Argentina - Team Hitch photoz and stories

[Hitch]

Hey Jim,

I haven't heard any more from her since before her new flight was to leave at 1430 (1330 our time). With the fly time she should be just about to Miami if not already there. I tried to page her just now on the Nextel but she's CO. Maybe I'll hear from her soon or in the morning. She said her flight out of Miami would be Sunday morning, so I hope she gets some sleep. They put her up in a nice hotel in downtown Buenos Aries last night though. I'll post up again as soon as I hear from her.

Hitch

 

[wis boz]

Pete
Sounds like ideal duck hunting weather. Interesting to hear of 28 gauge talk down there. I just shot sporting clays for the second time with the 28 s/s and it takes some getting use to. I started loading 28 gauge lead with a Mec 600 Jr yesterday and getting the crimp die set right is touchy also. I'd have to get better loading lead before I ever went to Hevi of Bismuth if they were available. Your trip sounds and looks like one to remember for a life time but I suppose Hitch and Dani will make it a yearly trip
wis boz

 

[george w]

Hey, a question for you returning gringoes:
Did you notice whether the agricultural strike was still going on?
While we were there, we did note vehicles, , equipment, flags and a number of folks encamped near and in the circles, in and out of the towns.

 

[Pete McMiller]

George, We did see quite a few trucks on the side of the roads going down but didn't notice the protestors. Giovanni mentioned the strike and that it was over the Govts new taxes on farm exports of 46% (up from 35% I believe). Can't blame them one bit.

On the way back to the airport the only trucks in evidence were those hauling goods - the roads were full. Many cattle trucks.

P

 

[Hitch]

Dani’s home…she just landed in Jacksonville! Photos from her soon.

The third morning we started out on Perdiz. It was a little slow for everyone early because of the rain and moisture on the ground made it difficult for the dogs, but it was a warm day, so eventually things dried out and the dogs picked up the action.

I hunted with Scott and Franco worked Blicky. I caught the action with the camera and let Scott do most of the shooting.

I let the Photos speak from here…

 

[Hitch]

A nice point and I think you may find the bird…

Wabbits…

 

[Hitch]

More Perdiz action…

Scott was state trap champion in his younger days… tough and fast birds.

Blicky loves the bunnies. He tracks and flushes the rabbits and as you can see does a good job retrieving them as well.

 

[Hitch]

A few of the other dogs.

And the lunch time photos…

I still have three days of photos left, so stay tuned.

Hitch

 

[Hitch]

Day 4 was cloudy all morning so not too many good action photos of the birds.

I hunted with Dani and Tom and Pete hunted on the opposite side of the farm pond from us. Scott and Woody hunted in another farm pond about a mile away.

We had many Wigeon in early but they seemed to prefer a corner on the other side of the pond. And I think most of the birds preferred Tom and Pete’s spread too. It could be though that because the birds were coming in off the bean fields from behind our blind, they may have seen Tom and Pete’s spread first. Most birds piled right into their spread. The wigeon did work a little and sat in the corner until Dani went and bumped them. They’re so fun to watch.

 

[Hitch]

We all met up for lunch at a local farm where the guides had a lunch camp set up.

Scott and I did a thorough inspection of the Date palm for fronds, but they weren’t of adequate thickness. A frond or two would have served a fitting purpose as you’ll see later.

Scott forgot he was the customer on occasion, here helping our guides build the fire for lunch.

The guides had a little electronic translator to help them with their English. They have no problem though explaining emphatically that they prefer the hunters from the US over those from Italy.

Lunch started with a cheese, cold sausage and warm bread and drink, and then came the grilled sausage, followed by the steaks.

We ate lunch in the tent.

 

[Hitch]

The ranch owner showed up after lunch; “Crazy Margee” as the boys call him. Dani and I had met him driving his cattle last visit, but this time we got an extended visit with the proprietor of “Casa Del Mate”.

Margee is quite a character. He came for a visit with intentions for sure, armed with his homing pigeons, which he didn’t hesitate to release. He enters them in timed competitions in Argentina.

His dog Tommy guards the chicken coup. You can see the dog run. The sides and back are all solid concrete, so Tommy can easily fend off predators from his run. We all found Tommy to be an extremely enjoyable dog, and despite his duties he was well cared for and clean.

Margee let the chickens out of the coup shortly after he arrived.

Margee has many interests and projects to keep him busy on the farm. He is an addicted collector, with a renowned collection of Mate goblets and straws, many of which he's fashioned himself. His barns are full of collected items, anything from partially assembled combines to collections of glass, eggshells, bones and furs.

Margee also makes his own hats which didn’t quite fit Tom.

 

[Hitch]

Back at La Gringa that evening, Dani got her hair done by Natalie.

The guides relaxed in the kitchen…

..as did we all.

We all agreed that if we stayed any longer there would be a rest day.

My new camera…

Now I just have to figure out where the flash card is

 

[Hitch]

On the fifth day I hunted alone across from Dani on another farm pond. It was coots, cattle and clouds early.

Then before the sun came out the wigeon showed up for a brief visit…

They called for others circling. When we first looked at this photo, several of us were thinking palm fronds

 

[Hitch]

Then as quick as they appeared the wigeon left and the sun showed, lighting up the pastures…

And the Pins and the Teal came in…

and stilts…

 

[Josh Ward]

Fantastic Hitch!!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!!!

 

[george wilson]

thanks for sharing the photo's

how cold was it there? -- dani looks all bundled up? glad to see whe went with a more traditional headgear!

 

[jwking]

thanks for the pics and keep them comming!

I'm EXTREEEEEEEMLY jealous , so please keep posting.

 

[Hitch]

Thanks guys. There's more photos to post for sure and I'll post some of the other fellow's photos too, with their permission. I still have day 6 to post as well.

Hey George. The weather was nice, but anything under 80 and Dani's cold. And note that she does have on a welder's cap too, but this one is camo. I found it on-line and should have ordered more than one.

Hitch

 

[Dani]

I was all bundled up but b/c of what I was wearing...all my under thangs doncha know...I wasn't overly cold. But once the wind started blowing and I was just sittin there I did get cold.

Actually in an effort to assign the correct ownership, Tom bought me that particular welderscap from GanderMountain. He gave it to me in the blind the first day of the hunt. No more pantie hats for me!!! I now have TWO camo welderscaps!! And one tie up doo rag from Ed L. YEAH!!!!

 

[Dave Sikorski]

Fantastic pictures Hitch.

What camo cover do you have on that big lens?

-D