This past March, I had the pleasure of traveling to Argentina for a hunt targeting stags and blackbucks. After a recent Kodiak Island hunt, I’ll admit I had mixed feelings about this trip. I’ve always wanted to hunt Red Stag, but I had typically associated it with New Zealand. After extensive research, I decided to book a hunt in Argentina through WTA, albeit with some hesitation about what the experience would be like.
Upon arriving at the Los Moles hunting ranch in Santa Rosa, where I met up with 10 other hunters, my initial doubts grew as we entered the property. As we passed through the large gates, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this “free-range” hunt would be a walk in the park: drive around, spot an animal, get out, and take the shot. Little did I know, this 37,000-acre property—spanning nearly 9.5 miles by 9.5 miles—was much more vast than I had anticipated.
After settling in, eating a hearty meal, and sighting in our rented rifles, some of us headed out for an evening hunt. That’s when it hit me: this hunt was not going to be as easy as I thought. The animals that roam freely on this massive ranch were as jittery as any wildlife I’ve encountered. Success depended on moving slowly, reading the wind correctly, and having a solid game plan when approaching any animal. While you might see more animals than on a traditional wild hunt, I no longer took that for granted.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the camaraderie and friendships forged over the five days at the ranch. Eleven hunters from all walks of life, different zip codes, ages, and personalities, all shared a deep passion for hunting, which made us get along exceptionally well. The constant joking, storytelling, and camaraderie made the trip unforgettable. Even though we all tagged out, I truly believe we would’ve had a great time regardless of whether our tags were punched.
Here are a few photos from the hunt!
