MEXICO: SONORAN DESERT MULE DEER HUNT

The open season for Desert Mule deer hunting in Sonora, Mexico spans late November and closes the second week of February. The prime rut begins in early January and concludes the first week of February. The best week always depends on the moon phase and weather.

- Desert Coues Deer: Taken as targets of opportunity on a flat-rate trophy fee with no size restrictions.
- Javelina: Taken as targets of opportunity on a flat-rate trophy fee with no size restrictions.
- Coyote/Bobcat: Free bonus targets of opportunity. Not specifically targeted.
- Management Mule Deer: Taken as targets of opportunity, guides choice. Usually, a mature 3x3 scoring less than 160 inches.
- Desert Bighorn Sheep: Booked as a primary species and combinable with most Desert Mule Deer hunts.

Arrive in Hermosillo, greet your guides or outfitter at the airport/hotel, and enjoy a scenic drive through the Sonoran landscape, reaching the remote hacienda lodge nestled in the hunting area. Mornings come early with a light breakfast and packed snacks. Hit the desert trails by high-rack, an elevated truck bed with seats, to help see over the desert vegetation. Spend about half the time hunting by high-rack and the other half glassing and exploring the many wash systems, hills, and small mountains.

Conduct short hikes to glass into remote areas not visible from any roads. There are also blinds set up over bait and watering holes, with archery hunters in mind. The focus is big, fully mature, 180+ inch Desert Mulie bucks, with realistic odds at bigger. Once a shooter buck is located, a stalk is devised to get into shooting range, which is usually 200-300 yards but can at times be further. Coues Deer are also available as targets of opportunity, and with a Mulie down, can be targeted specifically with any remaining time.

The vast majority of clients bring personal rifles from home for a Desert Mule Deer hunt in Sonora, Mexico, which the outfitter encourages. Accurate rifles chambered in 6.5, 270, .30 caliber, or similar are the most popular. A rifle rental can be made available on a more limited basis, if specifically requested with sufficient notice.

Archery is legal, available, and welcomed, and archery Mule Deer hunts are conducted from blinds either over bait or water.

Experience the classic Sonoran Desert landscape, flora, and fauna. These vast flats are interspersed with arid, low-elevation mountains. The flat low country in this region of Mexico is dominated by creosote, and mesquite, while plants such as Saguaro, Barrel, Cholla Cactus, and Ocotillo are present. Palo Verde and Desert Ironwood trees in the wash systems however provide the perfect thick cover for Sonoran Mule Deer. Sharing this environment include a classic desert dweller line-up including Gila monsters, Rattlesnakes, Tarantulas, Road Runners, Gambel's Quail, hosts of migrant songbirds and raptors, Vultures, Burros, Javelina, and Coyotes.

Enjoy pleasant warm weather with refreshingly cool mornings and overnights, in classic Mexican desert fashion. Average daytime temperatures range from 70-80 degrees, occasionally hitting 85-90 degrees in the middays. Overnight lows drop down to around 40-50 degrees. Rain or frost is rare, mainly with blue skies and sunshine during the day, and a starry-covered sky at night.

Remote ranch haciendas are used to base our trophy Desert Mule deer hunts in Mexico. There are 2 ranch houses each strategically accessing all of the hunting areas. They are somewhat rustic but very comfortable and traditional. Built of stone, stucco, and brick located directly on the primary hunting ranches, with privacy and a view of the valley and colorful sunsets. Each lodge only accommodates a maximum of 2 hunters weekly and so is never crowded, complete with solar and generator-powered electricity, lights, Wi-Fi, charging stations, flushing toilets, and full kitchens with gas, fridge, and freezer. There are also single & double beds, common living rooms, outdoor terraces, and fire pits for mesquite coal grilling under the stars. The Sonoran Desert is truly a beautiful and welcoming place during the winter months.

Local caterers are employed at each camp with a full-time cook preparing authentic Mexican cuisine. Breakfasts are light to get hunters in the field quickly. Typical is burritos, bacon, eggs, fruit, coffee, tea, toast, and beans. Snacks are also brought out in the field in the morning for Mule Deer hunting, if desired. Return to the lodge for a hearty lunch and a midday nap! After the evening hunt, return to a big dinner with local Mexican favorites such as carne asada or BBQ steaks, freshly grilled fish or chicken, burritos, and others served with rice and beans, fresh salsa, and nachos or tortillas made fresh daily. Enjoy traditional desserts like sweet rice with milk, local cakes, and flans, with fruit and condensed milk.

Destination City: Hunters are asked to arrive to Hermosillo, Mexico where they will be greeted by the outfitter or hunt staff. Some of the best areas for Sonoran Desert Mule Deer hunting are located roughly an hour’s drive SW of Hermosillo towards the coast.

Travel Suggestions: Hermosillo is best reached by several airlines. While there are options to connect in Mexico City, it is recommended to arrive via Phoenix, Arizona. Overnights in hotels are, at times, needed.

Upon harvesting a trophy Desert Mule Deer, the outfitter and his staff carefully cape, freeze, or turn and salt the hides. Skull caps are cut, cleaned, boiled, and bleached, as well as professionally wrapped and prepped for transport. CITES permits are not required when Desert Mule deer hunting in Sonora, Mexico, and so most clients fly home with their trophies.

Trophies can also be left with the outfitter if desired, who delivers them to a taxidermist in Hermosillo. The taxidermist can either do the complete work or permit, crate and deliver them to an expeditor. The expeditor can then arrange for transfer into the US or internationally and initiate shipments to the final destination. Turnaround time can vary, but it is approximately 8+ months. Shipping charges are still fairly priced.

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