No hunter should pass up the opportunity to go Goulds turkey hunting. As the largest turkey in the world, it makes an enviable prize.
The Quarry
You can find this turkey in Mexico and along the U.S.-Mexico border. Hunting restrictions are fairly intensive on the U.S. side, where there are only a very small number of these turkeys. A lot of effort is going into increasing their number in order to allow more Goulds turkey hunting in the U.S., but it could be many long years before hunters get the chance to pursue this impressive bird in Arizona or New Mexico. For those who don’t want to wait, there are large populations in northwestern Mexico, and some of the best hunting opportunities can be found in Aguascalientes.
Perhaps this turkey’s most attractive feature is its tail: the feathers are white at the tips and coverts, and create an eyelash effect when they separate. Males have iridescent blue-green to bronze-colored feathers on the majority of their bodies, with darker feathers on the back; the iridescent feathers of the females aren’t as bright and tend to be more purple in coloration.
No other subspecies rivals the Goulds turkey for sheer size, and it has the longest legs, largest feet, and biggest central tail feathers of all turkeys. They also carry multiple impressive beards—as many as three—which can grow up to more than ten inches in length. The males can weigh as much as 25 pounds and carry spurs that can grow up to one inch long.
Hunting begins in March or April and lasts through late May, and hunting trips generally last three days.
The Hunt
The Goulds turkey is generally found at high altitudes, anywhere from 4,500 to nearly 10,000 feet. Our outfitters take clients hunting in the Sierra Fria mountain range where they can be found in abundance.
While the terrain can sometimes be rough, the hunting is done from blinds, so our Gould’s turkey hunting trips aren’t any more physically intensive than most people can handle. It’s an excellent choice for hunters with any level of experience.
Central Plateau whitetails are also found near Aguascalientes, and hunters interested in pursuing them on this prime land can work with the same excellent outfitters. The hunting season for Coues and whitetails lasts from December through February.
Call Global Sporting Safaris today at 888-850-HUNT, Ext. 702 or click one of the links and let us know what type of Goulds turkey hunting experience you are looking for. We’ll send you information on opportunities that match your goals. Our experienced outfitters are second to none and we’re happy to share personal experiences with you.
