Ken Valentine of Waterloo, III., has found an ideal destination for a South American hunt, Estancia Los Chanares. He visited here Jan. 10-14, 2008 and says he would recommend the trip to a friend because "any closer to heaven I don't want to be."

All the elements of the hunt must have been heaven-like, too, for Valentine rates every aspect, both of outfitter and of guide as "Excellent" except for dog work, which he gives no rating. He booked the trip with the Detail Company and hunted near Jesus Maria outside of Cordoba, Argentina. He hunted for doves out of a blind and found them to be "Abundant." "The people, the hunting and the estancia of Los Chanares are unbelievable," Valentine adds. "All the birds you could ask for, five to 10 minutes to hunt spots, shooting over 1,000 birds a day with side-by-side 28-gauge.

Shells cost him $10.75/box. "The only problem I see is not being able to go there more often." Cost of the trip excluding airfare was $2,150. Airfare on Delta and LAN was $1,300. Valentine rates the airlines "8-9," and adds that both were "very good. No problem with bags or guns."