MEXICO OCELLATED TURKEY HUNTING (OCELLATED HUNTS)

5-day Ocellated Turkey Hunt and One (1) Ocellated Turkey: $3,000

Other Trophy Fees

• 2nd Ocellated Turkey $1,000
• Crested Guan $850
• Greater Currasow $850
• Coatimundi $850
• Brocket Deer $1,000

Please advise of intent to shoot additional birds or additional game animals so that the proper permits can be prepared prior to your trip.  In the instance of an additional ocellated turkey trophy, a $100 CITES permit must be paid at booking.

Below is a list of suggested to-bring items for Ocellated Turkey Hunting in Campeche, Mexico, garned from years experience and client suggestions:

• Lightweight camoflage.  Temperatures mid-April range from lows in the mid-70s to highs in the mid-90s.  Light-weight, quick-dry camo is preferable.
• Long sleeves and full pants.
• Lightweight, ankle-high hiking boots.  The topography is generally flat, but the soil is generally dry, hard-compacted and somewhat rocky.
• Any woodland camo pattern will work because generally the cover is very heavy.
• Mask and gloves.
• A good, bright flashlight with fresh batteries, and headlamp for cap brim.
• A thermacell.  It's rare that you'll need it, but when you do you'll be glad to have it.
• Lightweight vest or equipment belt.
• Camera field bag.
• Shotgun sling, just in case.
• Medium-sized ice chest and straps or tape for bringing your trophy home.
• Regional Bird ID book and binoculars

Ocellated Turkey

There are only two species of turkey in the world; the North American wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), divided into five distinct subspecies, and the ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata). The ocellated turkey is known by several different names that vary by Central American locale: pavo, pavo ocelado, or its Mayan Indian name, ucutz il chican. Very little research has been done on the ocellated and less is known about the ecology of this turkey than any of the five subspecies of North American wild turkeys, including the Gould's. The National Wild Turkey Federation, in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society and Hornocker Wildlife Institute, helped sponsor the first research project to trap and place radio transmitters on ocellated turkeys in Guatemala in 1993. Much of the information provided in this bulletin is a result of this NWTF-sponsored study.

The ocellated turkey exists only in a 50,000 square mile area comprised of the Yucatan Peninsula range includes the states of Quintana Roo, Campeche and Yucatan, as well as parts of southern Tabasco and northeastern Chiapas.

The ocellated turkey is easily distinguished from its North American cousin in appearance. The body feathers of both male and female birds have a bronze-green iridescent color mixture, although females sometimes appear duller in color with more green than bronze pigments. Unlike North American turkeys, breast feathers of male and female ocellated turkeys do not differ and cannot be used to determine sex. Neither male nor female birds have a beard.

Tail feathers in both sexes are bluish-gray in color with a well defined, eye-shaped, blue-bronze colored spot near the end followed by bright gold tip. The tail feather spots are similar to those seen on peacock feathers which led some scientists to once believe the ocellated was more related to peafowl than turkeys. In fact, these spots helped give the ocellated its name, as the Latin word for eye is oculus.

The upper, major secondary wing coverts, or wing bar, are a rich copper color and highly iridescent. The barring on primary and secondary wing feathers is similar to North American turkeys, but the secondaries contain more white coloration, especially on the outer edges.

Both sexes have a blue-colored head and neck with distinctive orange to red, warty, caruncle-like growths, called nodules, but they are more pronounced on males. The head of the male also has a fleshy blue crown behind the snood which is adorned with yellow-orange nodules similar to those on the neck. During breeding season, this crown enlarges and the coloration of the nodules becomes more pronounced. Ocellated turkeys also have a distinct eye-ring of bright red colored skin, especially visible on adult males during the breeding season.

Legs of ocellated turkeys are shorter and thinner than North American wild turkeys and are deep red in color. Legs of adult males also have pronounced spurs; longer and more attenuated than those of North American gobblers. Spur lengths in males over 1 year old average at least 1.5 inches. Spurs longer than two inches have been recorded.

Ocellated turkeys are significantly smaller than any of the five subspecies of North American wild turkeys. Adult hens weigh approximately 8 pounds just prior to egg-laying and nesting and about 6-7 pounds the remainder of the year. During the breeding season adult males weigh approximately 11-12 pounds.

*Content courtesy of The National Wild Turkey Federation.

Male ocellated turkeys, or cantors as they are refered to by the local guides, do not gobble, they sing.  Click HERE to hear the Ocellated Turkey song  Warning: when ocellated turkeys are near enough that hear the drumming portion of their songs, they are close; so be ready!

Getting There - Ocellated Turkey Hunting

Hunters fly into Campeche. Ocellated turkey hunts take place at jungle camp, 3 hours drive time from Campeche.  An overnight hotel preceding or following ocellated turkey hunts is not necessary, but is suggested. There are several nice hotels within walking distance of downtown.  Campeche City is a peaceful, cultural city with lots of families and Europeans walking about.  Clients love it.  
 

Trophy Import - Ocellated Turkey Hunting

Ocellated turkeys are CITES-listed species.  In addition to the Importation of Fish and Wildlife Form 3-177, a certificat of origin, hunting permit and corresonding tag affixed to your trophy ocellated turkey leg is neccesary.  Form 3-177 and instructions will be included in your GetDucks.com's Ocellated Turkey Hunting Pre-trip package. PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST ALSO COMPLETE VS 16-3 Application for Permit to Import Controlled Material or Transport Organisms or Vectors or Animal Products and By-Products.  This paperwork must be completed well ahead of your ocellated hunt.  If you prefer that our outfitter ship your trophies directly, please advise.

Your host will provide the other necessary items during your hunt.  Birds will be professionally caped and prepared for transport.  For transporting 1-2 birds, a soft sided ice chest (carry on) or small hard-sided ice chest with strong tape or straps (checked baggage) is sufficient.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE - Ocellated Turkey Hunting in Mexico

Some hunters that recently tried to import ammunition without the proper permits discovered the ugly consequences.  This is a serious criminal offense in Mexico, so don't dream of trying it. We'll provide you with the shells you need at camp.

Related Links - Ocellated Turkey Hunting

Ocellated Turkey Hunting Photo Gallery

Ocellated Turkey Hunting Video Gallery

Importation of Fish and Wildlife Form 3-177

Certification of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad (Form 4457)

** VS 16-3 Application for Permit to Import Controlled Material or Transport Organisms or Vectors or Animal Products and By-Products.  The VS 16-3 application must be completed to receive the  VS 16-7 necessary import bird trophies from Countries/Regions Affected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. This process requires 6-8 weeks, minimum.

Click HERE to hear the Ocellated Turkey song

To book Ocellated Turkey Hunts or for more information contact us toll free at 1-866-438-3897 or email ramsey@getducks.com.

Ocellated Turkey Hunting packages includes:

• FIVE (5) days ocellated turkey hunt
• Round-trip airport/hotel ground transfers
• Licenses & permits for ocellated turkey hunting
• Free use of 12 gauge shotgun and ammo
• All meals and beverages 
• Tent lodging
• Professional hunting guide services, 1 guide per hunter
• Professional trophy preparation
• Airport greeting (pending arrival time)

Not included in Ocellated Turkey Hunting packages:

• Air transfers to Campeche
• Extra Ocellated Turkeys ($1,000 US dollars plus additional CITES permit fees)
• Gratuities for guides and staff
• Wine and liquor
• Hotel in Merida or Campeche
• Import Permit VS Application 16-3
• Travel Protection Plan (Trip Insurance)

Day 1.  Fly into Campeche City.  If arriving on the 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. flights, you will be personally by the outfitter and driven to camp (hunters arriving at 11 a.m. will be met at about 1 p.m.).  If arriving on the 11 p.m. flight you will overnight, be picked up at the hotel at about 1 p.m the following day, and then driven to camp.  The drive to camp is about 3 hours.

Days 2 through 6.  Ocellated turkey hunting.

Day 7.  After a continental breakfast, guests are transfered to Campeche hotel or airport.  There are 3 departing flights daily, and you can arrive in Campeche to make 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. flights.

In the dark, hunter and guide listen intently for the low-pitched song of the male ocellated turkey that begins with the drumming of wings followed by uniquely beautiful sounds.  While stalking is an proven ocellated turkey hunting method, hunting near water sources and new calling techniques are also effective.

View Photo Gallery Ocellated Turkey Hunting

Everything about my ocellated turkey hunt was great - the guides, food, lodging, hunting. I was surprised by how comfortable the beds were at our authentic jungle tent camp.  Seeing and hearing lots of ocellated turkeys is an experience I will remember forever, and the 2 ocellated turkeys I collected have exceptionally long spurs. I do not know how they could do much better.  GetDucks.com did what I expected, when I asked. Prompt and to the point, and I like the way I was treated.  Thanks for a great ocelated turkey hunt.

Roger Cook

Referenced hunt: Ocellated Turkey Hunting

Had a great time during my recent ocellated turkey hunt near Campeche, Mexico.  I got 2 nice ocellated turkey trophies and a Greater Currasow - luckily, in just 3 days.  The guides and trophy bird preparation were excellent.  I was not really expecting the "full jungle experience" of ocellated turkey hunting - there were alot of other wildlife to view and appreciate.  Binoculars and a good bird identification book are must-bring.  Jungle tent camp was comfortable and the food was good.  Left camp earlier than planned and was thankful for the convenient assistance of Cherie and Anita in making airline changes.  Thanks for arranging another great turkey hunting experience.

Joe Dodd

Referenced Hunt: Mexico Ocellated Turkey Hunt