Sonora, Mexico Mule Deer Hunts

The wide antlered, dark horned mule deer of Sonora, Mexico are some of the most impressive mule deer available in North America today. Because of this, the muley’s of Sonora are the most sought after mule deer species, attracting hunters from around the globe.

Proper management along with minimal hunting pressure make for an exciting muley hunt. What truly makes an area like this unique is a natural mix of hills and desert flats, giving us the ability to get a birds eye view of the terrain these mule deer call home. We limit the number of hunters each season to a number we feel the area can more than withstand. Making for a quality hunting in the Sonora area with little pressure and big trophy mule deer.

  • These Mexico mule deer hunts originate in Tucson, Arizona where you will meet the outfitter. He will have all your paperwork needed for crossing the border in Nogales, AZ and you’ll travel with him from Tucson, AZ to the ranch you’ll be hunting in Mexico.
  • Ranch house style lodging with homestyle meals and beverages (alcoholic drinks not provided but you can bring your own).
  • Mexican hunting licenses, deer tags and gun permits are included.
  • Your guide will field dress your buck and prepare the meat, cape and antlers for travel.
  • The outfitter will assist with trophy importation paperwork for US.
  • Hunters may take unlimited coyotes and bobcats and no additional charge.
  • If you choose to do a Coues combo hunt, a 90 inch Coues deer is the goal.
  • Javelina permits are available for a small fee.

Outfitter has dual citizenship in Mexico and U.S. and speaks fluent Spanish.

He will provide all necessary paperwork and personally take your across the border, into and out of Mexico. You’ll be in safe hands 100% of the time.

Trophy Quality

Pick a number between one and a million… It’s 200 isn’t it?

Do our hunters every kill 200 inch monsters? The answer is “yes, but rarely.” Muley bucks of that caliber are difficult to find anywhere in the world. The all time B&C is 190 inches for a reason.

You should expect a shot opportunity at a mature mule deer around 170+ inches or so. Bucks bigger than that are out there, and it could happen for you.

Read hunt reports

Sonora, Mexico Mule Deer Hunts

Rifle Mule Deer Hunts in Sonora, Mexico

Your hunting days will consist of  glassing and high racking. Hours on the hillside and driving the flats have proven to be the most successful methods when hunting the big desert mule deer or Sonora.

A long range rifle and a hunter capable of an accurate shot placement is considered a huge asset.

When a large buck is spotted your time can be limited. Sometimes a brief window of opportunity can present itself, requiring the hunter to be ready for a quick and quite often a long shot.

Rifle mule deer hunts primarily run during the rut in January.

The rut normally starts mid/late December and goes strong until the end of January. This is prime time to hunt because the deer are constantly moving and a “Muy Grande ” can appear at any time or anywhere. This is a great time to be hunting Mexico mule deer!

If you are doing a Coues deer combo, mule deer will almost always be the first priority.

Once you have succeeded there, you’ll most likely change ranches (but not always), and then spend the rest of your days glassing for Coues bucks in the beautiful Mexico desert.

Learn more about the Coues deer hunt.

Archery Mexico Mule Deer Hunts

The archery hunts are much different than the rifle hunts. You’ll be hunting from ground blinds over feeders and/or water. Your guided will drop you off after breakfast and you’ll be hunting until a predetermined time, or until you kill your buck.

The archery mule deer hunts take place the first few weeks of December.

This time of year, water is still scarce in most cases, making ground blinds very effective. Most of the time, they’ll have trail cam photos from all of the blinds and you’ll have a good general idea of what is coming in. The ability to target a specific buck or two makes this hunt a lot of fun and very successful.

The outfitter has implemented a great deer feeding program.

In the summer of 2022, this area received an unheard of amount of rain, which nearly ruined the bowhunts. This is because they depended almost entirely on water sources. Which makes sense, because under normal conditions, water is limited resource in this part of Mexico.

This near tragedy prompted him to purchase feeders, which he believes will increase trophy quality, AND success. Even if the deer aren’t hitting the water, they will always come to feed.

Saguaros are special

Included:

  • Transportation to and from the ranch originating in Tucson (or you can bring your own truck).
  • Lodging and Meals
  • Beverages (alcoholic drinks not provided but you can bring your own)
  • Mexican hunting licenses, deer tags and gun permits for both species
  • Field preparation of meat and trophies
  • Trophy importation paper for all animals into the US
  • Use of the outfitters rifle if prior arrangements have been made
  • Hunters may take unlimited coyotes and bobcats and no additional charge. Javelina permits are available for a small fee.

Not Included:

  • Travel to and from Tucson, Arizona.Sleeping bag, bath towel, and personal items (soap, shampoo, etc).
  • Rifle/Weapons and Ammo unless prior arrangement has been made with outfitter.
  • Alcoholic Beverages are not provided, but can be brought by hunters. Outfitter has a strict safety policy and hunters will not be able to hunt if heavy drinking was done the day of, or the night before hunting.
  • Hotels before and/or after your hunt.
  • Meat Processing and Taxidermy.
  • Trip Insurance is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, especially on an International hunt in a place such as Mexico.
  • Tips for your guide and staff.

Travel Information

You can drive, but most of our hunters choose to fly commercially to Tucson, Arizona the day prior to their hunt.

  • Outfitter can provide you with hotel options close to airport.
    • When we vetted this hunt we stayed at the Casino Del Sol. It is nice, has some great restaurants and if you’re a gambler, there’s that as well. The best part is that it’s just a five minute drive to where you’ll meet the outfitter the next morning.
  • On the first morning of your hunt, you’ll meet the outfitter and travel with him  across the border and on to ranch.
  • You may have enough time to hunt a little that afternoon depending on where the ranch is located in Mexico.
  • On morning seven of your hunt, you’ll jump back in with the outfitter and he’ll drive you back to Tucson.
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Outfitter Gallery

This Outfitter Offers Mule Deer, Coues Deer and Desert Bighorn Hunts in Mexico.

Archery coues deer hunts in Mexico

A big Sonora mule deer

Sonora Mexico mule deer hunt.

Mexico mule deer at the water tank

This outfitter spends a lot of effort to scout.

Pre-Trip Preparation

Physical preparation

We suggest being in the best shape possible, but this is not a very physical hunt. You may need to hike up a few hundred feet to glass from a knob, or make a stalk, but there shouldn’t be anything over strenuous.

Working out enough that you’re in “good walking shape” prior to your hunt is recommended.

Field judging mule deer

Your guide will be good at this, but it’s always nice to have a basic idea on what makes a “shooter” buck. Here’s a good guide on field judging mule deer.

Shooting

Practice with your equipment prior to your hunt!

Sighting in and figuring out your ideal rifle and ammo combo are just the first steps in prepping for a big game hunt. Practice shooting your hunting rifle at both short and long distances. This will give you greater confidence in the field no matter what kind of shot you have to take.

Suggested gear list

Be sure to talk to the outfitter prior to your hunt about what to bring, but here are the essentials for this hunt:

  • Hunting Clothing – Bring what you would normally take on a typical week long, fall hunt in the States. The weather can range from warm to chilly.
  • Good pair of comfortable hunting boots and some camp shoes.
  • Backpack with all of your regular hunting essentials.
  • Bring the highest quality binoculars that you can afford. A spotting scope is optional, but suggested.
  • Rifle and plenty of shells, or archery equipment if you’re bowhunting.
  • Sunscreen, chapstick, a towel, bedroll/sleeping bag and personal items.
  • Cash for tips and small purchases while in Mexico.
  • See a full gear list for a mule deer hunt.

In the Field

Lodging and accommodations

Rustic ranch house accommodations are provided with beds, bathroom, and a hot shower. The food and hospitality is absolutely incredible and these two things alone will give you an incredible experience during your hunt.

  • Lodging differs slightly based on the ranch that you’ll be hunting. Some of the ranch houses are nicer than others, but all have beds and hot showers.
  • Meals are traditional, authentic Mexican food with lots of fresh made tortillas.
  • Staff will obtain your hunting licenses, tags, gun permits and US Customs & US Fish and Wildlife documentation to import your trophies back to the States.
  • While hunting on the ranch you’ll utilize and maintain off road vehicles including four-wheel drive trucks and side by sides.
typical daily schedule

You will have 5 full days of hunting with one day on each end of the hunt for travel to and from Tucson, AZ and the ranches they’ll be hunting in Mexico.

  • Average day starts early in the morning with breakfast.
  • After breakfast, you’ll head out to spend the day driving roads in the high rack and glassing from vantage points looking for a buck that interests you.
  • Lunch will be provided and had out in the field.
  • You’ll return back to the ranch house after dark and have a full authentic Mexican dinner ready for you.
Your guide

All of these hunts are guided by only the best American and Mexican guides. The American guides are English speaking and Mexican guides are bilingual. Every hunter will have at least one English speaking guide with them at all times.

  • Your guide or outfitter will provide transportation to/from ranch. Most transportation on ranch’s will be in pickups, but also a side by side may be used occasionally.
  • You’ll be hunting from a high rack vehicle while hunting Mule Deer on this combo hunt and then switch to more driving and glassing from vantage points while hunting Coues Deer.
  • Guides run high end glass and will handle all meat and trophy requirements.
  • Hunts are 1×1 and every possible step is taken to ensure client is successful and enjoys his time in Mexico.

Booking Information

Interested in booking this trip? If you have not yet received pricing please request it here, and be sure to reference the trip number at the top of this page. Please note that reservations are not considered finalized until agreed upon deposit is received. This ensures agreed upon dates and current pricing. Quality outfitters are in high demand so let us know right away, as some trips do book years in advance.

When you’re ready to book, if you haven’t already ask your Outdoors International Consultant for updated pricing.

If it looks good, your consultant will write up a booking agreement for you. Remember, our service is free to you. There are no added costs.