The Traveling Wingshooter

From our January/February 2025 issue

In my career as a shooting instructor and guide, I have had the opportunity to travel to a good part of the wingshooting world—14 countries, to be exact. In the course of these adventures, I have actually learned a few things! Following is some advice that may help make your next wingshooting trip a fun and memorable experience.

The first decisions are where you plan to go and what quarry you plan to pursue. If you want to stay in the US, choices are many and varied, as wingshooting opportunities are diverse: pheasants in the Dakotas; grouse and woodcock in the Northeast; quail, ducks and doves in the South, to name a few.

If you would like to venture outside the US, the options expand exponentially. For example, there are doves, pigeons, ducks, perdiz and quail in Argentina and elsewhere in South America; driven partridge in Spain; and driven pheasants and partridge in England and elsewhere in Europe. Or you can hunt many of these species and even more exotic birds in parts of Africa.

Once you have chosen your quarry and hunting location, you can start researching to find an outfitter or sporting agent. Thanks to today’s technology, it is fairly easy to find operations that will suit you best.

What might be a suitable destination and outfitter? Following are some—of many—questions you should consider asking: What will the weather be like where and when you are planning to shoot? Can you bring your own shotgun or rent a gun? What permits and licenses are required? What kind of transportation will there be, and how far are the hunting or shooting areas from the accommodations? What are the limits, if any, on the number of birds that can be taken? What are the expected gratuities for the guides and other staff? Will you be allowed to take cleaned and/or whole birds home to eat or for taxidermy?

Often you can find reviews and feedback about a particular outfitter on the company’s website or elsewhere online. This can provide valuable information and even address issues you may not have considered.

A main consideration for most of us is cost. In addition to travel expenses and the advertised cost of the hunt, be aware of any additional charges that may not be obvious, such as bird overages, excess ammunition charges, additional transportation fees, the cost of shipping birds home and so on. Keep in mind, too, that if you will be traveling with a sizeable group, you may be able to negotiate a discounted rate for the hunt. It’s worth a try . . . .

As with seemingly everything these days, the costs of travel and hunting have increased worldwide. Several years ago, for example, a box of standard shotgun shells in South America cost about $12 to $14. Today you can expect to pay $18 to $20. When you are shooting 20 to 40 boxes a day or more, this can add up quickly! It simply makes sense before committing to a trip to calculate what the total costs might be. You don’t want to be in a situation where your anticipated costs turn out to be a lot less than the bill you receive at the end of the shoot.

You also should begin planning your trip as early as possible. Make sure that if you will be leaving the country, that your passport is good for at least six months after your return date. Once you have booked your hunt, it’s a good idea to book your airline tickets as well. Also check with your outfitter and your physician regarding any vaccines or inoculations that might be suggested for the areas you are visiting. Better to be protected in advance.

If you are planning to take your own shotgun(s), the outfitter can help with the necessary permits and/or licenses; but be sure to allow plenty of time for this process. Also confirm that the outfitter can provide suitable ammunition. This has become an issue for some people taking shotguns to Europe. Now in most places in the EU, lead shot is no longer permitted and hunters are required to shoot nontoxic loads. Unless your gun is proofed for steel shot, you will have to use bismuth or an equivalent, which can cost $25 or more per box.

Because of the permitting and possible expenses, more people have been opting to rent shotguns from outfitters. I have been told that in Argentina and other South American countries almost 100 percent of visiting hunters have been renting guns. In Europe about 40 percent still bring their own.

In response to this trend, the number and variety of shotguns available to rent have greatly expanded. From semi-automatics to over/unders, side-by-sides and even pumps, most outfitters now have gunrooms full of options in different gauges and sizes. Should you choose to bring your own gun(s), be sure to get travel insurance that includes gun insurance. Also remember that shotgun slips are a necessity on any trip and that you should bring your own for convenience—even if you are renting a gun.

If you are shipping a gun and/or ammunition, make sure that it will arrive in plenty of time; and, of course, touch base with the outfitter to confirm that guns and ammo can be received and stored and that return shipping can be arranged at the end of your trip.

Another aspect to consider is emergency insurance in case of a sudden illness or accident requiring a return home. Companies like Medjet and Global Rescue offer rescue and evacuation services for just these kinds of situations.

Weather is always a prime factor in the overall enjoyment and success of a trip. For this reason, hunters need to consider their clothing and kit as carefully as they do their shotguns and cartridges. Choices of clothing and accessories factor into not only comfort but also, by extension, shooting performance.

The best recommendations for what to bring and wear will come from the outfitter. And be aware that there can be clothing standards for different types of shooting. If you are participating in driven shoots in Europe, for example, tweeds are the traditional attire, as not only are they warm and water resistant, but also the plaid patterns actually act as camouflage in the wooded hills and heather. A waterproof jacket is a must-have wherever you are, as even if it doesn’t rain, you will have protection from chilling winds.

When shooting in South America, remember that their fall and winter is our spring and summer; so it’s wise to pack layers as well as outerwear in tan or khaki, which won’t spook approaching birds. If you are upland hunting in the US, remember, too, that some states have hunter-orange requirements—although it’s wise to wear at least one article of orange regardless, for safety’s sake.

Boots need to be broken in and waterproof where necessary—and be sure to ask the outfitter if waders are required if duck hunting. A good pair of shooting gloves and a hat to match the weather conditions will complete your outfit.

Shooting glasses and hearing protection are a given but worth mentioning. Depending on what and where you are hunting, glasses with interchangeable lenses in a variety of colors will allow you to tailor them based on the weather and light conditions.

An oft-overlooked accessory for any shoot is a personal-care kit. A few first-aid items, medications, sunscreen, bug spray, a multi-tool or pocketknife (transported in your checked luggage, if flying) and gun-cleaning materials will all fit in a reasonable-size shoulder pouch for use in the field or lodge.

Once you have “ticked all these boxes,” you should be well-prepared for your next hunting excursion, whatever your destination. Enjoy your adventure!