Most outfitters judge a hunt a success or failure by the number of birds killed. That’s where we begin, but it is not where we end.We add so much more to your Nicaragua duck & dove hunting experience, we are in a class of our own. Serious hunting and fishing – serious fun. If you’re looking for a cot and a buffet, just keep looking because that ain’t us.
MUCH MORE THAN THE HUNT
Nicaragua is situated in Central America between Honduras and Costa Rica and also happens to be the perfect environment for the land’s native species. You will hunt 90% White wings comprising and about 10% Blue Rock Pigeons, and some mourning doves. As for duck, 90% are Blue Wing Teal and 10% are Green Wing, Faulvous Tree Duck or Mexican ducks with a few Shovelers and Pintails.
Nicaragua, located just 2.5 – 3.5 hours flight from both Miami and Houston respectively. When considering alternates for hunting, Nicaragua comes in first due to location, cost and its abundance of Tarpon, Doves and Ducks.
When you make Nicaragua your dove and duck hunting choice, you and your buddies enjoy shoots in lush rice, sorghum, and peanut fields just 30 to 40 minutes outside of downtown Managua. These are smooth drives to the fields in comfortable air-conditioned suburbans and eighty-percent of your windshield time is on paved roads.
Nicaragua experiences a homicide rate of only 3.4 per 100,000, making it the least violent country in Central America and one of the safest in all the hemisphere and much, much less than the USA.
THE NICARAGUA DUCK AND DOVE HUNTING EXPERIENCE
A typical Nicaragua duck hunting consists of 3 days of hunting. One morning session, and one evening session. You may choose to hunt all doves, or a combination of doves and ducks, and even have the option to enjoy a day of fishing.
DUCK & DOVE
TARPON
MUCH MORE THAN THE HUNT
When local excursions or added days are to be included in your trip to Nicaragua, we have the experience and the expertise to create and execute “add-on” options designed by DreamMaker, which owns Nicaragua Bird Hunting. After 29 years and a reputation of renown, we bring the best of Nicaragua to your doorstep.
PEACE OF MIND
You will have a shadow man everywhere you go; he’ll translate, fetch whatever you need and he’ll be waiting for you when you’re walking out the door of the casino at 3:00am. We are the only one of four licensed operations in Nicaragua that provide the driver and car and we do it for good reason – it gives you the freedom to explore and eat out and enjoy the local life instead of being cooped up.
Our cars are like-new and they are on-duty from 6:00 AM until you go to bed.
WE CAN DO IT ALL
We are the only hunting operation in Nicaragua with a 24 hour response to anything you need. If you need something last minute, such as a different dinner reservation, maybe a poker dealer for your enjoyment at our $1.5M lodge, you’re guaranteed to get your phone call answered within minutes.
ON A WHIM
For groups of eight (8) or more, our *Mobile Bar is includes a pretty cocktail waitress to make your drinks. Whether it’s a side trip to Granada for hand-rolled cigars and fine cognacs or a helicopter into the best golf course in Central America, we’ll make it happen.
WE THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING – EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T
We’ll have our Houston office fix you up with catering on your flight for much less than your FBO and our Managua office will make sure you have a full-time English speaking guide a driver the entire time you’re awake, cell phones with unlimited incoming calls, all your meals and that just part of what we include. Nothing typical about us.
ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL
A typical hunt consists of 3 days of shooting. Our executives sometimes choose to have us mix it up with one day of shooting Duck and Dove, golf at an outstanding course another day and Giant Tarpon fishing to top it off for the perfect trifecta. If you are looking for anything that is cheap or no frills, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
DUCK/DOVE HUNTING
Nicaragua has 90% white-winged dove and 10% mourning dove flying in for the shoot. We hire local bird boys from the community and they do a great job of retrieving your birds. Every group of hunters results in us donating an android tablet to the local school plus they make four times over what they would make when working in the fields.
RIVER FISHING EXPERIENCE
We offer you big game fishing in jungle scenery, a unique experience you cannot find with any other company.
Peaceful and quiet; a meandering river that takes you on a voyage through perfect waters for Tarpon, Snook, and Rainbow Bass fishing. Spilling out into the Caribbean Sea, this river is one of the best places to catch Giant Tarpons and it is not at all unusual to nail a 180 – 225 pounder. The fact you can fish all three species in a 30 minute window makes it an experience you won’t find without doing some serious traveling.
THE EMERALD COAST
Guacalito de La Isla’s 18 hole golf course stretches along the stunning Pacific Coastline.
This expansive paradise-like master community sits in the heart of one of the world’s premier surfing locations. The beautiful and somewhat surreal scenery and lush greens of this course is an inviting and carefree setting, providing golfers with a spectacular new destination for Central American golf.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
WHEN CAN YOU HUNT DUCK IN NICARAGUA?
Duck Season spans October to March but is at its best from November to late February and Dove Hunting, while available year round is at its peak from September to April.
DO WE NEED TO BRING WADERS OR BOOTS?
Yes, occasionally we need to get into the mud
WHERE ARE THE DUCKS
Large flooded rice and timber fields. Decoy and Pass shooting and sometimes fireworks to stir them up is the action. Ducks come into decoys and electronic or mouth duck calls attracting mostly Blue wing Teal. Sometimes in the rice fields, we don’t even have to get wet; we walk around the levees and go to the spot and we crawl into the tall grass and that serves as a natural blind. Sometimes we have to get onto boats. It depends on the amount of rain, the amount of rice and the different areas; we might even get into the water waste deep and shoot from there. Of course we take into account the shape of the hunters and adjust accordingly
WHAT KIND OF DUCK CAN WE EXPECT TO BAG?
As for duck, 90% are Blue Wing Teal and 10% are Green Wing, Faulvous Tree Duck or Mexican ducks with a few Shovelers and Pintails.
AVERAGE KILLS WITH A DECENT SHOT?
Average amount of ducks harvested range from 20 to 35 Duck for a morning hunt.
WHAT HOURS ARE TYPICAL FOR A DOVE HUNT?
If your dove hunt is your priority for the day, we would leave the hotel around 5:30 am, arrive the fields about 45 minutes later. Sometimes, the birds are so abundant, we’ll get up later and get out there at around 9:30 am and go 6/7 straight hours and just have lunch delivered to the fields. On many occasions, an afternoon shoot can be only 15 minutes out of town.
SO WHAT ARE THE ROADS LIKE GETTING THERE?
Realistically, 85% of the roads are all smooth pavement for the first 30 to 40 minutes of driving and the last 10 minutes are dirt roads with minimal pot holes. Nothing like Mexico! For example, at the most we are looking at 45 minutes. For example, the shortest field we like is 32 kilometers from the airport and another 5 miles off the road on a dirt road. The furthest field is 29 miles away and another 6 miles of dirt roads.
HOW LONG DO WE HUNT DUCK?
It depends on the situation; we might shoot duck for an hour or so (if the birds go away)…… or we might stay and shoot as late as 1:00 pm, perhaps having moved a couple of times.
WHAT WOULD A TYPICAL DAY OF MIXED HUNTING LOOK LIKE?
Typically we do the Duck hunting in the morning and dove hunting in the afternoon. That is true for about 60% to 70% of the time.
DO WE HAVE TO LAY OUT DECOYS?
Only if your check bounces
WHAT AMOUNT OF AMMO CAN WE EXPECT TO GO THROUGH?
After a good morning of shooting, expect to go thru 15 to 30 boxes a day. A box of 25 shells run $15.00 (subject to change without notice and according to the number of shooters). We use Diana lead shot from Spain.
WHAT ABOUT THE FISHING?
Because some of our clients like their trip to include an added fishing excursion, we have a relationship with an amazing Tarpon and Snook operation – truly an angler’s dream come true. It has been selected as the world’s top Tarpon fishing lodge year after year by numerous respected fishing guide books. The lodge is minutes away from a large resident and non-migratory Tarpon population with a year-round opportunity to experience outstanding fishing. It boasts giant Tarpon – one can catch Snook, Rainbow Bass and multiple 200 lb.+ Tarpons for the ultimate fisherman’s paradise. We smooth out the rather complicated logistics and we’re happy to arrange anything that gives our guests the ultimate sportsman’s story to tell on their return home.
WHAT KIND OF FISH CAN WE CATCH?
We fish within 10 minutes of the lodge, large schools of Tarpon and other fish move in and out every day. Tarpon can grow beyond 6 feet in length and can easily weigh in at 225 lbs.plus. The Tarpon is known for its spectacular leaps when hooked in an attempt to get away. In 2014, a nine foot, two inch Tarpon, thought to be larger than the world record, was landed 20 miles away from the lodge by three gentlemen with a rod-and-reel.
Red Snapper can run up to 20 lbs, Snook 5 to 50 lbs., Freshwater Rainbow Bass up to 11 lbs. Mojaras at around 2 lbs and Manchaca (family to Piranha) range 2 to 10 lbs. with the average at 6 lbs.
InShore: Tarpon, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Crevalle Jack, Cubera Snapper, African Pompano, Barracuda, Snook, Triple Tail
Offshore: Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Atlantic Sailfish, Dorado, Blackfin Tuna
*River & Lagoon:Machaca, Guapote, Mohara, Pinto, Tiger Fish, Drum, Bobo, Alligator Gar
WHAT ABOUT TACKLE
The lodge provides top-tier conventional and spinning rods with tackle specifically chosen for the challenges of their fishery. Limited loaner fly rods and reels are available for both tarpon and smaller species on a first come, first served basis. There is no need to bring your own rods and tackle and they provide Redington fly tackle (reels and rods).
They also stock the best fishing line, lures and flies for their fishery as well as stock jigs made locally by their guides.
SAFETY IN NICARAGUA
And just a couple of statistics on safety….Nicaragua experiences a homicide rate of only 3.4 per 100,000, making it the least violent country in Central America and even safer than Costa Rica and of the USA….by far. Interpol declares it the safest in all the hemisphere. Today Nicaragua has the smallest military in Central America at 14,000 men. When one thinks of the number of imprisoned nationals, Canada has 123 per 100,000 while Nicaragua has less than half that. Police officers per thousand statistics rate Italy at 5.3 police per thousand, Costa Rica with 2.5 and Nicaragua with 1.2 police per thousand. Nicaragua’s small police force is also largely unarmed. In fact more than half of Nicaraguan police do not carry firearms at all. You will feel safe as anywhere you have ever been.
HUNTING LODGE
Instead of being trapped in a crowded lodge far from town where all the action is, we invite you to stay at our private house which accommodates small groups of 4 shooters and up to larger hunting parties. It’s exclusive, much nicer and more comfortable than anything you’ll find and we have breakfast twice each morning; 3:30 am for the Duck Hunters and 5:00 am for the Dove hunters.
Alternatively, if it is pure luxury, 24 hour room service and a big hotel pool with lots of space and multiple bars that you prefer, we use the InterContinental Hotel located in Managua, Nicaragua. No other hotel or lodge can provide the essential amenities while also focusing on your duck and dove adventure.
Both properties are only a ten minute drive from the Airport and a forty-five minute drive from duck/dove enriched fields.
Some Pro's and Con's - Intercontinental vs Our "Lodge"
The Intercontinental
- Individual rooms with an expectation of what you’d get from a top branded hotel chain.
- US quality cuisine and 24 hour room service
- With hunts of 10 or more, we can upgrade you to a presidential suite and that gives you a very nice recreational after hours living area or place to share breakfast privately
- Plenty of bars and eating places in the lobby or near the hotel and a great big pool and lounging area
Our Lodge advantages
- Private with your group as its only guests
- Homemade hot breakfast at 3:00 AM for the duck hunters and 5:00 AM for the Dove shoots, neither of which are available in any hotel
- Private pool for fun and games
- You can have a poker game or just kick back and drink to your own music and relax – it’s private and for no one else but your hunting party – we’re the only ones in the country that can offer that.
It costs a bit more to stay in a five-star hotel or in a million dollar house but the quality is night and day considering amenities and comfort. There’s no doubt all of us four licensees can put you on birds and no one has an advantage over the other.
We also understand that basic food and rooms may be what some folks want so we’re not a fit for everyone. If you care about the quality of the mattresses you sleep on, a hot blasting shower in the morning, top shelf drinks, BBQ poppers in the field, and a guide that becomes your new buddy, that’s us. If you consider not only the hunt to be important but enjoy the best food and top notch service with a private driver 18/7, we’re the ones you want to book with.
OUR CAST AND BLAST PACKAGE
Our Cast & Blast package can be suited to your needs. The 5-day, 4-night, Fishing with Duck & Dove hunting is over the top. NOBODY can duplicate it.
GIANT TARPON
RIVER FISHING EXPERIENCE
Come to the home of the largest Tarpon in the world. Tarpon are the “Silver Kings” of our coastal waters and can grow beyond six to eight feet in length and weigh 250 pounds and more. We like to send them our guests as they blur the line between fishing and catching
The Tarpon is known for its spectacular leaps when hooked in an attempt to get away. The world record for Tarpon caught using a hook and line is 281 lbs. When afraid, the tarpon produces sound in the form of thumps using its swim bladder.
RIVER FISHING EXPERIENCE
Make your way down and challenge yourself to a duel with some great Tarpon fights, while learning of the best tackle and lures for both conventional and fly fishing. Experience Giant Snook fishing and what “The calba are coming” can mean to you. Fish the Jungle Tropical Rain forest for tackle busting Guapote and many other species that are locally known as Pan fish.
Wahoo, Sailfish, Dolphin, Marlin and Tuna are found offshore and due to the low pressure, they’re waiting for you! The fishing season is all year-round, when fat and heavy Snooks and huge Tarpons are both aplenty.
*Due to the cost of fuel, off-shore fishing has a fuel surcharge.
ACCOMMODATION
The ecological and sport fishing resort lodge ~ a four-star lodge within a jungle, along with an attentive staff.
Our rooms are over 450 square feet with two or three queen size beds, 12 foot ceilings made of wild cane. The walls are constructed of native tongue and groove hardwoods.
The bathrooms are fully tiled and each room has its own hot water heater, ceiling fans, and is fully air-conditioned.
When it’s time for a refreshing dive in the pool, park yourself under the huge eight foot waterfall. Or, relax in our 101 degree screened in Jacuzzi or sauna can relax your muscles.
DINING
At the lodge, we put in front of you the very best Central American cuisine – using locally grown herbs and vegetables, along with local seafood, beef, chicken and pork. The buffet style service and the quality of our meals is making everyone who comes here very happy.
As to lunch in the field, for at least one day we will have our Chef come out in the field and barbecue some steaks Churasco and of course your dove with cream cheese and jalapenos and all the fixin’s. Other days, we take you to a casual little restaurant that serves some great fish and local specialties; we also like to have a day where we bring out mixed sandwiches and pizza and delight the bird boys.
After a day’s shooting, you don’t even need to see a menu. We’ll take you from the fields to a fantastic restaurant and the food will be waiting on the table; everything from Peruvian style Seafood to one of the craziest chefs around who makes the best Italian food you’ll ever eat – we kid you not! We absolutely guarantee that you will eat at the very best restaurants. We’ll make sure the dishes that they’re known for are what you’re talking about the next day – that’s a promise.
WHAT WE DO
Simply put; we make people happy. That’s all we care about. We charge a bit more, but we deliver on value in spades. While we may not be a fit for everyone, we’re not trying to be. We hope to have you experience the best sporting adventure Nicaragua can offer and we’ll work hard to make that happen.
WHO WE ARE
Nicaragua Bird Hunting specializes in waterfowl and white wing dove hunting . We are American and Nicaraguan (owned and operated ) with 28 years in serving clients all over the world.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
US Line to Nicaragua +1.972.499.8118
Mr. Gregory Lee Patrick
Owner
Cellphone: +1.713.666.5000
Email: gp@bird-hunting.com
Skype: gpdreammaker