Reviews

Thanks to all who take their time to share the experience…

After putting in for over 25+ years for a Desert Bighorn in six states and possibly never getting drawn, I decided to try Mexico. I contacted Ted Schall owner of HuntNow-Worldwide.com. I would highly recommend Rancho Mina Vieja and booking a Desert Big Horn hunt with Ted Schall .

Ted was very helpful in helping me with the paperwork required to hunt in Chihuahua, Mexico. Ted was also very helpful in sending some pictures of Rams on the ranch. After arriving, Adrianne – the guide – met me at the airport. We arrived at sheep camp and met Chef Mirza, Alberto the Biologist who helped guide, along with Adrianne, and Belen and Norma, the two young women who took care of my room.

On the first day of the hunt, we passed on several shooter Rams because they wanted me to get an old Ram called Eduardo. We found him later that morning laying on the side of the mountain. After waiting for him to get up but not presenting a shot, another opportunity presented when he separated from the herd and I was able to take Eduardo. This was a lifetime dream taking a Desert Big Horn. He scored 189 – Green score.

I cannot give enough credit to Adrienne and Alberto for guiding me to this ram of a lifetime, Mirza for the wonderful meals she prepared, Norma and Belen for making the rooms so clean and comfortable, and Ted for all he did to make this hunt possible. I also appreciated spending time with Ivan the owner of the ranch, and having him show me around the ranch with a tour of silver/gold mine with history going back several hundred years. It was a great hunt and trip!

J.K. January 2026

I reached out to HuntNow-Wordwide.com and spoke to Ted Schall early this year. We talked about desert sheep hunting and what options he had available. He books both free range and Estate ranch hunts in Mexico, Ted explained I could hunt a large Estate ram for about half the price of a free range ram, and likely take a larger ram. Sounded like an easy choice. He sold me on Rancho Mina Vieja located in Chihuahua Mx. The hunt was represented as any sheep on the ranch, one fixed price. All inclusive from the time I arrived at the airport to the time I left Chihuahua. That factual statement was not only true, but I cannot begin to tell you of the rams I saw, the staff at the ranch, the rifle they let me use for free, and the excellent care they took of my trophy. My ram was a 9+ year old warrior with great mass. He measured 176”+, Many thanks to Ted Schall for organizing the hunt, and Ivan the Owner for allowing me to experience his families historical ranch!

D.L. April 2025

Fantastic experience in Chihuahua, Mexico chasing sheep across the mountainous desert. The amount of sheep we saw was unexpected. I was also surprised with how close we were able to get to them. I shot my sheep with my bow.

The terrain is beautiful and challenging. Everything has stickers of various sizes and hostility. I don’t recommend wearing expensive hunting clothes that will snag. I would wear 511s with Ripstop or Carhartts.

The hospitality and accommodations are first class. The food was high quality. They aim to please individually making sure you have everything you want. Our particular chef specialized in baked goods which was an added bonus.

We felt safe the entire time we were there. The 3-day hunt could have been longer by a couple of days to alleviate time concerns. That’s the only negative, and I think they may be looking at that.

There was a language barrier a few times with the guide but I wouldn’t let that deter you. That’s often the case when hunting in a different country.

I never thought a sheep could be on my short list but here I am. I would most definitely recommend this hunt and I would do it again.

JP December 2025

I found Ojo Caliente Outfitters through BookYourHunt.com. The Outfitter, Ernesto Beall, offered both Free Range and Private Ranch Desert Sheep hunts in Mexico. I was not sure whether or not I would ever be fortunate enough to either win a Desert Sheep hunt or have the time to save for or be physically prepared and capable years down the road for a Free Range hunt. After communicating with Ernesto, I booked a ranch hunt.

Within weeks of booking, Ernesto and his staff began working on the paperwork necessary for trophy export to the US. Inquired as to any allergies or special needs and offered one of their rifles he had at the ranch, bypassing the cost, hassle and leg work required to import my rifle into Mexico. A month or so before my hunt Ted Schall, owner of Huntnow-worldwide.com contacted me and asked me to look at a number of sheep photos from the ranch. Ted, stated he was a partner with Ernesto and Ivan, the owner of Mina Vieja Ranch.

After two days of travel, I landed in Chihuahua, MX, cleared Customs, and was met by Alberto, a game biologist working for the Ranch outside Chihuahua as well as Adrianne the main guide and employee at the Ranch. Luckily for me Alberto spoke very good English as my espanol no muy bien. After driving to the Ranch and having lunch we took a drive to look at some sheep and there were plenty to look at as well as Mule deer.

The following day I was able to kill a beautiful 174″ ram; an experience I’ll never forget. As for the Ranch, which is wrought with mining history, it was clean and modern, the staff and owner, extremely friendly and helpful. The meals were fantastic and there was always fresh beverages available. Thanks to all again for the experience. I would highly recommend the hunt with 4.7+ star raqting!. I wish I had done this hunt sooner!

J.B. January 2027

I was hunting mule deer on the ranch, and without a doubt I would give this place a 5 Star rating, for Deer and Desert Bighorn Sheep. The ranch consists of a lot of beautiful country, lots of different topography for the animals to thrive and hide in. The surrounding scenery was beautiful as well, lots of beautiful lights in the evenings from the small community below and the Chihuahua Valley. Lots of Desert Big Horns and Mule Deer , roaming the ranch to find a great trophy. The owner welcomes you to the ranch, and if you have time, shared some mine history and a few tours of some of the old sites, on the ranch. All the staff were amazing, so friendly and eager to please. Smiling faces , wherever you looked. The food was amazing, and Mirza the Chef, put so much care into every dish, she prepared for us. Thank you to all !!! .

A few words about my guide, Adriann, and the deer I finally took. The guide knew the ranch well, and the deer scored 194 and change, Best of the Best in Crooki Mule Deer.

Our only recommendations would be, an emergency vehicle at sheep camp, and the need to have cell service. Shower water heater, could be upsized, and would be greatly appreciated. Each ranch is run differently, but I think if some serious cull hunting was allowed, the production of greater quality bucks would flourish on the ranch. The amount of animals on the ranch were wonderful to see. I had a great time, and being a part of helping a close friend , get his Desert Big Horn Ram . Memories with friends, are everything in a hunt !!! Thanks again!

E.W. January 2026

Having been in the field for many decades, nothing thrills me more than the outdoors! The desert beauty of the mountains surrounding you, and the creatures that call it home. No day is ever the same. I was blessed to have the opportunity of a lifetime in Chihuahua, Mexico this past December to experience a hunt at Rancho Mina Vieja. I heard about Mina Vieija through HuntNow-Worldwide.com and their phenomenal sheep hunting a year earlier. The photos were enough to entice me to commit. Seeing the number of trophy deer and sheep firsthand was another level altogether! At Mina Vieja the quality of big rams would overwhelm the most seasoned hunter. I took my ram with a ranch gun, a 6.5 CM at 220 yards off sticks. The shot was easy, the stalk and delay after delay waiting for the ram to clear the surrounding sheep was not. The in-camp taxidermist did a great job in skinning my ram for a life size mount. My guide Adrian did a great job in getting us close. These guys know sheep!

To compliment this wonderful hunt was Ivan, our incredible host and the owner. He made sure that no detail was overlooked. Our chef Mirza was beyond talented! Her dishes were flavorful, and enough to feed twice the people present. I appreciated the attentiveness of Norma and Belen the housekeeping staff.

I wish everyone could have the opportunity to experience this great operation! I hope to return to Rancho Mina Vieja again, maybe I’ll see you there!

R.S. December 2025

In early 2025 one of my hunting buddies had asked me if I was interested in going to Mexico to hunt Desert Bighorn Sheep. He had been down earlier and had hunted with a rifle and was successful and taking al very large Ram and was planning another hunt for December 2025 .

We had a meeting and he showed me pictures of a number of very large old Desert Big Horn Sheep. He indicated that he thought that I had a good opportunity to bow hunt one and take a nice Ram with my bow based on the number of Rams and the fact that they were not over hunted.
In Comparison…..
I have hunted in the past for Mule Deer in Mexico and would have to be honest that what I was told they had in large Bucks was not reality and was a disservice to the American hunters looking to hunt in Mexico.

In Conclusion…..
What I can tell you is that Rancho Mina Vieja has a large number of Sheep and a very limited number of 10 Rams being taken per year. So, if a hunter is really interested in a great hunt with high odds of taking a great older age class Ram I can say you’re on the right ranch to enjoy a 5 star experience. You’ll also find the ranch has very nice accommodations great food and very capable and friendly staff. You will not find a better sheep hunt anywhere!

P.K. December 2025

I would highly recommend a bow hunt for desert bighorn sheep and mule deer at this outfit in Mexico. I hunted Rancho Mina Vieja. The archery hunt is set up as a water hole blind set with new blinds and chairs, if you’re not too mobile, or you can spot and stalk the steep ridges and flat edges like I did. With self-discipline you can sneak up on most of the animals that you spot. The ranch has mixed terrain well suited for bow hunting. There are many acres of thorn brush to offer concealment on the approach, as long as you are downwind. The food and lodging were great, though I would have liked more Mexican food. The Chef and staff excelled in taking good care of us. I especially liked the owner, Ivan and having the time to hear about the ranch’s history and current operation. I think I convinced him on the need for more cull – management hunts across the board. I will be going back to enjoy this great opportunity again.

R.H. December 2025