Ocellated Turkey Hunting in Old Mexico
Monday, April 18th, 2011
Ocellated Turkey Hunting
There are only two (2) species of turkey in the world; the North American wild turkey [Meleagris gallopavo] (divided into 5 distinct sub-species) and the Ocellated turkey [Meleagris ocellata].
Even though the Ocellated turkey is the smallest of the turkey species (11-12 lbs.), it is without a doubt the most unique and eye-catching of all the turkey species and sub-species, truly the most beautiful bird of them all, with their colorful and iridescent plumage! Ocellated Turkey Hunting is the ultimate hunt for any turkey hunter.
Adding to the uniqueness of the Ocellated turkey is the fact that it is only found in the Yucatan Peninsula of Old Mexico and small parts of Guatemala and Belize, with the largest concentration of them found in the State of Campeche.
The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), now recognizing the Mexican Turkey Slam in its wild turkey records program, states that for a hunter to complete the Mexican Slam, it consists of the Gould’s, Ocellated and Rio Grande turkeys being harvested in Old Mexico. Once a hunter completes a Mexican Turkey Slam, he is well on his way to complete the Royal and then the World Turkey Slams. It is noteworthy to mention that the current Top three (3) Ocellated turkeys in the NWTF record book are from the State of Campeche!
Old Mexico has the only abundant and huntable populations of Ocellated Turkey in the world. Most Campeche turkey hunting staff and guides have the knowledge, equipment and most importantly, the natural resources necessary, for both the beginner and hardcore turkey hunter, to have a successful hunt.
In Campeche, the hunters usually arrive on Sunday to camp, the hunt begins on Monday and ends the following Friday. A typical hunting day starts with a wake- up call at around 4:30 am, hunters will be treated with a light breakfast with coffee, juice, fruit, cereal and toast, then they will start the journey on 4X4 vehicles to the hunting areas and hunt until noon, (a box lunch is usually provided for snacks in the field) then return to camp for lunch, at around 1:30 p.m. The hunters will return to their hunting areas at about 3:30 p.m. and hunt until dark and return to camp for supper at about 8:00 p.m.
Most Ocellated Turkey Hunting guides will provide one guide for each hunter (1X1) and one 4X4 vehicle for 2 hunters and their guides.
The pristine Yucatan jungle habitat and abundant population of birds all come together in a formula for certain success on your Ocellated Turkey hunting trip of a lifetime!
Alberto Valdes Fisher is the Mexico Agent of Global Sporting Safaris, Inc. based in Piedras Negras, Mexico and is responsible for developing hunting venues in Mexico such as Ocellated Turkey Hunting.
Tags: Mexico Turkey Hunt, Mexico Turkey Hunting, Mexico Turkey Hunts, Mexico Turkey Slam, National Wild Turkey Federation, nwtf, Ocellated Turkey Hunt, Ocellated Turkey Hunting, Royal Turkey Slam, World Turkey Slam
Posted in Hunting, Hunting Destination, Mexico, Ocellated Turkey Hunting, Turkey Hunting, Yucatan |
