Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: jjhunter on January 09, 2009, 01:33:41 PM

Title: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: jjhunter on January 09, 2009, 01:33:41 PM: Just got off the phone with my buddy who is an outfitter in Sonora. His clients are 4 for 4 so far. The smallest buck was 28" and it was the only buck under 30". The largest buck is a 206" gross typical. They passed a 200" gross buck and a real heavy 30" 3x3 this morning. I guess it is never too late to buy a plane ticket????? This buck is 33", but not the largest. I saw this pic on monster muleys and called him when I saw his truck and highrack in the background.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: bucklucky on January 09, 2009, 01:39:57 PM: If I could afford it thats where I would go for a trophy muley!
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 09, 2009, 01:41:08 PM: Whats the ballpark price on that hunt?
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: jjhunter on January 09, 2009, 01:45:15 PM: 10K! That is why I will probably just bring my arsenal of Swarovski glass and help put!
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: jjhunter on January 09, 2009, 01:47:19 PM: Actually, I called to see if he had any tags and he said "no". So, I really only have the "help out" option, but it would still be a great experience.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: bucklucky on January 09, 2009, 02:06:18 PM: :yike:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 09, 2009, 02:10:23 PM: Suppose you gotta pay to play :dunno:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: Ray on January 09, 2009, 02:13:13 PM: Quote from: Passion on January 09, 2009, 02:10:23 PM
Suppose you gotta pay to play :dunno:

Is that for the arsenal of Swarovskis or the deer hunt? :chuckle:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 09, 2009, 02:19:10 PM: Anyone ever get kidnapped by the cartels down there? Seriously they had something like 1,300 murders in Juarez last year :dunno:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: Crunchy on January 09, 2009, 02:24:24 PM: Ya I'll take a rain check on that one. Rather chase small blacktails, and have a heavy wallet
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: Ridgerunner on January 09, 2009, 02:33:54 PM: $10K, wow. They do have some big bucks down there but riding on the high racks I don't think is for me.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: huntnphool on January 09, 2009, 03:12:42 PM: It would be fun to run around down there and shoot pics if you couldn't hunt.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: jjhunter on January 09, 2009, 03:43:42 PM: Sonora is expensive, but if you saved for several years, it would be a great place to shoot that 30"+ buck. I personally love big framed typical bucks and that it what Sonora produces. Who doesn't love those 30 -36" slick four points? They have AWESOME wall appeal. Not sure if I am heading down or not, but there are still airline tickets available and I am juggling the schedule to make it work.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: fc2038 on January 09, 2009, 04:28:19 PM: that is a hog of a deer! :yike:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: jackelope on January 09, 2009, 07:51:37 PM: i'm with ridgerunner. it seems like ultra road hunting.

nice bucks, but not my style.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: MeatGETTER24 on January 09, 2009, 10:12:09 PM: Great lookin' buck, but no way would i pay 10 G's to go shoot that, you can find just as big around here, you just gotta find them, call me old school, but thats not great hunting if you have to pay for a guide so he can "guide" you to where the big boys are(im gonna catch hell for dissin guides, but OH WELL :IBCOOL:)
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: TeacherMan on January 12, 2009, 10:52:30 AM: Way to much money for a mule deer. I'm not really into hunting from the back of a pickup truck. I could go on a really cool back country hunt for 10 days for that price and still have money left over. :dunno: doesn't seem like much of an experience to me. Just buy a big rack on eBay and tell everyone you shot it. The stories will be the same anyway. Your not going to want to tell someone your hunt went like this. We flew into to Mexico, they picked us up in the truck we drove for about 5 hours got to the ranch, went behind 10' tall fences, took a 30 min side detour to drive about part of the ranch real quick to get an overview of it, saw about 500 deer, so I shot a 200" buck that looked kind of sick because the population was so high. Took a couple pics got him in the truck and went back and drank margaritas and went swimming in the pool for the next 5 days. Just doesn't sound like much of a hunt. That's why I know you would make up a story. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 12, 2009, 10:55:11 AM: Quote from: TeacherMan on January 12, 2009, 10:52:30 AM
Way to much money for a mule deer. I'm not really into hunting from the back of a pickup truck. I could go on a really cool back country hunt for 10 days for that price and still have money left over. :dunno: doesn't seem like much of an experience to me. Just buy a big rack on eBay and tell everyone you shot it. The stories will be the same anyway. Your not going to want to tell someone your hunt went like this. We flew into to Mexico, they picked us up in the truck we drove for about 5 hours got to the ranch, went behind 10' tall fences, took a 30 min side detour to drive about part of the ranch real quick to get an overview of it, saw about 500 deer, so I shot a 200" buck that looked kind of sick because the population was so high. Took a couple pics got him in the truck and went back and drank margaritas and went swimming in the pool for the next 5 days. Just doesn't sound like much of a hunt. That's why I know you would make up a story. :chuckle:

The only thing missing from your hunt description is the donkey show........
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: TeacherMan on January 12, 2009, 12:40:06 PM: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: jjhunter on January 12, 2009, 06:08:59 PM: Has anybody looked into harvest statistics for Mexico? Deer densities? It is the farthest thing from a guarantee to kill a nice deer. Did you know that a majority of the hunting includes glassing from high vantage points and spot and stalk? It may not be for everyone, but don't knock something you don't understand. Every hunter has his/her own "perfect hunt". My goal is to hunt mule deer in every landscape possible. The Sonora Desert is one of those places. I have never been on a guided hunt, but there is essentially no other way to hunt Sonora. I will not let that keep me from pursuing on of my goals. If you want to hunt Washington your whole life and that makes you happy, I won't knock that. And I surely won't knock your style of hunting if I don't fully understand it. If any of you have been to Sonora to hunt mule deer and we not satified that it was "true hunt" than I appologize for this post................
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: actionshooter on January 12, 2009, 06:19:42 PM: I wouldn't apologize for this thread. I think a Sonoran muley hunt is way up on a bunch of peoples to-do list. Myself, I've never heard of a high fence Sonoran hunt. I have talked to guys who have done it and doesn't sound all that easy to me :dunno:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: huntnphool on January 12, 2009, 06:26:15 PM: Its on my list. I'm sure the truck is used to get up high and glass, no different than driving up to the next ridge to glass the draws. :twocents:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: Wea300mag on January 12, 2009, 06:49:51 PM: For that coin I would go on a moose hunt.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: jjhunter on January 12, 2009, 06:59:25 PM: What if you could go for less than $4000?
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 12, 2009, 07:05:31 PM: Only if my K&R policy is paid up.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: actionshooter on January 12, 2009, 08:56:22 PM: Quote from: jjhunter on January 12, 2009, 06:59:25 PM
What if you could go for less than $4000?

IF they had a good reputation I'd be all over. Thats a big IF 4K would be super cheap.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: groundhog on January 14, 2009, 01:52:47 PM: I was lucky enough to go on a Sonora hunt. It is one of the only guided hunts I have ever been on. The other two were Dall sheep and Brown bear.
Anyway it was a fantastic experience all the way around. The people, the food and the hunting were all incredible. We stayed in an old ranch house with no power. I didn't see any high fences or swimming pools!!
We used the "high ride" first thing in the morning to glass and look for fresh tracks. The rest of the day was spent tracking, glassing, spot and stalk and still hunting big bucks across miles and miles of desert. It was no slam dunk. We did not see a lot of deer but when you saw a buck it was usually a pretty good one. I would go again in a heart beat if I could justify the cost or had more dough. Now I prefer to spend my money hunting with my kids.

I saw a buck on that hunt that the head guide thought would go 250 plus as a non typical. He was conservatively over 36 inches wide (outside) and very tall with lots of extra tall in lines and stickers. I sometimes day dream about big bucks but I don't even dream this big!!!
Anyway, it is just like anywhere. There are great outfitters and there are ones to avoid. Many ranches have been over hunted so you want to do your research. I have a friend that has been three times and he has yet to see a buck over 185. But if you want a monster you have to hunt where they live.....
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: TeacherMan on January 14, 2009, 02:22:45 PM: Some people are way to sensitive. I was just joking about the hunt description, I wouldn't expect a Sonora hunt to be like that, more like a Texas hunt. Complete difference. :chuckle: As for only hunting in WA and never hunting out of this state, well you do what you can afford. If I had money and could afford 5-10K on a hunt that one would be in my top 10. If I do ever hunt out of state I think I will have to stick to a DIY hunt for antelope. I can hunt them in August.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 14, 2009, 02:24:08 PM: Im very particular about my donkey shows......Id need to have midgets involved before Id pay the big bucks.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: yelp on January 14, 2009, 02:57:55 PM: It is one of my dream hunts would love to go get a hog like that....I also want to get my world slam on wild turkeys...A few years ago I know a few friends went to mexico to get the Goulds subspecies..It cost $5000. I know the costs have come down some since then. The turkey hunt for the oscellated in the Mayan jungles is also pricey..Some day who knows... :dunno:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: Ridgerunner on January 14, 2009, 03:13:03 PM: MuleyCrazy had an interesting article about mexico a few years ago, it was very eye opening for me, I guess game farms are down there as well. The article did say that not all outfitters went that route but it was becoming more and more common as the laws down there are looser than they are up here and there is obviously a demand.

As far as a place to get a monster buck though, its right up there near the top for sure.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: huntnphool on January 14, 2009, 04:32:38 PM: Quote from: yelp on January 14, 2009, 02:57:55 PM
A few years ago I know a few friends went to mexico to get the Goulds subspecies..It cost $5000. I know the costs have come down some since then.

They sure have, you can now get a "ButterBall" for about $12.00 :chuckle:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: yelp on January 14, 2009, 04:44:46 PM: Right...butter injected....If I was to look at what I spend per pound for deer/turkey/etc... my wife would go :yike:. I always tell her I put the most expensive meat on the table for her and the family. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: jjhunter on January 14, 2009, 04:53:19 PM: Not too sensitive Teach, just wanted to make sure people knew that you were standing on your hands and typing with your toes on that post. :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: WVT on January 15, 2009, 07:10:44 AM: If you are thinking of going you probably will have to make plans for next year. The permit for your rifle and ammo takes more time than is left in the season this year. I have hunted Sonora twice, the permit process is handled by the Mexican military and can be a real pain. Takes time but usually is no problem. Very different hunting down there, I chose not to high rack and walk. The deer are mainly down on the desert flats, not in the mountains because they have more cover. Great hunt! Getting more expensive each year, so go soon if you can.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: jjhunter on January 15, 2009, 07:44:04 AM: WVT, how did you do on your trips? My buddy is the outfitter and said I could use his rifle. I don't want to fly into Mexico with one of mine anyway!
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: WDFW-SUX on January 15, 2009, 08:07:03 AM: :P Anda le Anda le

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10069/DSCF0812.JPG)
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: jjhunter on January 15, 2009, 08:10:53 AM: Quote from: Passion on January 15, 2009, 08:07:03 AM
:P Anda le Anda le

(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10069/DSCF0812.JPG)

Think I could get a high rack on that baby???? :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: WVT on January 16, 2009, 07:10:46 AM: jjhunter, I did well. first trip scored on a 35" buck and the second year I was maybe to selective. if you go you really have to be patient and not shoot what would easily be a trophy here. when you see one of these wide monsters you will know.

as far as the rifle goes, you might encounter the mexican military out in the field, I did several times and they want to see your paperwork, which they go over with a fine tooth comb. was told that you need to have this with you at all times hunting. so not sure how it would work with a rifle permit not in your name. If you have an op to go, I would go. great hunt. I didn't hunt any high fence, very primitive area and I walked my butt off, 6-8 hrs a day. easy walking but watch for the thorns as everything down there has them. don't worry if you ever want to take your rifle down, as long as the paperwork is ok, serial numbers matching etc. no problem, hundreds of men each day during the season coming and going. fun just checking out the horns at the airport.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: jjhunter on January 16, 2009, 07:16:20 AM: Sounds like you had some great trips! My buddy told me about seeing huge bucks in the airport, that almost be worth going down in itself. Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Sonora Heating Up
Post by: TeacherMan on January 17, 2009, 09:50:22 AM: :chuckle: