Can I take a compound bow to Mexico?
You can take a compound bow to Mexico. Bringing a compound bow in Mexico is not an issue; officials see it as a piece of sporting equipment rather than a firearm.
If you are staying for long in Mexico, up to 180 days, you can opt to ship your bow to your place. You do not need a permit to take compound bows, bow accessories, and standard telescopic scopes to Mexico. Just ensure it is well stored during transit to avoid any possible accidents.
However, since this equipment is restricted, you will need a hunting permit to import advanced telescopic sights like thermal and night vision. According to Mexico’s Ministry of National Defense, it is impossible to authorize advanced telescopic sights and their accessories and parts.
For smoother travel when taking your compound bow to Mexico, do not forget to bring the following documents:
- Passport
- Tourist visa (only if necessary)
- Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM) document
- Hunting permit
As long as you have these documents, explaining to the officials why you are carrying your compound bow is easier.
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Can you bring a compound bow across Mexico’s border?
The Ministry of National Defense in Mexico does not require any special permit to bring a compound bow across Mexico’s border. However, not all the Mexican border patrol are aware of their laws, so it is best to get the necessary documents to avoid problems.
In case you get stopped by the border patrols to check your documents, contact the Mexican Consolidate. You can ask for someone who speaks English if you do not speak Spanish and ask them to help you with the paperwork if there is.
Some compound bows have built-in systems that come with the package when you buy them. However, hunters and archers buy their accessories for better aim and accuracy. Moreover, Mexico’s Ministry of National Defense has different policies for compound bow parts and accessories.
If you plan to import your bow accessories to Mexico for hunting purposes, you must know more about the country’s importing rules. Their Ministry of National Defense requires people to secure specific and necessary permits and other paperwork to import accessories for bows into the country.
Although the restricted accessories are only those that use a combination of optical lenses, you will still need to secure a permit if you import accessories for telescopic sights for your bow.
The Ministry of National Defense regulates the importation of accessories for bows because of state security. Based on the list of import goods held by the ministry, accessories for bows should get a special permit. It goes the same with the accessories used for weapons.
Moreover, if you plan to hunt at night, you will need advanced telescopic sights. These telescopic sights include thermal, night vision, or infrared sights. But, unlike the standard telescopic sights, it is impossible to import advanced telescopic sights to Mexico.
The only time the Ministry of National defense allows the importation of advanced telescopic sights is for public security forces. Other than that, the importation of such goods is illegal. This policy also applies to the accessories and parts of those advanced telescopic sights.
Can you hunt in Mexico?
You can hunt in Mexico. The Mexican government placed a set of regulations on conserving and managing the hunting activities in the country. Mexico’s government also reserves private ranches in the country to give an abundance of wildlife for the hunting community to enjoy.
Hunting in the wild is popular in Mexico, attracting hunters worldwide. There are several kinds of giant birds and game animals to hunt during hunting season in Mexico. With its beautiful sceneries and healthy ecosystems, it is no surprise that Mexico attracts locals and foreign hunters to participate in hunting activities.
Hunters can hunt in government reserves and exotic jungles, and desert mountains. You can freely choose what and where you prefer to hunt. One favorite thing of hunters when hunting in Mexico is knowing that the government conserves and protects the animals to avoid overhunting.
There are a lot of ranches in Mexico that allow you to hunt. Some even offer places to stay overnight to prepare for a long hunting day the next morning. You can also hunt on private ranches and properties for a more exciting and exclusive hunting experience.
If you are unsure where to hunt in Mexico, some companies offer packages for guided hunts that are available for tourists and locals. These companies list specific reserves and places where you can bunt. The guide also includes a list of animals you can hunt in the area and other information on Mexico’s laws regarding hunting.
Once you have decided where to hunt, do your research before visiting the place. It is best to know first what animals you can hunt in the area and the dos and don’ts. Knowing this information helps you get out of trouble before and after hunting.
Moreover, Mexico has a vibrant hunting community. It is well-known for its white-tailed and Coues deer, desert mule deer, peccary, and desert bighorn sheep. But if you prefer to hunt birds, Mexico has geese, quails, doves, ducks, and turkeys.
What permits do you need to hunt in Mexico?
You will need your visa, hunting permits, Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM), and the Secretariat of Environment, Natural Resources, and Fisheries (SEMARNAP) permit to hunt in Mexico.
Mexico may have a vibrant hunting community, but the Mexican government is quite strict with its rules and laws about hunting. For a smooth hunting trip, secure the needed permits before you start hunting.
One of the essential permits you need to get is the hunting permit from the Secretariat of Environment, Natural Resources, and Fisheries (SEMARNAP). It would be best if you had this permit to prove that you are using your compound bow for hunting purposes and nothing else.
Here are the different types of permits you can obtain from SEMARNAP, depending on the game you hunt.
- Type I – Waterfowl
- Type II – Doves
- Type III – Other Birds
- Type IV – Mammals
- Type V – Limited
- Type VI – Special
To get the permits, you must provide proof of US citizenship, such as your driver’s license and passport. Since the permit application can take time, you may consider doing it ahead of time when planning for your hunting trip.
Moreover, if you have decided to coordinate with a private hunting company for a guided hunt, you can ask them for help with your hunting requirements and permits. They may ask you for an additional cost, but it is worth availing yourself if you want less hassle in processing the permits. You can also ensure that you get the correct licenses before your visit.
If you hold a US passport or are a US citizen and visiting Mexico under a tourist visa, there is no need for you to acquire a Mexican permit. However, you still need to bring and secure your Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM) document, commonly known as Mexico’s tourist card.
With your FMM, you can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days. Aside from your hunting permit and your permit from SEMARNAP, you must present your FMM document upon arrival at the Mexican border control.
All US passport holders or citizens traveling more than 20 kilometers to the Mexican territory need to secure the FMM document. The requirement of getting the FMM document goes to those planning to stay in Mexico for more than 72 hours. That is why ensuring the FMM document before your hunting activity is essential.
How much does it cost to hunt in Mexico?
The average cost of hunting in Mexico is 62,000 USD for a 1×2 guided hunt. It includes a free-range desert sheep hunt in the desert and a. Meanwhile, the fee for hunting a mule deer is 9,500 USD, while a Coues deer is 5,000 USD.
If you prefer to get a guided hunt trip, the price may vary depending on the agency. Moreover, it is best to schedule your hunting trip depending on the season to make the most of it. For the jungle hunt, the hunting season is from February to May.
Meanwhile, the season is from November to February for the mountainous northern and central zones. During this hunting season, you can legally harvest and hunt a wide array of birds and trophy game animals in some regions of Mexico.
Mexico is also well-known for dove hunting and duck hunting. These are the two most popular hunting activities you can enjoy in Mexico. You can add this to your trip and visit the area of Sinaloa, Mexico. It is the home of the most extraordinary on-the-wing hunting experience for hunters.
This trip can add to your guided hunting trip; inform your agency to add the sport fishing activity. In addition, the Caribbean and Mexico’s Pacific coasts are well-known for excellent sport fishing opportunities. You can also go there to make the most of your hunting trip.
It would be best if you also remembered that adding to the essential guided hunting trip entails additional costs. So, it is best to negotiate or talk with your chosen agency to know the total costs.
Where is it permitted to hunt with a compound bow in Mexico?
With your compound bow, you can hunt in Mexico’s northwestern and northeastern regions. Specifically, you can hunt in the state of Sinaloa, west, northwest, and northeast of El Fuerte. You can also hunt in Nuevo Leon, the state of Coahuila, bordering Southwest Texas.
The northwestern region of Mexico is well-known for hunting various duck species, Canada goose, white-wing dove, and quail. You can hunt these specifically in the areas of Presa Huites, Presa Josefina Ortiz de Domingues, and Presa Miguel Hidalgo.
Moreover, there are swarms of doves, blue pigeons, and geese in the Culiacan vicinity. That is why local hunters welcome hunters to keep the population of these birds down as they are abundant in huge quantities. In addition, the Mazatlan area, which is just due north, is a popular hunting area for a wide array of game hunting.
You can hunt pintail ducks, widgeon, cinnamon teal, bluewing, wild pig, bluebill, and gadwall at the Presa Comedero area. Moreover, the state of Nuevo Leon and Coahuila are known for their vast white-tail deer. Many “books” dear are taken each season from these areas of Mexico.
Primarily, the best area to hunt these “book” dear is in Nuevo Leon, located directly southwest of the city of Nuevo Laredo. You can hunt many blue quail and white-tail deer in these areas.
Furthermore, the state of Tamaulipas, primarily known for its fantastic wing shooting, is a virtual hunter’s paradise for bird hunting. Millions of geese, white-wing doves, and ducks flock to the Laguna Madre area and the Eastern Mexican coastline, making it a paradise for bird hunters.
Most hunting trips in these regions are made on private ranches, where professional gamekeepers manage the game. The guides from hunt-guided trips also follow age-old Mexico’s tradition of scientific game management during hunting.
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