PACIFIC BLACK
BRANT HUNTING

San Quintin Bay, Baja Mexico

" Just wanted to say thanks for putting the package together The hunt was a great success and Arturo is a super guy. I will definitely be back next year and now that I can vouch for the trip, I will have a least one more buddy to bring"...
J. Grondona, CA

I had a very good time. Arturo is a wonderful guy and he did everything he could to get us birds. I got a banded bird. The band was white with blue lettering and I was surprised to see that the metal band was stainless steel ( 99% are aluminum). A couple of other guys got birds with black bands..."
S. Hill CA

OVERVIEW
San Quintin Bay is home to one of the largest concentrations of wintering Brant anywhere in the world. Each year 40,000 to 50,000 Pacific Black Brant migrate from Alaska and to a lesser extent, Russia, to their historical wintering grounds on San Quintin Bay in Baja, Mexico. The concentration of this large gathering of waterfowl in the pristine San Quintin estuary makes for spectacular water fowling. Many banded birds from Alaska and occasionally from Russia are routinely taken each year.

San Quintin Bay is relatively modest in size and is approximately four miles wide by thirteen miles long. Huge, healthy beds of eel grass grow in abundance in the clear waters of the bay providing excellent habitat for wintering Brant. Air temperature during the December to February hunting season typically ranges from 45°F early morning to 75°F in the afternoon. Hunting for waterfowl under such balmy, pleasant conditions is a hunt all die hard water fowlers should experience at least once in their lifetime.

THE HUNT
The hunts are from dawn to noon or until limits are reached (whichever comes first) and take place in blinds over decoys. Each group has a local guide with boat who sets the decoys, retrieves the birds, and transports the hunters. Limits are three Brant per person, per day with a possession limit of 9. Because of the large number of birds and exclusive hunting rights we provide, limiting out each day is the rule rather than the exception.

Brant hunting takes place in January and February and only on Friday through Sunday each week. The birds are not hunted the rest of the week. In addition to Brant hunting, there is a limited opportunity for duck hunting. Widgeon, Teal and Pintails are sometimes taken while Brant hunting, but these should be considered bonus birds and not regular additions to the bag. The Brant hunting on San Quintin Bay is superb, but the duck hunting generally is not very good. Also, if you book in January, you can hunt California Quail in the afternoon at no extra charge. The minimum group size is 2 hunters and a maximum of 6, if guns are rented and a maximum of 10 if hunters bring their own guns.

LOGISTICS
Hunts begin with a Thursday afternoon arrival and pick-up at San Diego airport where our outfitter will meet you and transport you across the border to San Quintin (approximately a three and a half hour drive after crossing the border). Hunters should plan to arrive at the airport no later than 1:00pm. Lodging is at the Old Mill Hotel, a historic gathering place for hard core Brant hunters. Accommodations are clean and comfortable, but not fancy.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings are devoted to Brant hunting. Because Brant hunting occurs only during the mornings, afternoons are free for relaxing, photography, or a fishing excursion (extra cost). The fishing boats run outside of the Bay into the ocean where you can catch some excellent eating bottom fish and there are sport fishing opportunities further out depending on the season. Also, in January there will be an opportunity to hunt Valley Quail in the afternoon. Hunters depart from San Quintin Sunday afternoon with arrival in San Diego at approximately 6:00pm, depending on border traffic.

For convenience, it is highly recommended due to Mexico's restrictive gun laws, that hunters rent guns from our outfitter. We shoot semi-automatic Brownings and Berettas and similar type guns and the cost is only $25 per day. If you desire to bring your own gun into Mexico, you will need a gun permit at a cost of $350. Application for the permit must be made through our outfitter at least six weeks before your arrival. Steel shot or other non-toxic ammunition must be used. Ammunition is provided by our outfitter to you at his cost ( usually $15 per box of 25 ). Hunters are welcome to bring their own dogs from some excellent retrieving work. Dogs may stay inside the room at night.

The Brant season is from January to the end of February. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to book a hunt with full payment made within sixty days of departure. In 2007 the cost of a three-day Brant hunt is $1,695 per person. For a party of 2, the cost is $1,995 per person.