The more I travel around the internet, I still find hunters who do not know that hunting is offered in Nicaragua. When you go to most hunting guides, outfitter guides, or to most waterfowl guides, you will find most do not even offer Nicaragua as a option on their websites. Argentina, Uruguay, are found on many sites for South, Central America. But Nicaragua seems to not get a lot of attention.
So one question would be " Why does Nicaragua not get noticed more for it's Duck and Dove hunting?" Being part of a great outfitter for duck and dove hunting in Nicaragua, I think I can shed some light on this. First, most of the
outfitters in Nicaragua, are local guys who have been doing this all of their life, or for most of it. They are still working out of the 1960's attitude of word of mouth, and using booking agents. Most of them do not know a lot about the internet, SEO, and marketing in this digital age. So they do not spend much time or money on marketing the internet. Now, in the last few years, you have seen a large increase in booking agents, who can see the hidden treasure that Nicaragua can offer to hunters, and you are seeing more and more coverage every year.
So one question would be " Why does Nicaragua not get noticed more for it's Duck and Dove hunting?" Being part of a great outfitter for duck and dove hunting in Nicaragua, I think I can shed some light on this. First, most of the
outfitters in Nicaragua, are local guys who have been doing this all of their life, or for most of it. They are still working out of the 1960's attitude of word of mouth, and using booking agents. Most of them do not know a lot about the internet, SEO, and marketing in this digital age. So they do not spend much time or money on marketing the internet. Now, in the last few years, you have seen a large increase in booking agents, who can see the hidden treasure that Nicaragua can offer to hunters, and you are seeing more and more coverage every year.
One of the next reasons would be that Nicaragua does not have the high volume of birds that Argentina , and Uruguay have. We are still considered as high volume, but not like Argentina. In Argentina, you hear of a lot of 1000 dove a day, and 50 to 75 ducks a morning. In Nicaragua, you will not find those numbers, but still have lot of 300 to 350 doves a day, and 25 to 30 ducks a morning for an average shot. Now, with limits in the USA being at 15 to 30 doves a day, and 6 to 10 ducks, that would still be considered high volume shooting to me.
So with Argentina being a very heavily marketed place for high volume shooting, along with the great influx of outfitters who have sprung up out of the woodwork there, you can see that it overshadows Nicaragua in the lime light. Is that a bad thing? Not really, I would not want to see what has happened to Argentina, happen here in Nicaragua. Which brings me to another fact of why we are not on the walk of fame yet. Nicaraguan government only allows a certain number of outfitter licenses out for the whole country. At this time, its only 4 or maybe 5 at the most. No one else can apply. The quota is full already. So, that protects us from being swamped by countless outfitters, wanting to cash in.
So with Argentina being a very heavily marketed place for high volume shooting, along with the great influx of outfitters who have sprung up out of the woodwork there, you can see that it overshadows Nicaragua in the lime light. Is that a bad thing? Not really, I would not want to see what has happened to Argentina, happen here in Nicaragua. Which brings me to another fact of why we are not on the walk of fame yet. Nicaraguan government only allows a certain number of outfitter licenses out for the whole country. At this time, its only 4 or maybe 5 at the most. No one else can apply. The quota is full already. So, that protects us from being swamped by countless outfitters, wanting to cash in.
So with Argentina have such a high volume of birds, and very popular with hunters, the question remains,
" Why would you want to hunt ducks and doves in Nicaragua?"
Well here is your answer:
" Why would you want to hunt ducks and doves in Nicaragua?"
Well here is your answer:
More To Do - More Luxury
If hunting in the Managua, Granada area, you are most likely not staying in a lodge. I know with us, you stay in some of the finest hotels in the city. This affords you the luxury that you will not get in the common hunting lodge. Not saying that some lodges are not luxurious. Just saying that you have room service, swimming pools, bars, spas, relaxing time, and high speed internet to keep up with your business or home. Staying in the city gives you the opportunity of a vast array of activities to enjoy when you are not hunting. Night clubs, casinos, spas, theaters, malls, bars, bands, shows, all within short distance of your hotel. Choose from the finest restaurants with different choices each night. See and enjoy the culture of the people and places. Most of these things you can not get in a
remote hunting lodge, with not much opportunity to do other things.
If hunting in the Managua, Granada area, you are most likely not staying in a lodge. I know with us, you stay in some of the finest hotels in the city. This affords you the luxury that you will not get in the common hunting lodge. Not saying that some lodges are not luxurious. Just saying that you have room service, swimming pools, bars, spas, relaxing time, and high speed internet to keep up with your business or home. Staying in the city gives you the opportunity of a vast array of activities to enjoy when you are not hunting. Night clubs, casinos, spas, theaters, malls, bars, bands, shows, all within short distance of your hotel. Choose from the finest restaurants with different choices each night. See and enjoy the culture of the people and places. Most of these things you can not get in a
remote hunting lodge, with not much opportunity to do other things.
Short Flight Time
With time away from home and work being more and more important nowadays, you find that the 12 hour flight to Argentina, the layovers, the switching transports, makes it a big deal to get to the hunting lodge. The travel along can add up to two days to a 3 day hunt. I find more and more hunters who contact me, that have been to Argentina, and absolutely loved it, but do not want to go through that long flight again. They are willing to sacrifice the harvest numbers for the easier flights. Plus, harvesting 300 to 350 doves in a day, or 25 to 30 ducks in a morning, is still some amazing numbers.
More Economical
While there is not a lot of price difference between Argentina and Nicaragua for a 3 day hunt, the flights are a big savings. An average round trip / non - stop / economy flight from Houston or Miami is around $ 500 to $ 600.00 dollars according to how early you book the tickets. Business class not being that much more at around $ 750.00 to $ 800.00. First class tickets are not available. Compare that to round trip tickets to Argentina, and all of your transfers to get to the lodge, and it's a nice savings.
With time away from home and work being more and more important nowadays, you find that the 12 hour flight to Argentina, the layovers, the switching transports, makes it a big deal to get to the hunting lodge. The travel along can add up to two days to a 3 day hunt. I find more and more hunters who contact me, that have been to Argentina, and absolutely loved it, but do not want to go through that long flight again. They are willing to sacrifice the harvest numbers for the easier flights. Plus, harvesting 300 to 350 doves in a day, or 25 to 30 ducks in a morning, is still some amazing numbers.
More Economical
While there is not a lot of price difference between Argentina and Nicaragua for a 3 day hunt, the flights are a big savings. An average round trip / non - stop / economy flight from Houston or Miami is around $ 500 to $ 600.00 dollars according to how early you book the tickets. Business class not being that much more at around $ 750.00 to $ 800.00. First class tickets are not available. Compare that to round trip tickets to Argentina, and all of your transfers to get to the lodge, and it's a nice savings.
Family friendly
Nicaragua, and especially Managua, Granada, and San Juan Del Sur, hold some of the worlds greatest Historic and Eco tourism sites in the world. Having some of the world’s still active volcanoes, largest fresh water lake (Lake Managua) in all of Central America. Granada with its colonial architecture. San Juan Del Sur with its world class surfing and beaches, Eco tours, hiking, horseback riding, volcano surfing, volcano tours, bird watching, ATV tours, hiking, turtle watching, island hopping, large malls, spas. Little Corn Island with its world class diving, Emerald Coast with its world class golf course, and that is just some. Wives, children can find way more than enough to do, while the guys are hunting. All at affordable prices.
Nicaragua, and especially Managua, Granada, and San Juan Del Sur, hold some of the worlds greatest Historic and Eco tourism sites in the world. Having some of the world’s still active volcanoes, largest fresh water lake (Lake Managua) in all of Central America. Granada with its colonial architecture. San Juan Del Sur with its world class surfing and beaches, Eco tours, hiking, horseback riding, volcano surfing, volcano tours, bird watching, ATV tours, hiking, turtle watching, island hopping, large malls, spas. Little Corn Island with its world class diving, Emerald Coast with its world class golf course, and that is just some. Wives, children can find way more than enough to do, while the guys are hunting. All at affordable prices.
So to make it clear, I am not knocking Argentina. Actually, everyone I have spoken with says it is an awesome hunt, and lots of birds. I am just saying for those who have been there and done that, and those who have not been there, but looking for a optional place to hunt ducks and doves. Nicaragua is a hidden secret you will surely want to check out.
Oh, and did I mention the amazing fishing. Some of the best Tarpon fishing in the world, not to mention the Pacific and Caribbean coasts which are a gold mine of untapped fisheries for big bill fish.
Oh, and did I mention the amazing fishing. Some of the best Tarpon fishing in the world, not to mention the Pacific and Caribbean coasts which are a gold mine of untapped fisheries for big bill fish.