the world’s—best wines, from Bodega Catena Zapata. We celebrate our Argentine heritage with a wine partnership that brings truly world-class wines to our lodges. We feel that the food we present and the wines we serve should mirror the sporting opportunities we offer—and be the very best available.

Boasting many accolades from the wine community at large, a Bodega Catena Zapata wine recently received a “number four in the world” icon ranking from Wine Advocate. These are truly great wines that compete on the world stage and in addition to enjoying your sporting holiday and our excellent menus, we hope you will also take note of our wines. They hold a special place in our culture and we are proud to serve them to you.

Alcoholic Beverages

The Lodge carries a basic selection of alcoholic beverages. If there is any special brand or type of liquor that you like we recommend to bring it yourself.

THE HUNTING

Only 45 min from the lodge is an area that holds the biggest herds of wild Blackbuck Antelope in the world. And we are located right in the middle of some of the best wild Axis deer hunting in the country. Full-day or half-day hunts are an easy addition to your wing shooting adventure. Several Los Crestones guides are professional big game hunters and know these private land areas well. They can organize a hunt and provide an accurate loaner rifle. They will also guide bowhunters, but we suggest you allow more time if you’d like to pursue either specie with a bow. Los Crestones offers the unique opportunity to enjoy great bird and big game hunting out of the same lodge, simultaneously.

• Drives vary depending on the selected hunting area. Usually are from 30 minutes to an hour and a half.

• Pairs of hunters will be accompanied by a guide, all guides speak good English. (2:1 Guiding)

• When on horseback, the hunting party will also be accompanied by a gaucho (Wrangler), who will take care of the horses and the harvested game

• Usually hunters will stay out all day, having lunch in the field.

• Morning or evening half day hunts can be arranged

• The evening hunts last until dark

• For hunting some of our more distant locations and also during the spring months (sept-Dec) we offer lodging on other nice ranch houses to avoid long drives.

Another fun hunt that is available at Crestones, is wild boar on horseback using lever action rifles and revolvers. Very easy to arrange and close to the lodge. Some basic horse riding skills are necessary for doing this hunt. Depending on the conditions sometimes we can do the boar hunts as “spot and stalk” hunts with scoped high power rifles. One hour and a half from the lodge in the remote corners of huge cattle ranches we can find wild and dangerous water buffalo. All day hunts can be arranged from the lodge. We have big safari rifles for our clients to use on such a hunt. After the hunt, we will take care of the preparation and paperwork of your trophy.

THE DAILY PROGRAM

Mornings start early, with a wakeup call before daylight, followed by a hearty breakfast. A short ride will then put you in the designated hunting area. You’ll hunt until mid morning, followed by lunch at the field. The afternoon hunt continues until dark returning to the house for dinner. Sometimes it’s possible to go back to the lodge for lunch and perhaps a siesta.

SPECIES

Prolific herds of Blackbuck Antelope can be targeted within 1 hour drive from Los Crestones Lodge. Here we hunt the area where they were first introduced in the late 1800 s.  Thanks to leases and hunting rights on big private ranches we offer our guest the finest hunts for this magnificent antelope. Typical hunts involve spotting and stalking bucks along established routes between feeding grounds. Natural blinds and, sometimes, tree stands can be set up for archery hunters near known watering holes and fence crossings spots. For the ultimate challenge, there’s nothing like stalking Blackbucks with a bow in the open fields. Rifle hunting for an average, or representative buck can typically be accomplished in one day. On the other hand, we suggest booking at least two full days to scout and shoot a large buck. The same goes for archery hunters. In addition to the Blackbuck, Crestones also has Axis Deer hunting. This kind of deer thrives in the bushy areas of east central Buenos Aires province. Similar to Blackbuck pursuits, one full day on these animals adds big game diversity to your bird hunting adventure. But in order to harvest a nice trophy buck we suggest at least two to three hunting days. Wlid boar are plentiful very close to the lodge and half day or full day hunts can be arranged easily. 60 miles south on big cattle ranches we have mean water buffalo that can be pursued on a full day hunt. We have accurate rental rifles that sport fine optics. We also have archery gear, but since a bow hunting is something more personal, we strongly suggest bringing your own. We take care of trophy preparation and packing according international export and sanitary requirements, as well as export paperwork and shipping logistics. No details are left to chance.

Season

Specie	Jan		Feb		Mar		Apr		May		Jun		Jul		Aug		Sep		Oct		Nov		Dec
Red Stag
Wild black buck
Axis deer
Water Buffalo
Fallow Deer
Wild Boar
Doves
Perdiz
Ducks
Pigeon
Sea-Run Brown Trout
Dorado
Pacú
Pirá Pitá
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout

Hunting Gear

RIFLE SLING: It’s important that your rifle has a comfortable sling.
BINOCULARS: A good pair of 8 or 10 X or binoculars is a must.
RANGE FINDER: Our guides all have range finders and they will measure distances for you. But bringing your personal one is always useful.
SHOOTING STICKS: Bring your personal favourite (bipods, tripods), which ever you like best and feel more confident shooting from. The guides will have in case you don’t bring one.
WARM HAT – Something with ear flaps or a ski-style hat that will cover ears is the best bet for colder days.
SMALL FIELD BAG or DAY PACK – To carry camera gear and other personal items into the field.
INSECT REPELLENT – Mosquitoes or other bothersome insects could be present in the field, usually on the warmest afternoons. We recommend to bring your personal choice of repellent and also a Therma-Cell divice.

MEDICATION – Most people have no stomach problems in this part of Argentina. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea, as when traveling anywhere, to take along medication for symptomatic relief. Also, take aspirin, in addition to other medications you normally use. Band-aids – for sore fingers from shooting.

NOTE: LAUNDRY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE AT THE LODGE IF DESIRED.

GUNS

In selecting which gun you take, it boils down to personal preference.
Buenos Aires province has a general weapon season so clients can choose which kind of gun/bow they want to use. The common gun for a hunt of this kind is a typical bolt action rifle with a good scope. Good calibers are 243 Win, 257 Wby, 25-06, 6.5X55 and 270 Win. For bow hunting, the same type of equipment you will use for Whitetail, will work for Black Buck and Axis Deer. 50 to 70 Lbs compound bows with 300+ gr arrows and good, sharp broad heads.
For wild boar on horseback we use 30-30 and 44 Mag lever action rifles and 357 Mag, 44 Mag and 45 LC revolvers. For Water Buffalo we use 375 H&H, 458 Win Mag and 458 Lott.
Muzzleloaders are welcome too.

GUNS AVAILABLE FOR RENT

Many of our guests agree that renting guns from the lodge can be much easier than going throught all the hassle involved in traveling with guns internationaly.

We have Griffin & Howe Highlander Rifles at our Ranch

It’s easy to rent a gun from the lodge. We have a good selection of accurate rifles that are appropriate for the type of hunts with do at Crestones The lodge manager or your guide will note the specific number of the rental gun. That gun will be yours for the duration of your stay. However, you are welcome to change guns and try something different. There are no add-on fees to switch. We want you to shoot a gun you’re comfortable and effective with!

 

Read about Trophy Export Procedures

SPECIES

Prolific herds of Blackbuck Antelope can be targeted within 1 hour drive from Los Crestones Lodge. Here we hunt the area where they were first introduced in the late 1800 s.  Thanks to leases and hunting rights on big private ranches we offer our guest the finest hunts for this magnificent antelope. Typical hunts involve spotting and stalking bucks along established routes between feeding grounds. Natural blinds and, sometimes, tree stands can be set up for archery hunters near known watering holes and fence crossings spots. For the ultimate challenge, there’s nothing like stalking Blackbucks with a bow in the open fields. Rifle hunting for an average, or representative buck can typically be accomplished in one day. On the other hand, we suggest booking at least two full days to scout and shoot a large buck. The same goes for archery hunters. In addition to the Blackbuck, Crestones also has Axis Deer hunting. This kind of deer thrives in the bushy areas of east central Buenos Aires province. Similar to Blackbuck pursuits, one full day on these animals adds big game diversity to your bird hunting adventure. But in order to harvest a nice trophy buck we suggest at least two to three hunting days. Wlid boar are plentiful very close to the lodge and half day or full day hunts can be arranged easily. 60 miles south on big cattle ranches we have mean water buffalo that can be pursued on a full day hunt. We have accurate rental rifles that sport fine optics. We also have archery gear, but since a bow hunting is something more personal, we strongly suggest bringing your own. We take care of trophy preparation and packing according international export and sanitary requirements, as well as export paperwork and shipping logistics. No details are left to chance.

Big Game Buenos Aires Lodge

Rates 2024

Season runs from April until Mid-December

Hunter: $850 per day

Non-Hunter: $650 per day

Gun Rental: $150 per day (including Ammo)

Hunting License: $250 per person

Trophy Fees

Axis Deer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,850 up to 90 cm (35.4 inches) of antler length.

Axis Deer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,450 plus 90 cm (+35.4 inches) of antler length.

Fallow Deer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,500 any size.

Black Buck Antelope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,850 up to 49 cm (19.3 inches) of horn length.

Black Buck Antelope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,350 plus 49 cm (+19.3 inches) of horn length.

Wilde Boar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1000 (Tusker Male Boar)

Wilde Boar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,500 all you can hunt (Sows & Piglets)

Water Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,850 (Average bull or cow)

Water Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,950 (Big bull)

• INCLUDED: Lodging; meals, all wines, beer, and local spirits; Professional guide service.
• NOT INCLUDED: Airfares; Transfer to and from the lodge; trophy fees, trophy export (See our trophy export procedures); gratuities; gun entry permits; gun rental; hunting license; masseuse; laundry service; non-hunting activities; any items of a strictly personal nature; cost of itinerary modifications requested by passenger; Buenos Aires transfers and hotels.
• PAYMENT TERMS: 50% deposit is required to guarantee booking. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. Please note this deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE unless a replacement is found.

*Prices are in USD