Hunting near US/Mexico border

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I just drew a mule deer tag in a far SW New Mexico unit that borders Mexico. I have read a lot online about some of these units and some rather interesting encounters. Curious if anyone here on the Rok have had any issues or close encounters hunting units on the southern border?
i wish :)
 
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Those dirty maplebacks up north are not to be trusted. Whole different conversation.
Familiar with the Border Patrol, I can tell you that about the only difference between the north and south borders is that Canada 🇨🇦 does SOME screening and they have to fly to Canada. Not so much the dregs of the world coming up from "no visa required" South America.

Anyone hear about the 8 Chinese nationals found dead on a beach in Mexico?
 
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So, don't tell me "schtuff" doesn't just happen!
There's a difference between saying it never happens (I can't know that for sure) and saying "it happens at such a miniscule rate that thinking about it is a waste of your time". This falls into the latter category. Like shark attacks. There are ~100 unprovoked shark attacks globally every year, yet people still swim in the ocean at beaches. Those 100 people could say "Hey look, it happened to me." and get the reply of "We know and don't really care".
 
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.....and suddenly, a shark has you by the leg!

Look, that was 33 years ago! I still drive. The chances of another wreck, much less a head on, are indeed miniscule.....but you can bet your sweet bippy when I see a vehicle doing something erratic or approaching an intersection at a high rate of speed, I back off and pay particular attention to that vehicle until it stops or makes a definite move.

I also don't care whether whoever goes to the US/Mex border to hunt or not. No skin off my back.
 

Weldor

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My subtle point to this has been it just doesn’t happen. If it did word would be all over the hunting and outdoor community and it isn’t. We have and hear about encounters and theft but not harm. The coyotes and lumpers aren’t going to bother you if you don’t bother them. They aren’t going to shoot you if you don’t try to shoot them. It just doesn’t happen. I’m not saying there isn’t any worry because anything can go south, I’m saying it just doesn’t happen.


Encounters happen all the time and nobody is dying from it. Migrants no biggie, armed lumpers? Well those encounters can be unnerving but they don’t want to shoot you and they aren’t shooting people. Never have.
True, but they sure like to break into things. 4 broken windows in my truck over the years, 2 campers broken into. So I do have first hand knowledge of the problem. Have cleaned up a enough trash to fill 2- 40 yard dumpsters.Quit going down a few years back. I loved hunting that area for 30 plus years. Just not worth the hassle anymore for me personally. But to each his own.
 
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505Wapiti

505Wapiti

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Curious how many guys put cameras on their camp for when they are off hunting? A buddy told me recently he does when hunting certain areas. Would be my luck my cameras would just disappear. 🙃
 

Weldor

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In Reality, would good would photo's do? BP can't indenify these guy's and don't really want to get involved with camp theft or ? They usually just fade back into the desert and disappear.
 

Beendare

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In Reality, would good would photo's do? BP can't indenify these guy's and don't really want to get involved with camp theft or ? They usually just fade back into the desert and disappear.
My rancher buddy has rancher friends with property near the border with AK toting cartel guys coming through their properties at night on game cams.

They have tried to get BP agents involved. They tell the ranchers they are directed to do paperwork for the incoming flood of illegals- no time to patrol. They are on their own. The Sheriffs dept takes these calls but are spread way too thin to handle it.

The Cartels know the weak spots and exploit it. Its sad our current gov is willing to let in fentanyl, other drugs and dangerous criminals just to potentially stay in power.
 

Weldor

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Yea, It's been that way for years. It just was not in the news as much. The border was not run over back then. I can remember glassing the mexican army patrolling their side in the 80's. Not much of a issue hunting back then. Not for me today. I do miss the big Coues down that way though.
My rancher buddy has rancher friends with property near the border with AK toting cartel guys coming through their properties at night on game cams.

They have tried to get BP agents involved. They tell the ranchers they are directed to do paperwork for the incoming flood of illegals- no time to patrol. They are on their own. The Sheriffs dept takes these calls but are spread way too thin to handle it.

The Cartels know the weak spots and exploit it. Its sad our current gov is willing to let in fentanyl, other drugs and dangerous criminals just to potentially stay in power.
 
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My point would be, "Why take the chance?".
Is there some game animal on the U.S./Mex border that just can't be found elsewhere?
 

BBob

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My point would be, "Why take the chance?".
Is there some game animal on the U.S./Mex border that just can't be found elsewhere?
Well I just rode my bicycle 80 miles or so all over those dirt roads near the border in the same areas I'd hunt. I didn't encounter anything that would even get close to killing me. Funny thing is there's a lot of people doing the same thing all the time and still nobody dead yet :)
 
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Well I just rode my bicycle 80 miles or so all over those dirt roads near the border in the same areas I'd hunt. I didn't encounter anything that would even get close to killing me. Funny thing is there's a lot of people doing the same thing all the time and still nobody dead yet :)

There are dead all over that area. The fact you're not one of them and getting on here making it sound safe is what we call "survivors bias".

 

CJohnson

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While I would be concerned with mortal danger, I’m a little more concerned about someone stealing or destroying my truck wherever I choose to leave it. I’ll be up in the NW part of NM though so I’m guessing the greater threat will be tweakers rather than aliens…?
 

Beendare

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The ranches I’m talking about are right on the border….like the one that rancher was on trial for allegedly shooting an illegal.

I think its worth differentiating- right on the border- bad. The Smuggling routes, for example, the area between Arivaca and the border which it within 3 miles of the border are potential problem areas.

If you are 10 miles from the border, the odds go way down of having any problems.
 

CorbLand

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There are dead all over that area. The fact you're not one of them and getting on here making it sound safe is what we call "survivors bias".

Yea, I would venture that he was meaning that he didnt run into anyone that wanted to harm him not that he didnt have risk of dying to the elements and exposure.
 

BBob

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There are dead all over that area. The fact you're not one of them and getting on here making it sound safe is what we call "survivors bias".
They as in migrants/illegals are dead, not me. They are dead because they got sold on the trip without adequate preparation. They've been dead and dying out there for decades.
Yea, I would venture that he was meaning that he didnt run into anyone that wanted to harm him not that he didnt have risk of dying to the elements and exposure.
Exactly!
 

Bailer

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They are not shy about cracking a round overhead to get you off of a hill that's looking into a route that they care about.
A buddy and I had that experience two years ago. I’ve hunted the exact spot dozens of times with no issues. That afternoon they wanted us gone.
 
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