Rio Sonora Outfitters, LLC. - PO Box 1030, Hereford, AZ 85615 - (520) 803-9210
Gould's Turkeys inhabit the diverse habitats of the arid southwest, specifically Mexico, with the highest densities found in the higher elevations of the State of Chihuahua, where the oak woodlands transition into the mixed conifer forests. This is where Rio Sonora Outfitters conducts hunts and offer you a great adventure and a successful hunting opportunity.
RSO has exclusive hunting rights on two leases totalling over 100,000 acres of previously un-hunted private property located in the high sierras of Chihuahua, Mexico. These ranches are in the Sierra Madre Mountains with a diverse habitat and varying topography from large mesas to long ridges disected by both steep and gentle canyons with both permanent and man made waters. Elevations range from 6000' in the Oak Woodlands, to over 8000' in the Conifer Forests. Both ranches are a resonable distance from the local city, Casas Grandes and have extensive road systems, with modern ranch houses making the hunting and camping conditions very comfortable. RSO has focused on all aspects of the hunt we feel is very important to our clients, from the personal assistance during the trip, travel time to the ranches, camp accommodations, equipment provided, meals, guides and of course the turkey populations! We take our hunts seriously, and offer an all exclusive trip with all hunting options avaialble and no hidden costs. We plan our hunts for each client booked and our efforts have been rewarded with your success! This trip is not only a hunt, but an adventure you will not forget. During the past five out of six seasons, our clients have had 100% opportunity in Chihuahua, and for the last four seasons over 100% hunt success, as several hunters have taken two birds, including both shotgun and archery hunters. On average, our hunts are completed in two days, so hunters have the option of going sight seeing, exploring, video taping/photography or just setting back and telling stories and relaxing in the peaceful setting of camp. Our camps have a friendly environment where new friends and hunting memories are made. Many references are available (listed below).
RSO manages the harvest to maintain a good huntable turkey population to assure your hunt is a success. Experienced American guides will assist hunters in the field along with assistance of ranch cowboys which complement the RSO Team well. Our guides will locate and take hunters into areas of know activity, and assists hunters with calling if needed. We put alot of effort into pre-season scouting to locate roosts, feeding sites and activity, as well as day to day planning during the course of the hunt to make sure the hunt is both enjoyable and successful for you. Each group of hunters will hunt previously un-hunted areas on each ranch to assure each trip is a great hunt. Just let us know what your needs are and we will accommodate you. This is where we begin on your hunt, planning is important and the results are "High Success", so get ready for an action packed turkey hunt!
The hunting season begins in early April and runs into May. During this time, RSO will be conducting hunting trips on two large leases (ranches) with high bird densities. The leases are contiguous with camps located 45 minutes apart. RSO partner, Mike Murray conducts hunts on one of the ranches which is bases out of El Paso, Texas, called the Oscuro, and Brad Fulk operates the other lease and transports hunters out of Tucson, Arizona to the La Mesa Ranch. The trips are five (5) days in length (3.5 days of hunting) with 6-8 hunters per trip depending on the ranch. Round trip transportation is provided from the Tucson International Airport for the La Mesa Ranch, or Casas Grandes, Chihuahua for El Oscuro Ranch. Hunters coming from El Paso will be met by Juan Jose, from RSO who will provide transportation and a personal crossing in and out of Mexico. Hunters will be taken to a local shuttle service to be transported from Juarez to Casas Grandes, Chih. where you will be met by Mike Murray. Hunters are responsible for the shuttle fee to Casas Grandes, from there Mike will provide transportation to and from the ranch. Transportation during the hunts include; ATV's and 4x4 Vehicles. Each guide will assist two hunters in the field (2 on 1), but it will quickly become a 1 on 1 or 1 on 2 hunt as hunters fill out. A camp cook will prepare the meals which include; pork loin, chicken, chili colorado, tortilla soup, ham, bacon, sausage, chorizo, eggs, and we can't forget the beans and tortillas. Oh, and we'll be frying the turkeys in camp (USDA does not allow uncooked wild turkey meat to be transported into the U.S). Dutch oven deserts or fruit pies will add a finishing touch to a great dinner. All food and drinks are provided (except alcohol). No tent camps here! The ranch houses have electricity, with bedrooms equipped with beds, bathrooms with hot showers, spacious dinning areas and a large front porch to relax on while tell hunting stories. We have great cooks that pay special attention to keeping you pleased and making sure the camp is clean.
Our "Premium Hunts" cost $1950.00 and include everything mentioned including; RSO shotguns (Mossberg and Remington 12 Ga. with 3"and 3.5" chambers), ammunition along with Mexico hunting license. and tags . If requested, RSO will complete and submit all required paperwork to register personal shotguns. For each Firearm Transportation Permit (FTP), two shotguns can be registered along with 100 shotshells for each shotgun. Hunting partners can share FTP's and split the $250.00 fee. Firearm Applications must be submitted in February prior to the season.
Hunters may have the opportunity to take a second bird for $800.00. Hunters must advise RSO and pay for the second bird upon booking the hunt to guarentee the tag and allow us to plan our annual harvest and prevent over-harvest. RSO will refund $500.00 if a shot is not presented. Please be aware that second birds may be limited due to the number of tags authorized annually, and birds available. Again, the hunt price includes three and a half (3.5) days of hunting, food, drinks, transportation, Mexico hunting license, tags, shotgun and ammunition. If half of the hunting group or more want second birds, RSO will add one (1) extra day of hunting for a total of four (4) days at no extra cost. RSO will prepare the USFWS Declaration Form, USDA Notice of Arrival Form, Ranch Hunting Contract and Ranch Hunt Authorization Form. These legal documents will be provide to each hunter prior to hunting. Hunters are responsible for the cost of their Visa (approx. $24.00) at the International Border, and all meals and lodging prior to leaving or returning from the ranch. RSO will provide Hotel contact information and a travel schedule well in advance of the hunt.
A deposit of $1000.00 is required to secure a hunt, and based on the order in which the deposits are received, hunters or hunting groups will be given their choice of hunt dates available. Detailed information on the hunts will be given upon inquiry as well as a travel schedule. Hunt dates may be adjusted to accommodate group hunts, however RSO recommends the dates offered in order to catch the best part of the season.
The Outfitter and or guides will accompany and assist hunters with attaining their personal Visa's at the International Border, the Border crossing and all inspection points within Mexico. Turkey capes will be prepared for transport back into the country. All trophies are subject to inspection by the USDA and USFWS at the International Border. Each hunter may personally transport or ship the turkey capes to a USDA Approved Taxidermist for processing. After processing is complete, the cape can then be sent to your Taxidermist of choice for mounting. (this is mandatory for all turkey capes/parts)
RSO is a professional hunting Outfitter with ten (10) years of experience hunting in Mexico and the past six (6) years hunting Gould's in Chihuahua. We always take your hunt seriously and provide a safe, enjoyable Mexico hunt. We are looking forward to the next turkey season in Mexico and hunting with you. "Your Success is Our Success".
- Brad Fulk, Rio Sonora Outfitters -
 | ||||
Sierra Madres in Chihuahua, Mexico - Gould's Turkey Country
This is a distant look at the terrain on one of the hunting leases in Chihuahua
Client Allen Brooker from Arkansas (L) and Outfitter Brad Fulk with a first morning bird.
Outfitter Mike Murray (L) and client Greg Bullington from Alabama..
2009 Hunt Dates:
Gould's Turkey Hunts in Chihuahua
La Mesa Ranch - From Tucson, AZ
Hunt #1 - April 25th - 29th
Hunt #2 - May 8th - 12th
El Oscuro Ranch - From El Paso, TX
Hunt #1 - April 21st - 25th
Hunt #2 - April 25th - 29th
Hunt #3 - April 29th - May 3rd
El Oscuro Ranch Accommodations
Brad's Cell# (520) 559-0642
Mike's Cell# (501) 802-2601
(L) Dining Area
(R) Kitchen/Bar
(L) Bedroom
(R) Family Room
RSO understands that some hunters may be concerned or uncomfortable entering and traveling in Mexico. This is a valid concern and one RSO takes seriously and addresses openly with each client. Your personal safety is our primary concern. RSO has a good relationship with our neighbors to the south and has developed friendships over the years, as a result of honest business and opportunities provided to our ranch partners. Our trips are organized and conducted in a way to provide safety for our clients as well as us, the Outfitters and guides. If personal safety was in question, it would be addressed, and at no time would we put anyone at risk when conducting a hunt. The truth is, you can find trouble anywhere you look no matter what country you are in, we recognize that and eliminate those potential dangers in order to provide a safe, comfortable experience in Mexico. We want to have fun and of course we want you to have a great time with us, our clients can attest to that, please review the testimonies below.
RSO will disclose all information about the trip and answer any questions you may have about travel into Mexico and specifics of our hunts. We have included photographs of our camps, landscapes, our guides, and hunting photos in order to give everyone insight into our hunts and what the country looks like in order to better prepare you for our hunt. Hopefully this will help answer the unknowns about our trips into the vast Sierra Madre's of Mexico!
Many times our hunters connect quickly as can be seen above, these four birds were taken on the first evening in the Oscuro camp and include the new pending world record Gould's Overall NWTF Score taken by Doug Spencer (far left), a serious archer from Colorado. This bird along with many others was taken out of a Double Bull blind and was captured on video by Doug's hunting partner, Dan Lee. Dan also took a great bird out of the same blind 30 minutes later which was also taken on video (third from left).
These guys captured some awesome footage of gobblers fighting, strutting, feeding and about everything we want to see on a hunt during their free time on the ranch. Dan was grateful enough to provide RSO his footage which is presented in short clips on the Gould's Trophy Room Page. The Sierra's are rich in Indian Artifacts and are available locally to tour while on the hunt as time permits.
The local geology makes for some interesting rock formations and photo opportunities as can be seen in the left photo of caves and the window rock. This is the last frontier of the southwest with endless vista's in addition to vast remoteness. A place like most hunters have never been and become attached too during their five day stay. Hunters may travel to and hunt out of another ranch named "The Stairs" where the ranch owner hosts two hunters for a day of hunting. This ranch has a remote bird population that has been un-hunted in the past and offers some quick hunting action. This ranch is connected by a road from the Oscuro Ranch and after the hunt, hunters return to join the other hunters in the main hunting camp.
The diversity of the ranches offers the birds everything they need regarding roost sites, food and water. Seasonally, the birds requirements change and many times the birds shift from area to area to find the essentials. Due to the large territories of the species, it is important to have hunting access to large parcels of property in case we are faced with extended drought or lack of water on areas of the ranches. These birds establish their territories around water and food sources and if they are not available, the birds will move. We have learned these patters over the years, and the importance of scouting prior to each season. Most hunters are not accustomed to coming from the Midwest where territories may be as small as a 20 acre woodlot for an eastern, then stepping into a hunting situation where the birds may travel 20-30,000 acres during the breeding season. That's where the ranch cowboys come into play, locating roost sites, feeding and watering areas, and informing us of bird movements.
Taking two birds is a definite option for our hunters! From the top left, RSO client Bennett McGehee, Roland Roberson and myself caught this gobbler just after fly-down into an open bottomed wet canyon. We teamed up on our calls and he came at a dead run in full strut from 1/4 mile downstream to within 15 steps of Bennett's gun. He briefly came out of strut and Bennett dropped the hammer and Rowland captured the whole string of events on film. Rick Followell (bottom left) wasn't planning on two birds, but a wadd of gobblers came in so tight his pattern cleanly took two great birds in one shot, a mistake on Rick's part, but he didn't seem to upset when he came walking up with two birds in hand! The hunters in the top right were finished on the Mesa ranch in two days, including two second birds, what a great group of hunters and a extremely fun trip for all! Last and definitely not least, was Tim Mercer's quest for his double World Slam with RSO. Pictured in the bottom right photo, is Tim with his second bird he called from nearly 1/4 mile away off the top of a long ridge. This bird was alone and looking for a companion when Tim and RSO guide, Victor Almada heard the bird respond to some of the best calling I have ever heard produced from a call! As a side note, with over 300 birds under his belt, Tim is a very accomplished caller and means serious business when it comes to turkey hunting. This was evident that morning when Tim let loose with a series of calls the gobbler couldn't refuse and immediately pitched off the ridge and flew directly into Tim's lap. Victor was running the camera and the over the shoulder footage of Tim finishing his quest was captured perfectly on film. This footage clip is on the Gould's Trophy Room page, so please take a look.
I want to personally thank both my guides and partner Mike Murray as well as all our hunting clients for another great year in the field. This is not a seasonal business, but requires a year-long effort to plan, coordinate and execute. It's a lot of work, but it's a great feeling when our hunters are successful and everyone is appreciative of all the hard work involved. We are looking forward to next season and have already begun our work to continue your success. Be sure to contact me with any questions you have about our hunts or booking a hunt.
Again, your success is our success! - Brad Fulk, RSOReferences:
Gerry Dusza - 630-640-0265
Billy Rae Oglesby - 903-926-6246
Tim Mercer - 478-731-2749
Scott Andrews - 580-220-9356
Joe Trammell - 580-677-0889
Cliff Higgens - 870-219-4990
Barnabas Koka - 208-469-0001
Ken Woodruff - 478-232-2597
Rowland Roberson - 662-822-2551
Allen Milbrath - 920-648-3306
Dan Lee - 318-272-1187
Greg Suttner - 208-317-7888
Testimonials:
I am Dr. Cliff Higgins from Jonesboro, Arkansas and this spring I went on a FANTASTIC adventure in the Sierra madre Mountains of Chihuahua, Mexico. My Outfitter was Mike Murray, of Rio Sonora Outfitters and the service this crew gives is second to none!
As we made our way up the mountain to the lodge, the scenery was spectacular. The group of six hunters in my party arrived around 3:00pm on April 22, 2008. We quickly stowed our gear in our sleeping quarters which was a beautiful cabin with a gorgeous fireplace, full kitchen, and all the comforts of home. We all showed up 15 minutes later back at the main ranch house in full camo ready to go. After eating a bite we were off to the woods for our first evenings hunt.
My guide couldn't speak English, but Mike assured me he knew turkeys and were to go, and he took me to a beautiful spot, pointed which way for me to walk and waved goodbye. I just turned and grinned, waved back, loaded my gun as I walked away from the truck. I'm sure most of you, like me, want to do all of the calling yourself and just want to go where the birds are. Well, I didn't get 100 yards and I heard a bird gobble. I looked at my watch and it was 4:15pm!
I yelped to him on my WoodHaven Red Wasp mouth call and he cut me off with a gobble! I waited approximately 1 minute and yelped again, and he HAMMERED and this time he was much closer! I yelped again, no answer, and again, no answer. he must have been traveling so quickly he didn't want to stop and gobble at me. I was right! I picked an opening plopped down under the shade of a tree and watched an opening between two small trees. He walked behind the small tree at about 50 yards from me and I yelped to him and he let out a thunderous GOOOBBBLLLEEEE!!! He then turned back toward me and strutted and drummed to within 35 yards of the bead on my 870. I was afraid to let the bird get any closer for fear of missing him, so I let him have it! He flipped backwards, and I had just killed my first Gould's long beard! I looked at my watch and it was 4:30pm. This was the easiest turkey hunt I have ever been on in my life. I walked 200 yards, on flat ground, called four times, and killed a magnificent Gould's in FIFTEEN MINUTES!!!
When I got back to camp, two of the other archery hunters had killed as well, so three out of Six hunters killed on the first afternoon! I am aware that Rio Sonora Outfitters had 100% success on Gould's for their hunters this year. That makes three years in a row that EVERY hunter that went with them killed at least one bird! If you get the hankering for a Gould's, you should get ahold of Brad Fulk with Rio Sonora Outfitters. It is an experience of a lifetime.
June 1, 2008
Brad,
I just wanted to thank you again for the Gould's Hunt in Mexico. Everything was great! The food was authentic and very good, the ranch was very clean and comfortable, the country was truly special and the turkeys, that is a story in itself.
I have never seen the number of birds that I saw in that few of days! After counting, I believe I ended up seeing 13 tom's in shooting range and there were a bunch of jakes and hens with them so the future looks very bright. I am sure that your future hunters will find this to be the quality experience we did.
Dennis Sullivan
Before booking my hunt with Rio Sonora Outfitters, I spent almost a year researching the many outfitter options. And after several conversations with Mike Murray and Brad Fulk, what impressed me the most about them was not necessarily their obvious ability to hunt turkeys, but their knowledge of the business and the logistics of doing so in a third-world country. When hunting in Mexico, there are a number of very critical details that must be planned for well in advance. Rio Sonora Outfitters made this almost as easy as hunting at home.
I've hunted in many places and under various conditions, but never have I seen such conditions and challenges as was the case in Mexico. These hunts take place in a beautiful but very remote area, yet the camps are extremely comfortable, even relaxing. Once the hunt begun, it again didn't take long for the many month of scouting and preparation begin to show. They just know where the birds are and where they want to be, and they do this on over 70,000 plus acres. In my opinion, this is the difference between a good vs. great outfitter.
This was a tremendous cultural experience from the people I met, to seeing the way they live each day, and I owe it all to Rio Sonora Outfitters. Oh yeah, I also brought home an awesome Gould's turkey!
Keep up the good work guys, and I hope to see you again!
Reg Tharp
Altamont, IL
(618) 483-5604
Hunting with Rio Sonora Outfitters met my expectations and assisted me in harvesting number 5 of the 6 subspecies of turkeys! The trip into rural Mexico will take you back in time over 200 years. Most of the natives who live in the Sierra Madres have no electricity, no indoor plumbing and no telephones! Our hacienda, however was furnished with both electricity and plumbing!
I was able to see the Gould's do what they are famous for - coming to the call from a loooooong distance! I tagged out early with two nice gobblers: the first an 18-pounder with a 8.5" beard and no spurs; the second, a 19-pounder sporting a 11" beard and half inch spurs! Brad and the two main guides Jimmy and Victor were excellent.
Scott Andrews
