Ocellated Turkey Hunts in 2007 and 2008

Here is a summary of the more important info.

Hunting dates at Camp Uaxactun (pronounced “wah-shock-tune”)

First 2007 and 2008 hunt: hunters arrive Flores, Guatemala & to hotel April 8, to camp April 9, hunt April 10-13, back to hotel April 14, fly home April 15.

Second 2006 hunt: hunters arrive Flores April 15 & to hotel, to camp April 16, hunt April 16-19, back to hotel April 21, fly home April 22.

Third 2006 hunt: hunters arrive Flores & to hotel April 22, to camp April 23, hunt April 22-25, back to hotel April 28, fly home April 29.

Dates of Camp Carmelita Hunts

First 2006 hunt: hunters arrive Flores, Guatemala & to hotel April 14, to camp April 15, hunt April 16-19, back to hotel April 19, fly home April 20.

Second 2006 hunt: hunters arrive Flores, Guatemala & to hotel April 20, to camp April 21, hunt April 22-25, back to hotel April 26, fly home April 27.

Hunting dates in 2008 will be similar but will not be definitely set until after the 2008 hunts. If you want to reserve a hunt for 2007, specify by 1st, 2nd, or 3rd hunt.

Location

The hunting camps are in the rain forest of northern Guatemala 30 miles south of the Mexico border in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, not far from Flores.

Success Rate

Success has been 100% on all hunts. With excellent turkey populations, skilled guides, and our new and highly effective calling method, there should be no problem in continuing 100% success in future hunts.

Hunters per Hunt

There will be 18 hunters in 3 parties of 6hunters at Camp Uaxactun and 10 hunters in 2 parties of 5 at Camp Carmelita. Total of 25 hunters in 2006.

Price of 2007 Hunts

Price of $3000 includes meals and accommodations, trophy fee, hunting license, and other required papers. The only additional fees are for skinning your turkey ($30) or you can skin it yourself with our assistance at no charge. There is a trophy fee for a 2nd turkey (see below). There will be a hotel bill on the trip to camp and on your return. Tipping is at your discretion.

Deposit

If you want to go in 2007 or 2008, send a check for $300, payable to Lovett Williams, along with the filled out reservation request form and I will pencil you in. Asking for a minimal deposit is the only way I can know who is serious about going. I will ask for a larger deposit in June before it is too late to fill vacancies in the event of cancellations. Your $300 deposit is refundable until you pay the 50% deposit. After paying the 50% deposit, deposits are non-refundable unless your vacancy can be filled.

Bag Limit

One turkey comes with the price of the hunt. A 2nd trophy may be taken for a fee of $1000. Hunters wishing to take a 2nd turkey need to pay a $200 advance deposit. I will send full information about our policy on taking second turkeys on request. If you want to sign up for 2 turkeys, please pencil a note on your reservation form and send the $200 deposit. If you wish to discuss it first, give Lovett a call.

Itinerary

You will fly to Flores, Guatemala and be met at the airport baggage area by the van driver for Hotel Camino Real Tikal and taken to your hotel which is about half way to either jungle camp. We will make your hotel reservations. The next morning you will be driven overland from the hotel to camp. The trip to camp will take 3-4 hours. Your return trip will be the same in reverse: from camp to hotel the day after hunting then to airport the next morning.

Camp Accommodations

This is a bona fide safari--rustic thatch-roofed huts in a jungle camp with mosquito netting on jungle-made bunks with store-bought mattresses. There is a rustic but adequate privy and a place to bathe. Drinking water is purified. Camp cooks, guides, scouts, and helpers will assist in making your hunt comfortable, pleasant, and a true adventure.

Language

The people speak Spanish but you will be no serious communication problems. We brief the guides in Spanish and the hunters in English and Erick Baur, our on- scene Project Manager speaks English and Spanish. There will always be a bilingual person in camp.

Hunting

We have 12 gauge shotguns and U.S. turkey ammunition. Each hunter will have a guide and a scout who will take him to a turkey on the roost in the morning and to roosting places for late afternoon hunting. If you shoot a hen, there is a $500 fee assessment. It is not legal to take a hen across the border. If you shoot a jake, he will be your trophy. To avoid these errors, please refer to the segment on this web site about how to identify sex and age class of ocellated turkeys. We will discuss this further in camp. Your guide will help you ID the sex of your trophy before shooting. You will have no difficulty identifying your trophy.

Your Trophy

Your turkey will be skinned by guides trained in proper technique. There is a $30 charge if we skin it or you can skin it yourself. We know how to export the specimens and will help you with that. You will hand carry it on your flight home.

Paperwork

You must have a passport. It usually takes 6-8 weeks to get one. There are a few requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service pertaining to border crossing with your trophy that we will guide you through. You will be sent written information about these matters.

Medical Requirements

There are no requirements for vaccinations or other medication but a few things are recommended by some medical people. We will send you that information.

Danger?

The talk sometimes heard about danger from wild animals and bandits in Central America are greatly exaggerated. Going to Miami is more dangerous. We keep in touch with the U. S. State Department about that and we can obtain Guatemalan military escorts to camp if there is any reason for concern. The government puts great emphasis on tourism and goes to great lengths to insure your safety and peace of mind.

More Info Coming

Lovett will send detailed information to answer the most frequently asked questions and he will contact you from time to time with airline information, a suggested packing list, turkey calling instructions, and procedures for getting your specimen back home. Feel free to call Lovett to discuss the hunts but be assured that you will get the information you need in the written material he sends.

To make a reservation, view and print the reservation request form. Be sure to state the preferred hunt and provide contact information for all hunters if there are others in your party.