SONORA MEXICO - Mule Deer

[NIGHTHAWK]

On our way to hunt with San Jose Trophy Hunts with two good friends Al and Daryl. Al is hosting us. He goes every year.

American Airlines out of San Jose, Ca. Just stopped in Phoenix. Next stop Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Looking forward to seeing some big bucks. Maybe a Cues deer too.

Busy with work, life, and retirement planning, so this will be a great break for 6 days.

If you think you’ll do more traveling in the future and don’t have an AMEX card, you should get one. It reimburses you for CLEAR, GLOBAL ENTRY, and Priority Pass. I have a TWIC Card for contract work and it does allow for TSA Precheck, but CLEAR and GLOBAL ENTRY get you right to the front of the line. Shoes on, hat on, walk right through. Plus AMEX and Priority Pass get you into several lounges at most airports. No long line at Starbucks or laying humped up sideways on a dirty gate chair… Well, to each their own.

More to come on the hunt.

 

[CamoManJ]

Good Luck…I can’t wait to hear your report!

 

[Oil & Dirt]

Good luck. Sonora is on my short list, anxious to see how it goes

 

[gillettehunter]

Shoot straight and have a great time. Looking forward to your report.
Bruce

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Landed in Hermosillo without issue.
Rifle Permit process was easy. Made our way through the airport with no problems. There was another hunter, not with us, was struggling with one of his TSA locks. I went over with my TSA key and opened it for him. $6 on Amazon! He and his wife were so distraught/stressed! Instant relief…

Santiago picked us up at the airport in a new pick up and we had about 1 1/2 hour drive to thier new lodge. Of course we saw shooter bucks as soon as we got into the ranch!

We were greeted by the crew with margaritas and appetizers. Then a nice lunch of Pork Ribs and Ribeye tacos.


Having a hard time loading pictures!

 

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After lunch we sighted in the rifles. My first cold bore shot was still good at 100 yards: Dead center, so I put the 300 RUM in the truck. Same for Daryl on his Cooper in 7MM REM MAG. Al may not hunt this trip, so he hasn’t picked up a camp gun… I believe they have 300 WIN MAG’s.

Daryl and I are hunting 1x1, so it’s very similar to my experience in South Africa. Truck, driver/tracker, and PH/Guide on the back with the hunter. Trucks are high rack and we drive and glass until we spot something worth pursuing or get into an area where we will walk and stalk.

Hop on the trucks and head separate ways. The property we are on is approximately 15,000 acres and high fenced. Cattle ranch with Mule Deer and Coues Deer.

Saw a lot of doe’s and a few nice bucks, not shooters. I’m here for a 200” Mule Deer. I won’t pass up a nice Coues Deer and there maybe an opportunity for a management buck that they want out of the gene pool. I’ll keep everyone updated on that situation.

Sun was setting and the moon was coming up at the same time.

On the way back in we saw a nice badger cross the road right in front of the truck.

We were greeted back at camp with appetizers and a nice log fire. Dinner was Cauliflower soup and Salmon for the main course.

Daryl saw a couple nice bucks, but no shooters… He’s also here for a 200” buck.

Back up at 5:00am…

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Good Morning! Beds here at the Ranch are new, nice, and very comfortable. After a nightcap by the outside fireplace last night I got straight to bed and had a good nights rest! Up at 4:45am…

Coffee and breakfast now, then off to see if any of those big bucks are up!

 

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[Hunting Hitman]

Enjoying the write up so far. Good luck and shoot straight!

HH

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Saw a few bucks up 170”. Saw a lot of deer in general. There was a possible shooter Coues, but he was behind some trees and brush at 100 yards. Got off and made a stalk to get a better angle, but he pushed out and was gone.

Daryl filled his tag with this 35 1/2” wide Buck:

He wasn’t able to forward me his picture, so I snapped one.

We had a nice Chicken Mole lunch. Now a siesta and then back out this afternoon.