Texas Hunting Forum

Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch

Posted By: Abe77901

Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/19/15 02:04 PM

I will be hunting Mexico this year in October for the first time. Have to tell you, very nervous. We will be on the El Macho Ranch, anyone hunted there before, how safe or not safe, should I or shouldn't I go....any advise appreciated.
Posted By: tShawnB

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/19/15 02:39 PM

I used to hunt Mexico quite a bit until the cartel crap got out of control and being a single father didn't think the risk/reward was worth it even though I absolutely love hunting in Mexico. I do still have friends that hunt Mexico but I can tell you that the # of hunters traveling to Mexico since I stopped going back in 07 has dropped significantly due to the risks involved with hunting in a place like Northern Mexico. The guys I do know that hunt there have never had an issue; however, I do know two groups of guys that no longer hunt there where things ended badly, not physically, but they did lose about 100K worth of vehicles, guns and other hunting items and where told to start walking North and don't look back. All that being said, when my kid is grown and out of the house, I will probably make the trip again.
Posted By: redchevy

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/19/15 02:39 PM

Never personally been.

Folks I have talked to say stay quiet and contrary to what most live by here jacked up trucks, bling all over, head to toe cammo etc. do as little to stick out as you can.
Posted By: fouzman

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/19/15 04:37 PM

There ain't a whitetail big enough to make my feet touch Mexican soil. Especially in the states of Coahuila and Tamaulipas. Plus, the deer I've seen coming out of Mexico the past few years aren't all that big. Whitetail hunting in Texas is much better.
Posted By: Erathkid

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/19/15 05:16 PM

I wouldn't do it. Back in the 80s we would run over to Acuna and ma Crosby'S. Never again. Pull up "Borderland beat" for more info.
Posted By: Stompy

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/19/15 09:02 PM

Hunted there for years but 09 was my last time. Like others have said, just didn't feel it was worth it. Too bad, I really enjoyed hunting there. I have friends that hunt there and have for years. They've never had any issues. But all it takes is one.
Posted By: 240z

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/19/15 11:43 PM

I've never been hunting there. But I work with a couple of guys that were born there and still have family there and they won't even go back to visit because of the cartel stuff.

From the stuff they told me I wouldn't go there n a bet!
Posted By: fouzman

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/20/15 01:44 AM

Our ranchero and his wife are from Muzquiz in Coahuila. Most of their family resides in Muzquiz. They travel to Coahuila and back 2-3 times/month for 6-10 days/month.

They've suggested I never attempt to drive into either of those Mexican states. That's good enough for me.
Posted By: OneShotSam

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/20/15 03:52 AM

I hunted there for 16 straight years on a 25,000 ranch. Loved it .....I mean loved it. Big deer many of them some times 50 bucks a day. Rattle them up in January and have a blast. Had a near run in, in 09. Haven't been back, But as for me and mine we will go to Kansas, west Texas, Oklahoma or even Alberta. And I won't be cross the river south again. Many go and have no problem.....we never did either, once was enough.......
Posted By: John Humbert

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/20/15 04:25 AM

From what I have heard from first-hand accounts and friends across the border - once you get to the ranch, you are probably OK. It is GETTING to the ranch where the danger comes in. A number of guys who I've met over the past few years that have hunted there many years either no longer go at all, or they do not drive - but fly directly to the ranch in a small plane. One guy told me he flies commercial into points south (like Mexico city) and then drives north, bypassing the border issues.

Another thing to consider - and this is from someone who is an LEO working the drug beat in deep south Texas - that besides the cartel, in the past 2 years presence of other dangerous groups, like ISIS, have established camps just across the border. These groups will go out of their way to find and attack Americans just because they're Americans. Unlike the cartel, who is generally about money and drugs and don't go looking for tourists.

In fact, from what I have heard from locals across Mexico is that the cartel itself doesn't really have a problem with tourists, and actually take some steps to make sure tourists are not harassed. However, the police themselves are corrupt, and are far more likely to hassle tourists. In addition, the splinter groups and cartel wannabes are the ones most likely to get involved with violence, kidnappings.

A story I heard - and its just a story, judge for yourself the truthfulness - from one of the guys to who flies to his ranch lease : He said he is pretty sure the ranch is owned by a rich cartel member, or at least associated with cartel. His property is well protected, with armed guards, and no "undesirables" ever dare to trespass on the property. He says he feels VERY safe on the ranch, and is made to feel very welcome. The owner himself visits a lot and they drink and smoke cigars and assures him that no one will dare molest any of his "guests".

Besides, I think Fouzman is correct. Now it may be because of lack of hunting, or that folks are keeping a low profile - but I haven't seen many pictures of bucks coming out of Mexico that have been all that great as compared to what Texas is producing. IMHO, bucks 150-160" class are being taken all across Texas now on LF ranches. And there are many LF well-managed ranches in Texas now producing bucks in the 170"-200" range. And the price, all things considered, isn't much different than a lease in Mexico.

For example, the Chittam Ranch - a pure LF, native Texas genetics, produces bucks in the 190"-210" class every year. In fact, they don't want you shooting anything under 180-185", and a year lease there runs about $15,000/gun - and that includes them feeding, stands/blinds, housing, etc. I have a feeling if you totaled up your costs for hunting in Mexico for year, it would be pretty close to that - at FAR MORE risk, and FAR LESS chance at getting a buck that range.

I know that's not what you wanted to hear - so all I can say is , good luck, hope you connect with a nice buck, and I hope and pray you don't run into any issues.
Posted By: Chunky Dunk

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/20/15 02:56 PM

Years ago, early 2000's I spent a lot of time down in Mexico, haven't been since 2009. I never had any real issues myself, but had some buddies hunting down there that got everything stolen and harassed pretty bad.

On the other hand, I know some guys that hunt due south of Acuna, they fly in and out on a private plane. They claim that they never have problems and are hunting there this year as well.

Not worth it in my book, to many people count on me to be healthy and alive. To many other places to hunt really large deer.
Posted By: txbobcat

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/20/15 07:51 PM

Originally Posted By: fouzman
There ain't a whitetail big enough to make my feet touch Mexican soil. Especially in the states of Coahuila and Tamaulipas. Plus, the deer I've seen coming out of Mexico the past few years aren't all that big. Whitetail hunting in Texas is much better.


Yep
Posted By: RLoving1

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/20/15 08:04 PM

Never hear or see anything on the hunting shows but I'm sure they fly in and out a lot. Wouldn't think their sponsors and insurance providers would condone that if there was risk. But those shows do sugar coat a lot of aspects of hunting!
Posted By: fouzman

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/20/15 08:08 PM

Saw several shows filmed at Librado Pena's ranch down there over the years. La Bandera Ranch, I think. That is until Librado, a friend, his son and a ranch hand were all kidnapped and held for ransom. Cartel boys took everything from the ranch of value. Librado was finally released after his family paid the ransom. Haven't heard anything about that ranch since.
Posted By: Fishstory

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/20/15 09:03 PM

I've been the last two years. Driven across and hunted private land with a buddy who's family owns land in Coahuila. I personally haven't encountered any trouble and have spent a good deal of time in some small towns hanging out with locals. Just like around here, trouble isn't hard to find if you go looking for it. I wouldn't go alone without someone that's from the area, but it never felt as dangerous as I was expecting.
Posted By: bp3

Re: Hunting Mexico - El Macho Ranch - 08/21/15 07:04 PM

Not a deer worth it,like Erathkid said google Border land beat and go back a couple of years. In my younger days we would cross into Acuna with you know what that I would not go with a AK 47 now. rifle
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