I’ve always been intrigued by how an individual determines a career. It’s been said that one should do what they love, and the rest will follow. In my experience, very few are as fortunate, and those that are this fortunate are truly blessed. Through the years, we’ve developed practices and methods that have given birth to the Closaway Way, finding Peace on your Wing Shooting Trip.
For us, outfitting has been a passion and not necessarily the best way to “make a living”. It’s long days and short nights. We have to work around the weather, which we obviously can’t control, and occasionally we have clients that can be very difficult. None of this is a complaint, it just a reality.
Our standard of operation is to move quickly and efficiently, for each hunt, to make sure that our clients have the maximum exposure to absolutely the best, world-class wingshooting anywhere around. Humbly, we feel that our record of 100% client satisfaction demonstrates our full commitment to said model.
Stop and Smell the Roses:
That being said, recently we had two clients that stated they wanted to take a pass on that day’s afternoon hunt. Naturally, we were alarmed and concerned that there was some disappointment with their prior hunts. We kept questioning why they had come all this way and would pass on a hunt? They pointed out the front porch to the panoramic view and stated, “you guys don’t get it, do you”? They went on that they felt the Ranch was more than just hunting and in fact was the best place they had ever been to simply relax, enjoy a glass of wine, visit and take in some of the most beautiful views in the world.
At this point, the “macho man” in many of you are probably screaming “give me a break”. I must confess that was my original reaction. The clients went on to explain, that when researching San Jose Ranch, their impression that it simply another version of standing in a field all day for four days in the “flavor” of Argentina. They added that the entirety of the San Jose experience was both unexpected and unparalleled. They went on that while the hunting was the best they ever experienced; the hunting was not their sole focus… the experience was.
At this point, I was really struggling. We believe that “the guest is always right” and we work tirelessly to accommodate any reasonable request. However, as we drove away with the other hunting party for an afternoon dove hunt, I grew further concerned that somehow, we had failed these two clients.
The dove roost hunt was a barn burner, as usual. While I was overseeing the hunt, my crew was doing an excellent job attending to all the clients needs. This gave me a few minutes to gaze off at the vitas, while I continually contemplated this dilemma presented by my clients enjoying themselves at the Ranch front porch. It was then that I had an epiphany, for years I had been so focused on client hunt satisfaction, I had hardly noticed that the landscape of this country is truly indescribable. It was if I was the janitor the French Louvre Museum and never noticed the priceless works of art. For a moment, I almost felt ashamed. It is truly a privilege to be in this wonderful country and I was guilty of “not seeing the trees for the forest”.
Peace Out:
As we came back to the Ranch, I was in a contemplative mood. As we drove up to the Ranch front porch, my clients were still on the porch, happy as clams. I approached them, hat in hand, and genuinely thanked them for opening my eyes. At this point, they explained that they would come to San Jose strictly to unwind and hunt very limitedly. The problem, they stated, was that this primary feature of the Ranch could not be effectively communicated to prospective clients. It doesn’t come off in videos or still shots. The experience doesn’t work unless you are there, in the flesh, to experience it.
So, what’s the point of this odd post? Well, historically we solely concentrate on pulling off excellent hunts and accommodations. What we took for granted, was the totality of the experience. Since this occasion, we have coined this the “Closaway Way”.
As we have stated, we are Uruguay’s American owned and operated outfitter. We have the absolute best duck, dove, pigeon and perdiz hunting and we have the only all-inclusive rate in the country. I wish we could effectively convey the Closaway Experience, but it is something you must experience for yourself. Please give us consideration and let us know of any questions you may have.
