MEXICO: OCELLATED TURKEY HUNT

The seasons for an Ocellated Turkey hunt open in Feb. in the Jungle camps, and open in March in the Farm Country areas. Both seasons close at the end of May. The most prime turkey hunting window in Mexico, despite the temperatures, is May, when strutting, calling, and breeding behavior is at its peak. 

However, the best time for mixed bag hunts in our Mexican jungle camps would be April. Brocket Deer speciality hunts are most prime in both early and late season - so Feb./March and May respectively.

Farm Country Hunts – Aside from Ocellated Turkeys, no other species are available, or with open seasons. 

Jungle Camp Hunts – Here, all species can be targeted, either as targets of priority or opportunity, all on flat-rate trophy fees payable upon success. Species include: Additional Ocellated Turkeys, Red and Gray/Brown Brocket Deer, Great Curassow, Crested Guan, Paka, Coatimundi, Collared Peccary, and Agouti.

Farm Country Hunts – Early season Ocellated Turkey hunts (Feb.-April) usually occur from fixed or pop-up blinds, largely overlooking food sources or known travel routes. Later in the season (April-May) when temperatures are warmer, hunting Ocellated Turkeys over water becomes very effective, and especially blinds placed in strategic gathering areas once the breeding cycle initiates. Calling and decoy tactics can then also be used effectively. Hunts occur morning and evening as midday temperatures can get very hot. Return to the lodge midday and cool off with a dip in the pool, enjoy a hearty lunch, or nap before the evening hunt. 

Jungle Camp Hunts – Here strategies are totally different. Mornings are very early as the typical tactics are to locate mature birds on their roosts, strutting and gobbling in the pre-dawn, and then set up as close as possible quickly and quietly. Later in the season during the breeding cycles (April-May) birds can be more effectively lured into range, using gobbler decoys and vocalizations to trigger an aggressive reaction. Hunting Ocellated Turkeys over water or food in the jungle is rarely done. Morning Ocellated Turkey hunts are longer, usually only returning to camp around the midday lunch hour. Enjoy a tasty traditional lunch, relax in the shade, or have a nap before heading out for the evening hunt.

Shotgun rentals come included for all Ocellated Turkey hunts, provided and encouraged by the outfitter. Shotguns are 12 gauge with full chokes, generally shooting 3-inch #2-4 shot at Turkeys & Jungle Fowl, or #4 buck shot or BB at Brocket Deer.  

Archery is legal and bow hunters are welcome to bring their personal equipment. Archery success rates are higher in farm country, hunting from blinds, with less vegetation, or at times over bait or water.

Farm Country Hunts – The Mexican landscape here is generally flat, largely comprised of cattle ranches, with some corn and sorghum agriculture. It’s a dry environment, with little to no shade available and few large or mature stands of trees. And so, especially later in the season, temperatures become very hot. Wildlife species are not overly diverse, but Ocellated Turkey populations are strong, along with Central American Whitetails and Coatimundi. The area does however see a large seasonal influx of migratory birds. 

Jungle Camp Hunts – Mexican jungle hunting areas are located in a region known as a “dry forest”, with large trees, dirt logging roads under an extensive tree canopy, and a thick understory. The terrain is quite hilly with several small mountains, and slow-moving rivers that form a series of lagoon-like lakes. It’s a diverse ecosystem that supports rich biodiversity such as Parrots, Spider and Howling Monkeys, Jaguars, Coatimundis, Boa Constrictors, occasional Tapirs, and many others.

Farm Country Hunts – Mainly hot, sunny, and dry with little to no shade. Temperatures here are hotter than in the jungle hunting areas. Not overly windy, and rain is quite infrequent during the open Ocellated Turkey hunting seasons in Mexico. 

Jungle Camp Hunts – While the jungle can get hot during the midday and afternoons, the early morning and evenings certainly cool down with drastic temperature changes. In the earliest part of the season (Feb.-March) it can even be chilly at times. Hunters can expect some rain during late season starting in May, and big storms or fronts can occur but are unlikely this time of year. The weather is generally nice.

Farm Country Hunts – These Ocellated Turkey hunts are based from rural, boutique, hacienda-style hotels, and come complete with air conditioning, bedrooms with 2 beds, full bathrooms, showers, Wi-Fi, a restaurant and bar with common dining and lounge areas, as well as a swimming pool and patio. 

Jungle Camps Hunts – Camps are comprised of a series of wooden thatched roof cabins for hunters and guides. Rooms are bug-proof with full netting, separate private bathrooms, running water, satellite Wi-Fi, common dining areas, and generator-powered electricity, complete with fridges and freezers. There is no air conditioning yet, but each bedroom is equipped with a large fan. Unwind with archery targets, or in a shady common lounge area, complete with rocking, hammock-style lounge chairs between hunts.

Farm Country Hunts – Boutique hacienda-style hotels offer restaurant-style fare, with a good line-up of both Mexican and international gourmet items. Order off the menu each day, already included in each Ocellated Turkey hunt package. On the last evening the outfitter enjoys taking clients to town for a very authentic Mayan cuisine dinner to ensure each hunter experiences it. 

Jungle Camp Hunts – Local cooks prepare authentic Mayan cuisine. Breakfasts are light with bacon, ham, eggs, fruit, coffee, tea, toast, and beans. Snacks can also be brought out to the field for the morning hunts if desired. Return to the lodge for a nice lunch and a midday nap! After the evening hunt, return to a big dinner with local Mayan favorites such as BBQ steaks, grilled game meat or chicken, fried corn dough dishes, stews, empanadas, and more served with salad or rice and beans, fresh salsa, and corn tortillas made fresh daily. Enjoy traditional desserts like sweet rice with milk & cinnamon, or flan topped with fruit and condensed milk.

Destination City: Most hunters arrive in Merida, Mexico. The farm country Ocellated Turkey hunting areas are only an hour or so from the airport and 3.5 hours from the jungle camps. Cancun can be used as a secondary destination city option but it adds approx. 2 hours to the drive. 

Travel Suggestions: Merida is best serviced by Houston, Dallas, and Miami daily by United and American airlines. Cancun conversely can be reached by nearly any international airport in the winter & spring. Hunters are encouraged to arrive in the morning or midday, and either depart to camp immediately, or overnight in the destination city and depart to camp the following morning.

CITES permits can often be secured in advance, so clients can fly home with salted & frozen Ocellated Turkey/Jungle Fowl trophies. If not, all trophies are carefully caped, salted and frozen, packaged, and delivered to an export broker. They secure the permits, clear any inspections, and initiate the shipping to any licensed taxidermist in the hunter’s home country. Turnaround time is usually 3-4+ months.

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