Blaser Safaris – Stalking with views of the Pacific
Carmen Island
Nine miles (fourteen kilometres) from mainland Mexico, in the Gulf of California, lies Carmen Island (Isla del Carmen), home of the Weems’ bighorn sheep. Over the past 20 years, the population has thrived thanks to a successful breeding programme, which achieved its aim of increasing the existing populations of Weems’ sheep subspecies in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. The Indigenous people of America valued the bighorn sheep, both for their meat and their horns, with the latter being used to make tools. Today, many hunters around the world dream of one day being able to hunt a desert bighorn sheep. Hunting this species is strictly regulated. Blaser Safaris Managing Director Rainer Schwarz is therefore absolutely delighted to be able to offer this special experience in partnership with Sergio Jimenez. “Stalking these sheep, going out in small troops, and having to be extremely alert – this is all incredible exciting,” says Rainer Schwarz. Hunters do need to have a certain level of physical fitness, as there are several hills to climb during the hunt
In addition to hunting for desert sheep, there are also several fishing trips off Carmen Island. The Gulf of California is known as a fishing paradise among deep-sea anglers. Swordfish, sailfish, marlin, and yellowfin tuna can all be caught here. There are also opportunities to go snorkelling and see the wealth of marine fauna with your own eyes or take a kayak out on the water. Spotting dolphins and whales is also pretty common. After an excellent day of hunting or fishing, the secluded beaches on Carmen Island are the perfect place to relax. If you want to enjoy some of the local culture, you can marvel at the 19th century architecture on the island and explore the legends of the ghost town. The cosy accommodation is on the beach in Salinas Bay (Bahía Salinas) and boasts spectacular views of the ocean. Up to 12 people can enjoy the modern amenities and rustic décor here. The accommodation also boasts excellent service and serves delicious cuisine to make your stay an impressive overall experience.
Sierra de Viejo
Plomito Ranch is located in a 123,500-hectare compound on the famous Sierra El Viejo mountain with varied landscapes. It is in the Sonoran Desert, which is part of the vast American corridor of dry ecosystems spanning from the south-eastern tip of the US state of Washington, southwards to the Mexican state of Hidalgo in Mexico’s Central Plateau, and from central Texas eastwards to the Pacific Coast and the Baja California peninsula, encompassing almost a million square kilometres (roughly 380,000 square miles). Plomito Ranch is also a nature reserve known for its diverse wildlife. Hunting and scientific research go hand in hand here and contribute to the continuous improvement of the natural habitats used by bighorn sheep, wide antlered mule deer, Coues deer, and collared peccary. The best time to go hunting is between December and February, when the temperatures in Mexico fluctuate between zero degrees Celsius in the morning and up to 25 degrees Celsius during the day. Several layers of clothing are therefore recommended.
Mexico is also one of the best destinations for turkey hunting. Blaser Safaris partner Sergio Jimenez also offers tailored packages for this type of hunt, for example for the impressive ocellated turkey, which lives in the low-growing jungles in the south of Mexico. The best time of year to hunt the colourful bird is from March to May. Which one will you be booking?
