Author Topic: Martin ranch (Read 2389 times)

SwampThing762 · « **on:** October 28, 2010, 04:12:12 AM »

The ranch looks fairly rough on terrain, making for a challenging hunt. The terrain definitely makes for fair chase if you use a short range weapon. What is the potential for trophy scoring animals under ROE?

ST762

drdougrx · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2010, 07:35:12 AM »

Sorry....I don't know of this ranch.

markc · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2010, 04:43:10 AM »

I am a little bit familiar with the Martin Ranch. It is 4 miles from my place and I have gotten to know Max Martin pretty well. What do you want to know? I can say that my experiences with max over the past ocuple years is that he is as honest as the Texas summer is hot. If you give him a call he will tell you what the animals on the ranch are looking like. He does have a rellay nice place, is rugged, and if I remember correctly it is a couple thousand acres, but don't quote me on that. I purchase corn from him for my feeders.

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2010, 09:29:35 AM »

How is the ranch for producing ROE eligible critters? I want a place to go that will be a reasonable resemblance to fair chase. I have hunted hogs in Florida and it has reached a point of boredom with me. I want something a little challenging. in order to provide more challenge, I have decided my weapon of choice will be a 12 gauge slug gun with hand loaded 450 grain bullets, and open sights. This way I have to get within 50 yards for a good shot.

ST762

markc · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2010, 04:44:02 AM »

Honestly, with regards to ROE and the Martin, I do not know. Give Max a call (830-395-2195)and ask him. He isn't going to make anything up to get your business. He has plenty of business, especially with out of state guys coming down for hogs. Choosing a 20ga slug gun will certainly create a challenge for you, as there are so long shots across those canyons, and there cover is thick from what I've seen.

drdougrx · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2010, 08:07:59 AM »

Y'know....for whatever it's worth.....my hunting would have been a whole lot more satisfying if I hadn't gotten into this "trophy" thing.......at this point it has become almost incurable.....I see perfectly good animals and the first thing I think about is score.....it's just plain dumb.......hope I get over it soon.......

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2010, 04:00:50 PM »

Drdougrx,

I thought it would be more challenging if I try for the trophies. And using a slug gun with rifled barrel and iron sights adds to the challenge. it means I have to get close to the game.......kinda like bowhunting.

I looked at Martin's website, and he has some ROE Gold Medal Mouflons on the site. Full curl with very thick bases.

ST762

drdougrx · « **Reply #7 on:** November 02, 2010, 06:58:13 AM »

I hear ya Swamp.....BTW....the question for Martins is...are those mouflons really there and will they be there when YOU get there?

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 02, 2010, 10:34:00 AM »

Initially, my question was for the potential for trophy animals. The pics just establish there have been GM animals. If you were guaranteed shots at trophy animals, it is not a hunt, just a target shoot. Just my opinion.

I expect to be taking hard, long looks at animals prior to a shot. I am aware of B&C scoring, where a higher score requires base mass and length of horns or antlers. I plan to take hard looks at animals I think could be a trophy. I have also come to an understanding that a ROE trophy Mouflon has a heavy base and is usually a full curl ram. I am currently reading about the various other exotic animals. However, it is sometimes hard finding pictures with actual scores to achieve a general understanding of what a trophy animal would look like in the field. I am a very visual learner, BTW.

ST762

drdougrx · « **Reply #9 on:** November 02, 2010, 11:07:49 AM »

OK.....let us know how this works out.

Another thought....go to the Sportsman-on-Film website and buy three vids: Hunting the Exotics I and II and Hunting Superexotics. There's a world of info on scoring and what to look for.

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 02, 2010, 05:34:33 PM »

Thanks, DrDoug. I will get those vids. Maybe we can hook up for a hunt sometime.

ST762

markc · « **Reply #11 on:** November 04, 2010, 09:05:24 AM »

ST762, when are you going to hunt the Martin? My place is less than 6 miles from there.

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 04, 2010, 06:49:53 PM »

Markc,

As soon as possible. I am in process of rebuilding finances as have been a victim of Obamanomics. When I am ready to hunt the Martin, can I crash at your place? I will give you half the meat of my kill.

St762

markc · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2010, 06:25:04 AM »

Max has a nice place for hunters to stay. Have you checked out his lodge, or cabins? If I am around I would be glad to let you crash at my place, but if I am not there, it can be hard to find and without a key, the best you could do is crash on the front porch. My neighbors would likely pay a visit if they noticed anyone there.

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2010, 08:22:16 AM »

Never said max did not have a nice place. It is always better to stay with someone you know rather than alone or amongst strangers. There is greater camaraderie. I have seen the pics on his website, and the 5/2 bunkhouse appears similar to the lodge at bear bridge ranch here in florida, which is comfortable with all modern amenities, esp running water. I am certain we will talk more over the next several months as i make my financial recovery. besides, it gives me time to make some more ammo reloads for the target practice. after all, i am going to be using a 12 gauge slug gun with iron sights. No scope for me, as i want to make it a challenge.

ST762

Mohawk · « **Reply #15 on:** November 21, 2010, 08:10:37 AM »

I know what you mean by the challenge thing. The last deer I killed with a rifle I was hunting with Markc almost 7 years ago. Now its just hanguns and crossbow. Maybe a shotgun if I feel lazy.

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 28, 2010, 06:42:12 PM »

Never caught the archery bug. I guess I am too attached to gunpowder now.

I thought about a crossbow, but am content with my Mossy slug gun. I am trying to decide to go with the 930 or 500 as I have both. Guess I should test for accuracy with both in my chosen slug load.

ST762

markc · « **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2010, 08:46:04 AM »

Mossy's are my favorite. It could be because that was the first shotgun I received as a gift 40 years ago and still knock down some doves with, or because they are just plain good guns.

Mohawk · « **Reply #18 on:** November 29, 2010, 01:34:07 PM »

I like the 500's. They make a good duty variation that was vey good with slugs. Never owned them but I qualified very well with them. If I were in the market I would seriously consider it. The military spec models are very nice too.

markc · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2010, 02:20:06 AM »

I currently own 2, and have tried to get a 3rd back from my mother in law that I gave to my father in law many years before he passed away. I do not think it has ever been fired and came with 2 barrels and a pistol grip and full wood stock. Forget what they called that package back then.

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2010, 01:31:11 PM »

markc,

off topic, but you are referring to field and security combo.

st762

markc · « **Reply #21 on:** December 01, 2010, 04:51:31 AM »

SwampThing, that is the one. It seems as though they had a catchy name for the Combo back then, but since it was in the early 1980's I don't recall what it was. My department came out with a policy restricting patrol shotguns to those with a crossbolt safety among other things which meant the Mossy was out. So I sent it to the in-laws and bought a Winchester Defender. I carried it for years and then they came out with a policy restricting shotguns to Benelli's or Remington 870's.

SwampThing762 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 02, 2010, 04:31:28 PM »

The 870 is the better choice, in my opinion. You have more accessory options and a better price tag. I recently picked up a Remington 870 Magnum Express in 12 gauge. I traded a Yugo SKS for it. I think I got the better end of that deal. Ammo for the SkS and Ak series of rifles is becoming more expensive, and not cost efficient to reload. I can reload my 12 gauge hulls for about 12-15 cents per hull after the initial firing. Slugs are only about 85 cents per load, even cheaper if I use Lyman sabot slugs.

ST762