Big Game Hunting in Uruguay

 

Big Game Hunting in Uruguay

 

Chancho Jabali

Traditionally our wing-shooters have not been interested in the big game that Uruguay has to offer, but we offer it nonetheless so that an adventurous sportsman looking to maximize his experience has the option. Despite its lack of popularity among our international guests, locals tend to favor the big game species over the ducks, doves and pigeons, and like their feathered friends, the big game species offer plenty of opportunity.

The most popular big game species is the wild pig or “chancho Jabali” as it is known locally. This familiar and tasty species is a common sight among the corn and wheat fields in Uruguay, particularly during the months of June and July when the corn is readily available to them. Most of the locals hunt them at night when they are more active, and if any guest is willing to trade a little sleep for a challenging night hunt on “chanco Jabali,” we are happy to offer that opportunity as well.

 

Uruguay also boasts a substantial population of axis deer. Axis deer are native to India but have been introduced in many locations all over the world. They are similar in size to whitetail deer, but otherwise behave and herd more like elk. The axis deer can be found a few miles from Estancia San Cirilo during the day, and wander just outside the lodge at night. Axis deer are so lean that the meat can legally be marketed as fat-free. At 99.8% fat free, the taste is very much like high quality beef . . . and in Uruguay, we know what to do with high quality beef!

What makes hunting for a trophy axis so challenging is that axis deer do not follow the same predictable pattern that is observed with whitetail deer. The males’ rutting activity and antler development varies with each individual, meaning that one buck might have hardened antlers and be looking to breed does while another has just dropped his antlers and has no interest in does. To accommodate these variable stages, the females experience their estrous cycles all year, each cycle lasting around three weeks. For this reason, it often seems that herds have very few or no trophy bucks, when more likely, the bucks have not developed their antlers yet. Good antlers range from 20 to 27 inches, and trophies range from 30 to 36 inches. The opportunity to take a trophy buck certainly exists within our 100,000 acres, and we are more than happy to provide that to interested guests.