Gould’s Turkey Hunt
The Gould’s turkey is found in the Sierra Madre Mountains ofOld Mexico, and there is a fledgling population in the southwest U.S. One tag was auctioned off for an AZ hunt in 2002, and it brought MUCHO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. This big white-tipped subspecies is generally considered the most beautiful of all the wild turkeys. Its snow white-tipped tail and rump feathers are similar to a Merriam’s but are much more pronounced. The Gould’s turkey has the heaviest average weight of all the subspecies, and numerous birds in the 28-30 pound range have been recorded. Like their cousins in the U.S., the Gould’s usually sport beards from 8-12 inches, but their spurs are relatively small due to the rugged and rocky terrain that they call home. The Gould’s turkey is very vocal, and in most of its range there is very little hunting pressure. These big birds usually are quite receptive to calling and put on an exciting show strutting and gobbling. Harvesting a Gould’s wild turkey in addition to the Osceola, eastern, Rio Grande, and Merriam’s constitutes the Royal Slam of turkey hunting. Hunters in quest of the Royal Slam that are looking for a safe and convenient way to hunt this gorgeous trophy have come to the right place. Tim Herald Outdoors has a wonderful adventure for those who want to pursue the Gould’s.

Tim Herald personally led a group of avid turkey enthusiasts on this hunt in early May of 2004, and the trip was the adventure of a lifetime.

Gould's Hunt Options:

Option #1
This is a premium Gould’s hunt. With 70,000 acres to hunt, quality guides, great lodge accommodations and good food, this is surely one of the most successful and comfortable Gould’s hunts available today. Success is virtually 100% every year with an opportunity to take a second bird for a trophy fee. Lodging is double occupancy laid out like hotel rooms attached to the main lodge with private bathroom, etc. Turkey populations are very high and you will be into birds every time out.

You fly into Chihuahua City and are picked up by the outfitter and taken straight to the lodge. The trip is 6 days with 4 full days of hunting. Most Gould’s hunts are in camps that are rough or rustic at best. This is definitely a step up and the price is great. Hunt cost is $1950 plus $250 for license for a total of $2200. Beretta and Remington shot guns are provided by the outfitter with real turkey loads. If you chose to bring your own gun, there is an additional gun import fee payable to the government and the outfitter will help with the required paperwork. Season runs from late March through May. Call Tim for what is definitely one of the best Gould’s hunts available.

Option #2
Tim is proud to offer this premium Gould’s turkey hunt that takes place on a 70,000 acre ranch (or approx. 100 square miles) in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The ranch has a creek running through it, and that is the main draw that brings the birds off the mountain tops to nest in the spring. The scenery is gorgeous in the Sierra Madres, but some of the terrain can be rough. This 6-day package is a turkey hunter’s adventure of a lifetime.

The hunt package starts in El Paso, Texas where you will be met and assisted in crossing the border into Mexico. After the formalities, you will be transported to the hunting camp. The next 4 days you will hunt the majestic Gould’s turkey with a 1x1 guide. All meals are provided. On the sixth day, you will be transported back to El Paso, and again assisted with crossing back into the U.S. Two cabins have 4 bedrooms set up for double occupancy. There is a bath house with shower and toilet, and camp runs on a generator. 12 gauge shotguns are supplied by the outfitter to save time and money. If you really want to bring your own gun, you must purchase a gun permit (outfitter will assist with this) and fly into Chihuahua City where there is a military facility to check the guns in and out of the country. Success rates over the past 10 years have been between 90% and 100%, and the last 4 years everyone who hunted the ranch brought home a trophy Gould’s turkey. Tim went on this hunt in 2004 and took a great old Gould's tom. The package is again $2250 and $250 for license.

There is a professional taxidermist who will skin and cape your trophy for a very reasonable fee. The outfitter will provide and help you prepare the export documents. Remember that in order to export your trophy, you will need to provide the name and address of a U.S. taxidermist authorized by the USDA to receive game animals from foreign countries. A USDA approved taxidermist can also be recommended. Spring turkey season runs from mid-April to late May. Peak mating season generally occurs around the end of April into early May. Spring temperatures range from 40 to 80 degrees, so hunters should bring clothing for both cool and warm weather.

GAME MANAGEMENT
A UMA is a Mexican wildlife management area comprised of privately owned land that is monitored by the government and managed by the landowner. In order to obtain hunting licenses, outfitters and landowners are required to hire a biologist to study the UMA and make recommendations regarding the number and species of animals that should be harvested. The report generated by the biologist is submitted to the appropriate Mexican wildlife agency for issuance of hunting tags. This program was implemented in 1995 and has opened some of the finest hunting areas in North America. This ranch is a prime UMA, and a limited amount of Gould’s tags are available each spring. Generally the outfitter self imposes a limit of 16 spring turkey hunters per year on this UMA to insure fantastic hunting in future years. Spring turkey license is $250.

GET THE ROYAL SLAM
Former Safari Club International President, Hy Erickson, biologist and professor Dr. AL Canaris, and the crew from The Outdoor Channel’s Northwest Hunter are all notables who have hunted with this outfitter. If your are working toward a Royal Slam or World Slam, or desire an adventurous hunt for the most beautiful of wild turkeys, this hunt is for you. The experiences, scenery, number of unpressured birds and camaraderie truly make this a hunt beyond compare. Contact Tim to find out more on pricing, dates, etc. and begin planning your turkey hunt of a lifetime in pursuit of the Gould’s.