Mexico Desert Bighorn - Here We Go!

[tam9492]

It's been a week, and my feet are just re-entering the atmosphere. I found out last week that I won Huntin' Fool's giveaway for a desert bighorn hunt in Sonora with Wade Lemon's outfit. I'm currently taking care of some paperwork, and then I'll be in touch with the WLH team to plan. I'll be heading down late 2022/early 2023 for 5 days of hunting. Currently, I plan on taking my bow, but that could change after talking to the outfitter. I'll fly into Tucson and cross the border with the crew.

I always thought my first sheep hunt would be for white sheep simply because of cost. I posted in the Sheep Subforum years ago as an aspiring sheep hunter to gather opinions on the best way to become a sheep hunter. Of course, opinions varied, but it seemed to me that I'd never catch up in the lower 48 and that stashing cash or participating in higher-odds raffles would be my best bet. And here we are! I know this will be a very different experience than a sheep hunt up north, but a desert in Mexico (or anywhere) is an experience that so few people get to have. I'm looking forward to the awesome accomodations, and I'm going to do my best to be in the moment every second that I'm there.

Like others have, I'll update this thread so that I have it to look back on - a digital diary of sorts. Some questions will be answered when I get in touch with WLH, but I'll post a few below for discussion:

-Can I expect some tasty meat? I've read so many times that sheep is delicious, although some of that may be aided by mental twisting based on the effort of aquirement. I've read a bunch about people bringing meat south from AK and Canada, but you don't hear much about it coming up from Mexico. Anyone have any experience?

-Is the bow a reasonable idea? These hunts typically have really high success rates, and it's listed as an any-weapon hunt. I figure if there's a sheep hunt worth attempting with a bow, this is probably it. Also, if I want to pursue a bow slam, it's now or never.

-I'm not too concerned about saftey, but my wife is. Anyone have any bad experiences south of the border?

-I'm guessing that most days will start in vehicles or UTVs and result with glass pointed upwards. I'm expecting steep, but not crazy elevation. Is this a reasonable expectation?

-Any other thoughts/recommendations/experiences?

Thanks for reading and coming along for the journey! If I fail to update this in the coming months/years, bump it up and remind me to do better!

 

[Doc Holliday]

Cant answer your questions, but out of the 4 NAWS, that is the most expensive to book, so the perfect one to win....congratulations! With all the raffles, its good to see real people winning, and that it is not rigged.

 

[mmw194287]

Nothing to offer, except congratulations!

 

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

It's been a week, and my feet are just re-entering the atmosphere. I found out last week that I won Huntin' Fool's giveaway for a desert bighorn hunt in Sonora with Wade Lemon's outfit. I'm currently taking care of some paperwork, and then I'll be in touch with the WLH team to plan. I'll be heading down late 2022/early 2023 for 5 days of hunting. Currently, I plan on taking my bow, but that could change after talking to the outfitter. I'll fly into Tucson and cross the border with the crew.

I always thought my first sheep hunt would be for white sheep simply because of cost. I posted in the Sheep Subforum years ago as an aspiring sheep hunter to gather opinions on the best way to become a sheep hunter. Of course, opinions varied, but it seemed to me that I'd never catch up in the lower 48 and that stashing cash or participating in higher-odds raffles would be my best bet. And here we are! I know this will be a very different experience than a sheep hunt up north, but a desert in Mexico (or anywhere) is an experience that so few people get to have. I'm looking forward to the awesome accomodations, and I'm going to do my best to be in the moment every second that I'm there.

Like others have, I'll update this thread so that I have it to look back on - a digital diary of sorts. Some questions will be answered when I get in touch with WLH, but I'll post a few below for discussion:

-Can I expect some tasty meat? I've read so many times that sheep is delicious, although some of that may be aided by mental twisting based on the effort of aquirement. I've read a bunch about people bringing meat south from AK and Canada, but you don't hear much about it coming up from Mexico. Anyone have any experience?

-Is the bow a reasonable idea? These hunts typically have really high success rates, and it's listed as an any-weapon hunt. I figure if there's a sheep hunt worth attempting with a bow, this is probably it. Also, if I want to pursue a bow slam, it's now or never.

-I'm not too concerned about saftey, but my wife is. Anyone have any bad experiences south of the border?

-I'm guessing that most days will start in vehicles or UTVs and result with glass pointed upwards. I'm expecting steep, but not crazy elevation. Is this a reasonable expectation?

-Any other thoughts/recommendations/experiences?

Thanks for reading and coming along for the journey! If I fail to update this in the coming months/years, bump it up and remind me to do better!

Congrats brother. Do you (or anyone else) know what procedures/paperwork you would need, if any, to bring the sheep meat back through customs in Mexico?

 

[tam9492]

Congrats brother. Do you (or anyone else) know what procedures/paperwork you would need, if any, to bring the sheep meat back through customs in Mexico?

Not sure yet, but this will be one of the first questions I ask the outfitter.

 

[Bubblehide]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to read the updates

 

[Bubblehide]

Check the regs for bringing your cape, skull and horns. I have done it decades ago, but I would bet the regs have changed for that. I have also done it when I had a free pass, decades past.

 

[tak]

Congratulations!!

I haven’t been where you’re going, but I’ve hunted whitetails on the Mexico side of the river from Texas. Are you flying or driving across the border? Generally, I don’t think you’ll have much of a problem, and once you get on the ranch, no real worries at all. The border towns in South Texas aren’t as safe as they used to be.

 

[deadwolf]

Now I know why HF hasn’t called me yet to tell me I won!! Congrats, look forward to your write up down the road, have a great trip!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[idig4au]

Congrats!

I didnt have any safety concerns hunting in Mexico. If you don’t go looking for trouble, then you typically will not find trouble. You will be escorted while you’re there and the locals will steer clear of any potential concerns. I personally wouldn’t give it a second thought

I suspect it will very difficult to bring any meat back across the border. Its even difficult to bring your cape and horns back with you as checked luggage given USDA and USFWS want dry capes and etc as well as the time to complete CITES paperwork. Most seem to want to ship horns and capes back at a later date, at least this was the case as of a few years ago. Make sure this is well organized with the outfitter with clear understanding of the process. And if you can bring cape and horns back, make absolute sure it’s bone dry. I’ve heard stories of wet capes being seized by customs before.

Not sure of the area your are hunting In terms of style. My sheep hunt was combination of backpack and using burros, and camping out under the Mexican sky under the cacti. It was amazing experience with great hard working team with some proper mexican food. We hunted very hard for 10 days and covered a lot of miles glassing for sheep. Very tough hunt with lots of glassing. Not high elevation, but steep country. Need to be in sheep shape.

I dunno about a bow unless you’re a very accomplished archer. Given the cost of the hunt, I would want to stack the odds in my favor with a rifle! I do admire guys who get it done with a bow though and my hat is off to them.

One thing to also consider is the port of entry in the States you want to you for returning back. Customs in LAX is a pain (but doable) for rifles and can be problematic with bringing in trophies as checked luggage. If just rifle, I’ve surprising had good luck with SFO and if bringing in trophies, then Houston is excellent as they are used to dealing with hunters and firearms. Make sure you have US Customs for 4457 filled out and approved for rifle and even optics before you go. This form with the custom stamp will often be used as your “permit“ and is absolutely a requirement to clear US customs at port of entry.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. It’s nice to see a <1‘er get drawn for a sheep hunt! I hope you catch the sheep fever. Nothing better then hunting sheep IMHO.

 

[lilharcher]

Very cool and happy for you. Can’t wait to follow this thread and hear of your success! Best of luck on your Hunt!

 

[tam9492]

Congrats!

I didnt have any safety concerns hunting in Mexico. If you don’t go looking for trouble, then you typically will not find trouble. You will be escorted while you’re there and the locals will steer clear of any potential concerns. I personally wouldn’t give it a second thought

I suspect it will very difficult to bring any meat back across the border. Its even difficult to bring your cape and horns back with you as checked luggage given USDA and USFWS want dry capes and etc as well as the time to complete CITES paperwork. Most seem to want to ship horns and capes back at a later date, at least this was the case as of a few years ago. Make sure this is well organized with the outfitter with clear understanding of the process. And if you can bring cape and horns back, make absolute sure it’s bone dry. I’ve heard stories of wet capes being seized by customs before.

Not sure of the area your are hunting In terms of style. My sheep hunt was combination of backpack and using burros, and camping out under the Mexican sky under the cacti. It was amazing experience with great hard working team with some proper mexican food. We hunted very hard for 10 days and covered a lot of miles glassing for sheep. Very tough hunt with lots of glassing. Not high elevation, but steep country. Need to be in sheep shape.

I dunno about a bow unless you’re a very accomplished archer. Given the cost of the hunt, I would want to stack the odds in my favor with a rifle! I do admire guys who get it done with a bow though and my hat is off to them.

One thing to also consider is the port of entry in the States you want to you for returning back. Customs in LAX is a pain (but doable) for rifles and can be problematic with bringing in trophies as checked luggage. If just rifle, I’ve surprising had good luck with SFO and if bringing in trophies, then Houston is excellent as they are used to dealing with hunters and firearms. Make sure you have US Customs for 4457 filled out and approved for rifle and even optics before you go. This form with the custom stamp will often be used as your “permit“ and is absolutely a requirement to clear US customs at port of entry.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. It’s nice to see a <1‘er get drawn for a sheep hunt! I hope you catch the sheep fever. Nothing better then hunting sheep IMHO.

Great info....thanks!

 

[tam9492]

Time to re-read this gem!

 

[tam9492]

Affidavit heading back to HF. They’ll process it and then get me in touch with one of their Outfitter Specialists.

 

[FLAK]

If I could only hunt one sheep, it would be the Desert.
Mucho Congrats!!!!

 

[tam9492]

Congrats man! I’m actually here in Mexico now with Wade Lemon’s crew Coues hunting (and possibly Muledeer). Great outfit and no problems whatsoever. Very easy and I’m sure you’ll have a blast.

Awesome! Good luck!

 

[easttex]

Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to bring sheep meat back into the United States. IME crossing deer meat is a non issue, Border Patrol and Dept. of Agri. could care less. Having said that, they are very picky about capes and the possibility of ticks. Capes are supposed to be frozen for a minimum of period, I think 24-48hrs. They must then be thawed prior to crossing so they can be thoroughly inspected. Presence of ticks can result in forfeiture of the cape, followed be inseneration.

 

[tam9492]

Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to bring sheep meat back into the United States. IME crossing deer meat is a non issue, Border Patrol and Dept. of Agri. could care less. Having said that, they are very picky about capes and the possibility of ticks. Capes are supposed to be frozen for a minimum of period, I think 24-48hrs. They must then be thawed prior to crossing so they can be thoroughly inspected. Presence of ticks can result in forfeiture of the cape, followed be inseneration.

Good info. I’ve did receive an email from the outfitter, and I’m waiting on some initial paperwork. Going to start feeling real when we get a date on the books!

 

[GNUOY]

Congratulations. You deserve it!

 

[tam9492]

Talked to the outfitter:
I’ll be hunting late 2022/early 2023, and they don’t book dates out that far. I know guys and gals hunting up north are booked beyond that. No worries - I have a spot, and I’m flexible!