Rio Sonora Outfitters is very experienced in the field of Free Range/Fair Chase trophy quality Coues Whitetail hunting in central Sonora, Mexico. 

With more than 10 years of experience, RSO has specialized in trophy quality Coues Whitetail hunting specifically in Mexico! We employ ethical, hard working guides to assist in making your hunting experience a great success. Occasionally the Hunt availability is may be limited, as it is not our intent too see how many hunters as we can book each season, but to focus on the quality of the hunts, and the bucks our hunters take.  

The locations of ranches vary, but typically the travel-time is 2-5 hours from the International Border into the heart of trophy Coues Whitetail country. 

During a typical hunt several bucks around, and in excess of 100" B&C are glassed each day, and as can be seen in the Trophy Room your chance of taking a record book buck is good. Other species of game may be seen during the hunt including; Gambel, Mearns, and Elegant Quail, Javelina, Coati, and even Mountain Lions  are occasionally seen. 

The 5.5 to 6.5 day hunts are conducted on private ranches, legally registered for hunting. Lodging will be in comfortable ranch houses with running water, hot showers, with bedrooms equipped with beds. Hunters are accompanied by American and ranch guides in the field where bucks are glassed and stalks are planned.  Ranch cowboy(s) are also extremely valuable in locating trophy bucks, and assisting with all aspects of the hunts. A local Mexican cook prepares a variety of great foods and adds just the right amount of Mexican culture to the menu.  While hunting, several methods of transportation are used, depending on the ranch, including 4x4's, ATV's, ranch horses, and hiking.  

RSO will prepare all the required paperwork necessary to legally hunt Mexico in addition to assisting with attaining personal Visa's, the Border crossing, and with all inspection checkpoints in Mexico. All paperwork will be completed by the outfitter and provided to you prior to leaving on the hunt. In addition to a great hunting experience in Mexico, RSO provides you a worry free Border crossing on BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER! "We take the headache out of hunting Mexico".

The price of our "Premium Guided Hunts" start at $4250.00 plus Trophy Fees and hunts can be upgraded to fit your needs.  A Trophy Fee is applied, due to the Quality of the Whitetail bucks taken in the past: $500.00 any deer, $750.00 for a 100-109-7/8" buck, $1500.00 for a 110-119-7/8" buck, $2000.00 for a 120-129-7/8" buck, and $3000.00 for 130" plus buck. All scores are based on "total gross SCI score". This hunt includes; transportation to and from the ranch from Hereford, Arizona or the Tucson International Airport,  American guides plus ranch guides for a 1 on 1 hunt, ranch cook(s), ATV's, 4x4's, ranch horses, all the food and drinks (except alcohol), Firearm Transportation Permit and Hunting License. 

RSO has two ranches that are an exception to the above Trophy Fee price due to the quality of the ranch accommodations, hunting conditions and bucks taken during past seasons. The following Trophy Fees apply: $1000.00 for any deer up too a 109 7/8” buck, $1500.00 for 110-119-7/8” buck, $2000.00 for 120-129-7/8” buck, and $3000.00 for 130” plus buck. These ranches have produced exceptional bucks including 120” plus class bucks annually with the largest grossing over 151”.  

Included in the price of the hunts on select ranches is (1) Cull Buck with antler configurations of Spike, 2x2 or 2x3 that have been identified by the guides to be removed in order to maintain and manage quality genetics on the ranch. The Cull Bucks with a gross score of less than 100” are not considered a Trophy Buck, and the Trophy Fees do not apply. Any buck of the configuration of 2x2 or 2x3 with a gross score of 100” or more, will be considered your Trophy Buck and the Trophy Fee for the ranch applies.

Other Hunts Available:
NEW FOR THE 2010/11 SEASON:  Archery Coues Whitetail Hunts
RSO will be managing a ranch in Chihuahua, Mexico for archery only hunting beginning in 2010. This ranch is located in upper oak woodland/conifer forest habitat with over 25000 acres of previously un-hunted mountainous terrain. These hunts will be conducted in the same manner as our rifle hunts with exception to the hunting methods. Blinds and stands will be placed in strategic locations of know deer activity. Hunters will be given the option of hunting from blinds, still hunting, or spot and stalk as the ranch offers all options. Trail cameras have been placed in several locations on the ranch during the past year and RSO has documented the deer quality and activity in preparation for a successful Trophy Quality archery hunt for one of the most challenging species to take with a bow!

The hunts will be limited to 4-5 hunters per trip for a total of 6.5 days of hunting in the field. American guides and ranch guides will assist each hunter to the selected area to hunt. The guides will glass and check additional areas/cameras and scout after taking hunters to the blinds/stands. Hunters will maintain communication with guides via radio. The cost of the hunt is $3250.00 plus the following Trophy Fees: $500.00 any deer, $750.00 for a 90-99 7/8” buck, $1000.00 for a 100-109 7/8” buck, $1500.00 for a 110-119 7/8” buck and $2000.00 for a 120-129 7/8” buck and $3000.00 for 130” plus buck.

All other aspects of the archery hunts regarding ranch accommodations, transportation, paperwork, etc. is equal to the Premium Firearm Hunts offered.

HIGH DESERT MULE DEER HUNTS:
RSO has (4) High Desert Mule Deer tags available ANNUALLY on one ranch along the International Border. The cost of this hunt is $4250.00  with the following Trophy Fees applied for Mule Deer: Trophy fees are as follows: $500.00 any deer, $750.00 for 150-159-7/8”, $1000.00 for 160-169-7/8”, $2000.00 for 170-179-7/8”, and $3000.00 for 180” plus bucks.

Each season we conduct 4-6 hunting trips and limit each hunt to 4-6 hunters depending on the ranch size. Typically, a December (pre-rut) and a January (rut) hunt is scheduled on each ranch to fall on the dark phase of the moon if possible. A $2000.00 deposit is required to book a hunt, and based on when the deposit is received, hunters will have preference on the ranch and hunt dates. Please e-mail or call regarding availability or for additional information. RSO will also provide information regarding the type of firearm and caliber that will best serve you for the type of hunt you are going to experience. In addition we provide advice regarding the ballistics of the firearm is very important, as well as gun range preparation and the zero information, which is all very critical. 

RSO will also apply for your Firearm Transportation Permit (FTP) in October prior to the season. Mexico regulations place restrictions on rifle calibers greater than .30 caliber and limits each rifle to 50 rounds of ammunition. As an option, the Outfitter has two custom rifles registered that may be available to use for a nominal fee.  Additional deer tags may be available. If a hunter has the option of taking a second deer, the fee is $2500.00 for Coues and $3000.00 for Mule Deer. If a deer is shot, wounded, and not recovered the $500.00 initial Trophy Fee applies. If a hunter continues to hunt a wounded deer and takes a second deer the $2500.00 or $3000.00 (second deer) fee applies, in addition to the appropriate Trophy Fees for each species of deer. If transportation and lodging is available, hunters may invite non-hunting guests for $350.00. 

All trophies are prepared for transportation back into the country and are subject to U.S.D.A. inspection at the International Border, and Declaration to the USFWS. RSO will complete all the required paperwork including; Ranch Hunting Contract (Mexico Hunting License), USFWS Declaration Form, Mexico Trophy Export Form, and Firearm Transportation Permit. This information will be provided to you prior to entering Mexico on your hunt. Deer Tags will be available at the ranch and will be properly filled out and attached to the antlers. Hunters will be responsible for any quarantined wildlife parts. In such case, the cape must be taken to a U.S.D.A. approved Taxidermist for inspection. After inspection, the cape/antlers can be taken to a Taxidermist of your choice for mounting. 

RSO is a professional hunting Outfitter and really enjoys hunting Coues Whitetail. We pay special attention to organizing the hunts to fit your personal needs and are committed to trophy deer management on the ranches.  We always look forward to the next hunting season and hunting with you.  Until then, we'll be resting our eyes and begin organizing our hunts for next season in order to provide the very best trophy hunting opportunity for you. We look forward to another great year!