January, 2001, Joan and I (Butch), were waiting for our plane home from Hermosillo, Mexico. We had concluded our test hunts with an outfitter and told him we would refuse to book for him as his operation did not measure up to our standards. Expensive trip, not much to show for it. The good news is that while waiting around, we talked to many hunters returning to the US, including a bunch of our clients, and a couple of our Canadian outfitters who were hunting mulies far from home! After swapping stories, it was clear they had stumbled by chance onto a good outfitter-tough to find in Mexico in our experience!
I spoke to one of my Alberta mule deer outfitters who takes some great animals for his own Alberta clients, and who was back for the third time with this outfitter! He had just killed a 32” mulie, a 6X5 scoring around 200 B&C; while his wife had taken a Coues in the 115-120 class!! In the years since 2005, his mulie numbers and numbers have slipped due to weather, habitat and perhaps a bit of over shooting. But his Coues remain exceptional and his DESERT SHEEP SUCCESS HAS BEEN SUPERB FOR OUR CLIENTS.
Now these extreme quality free range hunts cost money, and plenty of it. It costs big money, even in Mexico, to tie up MULTIPLE ranches, then limit the number of hunters. Tying up all that country, equipping guides, vehicles, food, and doing it right- costs money.
We have in house less expensive hunts, but for real giant Coues, with great consistency, no Mexican nonsense or problems, this is one of the best hunts we know of. You might get lucky elsewhere, or you might waste a bunch of time and lots of money on a flop or mediocre hunt! There are plenty of them down there! We think it is better to spend the extra money in order to get something close to a sure thing for big coues and for that once in a lifetime Desert Sheep.
He also has superb Gould’s turkeys as our clients can vouch! They have all been 100% to date.
In 2009 we had 4 clients go down and do his FREE RANGE DESERT SHEEP HUNT. EVERY ONE OF THEM TOOK GREAT RAMS! SEVERAL KILLED IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS, OTHERS WORKED HARDER. BUT 100% SUCCESS. Now do realize one thing, although these sheep hunts are pricey, they are still on average $10,000 below the competition!!! Secondly, do not go to Mexico expecting luxury suites and meals- it is not going to happen! But you can expect sufficient food, and clean rooms, just they will be very basic. You can expect a good effort, and his guides have great sheep and coues eyes!
He has for 2016, a single Free Range sheep tag for a hunt. Price of the hunt is $45,000.
He also has a high fence Desert Sheep hunt. This is less physically demanding, although you will work. The hunt takes place on about 3 ¼ square miles, inside the fence. Expect to see plenty of sheep, including some giants. Below is the pricing schedule for this high fence hunts.
TRAVEL: Our outfitter will handle all weapons license permits or else you can borrow one from him. You need these in your hand before boarding any flights!! He welcomes all handicapped hunters and has a special vehicle for them. Fly from Phoenix or Tucson, Arizona to International airport in Hermosillo Sonora México—or you can drive 4 hours from Tucson, Arizona to Hermosillo. We do NOT recommend driving in Mexico for safety reasons right now. Flying is the way to go. Outfitter meets you in Hermosillo at the airport.
TRANSPORT: If entering Mexico for a hunt from Hermosillo area: Your gun permit will expressly state it is for entry into Mexico via Hermosillo. Any deviation from that port of entry into Mexico will give you serious problems! If you are bringing your own firearm, you must initially enter Mexico thru Hermosillo. We usually suggest to clients that they fly to Phoenix and then US Air has flights to Hermosillo, direct. If you attempt to fly via Aero Mexico, you will be routed into Mexico City- and your permit will be no good there! So- be sure your first port of entry and exit is Hermosillo. If you rent a rifle, then you can fly any routing you wish, such as Delta thru Aero Mexico into Mexico City and then on to Hermo. But do not take that routing with a firearm unless you have the correct permits!
Outfitter will meet and greet you in Hermosillo, help you thru the gun inspections and then drive you to his ranch.
LODGING: Varies with the type of hunt, but typically a typical Mexican ranch type home, with showers and good Mexican food. Nothing fancy, but adequate for most hunters in our experience.
2016 PRICING:
DESERT SHEEP: High fence hunt. Up to 170″: $32,750; up to 175″ are $40,995: Rams over 176 are $46,995. Due on booking is $20,000. Thirty days before the hunt, 50% of the balance is due; and then upon killing or wounding you pay the final balance. Call for up dated prices for this hunt.
GOULDS TURKEY
• COUES DEER: $4995 for 5 day hunting in December.
desert mule deer hunt $1000 6 day hunt. Dates january 10 to 15 rut time 2 openings and 3 more on january 24 to 29
• GOULDS TURKEY: $2200 FOR 2 BIRDS, 4 DAY HUNT. Turkey season April 02 to May 18.
• Javelina $500 if done during the deer hunt.
• Non hunters $200. a day.
License costs: Weapons license $300. Coues license $300. Javelina $ 300. Desert sheep $500. Turkey $300. (subj. to change)
• Doves and quail $250.
Openings; Coues hunts; generally from early Dec thru Jan. Sheep hunts: Nov-December.
Gould’s turkey hunt. April and May.
Services Include: Airport reception and roundtrip transfer to hunting area; all guiding, meals and lodging except for Hermosillo hotels..
They field dress and cape your trophy.
Price includes Delivery of your trophy to a local taxidermist or to the airport in Hermosillo.