The first time I was a little apprehensive - after all our countries had been at war back in the 1980 s - also I had seen the pictures of clouds of birds and was worried this would not be sporting shooting. 

How wrong could I have been on both counts??!!  All the Argentinians I met were great people. Friendly and extremely hospitable to the nth degree, great sense of humour, cultured, hard working and such a pleasure to spend time with. Literally nothing is too much bother. I have made lifelong friends in this country and will visit them whenever I can. 

Is the shooting sporting?  In a word: Yes. These doves are a regional pest and for sure at harvest time they swarm over the ripe maize. After an hours initial shooting under the watchful eye of a field guide, to assess whether we were competent and safe we requested more testing shooting and were immediately obliged. 

Soon we were stood in thorn scrub hides shooting at 50 to 75+ yard high or crossers. These birds fly fast and erratically, flaring left and right at a moments notice and coming from any direction. This is testing sport but those of you who need to build your confidence your guide will break you in gently with less rangy birds to start.

Our preference was to use the estate Beretta Silver Pigeon over and under 20 bore shotguns with Fiocchi cartridges. Semi autos are available in 12 or 20 bore and if you prefer then the field guide will load for you. Not our thing though. 

Weather is invariably warm but not unbearably so. However the same cannot be said about the gun barrels as these will be scorchingly hot. So take a glove for the hand that will be in contact with them!!

We shot approx 1250 rounds per day for four days with a kill ratio of just in excess of 50% which for testing birds is a very rewarding return. The field guides gather up the shot birds and prepare a good number for the field lunch with the remainder going to the local poor as a valuable food source. 

This is virtuous circle shooting if I ever saw it. You have a great sporting time shooting a pest species providing employment for local people and food for the needy. It is a win win win situation. 

In the middle of the day the doves stop flighting between the roosting and feeding grounds for an hour or two and this is the time for the legendary field lunch cooked on the Asado grill and then a siesta. The food is outstanding, great meat, fresh salads and superb Malbec red wines. There is great banter and swapping of stories and just a few practical jokes!!  especially where Pablo is concerned. 

At the end of each day in the field you will return to the lodge where the hospitality continues for as long as you may care to stay awake. After a good nights sleep in the great beds and a simply lovely breakfast you will be raring to get back into a hide and start shooting again. 

Pablo is a multi talented man - a super host, great shot and fisherman, practical joker and entertainer. He will have thought of everything and made sure it has been sorted and always with a smile on his face. I would stake my life on stating that you cannot fail to have a wonderful time in his company. There are few people in this world with such polished people skills as Pablo. 

To summarise, if you have thought of visiting my advice is: do it!!, if you haven t considered it then change your mind and go. You will not regret it.  Thanks to Pablo and the entire team who have made both my stays an absolute joy.  In the words of Arnie: I ll be back.

Ian Pratt, UK