Mexico sheep question

[kybuck1]

In regards to hunting desert sheep in Mexico. I've noticed a lot of controversy on hunting there and high fence or fair chase. Some people have made comments like they are all high fence somewhat even if they are fair chase. For example 3/4 is fenced and the other 1/4 isn't so it's considered fair chase operation. Some have said they are all fenced, just larger areas that people just will not ever see the fence and know any different. Makes sense to me that they try and control what animals they can sell to harvest just wanted to see if any or none of that is true in Mexico.

 

[Travis Hobbs]

It’s not only Sheep, it’s with Mule Deer as well… there are free range operations, no doubt, but high fence are super common, especially with sheep.

 

[Homer]

Honest question, is the success rate for high fence sheep hunts down there any different than the success rates on free range sheep?

 

[wildwilderness]

Honest question, is the success rate for high fence sheep hunts down there any different than the success rates on free range sheep?

I’m sure that depends on the outfit but I know there are free range hunts that are unsuccessful. I have never heard of a high fence hunt not killing…

 

[wildwilderness]

Not all locations in Mexico are the same. There are completely wild, free range options.

Sonora is big on game farming sheep, has really help the population thrive. The government requires the ranches to release to the wild a certain number of sheep each year

Many ranches have feed, water stations and minerals for the wild sheep as well. So would you consider a pen raised ram for 5 years, released out to the wild living on the same ranch for a few years wild?

Or how about the 9 yro 185” ram turned out of the fence a couple days before the hunter shows?
Both are considered free range….

 

[TheGrayRider]

Many Western states have increased their number of desert bighorn sheep tags for both residents and nonresidents. For example, Arizona had 140 tags in 2022 versus 121 tags in 2021. Best of luck in your DBHS hunt planning.

 

[CHL]

Do your homework for sure in Mexico.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Do your homework for sure in Mexico.

I love researching this stuff , who is free range, how old is the herd if transplanted, which herds where the original breed stock
age class .
mexico mule deer are 10x more complicated when researching free range

if you see feed stations while you’re MD hunting start looking for a fence

 

[buckpro]

There are alot of fenced hunts but there are also just as many free range hunts, just have to do your homework.
Mexico actually takes pretty good care of their sheep, doing helicopter surveys, etc before they even consider issuing a free range permit for an area.
Yes, they do make ranches release sheep. From what i have seen and understand, if you kill one, you have to release one to diversify genetics, I've actually seen of those ear tagged sheep.

If its less than $50K, then its most likely fenced.

 

[kybuck1]

So the free range areas have zero fences? Are they public wilderness areas that just have tags allocated?

 

[Spiral Horn]

Due to habitat degradation and overgrazing by livestock many areas of Mexico’s organic sheep areas were devoid of sheep by the 1950s/60s. However the government working with a number of private ranches did a great job of reintroduction and habitat restoration and many of those areas now have healthy herds.

There are many good free-range sheep hunting operations throughout most of their traditional range. However whenever big money is involved some scoundrels will undoubtedly show up. Folks need to do their homework - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

This is one of the reasons to join GSCO or WSF as they are usually pretty well acquainted with long-standing operators and often have their finger on the pulse on who is legit or if someone seems a bit sketchy.

Worst part is, due to a few widely reported scandals the next guy who shares his successful Mexico Free-Range Desert Sheep Hunt will quickly be met with ”was it free range?” …. “are you sure?” instead of folks just congratulating him on a beautiful ram. Just a pity really.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Due to habitat degradation and overgrazing by livestock many areas of Mexico’s organic sheep areas were devoid of sheep by the 1950s/60s. However the government working with a number of private ranches did a great job of reintroduction and habitat restoration and many of those areas now have healthy herds.

There are many good free-range sheep hunting operations throughout most of their traditional range. However whenever big money is involved some scoundrels will undoubtedly show up. Folks need to do their homework - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

This is one of the reasons to join GSCO or WSF as they are usually pretty well acquainted with long-standing operators and often have their finger on the pulse on who is legit or if someone seems a bit sketchy.

Worst part is, due to a few widely reported scandals the next guy who shares his successful Mexico Free-Range Desert Sheep Hunt will quickly be met with ”was it free range?” …. “are you sure?” instead of folks just congratulating him on a beautiful ram. Just a pity really.

We ( ranchers , uma and hunters in Chihuahuan Desert have zero interest in fencing off the scattered mountains and herds here in the east central state .
””Mexican system, hunting is only permitted within Conservation Wildlife Management Units (UMAs). UMAs must have a resource management plan and a technician to monitor wildlife resources. Half of these UMAs – a large majority of Bighorn Sheep protected habitat – is managed by local communal farmers (ejiditarios).” So both ranchers and farmers in the Uma will be helping
the hunters with guidance on our lease properties, this is awesome news for us
being in driving distance, let’s hope Agundi the hunting association in our state gets on board for northern Central and n eastern.
only downside is the USA is talking about making Brownsville the port CITES permit will be checked and export tax levied

 

[bradb]

This covers more conservation and how it started. But also some on high fence and how that was done and is being done on some ranches

Talk Is Sheep: EP 4: Bighorns In The Desert, with Clay Brew, Emilio Rangel, Jacob Artee on Apple Podcasts

Show Talk Is Sheep, Ep EP 4: Bighorns In The Desert, with Clay Brew, Emilio Rangel, Jacob Artee - Dec 13, 2020

podcasts.apple.com

 

[kybuck1]

Interesting stuff, thanks for the info.

 

[cbeard64]

I would certainly not want anything HF and would not want a ram that was pen raised and released either. Even years ago. I suspect many folks feel the same.

So for me a lot of detailed questions would be asked prior to booking.

 

[TheGrayRider]

I would certainly not want anything HF and would not want a ram that was pen raised and released either. Even years ago. I suspect many folks feel the same.

So for me a lot of detailed questions would be asked prior to booking.

cbeard64, I am with you. High fence bighorn sheep hunts seem so unappealing & unsatisfying. I wonder what the real oldtimers would have to say. Would they even qualify as fair chase hunts?

 

[Kkwebb]

It’s not hard to tell on the fences. You have to drive into the pasture through the taller gate.

Reputable outfitters will tell you the truth.

 

[S-3 ranch]

We ( ranchers , uma and hunters in Chihuahuan Desert have zero interest in fencing off the scattered mountains and herds here in the east central state .
””Mexican system, hunting is only permitted within Conservation Wildlife Management Units (UMAs). UMAs must have a resource management plan and a technician to monitor wildlife resources. Half of these UMAs – a large majority of Bighorn Sheep protected habitat – is managed by local communal farmers (ejiditarios).” So both ranchers and farmers in the Uma will be helping
the hunters with guidance on our lease properties, this is awesome news for us
being in driving distance, let’s hope Agundi the hunting association in our state gets on board for northern Central and n eastern.
only downside is the USA is talking about making Brownsville the port CITES permit will be checked and export tax levied

viva

 

[HornPorn]

Due to habitat degradation and overgrazing by livestock many areas of Mexico’s organic sheep areas were devoid of sheep by the 1950s/60s. However the government working with a number of private ranches did a great job of reintroduction and habitat restoration and many of those areas now have healthy herds.

There are many good free-range sheep hunting operations throughout most of their traditional range. However whenever big money is involved some scoundrels will undoubtedly show up. Folks need to do their homework - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

This is one of the reasons to join GSCO or WSF as they are usually pretty well acquainted with long-standing operators and often have their finger on the pulse on who is legit or if someone seems a bit sketchy.

Worst part is, due to a few widely reported scandals the next guy who shares his successful Mexico Free-Range Desert Sheep Hunt will quickly be met with ”was it free range?” …. “are you sure?” instead of folks just congratulating him on a beautiful ram. Just a pity really.

Does GSCO and WSF recognize HF desert rams for a slam?

If not, why would anyone want to go on one?

If yes, then the Grand Slam now seems much less impressive

OP says 3/4 are fenced......

 

[S-3 ranch]

Does GSCO and WSF recognize HF desert rams for a slam?

If not, why would anyone want to go on one?

If yes, then the Grand Slam now seems much less impressive

OP says 3/4 are fenced......

Good question
I think only SCI likes high fence recording