Red Stag

Red Stag Hunt

North Patagonia

We exclusively manage over 32,000 acres at a cozzy property in the heart of Chimehuin river valley and a neighbor ranch. The properties possess a large year round resident population of wild stag. In addition, during the rutting season we receive bucks from the higher Andes Mountain Ranges. The terrain is varied with a combination of forested areas and bush covered open steppe valleys.

Our property also provides great opportunities to chase wild boars with bow and arrow. This is an ideal experience for those who are new to the sport or those that have been at it for years. Boar hunting normally takes place at the conclusion of the stag hunt.

The Hunt

Hunting takes place on free-range land and all stags are 100% wild. The guides have the option to adjust the day’s program to a longer outing when chasing a trophy. Our goal is to provide our guests with unique and authentic hunting experiences. Alejandro Cruces and the rest of his guide team will assist you locating and stalking the trophy of your dreams. We welcome both riffle and bow hunters and offer a high degree of success with either program.

Sustainable Management

of the land

It seems like it was only yesterday when we were taking over our current property. We were moving in and starting to explore countless valleys, rabbins, hills, mountains, highlands wetlands and all territory that was going to be part of our hunting grounds ahead.

After a first year of field recognizing and understanding the amount of resident stags and possible visitor bucks that would arrive from the higher andes in the rothing weeks we were concluding we had only 10 bucks and as few as 30 females. We knew the property was poorly managed and were wondering how much time would take a natural process. We decided then to be very conservative and not extract trophies for the first couple of years and let as well to grow the female populations. We were looking at head trophies that were ranging 170 to 190 points on the CIC system and were under the impression the blood and genetics of the wild population can naturally be improved by the right management and selection.

We in fact invested a couple of years of building trails, walking and riding the lands everyday of the year and understanding every corner of the property how the set a stalking strategy along every rabin of those mountains and discovering favorite shelter corner for these animalsIn the first 3 to 4 years of this process we got initial hints of recovery on the number of animals, quickly migrant stags were deciding to spend their year in the property finding shelter and growing cows and buck in numbers with the year base breading, of course management of keeping right genetic were part of the practice in this process.

When we were reaching our goal in the 2020 season pandemic hit and we got another year of no hunts and no trophy extraction, only management of genetics were put in place. This was probably the last step need to not only a full recovery but transforming our property in a paradise of great stag trophies with a quality we didn’t ever expect we will reach

This season we have collected 25 trophies, which today is a sustainable number per season as the roof of keeping a healthy population of animals. We are amazed by the size of trophies were bottom size were 180 CIC points and collecting two trophies that are record for the region ranging 220 y 240 CIC points.

March thru July

Our daily outings normally are split in two hunting sessions – morning and evening. The morning hunt departs from the lodge prior to sunrise. Trucks will pick you up at the lodge and transport you nearby to today’s hunting area. From there you will begin the hunt on foot. The morning session concludes after 4 to 5 hours at which time you will return to the lodge for lunch and some rest and relaxation. The evening session starts 2 to 3 hours before sunset. When hunting has concluded you will be driven back to the lodge for dinner.

Bow and Arrow

We have developed over last 10 years an expertise on bow and arrow hunts. We are able to set most our hunters within 30/40 yards shooting range opportunities to trophy stags during the outings. We have found critical for the success of bow and arrow hunts the willingness of hunters to walk longer distances in order to serve best approach strategies to the trophies.

Program

Day 1 – Arrive in San Martin de los Andes Airport. Airport greeting and private transfer to the lodge. Red Stag Hunt followed by welcome dinner. Day 2 thru 4 – Early morning and evening hunting outings. Lunch and dinner are served at the lodge. Day 5 – Last hunting excursion. Check out followed by a private vehicle transfer to the airport. Fly to Buenos Aires, and then home.

To find about rates for our Red Stag program, contact our reservations office.

Price Includes
• 1 Trophy Stag per person
• Hunting guide to hunter ratio is 1:1 for every hunting outing
• 5 full days of hunting
• Hunting License
• Guided Trout Fishing (float or walk and wade) after the hunt is done. We provide fishing gear if needed as well as your fishing license.
• 5 nights of lodging at Estancia Cabeza de Zorro with full board – meals, wine, beer and drinks
• Transfer from/to Chapelco Airport CPC

Price Excludes
• Trophy exportation papers and shipping costs. We will manage the entire process however you will be responsible for the additional charges. (trophy tags, sanity certification, export broker fee, local and international shipping). These cost are estimated at $1,200 to $1,500 USD per trophy
• Rental guns. We provide riffles, 30/06 and 308 gauge with an additional cost of $60 per day
• Wild Boars are available to hunt during this program with additional cost of $750 per animal
• Local or international flights
• Lodging prior to or after trip
• Transfer between Buenos Aires Airports

This Red Stag hunting program is easily combined with our fly fishing programs. The area between Junín de los Andes and Alumine in Northern Patagonia is the most prolific dry-fly fishing region in the world. The variety and abundance of fishing environments allows you to experience great dry fly fishing throughout the entire season (November through May).

Talk us about combination program possibilities.

Other Activities

Being so close San Martin de los Andes, allows our guests to experience a cultural inmersion with lots of different activities, range goes from Outdoor lovers all the way to lifestyle activities.
Our tour guides specialists will take you to a width range of activities: Archeology tours, Cooking workshops, spa sessions, visits to artists ateliers, photography workshops, golf, birdwatching, sightseeing tours, hiking, horsebackriding, kayaking, white water rafting, zip lines, bike rides, and the list goes on.

Getting here

The closest airport is San Martin de los Andes Chapelco Airport (CPC). Aerolineas Argentinas Airlines offers 2 daily direct flights from Buenos Aires. Spring Creek Lodge is only a 20-minute drive from the airport.

An alternative airport is in Bariloche (BRC), which has a 3-hour driving distance to Spring Creek Lodge. Bariloche Airport is served with 12 daily direct flights from Buenos Aires and other cities within Argentina.

Cast and Blast

North Patagonia

The area between Junín de los Andes and Alumine in Northern Patagonia is the most prolific dry fly fishing region in the world. The variety and abundance of fishable water would allow you to fish a different location each day for more than 100 days. Callipepla Californica, were introduced to our part of the world over five decades ago. If you’re a bird hunter and enjoy fall fishing this is “the program” for you.

Valley Quail

North Patagonia

California Valley Quail, Callipepla Californica, were introduced to our part of the world over five decades ago. Our location in Junin de los Andes has provided the perfect elevation, climate and terrain for these birds to thrive. If you’re a bird hunter and enjoy fall fishing this is “the program” for you.