Why are there no bag limits for doves in Argentina?

The eared dove is classified by the Argentine government as a severe agricultural pest because it destroys millions of dollars worth of commercial grain crops annually. Unlimited hunting is a necessary form of pest control.

Is the eared dove the same as the mourning dove?

They are different species but look and fly very similarly. The eared dove is slightly smaller but flies with the same erratic, fast-paced dips and dives as the North American mourning dove.

How many doves will I actually shoot in a day in Argentina?

Depending on your stamina and budget for shotgun shells, an average hunter will easily fire 1,000 to 2,000 rounds per day, often harvesting between 500 and 1,500 birds depending on their accuracy.

Dove Hunting: Argentina vs Texas Wingshooting Comparison

Senior Field Editor

Roxy Gonzalez

Published: June 11, 2026

Dove hunting in Argentina represents an entirely different dimension of wingshooting compared to the Texas season, replacing highly pressured public leases and strict 15-bird daily limits with luxury estancias, professional field loaders, and the ability to fire thousands of rounds per day at unregulated agricultural pests.

The Paradigm of Scarcity vs. Infinite Volume

In the American South, opening day of dove season is a massive cultural event, but the shooting is governed by scarcity. A hunter in Texas sits on a hot bucket, waits hours for a few scattered mourning doves to pass, and legally must stop hunting the moment they hit their 15-bird federal limit. Argentina operates on a paradigm of infinite volume. The eared dove is a severe agricultural pest with populations exceeding 50 million in provinces like Córdoba. Because there are no bag limits, an average shooter will fire 1,000 to 2,000 rounds in a single day, dwarfing an entire lifetime of Texas dove hunting in a single 4-day trip.

Hunting MetricTexas / U.S. SouthArgentina (Córdoba / Entre Ríos)Daily Bag LimitStrictly 15 BirdsZero Limits (Unregulated Pest)Average Shells Fired1 to 3 Boxes per day40 to 80+ Boxes per dayField SupportDIY setup and bird retrievalProfessional bird boy loads guns and retrieves.Primary TargetMourning Dove / White-Winged DoveEared Dove

The Executive Infrastructure

Beyond the sheer volume of birds, the operational infrastructure fundamentally changes the sport. In Argentina, you do not haul your own gear into the field, pick up your spent hulls, or clean your birds. The experience is fully serviced. Professional bird boys (loaders) stand beside you in pre-constructed blinds, ensuring your 20-gauge is constantly loaded and swapping your shotguns before the barrels overheat. At midday, instead of eating a cold sandwich in a pickup truck, hunters are treated to a gourmet field Asado (barbecue) featuring open-fire steaks, reserve Malbec wine, and hammocks for a siesta.

Tactical Field Note: Because the volume in Argentina is so relentless, U.S. hunters must completely rethink their recoil management. Do not bring your lightweight 12-gauge over-and-under that you use in Texas. You must rent a gas-operated 20-gauge semi-automatic and wear a gel recoil shield to survive the sheer mechanical abuse of an Argentine roost.

Internal Connections

Understand exactly what 'high volume' means in High-Volume Dove Hunting Explained.
See the cost breakdown of this volume in Dove Hunting Argentina Cost: What U.S. Hunters Should Expect.
Prepare your body for the trip via Physical Preparation for High-Volume Dove Hunting.

Legal & Regulatory Note Hunting regulations in Argentina are established and enforced at the provincial level and may change by season, species, area, quota, weather conditions, land access, and administrative resolution. Any reference to hunting availability, seasons, bag limits, pest-control species, firearms, ammunition, transportation, or export of birds should be understood as general destination information only. Hunters must always confirm current provincial regulations, licenses, permits, firearm requirements, landowner authorization, outfitter compliance, and transport/export restrictions before booking or participating in any hunt.