Mexico Pacific Black Brant Hunting – Baja
Pacific Black Brant hunting is a wonderful experience that’s perfect for avid waterfowl collectors or hunters looking to expand their wingshooting horizons. Pacific Black Brant migrate from the Gulf of Alaska and western Russia to Baja Mexico’s San Quintin Bay each year to feed on their principle food, eel grass, which is abundant in Baja’s rich wetlands. Pacific Black Brant accomplish an interested feat of flying non-stop 40 to 48 hours to their Baja wintering grounds. Mexico brant hunting at its best.
San Quintin Bay is about 13 miles long and 4 miles wide. Eel grass is abundant and winter weather is mild. About 40% of the reported world population of Black Brant, which is estimated at about 125,000, winter each year in this beautiful bay. The US Fish & Wildlife Service bands at least 20% of these birds. As an added bonus it is common for hunters to collect leg bands, and on rare occasions a Russian-banded brant is taken.
Pacific Black Brant hunting seasons typically runs early-November through the last Sunday in February. This Mexico brant hunting program is limited only to Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until noon to ensure quality hunting for the entire season. Black Brant work best on a falling tides so productive hunting times vary in the mornings. The sights and sounds of whales, porpoises and a diversity of wintering shorebirds are common. Complete success in collecting the current Mexico brant limit is assured.
Each morning, your personal guide will provide boat transfers to your eel blind along the shore, usually arriving at daybreak. Blinds are constructed of eel grass, camo netting, palmetto fronds or volcanic rock to blend in perfectly. A nice brant spread is set and the boat is retired to a safe distance. The staff maintains a kennel of apt retrievers and your retriever is welcomed, so bring one if you wish. Ducks are uncommon and should be considered a rare treat while hunting Pacific Black Brant in San Quintin Bay.
After limits are achieved, hunters return to camp for lunch and likely siesta. Hunters are lodged at the charming area hotels, and all meals are served at local restaurants and cantinas. Please Note: Afternoon options are limited to nonexistent. Duck hunting, quail hunting or light-tackle fishing are practically not available in Baja, but there is plenty of time for just simply relaxing.
Read More about this Pacific Black Brant Hunting trip: Baja Brant Hunting, Wildfowl magazine Dec 10/Jan 11 Issue
Rates & Dates
Timing
Mexico Black brant hunting season runs early-November through the last Sunday of February, with peak brant concentrations usually occurring in late-January through February.
Rates
$3,350 3-day Pacific Black Brant Hunting in Mexico to include 3 morning brant hunts. Relax during the afternoons.
$4,550 “Baja Blast” Brant Hunting Combo to include customized selections of among 2-3 locations for Pacific black brant as well as a combination of quail hunting (valley and/or Gambel’s quail), high-volume pheasants and dove hunting! Limited to select December and January dates only. Email or call for more information.
Reservations require 50% deposit, balance due November 1 preceding your scheduled hunt. GetDucks Travel Protection available (call to discuss).
Trip Specifics
Included
Inclusive packages for hunting Mexico Pacific Black Brant include:
- Round-trip airport transfers
- 3 meals daily
- Soft drinks, coffee, bottled water
- Hunting licenses and permits
- Daily hunting-related transfers
- Game cleaning and trophy preparations
- Guides and bird boys
Not Included
Packages for hunting Pacific Black Brant in Baja Mexico do not include:
- Airfare
- Gratuities for guides, bird boys, restaurant and lodge staff
- Ammo – $20 /box subject to change
- Personal firearm permits if guests bring their own ($200)
- Outfitter-provided guns 12 or 20ga ($150)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Items of personal nature
- GetDucks Travel Protection Plan/ Trip Insurance
- San Diego hotels, meals, etc.
More Information
More Info
Pacific Black Brant
Pacific Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans), or Black Brant, are an abundant small goose of the ocean shores that breed in the high Arctic tundra and winter along the Pacific Coast. Over 70% of the world population of Pacific Black Brant winter in Baja, Mexico, with the much smaller remainder overwintering in interior portions.
There are an estimated 115,000-150,000 black brant in the world and about 14,000 are taken each year by hunters. The highest numbers of Pacific Black Brant are shot in Baja, Mexico. Interesting fact: The oldest age record for any duck, goose or swan in North America is held by a Pacific Brant at 28.5 years!
The Pacific Brant is slightly larger than a Mallard. Males are somewhat bigger than females; otherwise, the sexes are not distinguishable. It is one of the darkest waterfowl with a black head, neck and upper breast and a white necklace on the sides of the neck. The back and upper wing coverts are edged with lighter grays on a darker grayish brown feathers. The Pacific Brant has a very dark breast and belly with little or no contrast separating them. The flanks are much whiter than the Atlantic Brant. The black bill is short and stubby. They are an attractive addition to game rooms and are popular among collectors.
Getting There – Pacific Black Brant Hunts
Fly to San Diego International Airport (SAN). If arriving Thursday, you will be met by our English-speaking representatives and ground transferred to hotel, about 6 hours south. Transfers occur on Thursdays, hunts are Friday-Saturday-Sunday mornings. SPECIAL NOTE – WE STRONGLY ADVISE ARRIVING ON THE WEDNESDAY PRECEDING YOUR HUNT AND OVERNIGHTING AT HOTEL NEAR THE AIRPORT, WHERE YOU WILL BE PICKED UP ON THURSDAY FOR THE TRANSFER. PLEASE DO NOT PLAN ON DEPARTING SAN DIEGO ON SUNDAY NIGHT, WE SUGGEST OVERNIGHTING AND DEPARTING EARLY MONDAY MORNING.
Related Links – Pacific Black Brant Hunting Mexico
View More: Pacific Black Brant Hunting Videos
Read: Baja Brant Hunting (Wildfowl Dec ’10/Jan ’11)
Certification of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad (Form 4457)
Importation of Fish and Wildlife Form 3-177
What to Bring (Packing List) – Hunting Pacific Black Brant in Baja Mexico
General Provisions:
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Passport
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Chest waders (ducks) chaps (quail)
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Small “field bag”
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Pocket knife
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Sunscreen
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Shooting glasses
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Aloe Vera gel for sunburn
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Shooting gloves
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Camera equipment
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Light-weight shooting vest or shell belt
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Small flashlight
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Hearing protection
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Ice chest for game
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Insect repellant
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Small Bills for Tips
Duck Hunting/ Quail Hunting Apparel:
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Clothing -Expect temperatures will average in the 60’s. However, frequent cold fronts can drop temperatures close to freezing. Outfit for mild temperatures with one set of clothes for cold weather (30 degrees +) in the event of a cold front passes. Orange cap recommended for Quail hunting.
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Bathing Suit – Bring one.
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Footwear – Light-weight boots are ideal for quail hunting. They should lace and have rigid soles. Chest waders are suggested for duck hunters.
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12- and 20-gauge Semi-automatics are available for rent to eliminate paperwork. Personal shotguns permits are possible at additional cost.
Weather – Brant Hunting in Mexico
The climate in Baja California is temperate and rather dry, receiving an average of 9 inches (235 mm) of rain annually. Expect lows in the mid-40s warming to highs in the mid-60s.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE – Mexico Brant Hunting
Hunters that try to import ammunition without the proper permits discover the ugly consequences. This is a serious criminal offense in Mexico, so don’t dream of trying it. Quality ammunition will be available per the Black Brant Hunting package.
Contact us about Mexico brant hunting in Baja.
Galleries
Customer Testimonials
The numbers seen while brant hunting Mexico were amazing. The people, all the staff were first rate.
I have hunted Brant in the U.S., the numbers seen while brant hunting Mexico were amazing. The people, all the staff were first rate. Our guide was the kind of guy I enjoy hunting with, friendly, knowledgeable and. . . very polite to look the other way when we missed! The driver, Federico, made the trip, his knowledge of the lay of the land made our transportation thru customs on both sides easy. The food was off the hook. If I spent two weeks there I’d need new (larger) waders. My friend Jim and I love seafood and I will tell you the food Xavier prepared was on a par with anything I’ve had in the Pacific Northwest.
Tom W.
Referenced hunt: Mexico Brant Hunting
I always wanted to try Mexico brant hunting and it didn’t disappoint.
Everything was well planned out. The hunting was very good and the people there worked very hard for us. I enjoyed seeing a different part of the world. I always wanted to try brant hunting and it didn’t disappoint. GetDucks.com answered any questions I had and kept us up to date with info for hunt. Ramsey Russell knew everything about this Mexico brant hunt from top to bottom.
Rob Scofield
Referenced hunt: Mexico Brant Hunt
I really enjoyed our brant hunt in Baja Mexico with no other blinds in sight. We hunt brant locally at home but the birds are under a lot of pressure.
We hunt brant locally at home but the birds are under a lot of pressure. I really enjoyed our brant hunt in Baja Mexico with no other blinds in sight. Abundance of birds and easy to access. During the last hunt I personally moved the decoys closer in and birds decoyed perfectly. Great email communication with Anita at GetDucks.com, always a quick response.
John Egan
Referenced hunt: Brant Hunt in Baja Mexico
Lots of birds while brant hunting Baja Mexico. GetDucks.com took care of everything in advance, they’re on top of their game.
Lots of birds while brant hunting Baja Mexico. GetDucks.com took care of everything in advance, they’re on top of their game.
John Hill
Referenced hunt: Brant Hunting Baja Mexico
definitely lived up to the hype
Outstanding, Ramsey. Want to thank you and Anita for all the help. The brant hunting in Mexico definitely lived up to the hype. My dad and I truly had the hunt of a lifetime.
Austin Kleine
Referenced hunt: Black brant hunting in Mexico
Ramsey Russell Get Ducks Professional and very knowledgeable
Ramsey Russell GetDucks.com are professional and very knowledgeable. Ran very professional and easy to work with.
Luke Schmidt, Last Pass Outfitters
Referenced hunt: Brant hunting in Mexico
Baja Mexico brant hunting was excellent
The Baja Mexico brant hunting was excellent. Food, transportation, guides, hunting, hotel, service, and our host were all outstanding. They went out of his way to make sure we all had an amazing experience. The guides moved our location several times to get us in better locations. GetDucks.com is very professional, lots of communication. Ramsey was available anytime and answered all questions I had. Everything was easy. You guys have thought everything out, and included everything we needed.
Glade Harris
Referenced hunt: Baja Mexico Brant Hunting
Baja Mexico Brant Hunting was 3 days of full limits, bands and…some ducks
The Baja Mexico brant hunting trip was an outstanding success. I would like to thank Anita and Ramsey at GetDucks.com as well as the field staff. Everyone seemed to be overjoyed and were able to fulfill and exceed their goals and expectations for the trip. I never heard a complaint and everyone is dreaming of hopefully returning to do it again soon.
Again thanks for a spectacular hunt and I hope the pictures I attached worked out. It was three days of full limits, bands and we even managed to add some ducks.
Kyle Green
Referenced hunt: Baja Mexico Brant Hunting
brant limits every day!
Had a great time hunting brant in Mexico with my Dad. Lots and lots of birds, with brant limits every day! Lodging, transportation, guides and most importantly the hunting was exceptional! Looking forward to my next trip to Mexico with GetDucks.com!
Taylor Scharck
Referenced hunt: Black brant hunting in Mexico
GetDucks.com best booking agent I have ever worked with.
GetDucks.com is the best booking agent I have ever worked with. Lots of brant, good blinds, good guides. Enjoyed seeing that many Pacific black brant on their wintering grounds.
Dan Spencer
Referenced hunt: Mexico Pacific Black Brant Hunting
I rarely use booking agents because of so many bad experiences but was happy with GetDucks.com during this entire trip
Things ran smoothly and were efficient on our Mexico Pacific Black Brant hunt. Our host was very good. Food excellent. Guides good and hunting was super for brant. Countryside in bay area was gorgeous each morning and the brant were abundant. I rarely use booking agents because of so many bad experiences but was happy with GetDucks.com during this entire trip!
William Smith
Referenced hunt: Mexico Pacific Black Brant Hunting
The Mexico Pacific Black Brant hunt was amazing.
The Mexico Pacific Black Brant hunt was amazing. I’ll definitely do it again. Hands down the brant hunting in Baja was probably some of the best in the world, and I’ve been hunting them for 6 years now. Twelve guys, 3 days, full limits. One the 2nd day, a lot of bands fell from the sky for everyone. My dad and I dropped 3 doubles and 1 single out of a massive flock of 200-300 brant. Won’t be topping that for awhile. And the food was amazing.
I think of GetDucks.com as among the premier waterfowling companies.
Adam Stevens
See Adam Steven’s Baja Mexico Black Brant Hunting Trip Report
Referenced Hunt: Baja Mexico Pacific Black Brant Hunt
We enjoyed the Pacific Mexico Black Brant hunting most!
Very organized on gun permits, travel suggestions, and no hidden fees. No stress travel. Pick up service was prompt. Crossing the border both ways went smooth. The food was incredible with the chance to try many new dishes. Accommodations were very nice and the brant hunting was great. We enjoyed the Pacific Black Brant hunting most! It was so much fun being able to shoot lead again, and enjoyed just being able to travel and shoot with my good friend.
Don Enochs
Referenced Hunt: Mexico Brant Hunting
Amazing and relaxing time in Baja Mexico brant hunt
What an amazing and relaxing time in Baja Mexico! Already planning our next adventure!
Felisha Pitt
Referenced Hunt: Black Brant Hunt in Mexico
The brant hunting in Mexico was a blast.
Mike and I had a great trip. The Pacific black brant hunting in Mexico was a blast. Thanks to you and Anita, everything went smoothly. I’m sure we’ll be in touch about future hunting trips. Thanks again.
Don Enochs
Referenced Hunt: Baja Pacific Black Brant Hunting in Mexico
The brant hunting in Mexico, the food and the guys we hunted with made it the trip of a lifetime.
Our Baja Mexico brant hunt was unreal. The brant hunting, the food and the guys we hunted with made it the trip of a lifetime. My Dad has never traveled, but he’s now been bitten by the bug and is talking about where to go hunting next!
Matt Stevens
Referenced Hunt: Baja Black Brant Hunting in Mexico (2013 GetDucks.com Hosted Hunt)
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