South America Hunts

Hunting in South America

More than 20.000 hunters visit South America annually. Most of them come for the incredible bird shooting, but there is outstanding big-game hunting as well. Argentina and Uruguay draw the majority of hunters who come for the fantastic bird shooting. The dove populations run in the millions, and doves and pigeons are considered pests and crop-destroyers which can be hunted year-round,

South America is in the southern hemisphere and has almost 7,000 square miles of land mass. It consists of 12 countries - Argentina, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Suriname, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. In addition, there is one internal territory - French Guiana. South America is well known for its red stag hunting. The initial herds of red stags were released in the Patagonia area of Argentina a little over 100 years ago, and their numbers have significantly increased. Other induced species include fallow deer, blackbuck antelope, wild boar, and water buffalo. In addition, some of the continent's native species, capybara, brocket deer, peccary, and puma, can be hunted in certain countries.

A country-by-country list of animals that can be hunted in South America follows.

Argentina

Argentina s well-known for its fabulous wingshooting. However, it does offer excellent big-game opportunities. The big game consists of European boar and stag, axis deer, black buck, mountain lion, and Asiatic buffalo hunting. All these species were introduced over the past century and are well-established. Hunting is conducted on ranches located all over the country but mostly takes place in the Pampas.

Hunting seasons vary according to the species hunted. Overall, the big game is primarily hunted from March to August. Red stag come into the rut during March and April. Like the American elk, the red stag's roar can be heard for a long distance.

Argentinian boar hunting is some of the best in the world. Boar hunts are usually conducted with a pack of Dogos Argentinos specially bred for big game hunting. Also, they are hunted from stands. Argentinian mountain lions are quite populous, but they cannot be exported to the USA at this time.

While in the Pampas on a red stag hunt, you can hunt for a cantankerous old water buffalo. They can also be found in marshes and are free-range.

Bolivia

Bolivia is best known for its dove hunting and fishing for the payara (river tiger) on the Amazon, plus peacock bass in local lagoons, but there is not much in the way of big game on offer. Jaguar hunting is illegal and other than capybara for local hunter-gatherers, there is no big game on license.

Brazil

Hunting in Brazil has been outlawed since 1967. All animals living outside captivity are the property of the government. However, some hunting of wild animals can be conducted at state levels, provided the state performs studies on the feasibility of the hunting and ensures that the species population isn't endangered.

Anyone who wishes to hunt in Brazil must obtain a hunting license for the particular area where the hunt is to take place. In addition, the hunter will need to be a hunt club member and must satisfy federal police regulations for ownership or possession of a firearm. The state of Rio Grande do Sul is the only state to allow hunting for sport. However, it is an on-again-off-again situation. In 2013, wild boar hunting was opened because the boar is considered an invasive species that has no natural predators.

Chile

Chile offers the world's greatest chance to hunt a free-range red stag. The hunts take place on private ranches where the animals are not enclosed behind high fences. Over 80 years of herd management have produced some of the largest red stags in the world. They live in the Andes region of Northern Patagonia. The best time to hunt the large bulls is during the March-April rut. The hunt can be combined with trout fishing, as the area is crisscrossed with some of the best streams in South America.

Chile is home to some of the largest fallow deer in the world. However, numbers are somewhat limited, so you must contact your outfitter well in advance of the hunt. They can tie in a fallow deer hunt with your red stag hunt.

Columbia

Columbia has banned recreational hunting, citing the protection of animals and the environment. Columbia is the second country in Latin America to ban trophy hunting; Costa Rica was the first.

Ecuador

The only hunting legal in Ecuador is subsistence hunting by the local villagers. All other hunting is illegal.

Suriname

Indigenous communities are legally allowed to hunt wildlife for their own consumption, but commercial hunting is illegal.

Paraguay

According to the Parques Nacionales del Paraguay:

Some countries, such as Brazil and Paraguay, prohibit most forms of hunting and keeping of wild animals. And yet hunting is still rampant throughout these two countries, and fines resulting from prosecutions are hardly ever paid. Moreover, the fact that it is illegal means that it is very hard to gather data about the hunters or the species they are exploiting, leaving local conservation managers to make decisions in an information vacuum.

Peru

In Peru, you hunt ducks on coastal marshes and dove in grain fields.

Big game hunting in Peru takes place in the mountains at 8,000 feet. From here, hunts can range as high as 15,000 feet above sea level to search for game. Deer, feral bull, and sheep hunting are the primary game animals in the mountains. The hunting is done by spot and stalk. This hunt is not for the faint of heart. Due to the lack of oxygen at these altitudes, hunters must be physically fit. Hunters can fly into Lima, where the outfitter will help you clear customs and immigration.

The Peruvian government and wildlife authorities welcome dove and duck hunting. However, in addition to duck and dove hunting in Peru, Andean goose hunting is also popular. Andean goose is a trophy hunt, and it is not high volume, but this is the type of hunting in Peru where one can walk away with a once-in-a-lifetime trophy. Most goose hunters will harvest two or four geese per day.

Uruguay

Uruguay is quickly becoming a favorite South American hunting destination. A safe, small country with many options for duck hunting, dove hunting, Upland hunting, and dorado fishing. Uruguay opened its duck hunting after being closed for a number of years. Some of the best duck hunting can be found near Chuy along the border with Brazil.

Venezuela

LAKE MARACAIBO, Venezuela — The wildlife of Venezuela, one of 17 countries that account for 70 percent of the world's biodiversity, has come under new pressure in addition to deforestation, toxic oil spills, and illegal trafficking: human starvation.

The economic crisis that began in 2014 with the collapse of the nation's oil revenues has now deepened to the point that Venezuela is considered a failed state by some analysts. Poverty currently holds more than 80 percent of the population in its grip, according to studies by four Venezuelan universities.

The Venezuelan government has banned the trade and possession of wildlife species in some states and is also implementing a special turtle preservation program.