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Shotguns, Shotshells & Chokes
 Bird hunting in Mexico generally requires less specialized gear
than does the same kind of hunt in the United States. The reason
is simple: there's a lot more shot opportunities in Mexico, which
means that hunters need not take every available shot, nor do they
need to connect with the same percentage of shots in order to have
a successful and thoroughly enjoyable outing.
In Mexico, any gauge is legal, but the availability of ammunition
dictates that 12 or 20 gauge is the better bet. Since lead shot
is both allowed and used in Mexico, there is no need for magnums.
Standard 2 ¾-inch shells in either gauge work great.
 The best all around choke for hunting in Mexico is modified. Full
chokes also work well but may limit your success rate on closer
birds. Barrel lengths of 26” or longer are fine. Pumps, autos,
side-by-sides and over/under’s all work well for Mexican style
hunts. Sinalopato can supply shotguns if you don’t want to
travel with your own gun. Shotguns available are Benelli Automatic
Super Black Eagle, Beretta Pintail 390 autos and Remington 870
Pumps, in 12 gauge and .20 gauge.
 Waterfowler’s in Mexico use #4 or #6 shot which is readily
available. These Mexican shotshells are the typical high-brass
hunting shells. They are normally loaded at the 3 ¼ dram equivalent,
with 1 ¼-oz. of shot in the 12 gauge. The shotshells are plastic
with wads similar to those in made ammo and function in most shotguns
without any problems. Duck loads are available for $13 per box
of 25.
Shotshells available for Dove (Paloma) are either #7 ½ or #8 shot
and are normally field loads with 1 1/8-oz shot in the 12 gauge.
All 20 gauge shotshells are of similar nature to those in the and
generally work great in most shotguns. Dove loads are available
for around $11.00 per box of 25.
 Only two sporting firearms and 50 rounds of ammunition per gun
are allowed. It is illegal to enter Mexico with any firearm which
may be considered a military weapon. All handguns are prohibited.
You will also need an application for
a Mexican Hunting License. With the higher and International airport
security now in force, you may want to use the shotguns and ammo
we provide to avoid the hassle and delays at the airport.
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Ducks (Pato)
 At Sinalopato, airboat assisted hunts are the norm. You hardly
get your feet wet. Hunters and guides/bird boys are taken to the
blinds aboard airboats where the guides put out the decoys. The
airboats are then used to get the ducks airborne and are then decoyed
within range into your spread. These assisted hunts are great for
older hunters or hunters who can’t get around easily.
 Full limits of the various kinds of ducks can be expected if the
hunter does his or her part. In fact, it is generally preferred
for the hunter to select the specific type of duck desired. Unlike
waterfowling in the United States, there are many more shot opportunities
in Mexico, so the hunter can be more discriminating and still have
a very successful. Traditional waterfowl hunts in Mexico start at 0:dark-thirty (pre-dawn)
as they do in the United States Airboat assisted hunts get started
after sun-up and in the afternoon if you are on a Duck & Dove
hunt package.
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Doves (Paloma)
 Dove hunting in is similar to that in the United States. The big
difference is the number and variety of birds. Dove hunting takes
place in the early morning and again in the afternoon, with time
for lunch and a siesta in-between. Dress should be in layers as
the Mexican mornings can be quite cool, turning to warm and even
hot before the hunt s over.
Hunters, their guides and bird boys are taken to local fields
where they pass shoot the doves as they fly overhead. Mourning
doves fly from daylight till mid-morning and White-wing doves start
flying around 8-9:00am. This varies with the weather.
Although there are many more birds per hunter in Mexico than in
most U.S. Hunting sites, the hunter must still do his or her part
to bag a limit.
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Bagging Your Limit
 Generally when hunters miss birds, they are shooting behind the
target. This happens either because the gun speed and lead weren’t
enough, or because the hunter stopped the swing at the last moment
before touching off the shot. When in doubt, increase lead and
gun speed.
A hunter can increase his or her hit percentage by concentrating
on the target (duck or dove) and not on the gun barrel. You should
be able to notice the barrel but only as a blur. Always keep your
target 100% in focus and use your forward or leading hand to point
at the target and the shotgun continues to swing. If you look back
at the barrel at any time during this exercise, the gun will slow
or stop, and the bird will continue to fly away in front of the
shot string. To state another example, if the hunters eyes go back
to the barrel, just before the trigger is pulled, to check the
lead, the barrel will stop! The reason for this is simple. In order
for the shooters eyes to focus on the barrel, the barrel must decrease
speed or stop. In this split second the target continues forward
and the hunters shot will be behind the target. A hunter can effectively
see the target and barrel if he or she takes the following example
in mind. When someone drives a car, they see the hood, but it is
not ever in focus. When driving, the focus is on the road ahead
and not the hood. The driver still sees the hood but it is out
of focus (blur). The same principal applies when shotgun shooting.
Focus on the target 110% and the barrel will be just a blurred
reference.
 Always stay on the target all the way through the shot. Use your
leading hand to push through the target even after you have fired
the gun. Using these simple techniques can help increase the percentage
of hits.
At times, the shooting can become hectic, even frenzied. For this
reason, it is doubly important to take every safety precaution.
Never point the muzzle of your gun in the direction of another
hunter, guide, bird boy or bird dog. Always refrain from shooting
low flying birds. When its time to move to a new location, open
the action of the gun and make sure it is unloaded.
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Before And During
The Trip
 All guns used for hunting in Mexico should be in good working
order before the trip because they will be shot a lot. It is a
good idea to take a basic gun cleaning kit and to do any general
maintenance at night so everything will be in good working order
before the next days hunt.
Although Mexican ammo functions well in most guns, the powder
used leaves a noticeable residue. This can be a factor for some
gas-operated semi-autos. Hence, nightly cleaning of the gas piston
system is a good idea.
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Clothing
 No special clothes are necessary for hunting in Mexico. While in
most cases your feet will never get wet in waterfowling, it is suggested
that you have waterproof boots as you may encounter a little mud.
Subdued colors like khaki or camo are the preferred dress for
both dove and duck hunting. Blue jeans are fine too. Sneakers or
other light weight shoes are great for dove hunts as are any normal
hunting boots. Bring footwear that you are comfortable in.
Midwinter hunts may occasionally require rain gear but this is
rare. Waterproof or water resistant waterfowling gear work just
fine. A light jacket is useful in the morning and during the airboat
ride to the blind.
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What Else Should
I Bring?
 Be sure to pack your camera, video camera, hunting caps, hats,
sun glasses, sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellant, small pen type
flashlight and duck calls & duck strap (optional).
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How Long Does
It Take To Get To The Hunting Areas?
Distance to fields is eighteen to forty minutes.
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How Many Hunters
To A Group?
This can vary from 4 to 14 hunters. If you don’t have 4 hunters
in your group, we’ll match you up with another group.
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What Does The
Area Look Like?
Order the 65-Minute video of Duck & Goose Hunting at Sinalopato.
Click Here to see if you qualify
for a Free Copy!
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How Long Are The 2008-2009 Hunting Seasons?
Ducks: November 2, 2008– March 2, 2009
Geese: November 2, 2008– March 2, 2009
Doves: November 2, 2008– March 2, 2009
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What Is The Take Home Policy?
The U.S. Customs Take Home limit is 45 DUCKS
and 105 DOVES.
(Of the doves, 60 may be white wing & 45 mourning)
 Hunters MUST BRING COOLERS for this purpose.
Airlines will not document Styrofoam icechests. For cleaning and
packing of your game, contact the Club. All birds are packed in
plastic bags with a wing left for identification.
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How Much Should I Tip?
Tips to guides and bird boys vary from $15.00 to $25.00 per hunt.
Tips to the Hotel Staff and waiters are not included.
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Is There Any Fishing Available
While I’m In Sinaloa, Mexico?
 Sinaloa also provides a vast array of sporting activities, from
excellent sailfish and marlin fishing in the blue waters of the
Sea of Cortez, to incredible Bass fishing in nearby Dominguez and
Huites lakes.
Let Sinalopato arrange your fly fishing expeditions.
The mouth of El Fuerte River offers Snook, Red Snapper, Cabrilla
and great Yellow Fin Corvina fishing. The brackish waters and mangroves
are ideal for casting or fly-fishing.
Marlin, Sailfish, Snook, Red Snapper and Bass fishing are all
day activities with lunches included. Bass fishing is provided
at Lake Dominguez or the new and famous Lake Huites (an extra $40.00
per person is required for transportation on bass fishing only).
At reservation notice, you can substitute a day of hunting for
a day of fishing.
Marlin fishing is provided in The Gulf of California, using boats
departing from our yacht club in Topolobampo Bay. The package price
includes our professional crews and our outfitted sport yachts.
Snook and red snapper are caught on the estuaries and inlets of
the bay formed in the mouth of El Fuerte River and the Gulf of
California.
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Do You Have A Video?
Yes! We have a video of Duck & Goose Hunting at
Sinalopato. Click Here to watch it now!
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