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
The arid southwest is home to dense populations of Gould’s turkeys, with the highest densities found in the higher elevations of the Sierra Madre Mountains of Chihuahua, Mexico where the oak woodlands transition into mixed conifer forests. This is where  This Outfitter conducts hunts for Gould’s with high success, resulting in a great trophy, exciting hunt, and a lasting cultural experience. 

Our Gould’s Turkey Hunts on previously un-hunted, remote private ranches. We have exclusive hunting rights on approximately 60,000 acres comprised of high mountain mesas and long ridges bisected by wet canyons with elevations varying from 6000’ in the Oak Woodlands to over 8000’ in mixed conifer forest, where the diversity of vegetation offers excellent turkey habitat throughout the terrain, resulting in a lot of birds!  Also located on the ranches are extensive road systems accessing areas we hunt and comfortable ranch houses making the hunting and camping conditions comfortable and enjoyable. There are NO TENT CAMPS on our hunts!

Outfitter employs ethical hard working guides that have previous experience on the ranches, in addition, local ranch guides who assist us and are very important and complement the Outfitter team well. The Owner/Outfitters of Outfitter have dedicated their professional careers to wildlife management and protection.  We manage the harvest on each ranch and place game feeders strategically to supplement and sustain the birds while insuring a good hunt-able turkey population for our clients. We pay special attention to this and go the extra mile for you. This is how we manage the ranches and conduct our hunts and the results are 100% opportunity if not 100% success that is what we are striving to maintain, so get ready for an exciting hunt!

Hunt Dates/Accommodations
Outfitter begins the hunts in mid-April and runs through the second week of May to concentrate our effortsduring the heart of the season. We conduct two hunts on each ranch during this timeframe. Our hunts include 3.5 days of hunting / 5 days total with 5-8 hunters per trip depending on Ranch.  Hunters will stay in comfortable ranch houses with electricity, hot showers and bedrooms and beds. All food and drinks (except alcohol) is provided, along with ATV’s, 4x4 vehicles, shotguns, ammunition and guides.  We reserve areas on each ranch, so each group of hunters will hunt previously un-hunted areas.  This is yet another way outfitter assures hunters will have a great hunt.

Hunt Prices
All hunts are fully guided Premium Hunts and include all the services and accommodations mentioned for the price of $1950.00.  All hunters will be picked up and transported to and from the ranch and returned to the Tucson International Airport.  Outfitter provides assistance with the Border crossing both in and out of Mexico and the hunts are guided 2 on 1 initially, but quickly become a 1 on 1 hunt as hunters fill tags.

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.