Red Stag Lago Hermoso

Accommodations

4 Hunters, 8 Guests

Season

March to April

Getting There

Neuquén, Argentina

The Hunting

Fair Chase

Target species

Red Stag & Wild Boar

Lago Hermoso is located just south of San Martín de los Andes, along the iconic Seven Lakes Route in northwestern Patagonia, bordering the northern edge of Nahuel Huapi National Park. This area is home to some of the largest free-range Red Stags in South America, with animals reaching their full potential in remote, untouched sections of the adjacent national park. Based out of this ranch, hunters have access to over 30,000 acres of prime private hunting land in the area. Thanks to a strict management program focused on mature, high-quality trophy deer, only a few stags are harvested per season, limiting access to very limited number of hunters per year.

Paired with high-end lodging and expert guides, Lago Hermoso offers one of Argentina’s premier red deer hunting experiences. Hunters can fly into San Martín de los Andes Airport (CPC), just 36 miles away, or arrive via Bariloche Airport (BRC), 97 miles to the south, with the scenic Seven Lakes Route connecting both destinations. The area is equally appealing for non-hunting companions, offering hiking, horseback riding, visits to San Martín de los Andes, and guided tours through the region’s spectacular national parks. Guests can also enjoy excellent trout fishing in the ranch’s private lakes and streams.

Why Choose Red Stag Lago Hermoso

An Exclusive Red Stag Experience in Patagonia’s Seven Lakes Country

The hunting lodge at Lago Hermoso Ranch is set within the property’s main house, offering an intimate and refined retreat in the heart of Northern Patagonia.

Designed in a warm, understated Patagonian style, the lodge combines comfort, privacy, and personalized service, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and National Park landscapes. With capacity for only 4 hunters and 4 non-hunting companions, Lago Hermoso ensures a highly personalized and exclusive experience throughout the stay.

For non-hunting companions, or for hunters looking to complement their time in the field, a curated selection of activities is available, including scenic horseback rides, guided hikes, visits to San Martín de los Andes, and sightseeing tours through the surrounding National Parks. The ranch’s private lakes and streams also offer excellent trout fishing, while additional fly-fishing experiences throughout the region can be seamlessly arranged.

  • Capacity: 4 hunters and 4 non-hunting companions.
  • Accommodations: 4 rooms, all with private bathroom. One room features a king bed, while the remaining three rooms each offer two queen beds.
  • Cozy living room with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and National Park landscapes.
  • Outdoor fire pit.
  • WiFi internet access and satellite TV.
  • Full board, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine and beer. Meals feature Argentina’s famed beef, traditional asado, fine wines, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, and other chef-prepared dishes.
  • Maid and laundry service.
  • Rifle rental available, with accurate rifles fitted with high-quality scopes.
  • Trophy preparation and export paperwork assistance after the hunt.
  • Horseback riding, trout fishing, hiking, National Park tours, and other activities available for non-hunting companions or after harvesting your stag.

What time of the year should I come?

We’re often asked: “When is the best time to hunt red stag at Lago Hermoso?” While the official red deer season in Neuquén province runs from March through May, at Red Stag Lago Hermoso we follow a more selective and conservation-focused approach.

Due to our strict game management plan, we only operate during the peak of the rut, allowing the rest of the season to remain undisturbed. This strategy ensures a low-pressure environment for the herd, while offering guests the best chance to pursue mature stags as they descend from the high Andes in search of hinds.

These hunts are limited, carefully planned, and focused on quality over quantity. With only a small number of trophy stags harvested each year, the experience remains authentic and meaningful. The setting—a dramatic mountain landscape interspersed with lakes, streams, and volcanic peaks—makes each outing as memorable as the game itself.

If you’re looking for a fair-chase red stag hunt in one of Patagonia’s most scenic regions, March and April are the time to be here.

Lago Hermoso can be reached through two convenient Patagonian airports: Chapelco Airport (CPC), serving San Martín de los Andes, just one hour from the ranch; or San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC), approximately two and a half hours away. Both airports offer regular connections from Buenos Aires, while the Bariloche route also allows guests to experience the iconic Seven Lakes scenic drive.:

  • Chapelco Airport (CPC): 60 minutes from the ranch
  • San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC): approximately 2.5 hours from the ranch, via the Seven Lakes Route.

Location

Lago Hermoso is ideally located just south of San Martín de los Andes, at the northern end of the iconic Seven Lakes route. Positioned between Nahuel Huapi National Park to the south and Lanín National Park to the north, the ranch borders some of the most remote and pristine protected areas of Patagonia.

The Hunting

What to expect on the field

At Lago Hermoso Ranch, as with all our big game destinations, our goal is to deliver an exceptional hunting experience in one of the most scenic regions of Northern Patagonia. With access to over 30,000 acres of carefully managed private land, we maintain low hunting pressure through a focused management program centered on big mature trophy stags. As a result, the annual harvest is limited to a select number of animals, preserving both the quality of the hunt and the exclusivity of the experience.

All hunts are conducted on a 1×1 basis, unless otherwise requested. Each hunting team, composed of the hunter and guide, uses 4WD vehicles to efficiently access different areas of the ranch, with travel times typically ranging from 10 minutes to under an hour. Given the varied terrain and expansive property, some hunts may also incorporate horseback riding, particularly when reaching more remote or elevated areas.

The main way we hunt here, is the classic spot-and-stalk, allowing hunters to actively chase big free-range stags across diverse terrain. The ranch also features strategically placed European-style elevated stands, offering a highly effective approach when targeting the largest stags that inhabit the surrounding forest, while providing a truly unique and immersive way to experience the intensity of the roar.

After the morning hunt, guests return to the lodge to enjoy a relaxed lunch and some downtime. In the afternoon, the hunting team heads back out for the evening hunt, often staying in the field until last light. On full-day excursions, gourmet packed lunches are provided to maximize time in the field.

In addition to outstanding Red Stag hunting, the ranch also offers the possibility of hunt for wild boar, as well as enjoying excellent trout fishing in its private lakes and streams—an ideal complement to the overall Patagonian experience.

 

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TROPHIES AFTER THE HUNT?

Red Stag Patagonia efficiently handles trophy preparation at our ranches per client preferences, such as european, shoulder, or full-body mounts. We process hides and skulls by salting, drying, cleaning, bleaching, and cutting on-site. At the end of the season, the trophies are sent to our taxidermist shop for inspection and final preparations to meet export standards. Simultaneously, our cargo company handles export paperwork and permit applications.

Once the trophies are ready and export documents are issued, our exporter manages shipping to the final destination. Importantly, we can only ship to a customs broker at the destination country for clearance. Clients can provide their broker’s information, or we can recommend brokers we’ve worked with. Once the trophies clear the destination country, they can be shipped to you or your chosen taxidermist.

Opting for taxidermy work in Argentina offers numerous advantages. Notably, while waiting for paperwork, the taxidermist can work on your trophy and have it ready for shipment once export permits are granted.

It’s worth mentioning that mounting complete trophies in Argentina might entail slightly higher shipping costs than just antlers and salted hides. However, the taxidermy work is typically more cost-effective and faster. Thus, it can be convenient to have the work done here, unless you specifically prefer your local taxidermist.

Shipping times vary, mainly due to the involvement of multiple government agencies in the export permit process, each with its own unpredictable timeframes. Although some agencies process permits faster, others tend to take their time. Typically, we can ship trophies within 12 months after the hunt. RSP diligently oversees the entire process and works with the best hunting trophy exporter in the country.

For those interested in mounting trophies in the United States, we collaborate with Jonas Bros. of New York, recognized as one of the world’s premier taxidermy studios. We offer discounted rates to our clients.

If you have any further inquiries, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Hunting Equipment

Red Stag Patagonia maintains a selection of high-quality rifles available for rent, ensuring guests have access to reliable, well-maintained equipment throughout their hunt.

Hunting Gear: Packing Essentials

RIFLE SLING
It’s important that your rifle has a comfortable sling.

BINOCULARS
A good pair of 8 or 10 X or binoculars is a must.

RANGE FINDER
Our guides all have range finders and they will measure distances for you. But bringing your personal one is always useful.

BOOTS
This might be the most important item for ensuring a smooth hunt. Bring a good pair of well-broken-in hunting or hiking boots that provide good ankle support.

SHOOTING STICKS
Bring your personal favourite (bipods, tripods), whichever you like best and feel more confident shooting from. The guides will have in case you don’t bring one.

WARM HAT 
Something with ear flaps or a ski-style hat that will cover ears is the best bet for colder days.

SMALL FIELD BAG or DAY PACK
To carry camera gear and other personal items into the field.

INSECT REPELLENT 
Mosquitoes or other bothersome insects are very unusual in the field. You can bring your personal preference of insect repellent just in case.

MEDICATION
Most people have no stomach problems in this part of Argentina. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea, as when traveling anywhere, to take along medication for symptomatic relief. Also, take aspirin, in addition to other medications you normally use. Band-aids – for sore fingers from shooting.

NOTE
Laundry service is available at the lodge if desired.

GUNS
In selecting which gun to use, it boils down to personal preference.

Neuquén province has a general weapon season so clients can choose to hunt either gun, archery or both. The most common gun for such a hunt is a typical bolt action rifle with a good quality scope. Good chamberings are 270 Win, 30-06, 7 mm Rem Mag, 7 PRC, 300 Win Mag, etc. For Bow hunting, the same type of equipment you will use for Elk, will work for Red Stag. 60 to 75 Lbs compound bows with 400+ gr arrows and good, sharp broadheads.

For Wild Boar, the same guns that we use for Stag are fine.

Muzzleloaders, handguns and open sight guns are welcome too.

GUNS AVAILABLE FOR RENT
Many of our guests agree that renting guns from the lodge can be much easier than applying for gun entry permits and traveling with them internationally.

It’s easy to rent a gun from the lodge. We have a good selection of accurate rifles that are appropriate for these type of hunts. All our rifles sport high quality scopes. The lodge manager or your guide will note the specific rental rifle you want to use. That gun will be yours for the duration of your stay. However, you are welcome to change guns and try something different. There are no add-on fees to switch. We want you to shoot a gun you’re comfortable and effective with!

Culinary Experience

At Red Stag Patagonia, our goal is to deliver a true taste of Argentina & Chile.

Food & Drink
At Lago Hermoso, meals are part of the relaxed rhythm of life at the ranch. Our kitchen focuses on hearty, well-prepared Patagonian dishes, featuring Argentina’s famed beef, traditional asado, fresh local ingredients, and seasonal fruits and vegetables.

After a day in the mountains, guests return to the lodge for comforting meals served in an intimate setting, with sweeping views of the surrounding Andean landscape and National Park mountains. From early breakfasts before heading into the field to relaxed lunches at the lodge and dinners shared after the evening hunt, the table is an important part of the Lago Hermoso experience.

Whether it is a traditional asado, a simple home-style meal, or a quiet drink by the outdoor fire pit, food at Lago Hermoso reflects the warmth, comfort, and understated charm of Northern Patagonia.

Wines & Beverages
Lunches and dinners are paired with Argentine wines, selected to complement the regional cuisine. Wine and beer are included during the stay, and a selection of local beverages is available at the lodge. If you have a preferred spirit or label, we suggest bringing it along so it is ready for you to enjoy.

Rates

Season 2027 – runs from March to April

* Prices are in US$ and per person

WEEKLY RATES:

5 nights/ 4 days hunting:
$ 19,950 (Includes 1 trophy Stag, no size limit)

Non-Hunters 5/4 Program : $ 4500 per person

Gun Rental & Ammo: $ 450 for the entire hunt

Hunting Tag & License: $ 495 per person

PAYMENT TERMS: A 50% non-refundable deposit is required within 14 days of booking, with final payment due 90 days prior to arrival. As a small operation that books far in advance, all payments are non-refundable, though if we’re able to rebook your trip, we’ll gladly apply a credit toward a future stay. We strongly recommend travel insurance.

Included

Not included

*Prices are in USD

Our other Sporting Destinations

With more than 30 family-owned, high-end sporting lodges across Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Mexico & The Bahamas, The Kautapen Group brings together a lifetime of experience dedicated to fly fishing, wingshooting, and big-game hunting. Through Red Stag Patagonia, David Denies Bird Hunting, and Nervous Waters, we deliver best-in-class guiding, authentic hospitality, and the consistency that comes only from operating our lodges under our own ownership and uncompromising standards. Each experience reflects our commitment to excellence, conservation, and the values that have guided our family for more than four decades.

Double down on your sporting adventures and experience all The Kautapen Group has to offer by combining your stay with another of our hunting or fishing lodges.

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