Uruguay Wingshooting

In recent years, nothing has added more to hunting in Uruguay than the popularity of hunting decoyed pigeons. When pigeon hunting is mentioned in bird hunting circles, it usually elicits some strange faces and responses from the crowd. That fact is, not too many people have ever have ever heard about shooting pigeons over decoys unless they have been wingshooting in England over the past few decades, where sport shooting for pigeons has quite a long history.

Decoyed Pigeons: The Art of Deception

Pigeon hunting in Uruguay requires the use of decoys, and what a useful tool they are to ensure that they birds come close enough to the shooters to ensure close-in shot opportunities. The decoys must possess a flat grey finish, because pigeons are very picky, and will flare off of decoys that are sprayed with shiny enamel.

In addition to properly painted static decoys, motion decoys are also a critical part of pigeon hunting in Uruguay. There are two kinds of motion decoys that are particularly effective. The first type is the Mojo dove—made by Mojo Outdoors in Louisiana. Although the body of the spinning wing decoys are actually doves, the pigeons can’t resist their spinning wings, or the temptation to rush ahead of what they perceive is a bird trying to land in the field ahead of them—trying to beat them to the dinner table.

Having none of the that, these hungry Spot-winged and Picazuro pigeons cup their wings and sail down directly in front of the Mojos, right into the target zone. Watching a pair, or better yet, a flock of pigeons decoying into the blocks is an amazing sight. The birds are careful in their approach, staying just outside of gun range until they are convinced that it is not a trap, but after the decoys and the motorized devices fool them—and then they make a commitment to landing—at which point almost nothing will flare them away.

The other motorized decoy set up that is used by our Uruguay pigeon hunting guides is the “rotunda”. The rotunda is comprised of an electric motor mounted on a large vertical stake, with steel arms protruding 90 degrees from the apex of the device. The arms have machined “cups” mounted at the end of them, where a pigeon decoy, or a dead pigeon can be placed. Obviously, a dead pigeon is more effective, and while pigeon hunting, it does not take long to have plenty of those to use on the machine. Once the device is turned on, it moves the decoys around in a circle to simulate decoyed pigeons feeding on the ground. This set up is the oldest, and most widely used by outfitters hunting in Uruguay, but in our experience, the Mojos are most effective overall. Therefore, those who come wingshooting in Uruguay with Los Gauchos can expect to see a lot more of them.

The birds being flying at dawn, and the decoy spreads are set up a midpoint between their roosting areas, and the crop fields where they spend most of the day feeding on waste grain.

Pigeon hunting results are more or less predictable. A good shoot will normally yield fifty birds per shooter, and a great shoot will have even more—like 75 to 100 per shooter. While this might not sound like a lot when compared to Uruguay dove hunting, one must keep in mind that these birds are as large as North American wood ducks! They are big birds, and it takes a lot of pellets to bring them down. Our Uruguay wingshooting clients are always amazed—with no exceptions—just how much it takes to bring these birds down.

For more information about our Uruguay Pigeon hunting in Uruguay, contact us by telephone and/or email at: 800-420-8707 or email us at: info@losgauchos.com

WANT TO SEE MORE DECOYED PIGEONS?

WANT TO SEE MORE GREAT WINGSHOOTING IN URUGUAY?

Los Gauchos TV features tons of what you will want to know about Uruguay hunting—specifically dove hunting in Uruguay and Uruguay pigeon hunting. You will see Benelli’s product manager Jason Evans, and Pheasants Forever vice president Joe Duggan in hot-barreled pigeon shooting, and dove hunting with Los Gauchos Outfitters in Uruguay. You will also see American Gun Dog’s Harley Jackson and the rest of his crew hunting ducks, doves and pigeons—so go to Los Gauchos TV and see what all the hype is about!

Contact us now to find out more about this trip

You can also email us at: info@losgauchos.com