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.


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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.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

After lunch we went back out and saw 2 shooters: tough decision.

Both 29” to 30” wide. Both 180 Class

One was a big heavy 3x3.
The other was a typical 4x4.

Another typical 4x4 190 class buck was spotted by Daryl. Hopefully I’ll get a look at it tomorrow.

A few bucks:

Sunrise:

Morning Moon over the lodge:

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Yesterday we saw a small Grey Fox, Bobcat, Quail, and a lot of Dove. Also, a bunch of Javelina. I’m told all animals are available to hunt. I’ll bring a .17 this morning. We heard a bunch of Coyote too. My focus is Mule Deer and Coues deer. We’ll see what happens today.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

After lunch we went back out and saw 2 shooters: tough decision.

Both 29” to 30” wide. Both 180 Class

One was a big heavy 3x3.
The other was a typical 4x4.

Another typical 4x4 190 class buck was spotted by Daryl. Hopefully I’ll get a look at it tomorrow.

A few bucks:
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Sunrise:
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Morning Moon over the lodge:
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I would've had a hard time turning down the 2nd one from the left. Good luck, look forward to the rest of the story!

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Well we saw a lot of bucks today. Came back in for lunch and it started raining, wind gusts, thunder and lighting… Started a fire after lunch and watched a little football. Rain stopped around 3:00. Decided to go back out. Saw a nice 4x4. Likely 180 class. Passed because Iram, my guide, kept insisting we look at this 3x3 again. We spent the rest of the afternoon looking. Sun was setting. We see a group of bucks at 120 yards behind brush and manzanita up the base of the hill. We glass, but it’s hard to tell. There were 3-4 shooters, then the 3x3 walks out and Iram grabs my arm and says “3x3”! I grab my rifle and get on the sticks, but all I can see is brush and tree branches! I’m shooting 210 Grain Bergers… Those bullets open up quickly. I tell him it’s not good! We quickly get back in the truck and drive up and around to try get the high point advantage. The group is still there, but the elevation is even, with less obstruction. 12 bucks. A 4x3 and 4x4 stand out too, but the 3x3 is special…

Iram indicates he’s almost clear. Quick range on the Bino’s says 209 yards. The Buck clears and Iram gives a loud throat clearing grunt. Buck stops and gives a good quartering away look. I don’t hesitate. Slightly back, 8” or so, behind the shoulder. I don’t even notice the recoil from the 300 RUM. The 210 Berger finds its mark. The big bodied Muley takes it, turns, walks about 15’ and drops! Iram looks at me like you don’t know what you did?! Do you? High fives! Then he says, in his most experienced, 19 year old way, “Congratulations Senior”! He was more excited than I was until I got up to the buck…
Double lung shot with a lot of blood from the nose and mouth. Obviously no exit wound.

Pictures are downloading!

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

30 1/4”

Final score tomorrow…

 

[Killo]

30 1/4”

Final score tomorrow…

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Bravo

 

[WAB]

You made a good decision! That is a stud of a buck, I could care less what the tape measure says.