Gearing Up Across the Globe: What to Pack for South American Hunts

When it comes to diverse hunting destinations, South America finds itself right at the top of that list.

Offering everything from high-altitude red stag chases in Chile to steamy dove hunts in Argentina’s lowlands, South America has a hunt for everyone.

With that being said, this diversity comes with the need for smart gear decisions. If you’re packing your bags for a hunt south of the equator, your choice of hunting clothes can all but make or break the experience.

Now, every hunter knows the equipment they choose for each hunt is important. Making sure you have everything from the correct rifle and the best rifle scope to go along with it down to the best possible ammunition is quintessential. 

Well, the same is true for hunting clothes, and here at SKRE Gear®, we understand how drastically different climates, elevations, and types of hunts across South America demand strategic layering and durable, breathable clothing systems. 

So, let's get into some South American hunts and how to best equip yourself!

Argentina: From Red Stag to Water Buffalo

First on our list is Argentina.

Argentina is a top-tier hunting destination, especially for red stag, water buffalo, blackbuck, and doves. With climates ranging from cool and windy to hot and humid, it’s important to pack layers suited to both elevation and season.

Patagonia Region

Patagonia is well-known for its challenging terrain and weather extremes. 

In this region, hunters chase red stag, wild boar, fallow deer, and dove. As for weather, wind and snow are quite common, especially in winter.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Summer/Fall: The Kaibab Merino base layer paired with the Hardscrabble Jacket is a great lightweight setup for warmth and wind protection.
• Winter: The Guardian Bib and Guardian Jacket provide ample full-body insulation for snowy red stag hunts.
• Spring: Unpredictable weather calls for Kaibab Base Layers that regulate temperature and moisture.

La Pampa Region

La Pampa’s flat grasslands and warmer temperatures make it ideal for hunting blackbuck antelope, axis deer, and water buffalo. La Pampa is also known for some of the best dove hunting in South America.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Summer: Uinta Pants and the breathable Solace Shirt are perfect for these high-mobility hunts in the heat.
• Fall/Winter: Make sure to layer up with a Hardscrabble Vest and Guardian Jacket for those crisp early morning hunts.

Chile: Elevation and Elk-Style Pursuits

Chile’s Southern Andes and Araucanía regions are known for their excellent big game and bird hunting, particularly for red stag and fallow deer. 

The elevation does tend to bring cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather, though, so be prepared.

Southern Andes

This mountainous region of Chile is famous for its large red stag and wild boar hunts. 

With that being said, the high elevation means colder temps, especially during those fall and winter seasons.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Fall/Winter: The Guardian System is engineered for this exact situation, alpine weather. Cold mornings, windy peaks, and sudden storms all call for our Guardian gear.
• Summer/Spring: Use Kaibab base layers with the Hardscrabble Jacket for breathability and protection during active hunts during these warmer times of the year.

Araucanía Region

Upland birds and fallow deer are the main game in this lush, forested region. 

While Rain is frequent, temperatures do fluctuate in this region.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• A layered system of Ptarmigan and Solace gear does a good job of handling these temperature changes.
• Make sure to include a rain-resistant shell to stay dry during bird hunts in spring and fall.

Uruguay: Lightweight Systems for Feathered Game

Uruguay is yet another South American country known to be a bird hunter’s paradise. 

So, whether you’re targeting doves, perdiz, ducks, or wild partridge, your hunts will almost certainly involve walking long distances in warm, humid conditions.

Cerro Largo

As we just mentioned, hot summers and mild winters define Cerro Largo, as well as the country. 

Doves and perdiz are the most common game hunters are after in Cerro Largo.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Summer: Uinta Pants and the Solace Shirt provide the breathable comfort you’ll likely need in the heat.
• Winter: Toss on a Guardian Jacket to your summer gear for warmth during early morning outings.

Rivera Region

Expect similar weather to Cerro Largo, but with more duck and pigeon hunts on wet ground.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Similar to Cerro, a Solace Shirt and Kaibab Layer will keep you dry and mobile.
• Waterproof outerwear is extremely important for early-morning duck blinds.

Brazil: Steamy Wetlands and Long Treks

Brazil’s Pantanal and Mato Grosso do Sul regions are best known for exotic game like peccary, capybara, and doves. 

Be sure to expect high humidity, rainy weather during the wet season, and a whole lot of walking.

Pantanal

This massive wetland is home to waterfowl, doves, capybara, and the elusive peccary. It’s hot, humid, and buggy.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Dry Season: Uinta Series garments are probably best here, offering some good durability and ventilation.
• Wet Season: Use quick-dry Solace layers and a waterproof rain shell to keep yourself dry in the swampy terrain.

Mato Grosso do Sul

Hunts here focus more so on small mammals and waterfowl. 

The conditions here mirror the Pantanal but with slightly drier air inland.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Solace and Uinta gear work well here to manage heat and movement.
• Base layers with moisture-wicking properties are always good, helping in steamy conditions.

Peru: Rugged Hills and Desert Heat

Peru’s hunting zones range from highland red deer chases to desert whitetail stalks, so be ready for sharp elevation changes and sudden temperature shifts.

El Angolo Reserve (Piura)

A dry, desert-like zone known for white-tailed deer hunting. Summer temps here can reach upwards of 100°F.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Summer: Lightweight Solace Shirt and Uinta Pants are perfect for hot, dry conditions like what you’ll find in El Angolo.
• Winter: Add Kaibab Merino and the Hardscrabble Jacket to your summer setup for warmth when those temperatures start to drop.

Sunchubamba Reserve (Cajamarca)

This region offers both red deer and white-tailed deer, but with a little more humidity at a higher elevation.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Start with Solace and Kaibab layers for moisture control.
• Add on a Guardian Jacket for cool, foggy mornings up in the hills.

Bolivia: Dove Shoots and Tropical Challenges

From Santa Cruz’s dry fields to Beni’s rain-drenched lowlands, Bolivia provides some amazing dove and bird hunting, as well as great small-game hunts.

Santa Cruz

Home to more high-volume dove hunts and warm summers, this region calls for breathable, more mobile hunting clothes.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Solace Shirt and Uinta Pants are good options for sun protection and improved range of motion.
• Throw on a Kaibab Merino in winter for further layering warmth without too much added weight.

Beni Department

Beni’s wetlands are packed with waterfowl and capybara, but call for some serious waterproof gear during the rainy season.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Pack a waterproof shell and breathable base layers to avoid getting bogged down, literally!

Paraguay: Brutal Heat and Surprising Rain

Paraguay’s hunting scene is all about birds and unique mammals like the peccary and capybara. Just make sure you are ready for any tropical storms and extreme summer heat that might come your way.

Chaco Region

This area is sweltering in summer and can be quite muddy during seasonal transitions.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• A Solace Shirt and Nebo Rain Pants provide plenty of coverage while still staying breathable.
• Rain gear is a MUST have for early or late season hunts.
• Paraguarí

More mild than Chaco, this subtropical region is another good spot for dove and upland bird hunters.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Lightweight layers keep you cool and quick on your feet.
• Don’t forget Merino socks and hydration support for long treks.

Colombia: Jungle Birds and Big Heat

Colombia’s Llanos Orientales and Meta regions offer some amazing year-round hunting for ducks, pigeons, iguanas, and some small mammals.

Llanos Orientales

A hot, marshy area best known for bird hunting. Rain is heavy during the wet season, so pack some appropriate hunting clothes.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Uinta Pants and Solace Shirt handle heat and mud well.
• As we said, a waterproof outer layer is a must-have from April to November.

Meta Region

Always warm and a bit drier than Llanos, this region is ideal for walking hunts.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Solace Shirt for breathable movement on long walks.
• A Kaibab Base Layer also helps with sweat and higher sun exposure.

Venezuela: Capybara Country

The Venezuelan Llanos are vast, flat, and full of game like capybara, water buffalo, and ducks. 

Rain does dominate the wet season, so hunting clothes with waterproofing is key here.

Apure (Llanos)

Sporting some great capybara and wildfowl hunts, this region is as humid as it is rewarding.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Uinta Pants and Solace Shirt do well handling the movement and heat.
• Lighter Merino layers are great for wicking sweat and drying off quickly.

Barinas

For hunters chasing water buffalo, this region’s wet ground and heavy rainfall make durable outerwear a no-brainer.

Recommended Hunting Clothes:

• Bring some Hardscrabble Pants with a waterproof shell.
• Quick-dry innerwear is also great as it keeps you from overheating during long hikes.

Closing Shots

Whether you’re stalking a red stag in the Andean snow or flushing doves from a sunbaked marsh, one truth holds steady across South America:

The right gear makes the hunt. 

With its vast range of climates, terrain, and game species, this continent demands clothing systems that can adapt, breathe, and endure. 

At SKRE Gear®, we’ve crafted each and every one of our products to meet those exact challenges, so wherever your tag takes you, from the jungle heat of Colombia to the windswept plains of Patagonia, you’ll be ready. 

Adventure south, hunt smart, and let your SKRE Gear® rise to meet the occasion.

 

Author: Jeremy Merchant