Red Stag Lanín

Facilities & Services

THE LODGE

The lodge is a beautiful stone and log house located within the ranch headquarters. This compound overlooks the expansive lake providing some of the most amazing views a hunting lodge can provide. The ranch lodge has capacity for 2 hunters at the moment and additionally as many as four non-hunters.

There are several non-hunting activities within the ranch including horseback riding, hiking, birdwatching and trout fishing on the lake. Also, some of the most iconic trout fisheries in Patagonia are in the Junin area so fishing days can be arranged. Our sister fishing company Nervous Waters owns and operates Northern Patagonia Lodge, a beautiful fishing lodge located on the upper Chimehuin River, just 20 minutes from the ranch.

• Capacity: 2 hunters
• Accommodations: 3 rooms (1 Single room with King bed, and 2 double rooms), all with private bathroom. 
• Cozy living room with amazing views of the lake
• Outdoor fire pit
• WiFi Internet access and satellite TV. 
• Our chef will prepare delicious menu options including Argentina’s famed beef and fine wines, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, Traditional Argentine Asado and more. 
• Maid and laundry service. 
• Gun rental is available. We have good accurate rifles with high quality scopes.
• After the hunt we take care of the preparation and paperwork for the trophy export.
• Horseback riding, trout fishing, hiking  and more are available for nonhunting companions, or after you take your stag.

FOOD AND DRINK

Our kitchen uses only fresh and regional products, some of them grown at the ranch. By combining these elements, we create a delicious local cuisine. Our experienced cooks, trained in both local and classic culinary techniques, execute our food.

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 in different ways.

We use only the highest quality local meats. Also game is prepared and presented during midday and night meals.

Wines

Our lunch and dinner menus are paired with some of Argentina’s best wines, most of them grown in the area.

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 history of the estancia dates back to almost a century. Back in the late 1800s, Richard Hosking Trannack emigrated from England to Argentina along with his wife and children, where they settled in the area of Zapala, Neuquen, and established a small ranch named El Manzano. Sadly, Richard and Marie died a few years after their arrival, so the two eldest sons took over the Estancia.

At the time, the eldest son, Don Arturo, was employed for a British company in charge of building a railway, where his job involved crossing the Andes by horse to collect money for the working staff. On one of his many crossings, Don Arturo came across a beautiful stretch of land by the Huechulafquen Lake, where he was able to establish contact with owners and purchase this very unique property.

Arturo and his family lived throughout the year in El Manzano, the original family home in Zapala, and the ranch by the lake became their summer residence. At that time there was no bridge over the Chimehuin River (the outflow of Lake Huechulafquen) so they would drive to the mouth of the Chimehuin River, leave their car under cover, and then travel the last stage of their journey on horseback.

The family lived in tents during those summer months, but eventually Don Arturo carefully chose the ideal spot to build the main house, where it still stands to this day. This was not a simple task, as it involved cutting into the mountain to create a plateau for the construction, the stone used in the construction was quarried on the farm.

When Don Arturo died, it was his daughter Marie who inherited the estancia. During her first years she struggled hard to make ends meet, but not long after she befriended with a gentleman that use to hunt on a neighboring property  and eventually offered to get the hunting rights of the ranch. After that, every March, he and his friends would show up at the ranch for the Stag Roar. Marie and her husband looked forward to the hunting season as they thoroughly enjoyed hosting the hunters and sharing anecdotes, jokes, drinks and plenty of laughter. A fun time of the year! 

Marie, a legendary lady in Patagonia, passed away some years ago. Now, her daughter Marisa (4th generation) and Chris (her husband) have taken over the running of this very special place where they continue the loving family legacy they have been blessed to receive.

THE HUNTING

The Red Stag Lanín hunting program is focused on providing the best hunts in one of the most beautiful areas of South America. Despite the fact that the official red deer season in Neuquén province goes from March to May, due to our current game management plan we only hunt during the pre-rut and only 1 week during peak rut, leaving the heard unmolested the rest of the year. We harvest a very limited amount of trophy Stags per season.

After a hot breakfast, you and your guide (1×1) will depart by 4 wheel drive truck to the designated hunting area for the day. Horses may also be used, if needed to access the more remote and highest parts of the ranch. Drives to the hunting area may be 10 to 30 minutes. Spotting and stalking is the most common way of hunting.  Bowhunters- depending the time of the season, may also spend some time sitting over wallows and watering areas, waiting for stag to come in.

After a morning stalk, you will return to the lodge at midday. Each day you will return to the hills mid-afternoon for your evening hunt. We hunt until dark, but with enough light to get off the mountain safely. The hunting can be arranged to include hikes into high country looking for lonely big stags or sitting in a blind overlooking a wallow in the valleys or river bottoms.

In addition to Stag hunting, pure wild european boar thrive as well in this area-a great addition to the Red Deer.

THE DAILY PROGRAM

Mornings start early, followed by a breakfast then a short ride will then put you in the designated hunting area before sunrise. You’ll hunt usually until mid morning, returning to the lodge or camp for lunch and perhaps a siesta.

The evening hunt continues until a little bit before dark. We always quit hunting with enough light to return safely to the truck or trailhead. Sometimes full day hunts are arranged and in those cases we pack lunches and spend all day out there.

 

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TROPHIES AFTER THE HUNT?

Right after the harvest, guides will ask hunters how they would like the trophy (For shoulder mount, Euro, etc) and they will field dress it accordingly.

At the ranch we prepare the trophies according to clients’ request. The hides get salted and dried and the skulls cleaned, bleached and cut.The entire process is supervised by one of the best taxidermists in the country.

After the season ends (April/May) we send them to Buenos Aires where our taxidermists make a final inspection to make sure they are suitable and fulfill all the requirements for export. At the same time, our customs broker completes and applies for the export permits.

Once trophies are ready and the export documents issued, our cargo agent arranges the shipping to the final destination. An important detail is that we can only ship to a customs broker at the destination country in order to get clearance. Clients can supply their broker’s information or we have a list of brokers that we work with. Once the trophies clear into the destination country, they can be shipped to you the client’s taxidermist of choice or any desire final destination.

Mounting trophies in Argentina is an option. We can get quotations from our taxidermists. The shipping cost of mounts is higher than just antlers and salted hides but the taxidermist work in Argentina is usually cheaper than in the states so sometimes is convenient.

We have also partnered with Jonas Brothers Studio of New York owned by Carl Pepi, maybe one of the most talented taxidermists in the world. We get a special rate and service for our customers.

The delivery time varies since there are 4 and sometimes 5 different government agencies involved in the process of issuing the export permits. (Province and Federal Fish & Wildlife department, National Animal Sanity department, Customs and CITES office in Argentina). While some are faster than others, they like to take their time. We are usually able to ship trophies within 12 months after the hunt.

We offer a Trophy Package Solution that include all the export fees, air freight and mounting in Argentina or in the USA with Jonas bros.

Please ask for the export and mounting price list

Red Stag

Wild Boar

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 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 are very unusual in the field. You can bring your personal preference of insect repellent just in case.

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. 

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

GUNS

In selecting which gun to use, it boils down to personal preference.

Neuquen  province has a general weapon season so clients can choose which kind of gun/bow they want to use. The most common gun for such a hunt is a typical bolt action rifle with a good scope. Good chamberings are 270 Win, 30-06, 7 mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag, 300 RUM, etc. For Bow hunting, the same type of equipment you will use for Elk, will work for Red Stag. 60 to 70 Lbs compound bows with 400+ gr arrows and good sharp broadheads.

For Wild Boar, the same guns that we use for Stag are fine.

Muzzleloaders, handguns and open-sight guns are welcome too.

GUNS AVAILABLE FOR RENT

Many of our guests agree that renting guns from the lodge can be much easier than applying for gun entry permits and traveling with them internationally.

It’s easy to rent a gun from the lodge. We have a good selection of accurate rifles that are appropriate for these type of hunts. All our rifles sport high-quality scopes. The lodge manager or your guide will note the specific rental rifle you want to use. 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

Red Stag

Wild Boar

Red Stag Lanín Lodge

Rates 2024

Season runs from March to April

WEEKLY RATES:

6 nights/ 5 days hunting: $ 12,000 (Includes 1 trophy Stag, no size limit)

Non-Hunters: $ 650 per night

Gun Rental & Ammo: $ 450 for the entire hunt

Hunting License & Tag: $ 450 per person

• PAYMENT TERMS: Reservations are confirmed with a 50% deposit. All deposits & payments are 100% non-refundable under any circumstances. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. At this point, participants are responsible for total land costs and no refunds will be made for unused land transportation, accommodations, or meals.
• INCLUDED: Lodging; Transfer in/out Chapelco airport; All meals and beverages (alcoholic & non); 1×1 guiding; trophy preparation; 1 trophy Red Stag (no size limit).
• NOT INCLUDED: Airfares, Gun entry permits, Gun rental with ammo ($450 for the whole stay); Hunting License & tag ($450 per person); Extra stag ($7500 – only if available); Wild Boar ($1200); Sows; Lesser boars and piglets ($350); Fishing days, inside or outside the ranch with a professional fishing guide.

*Prices are in USD