We went late Dec. 2007. If anyone wishes further info they can email me. It took us about 3-4 hours both comming and going across the border. First the US side checked our rifle and ammo. (a 200. fee was paid and it took 3 months to get the firearm permit) Then we drove 100 yards to the Mexican side and had to purchase auto permits at $25 each. Then tourista permits (no charge) good for 7 days or less. Both permits were in different buildings , but a short walk between them. There were lines at both and each took about 30-45 minutes. We got the permits in shifts, as we were told never to leave your vehicles unattended. We had already bought Mexican vehicle insurance at about 10 bucks a day through AAA. Then we waited about an hour for a 'Federale' to come from a military garrison about 5 miles away to check the rifle. Then we drove about 20 miles out of town to another check point, and our vehicle permits, and the rifle , were again checked.
The proceedure occured in reverse when we returned--almost. We had to stop at the army garrison ourselves on the way out. ( our rancher somehow knew the Federale was not working at the border that day. When we reached the border, we first had to go to the Mexican Game and Fish, to let them check the tag, horns, and frozen cape. No meat allowed on the cape or horns. Must be frozen solid, they checked. Our Rancher told us no deer meat allowed across the border. I am not sure this was really the case, but we did not care and gave the meat to his family. After finishing the Mexican side, the US guys checked our gun and ammo, the US fish and wildlife rechecked the horns, cape, and tag.
Our rancher met us on the US side of the border and led us throught every step across the border. He also came back across the border into the US with us.
Our Rancher was fluent in english and spanish, and was constintaly communicating with the Mexicans about the proceedures. We would have been totally lost without him. Plus, the mexican game and fish , and the army garrison, have unpredictable hours, and you could easily get hung up if not familiar with them. (Mexican game and fish closes at 4pm weekdays,,,and is closed completely on weekends. Our rancher knew this. He also knew how to drive to the army garrison to get the gun check. we certainly would not have know this.
We really had no problems, other than very time consuming-----only because the rancher guided us every step of the way.
The hunting portion of the trip was very enjoyable, quite a few deer, including some bigguns'. The ranch was clean, and the help very friendly. Good hunting, Jim.
