It's time to review the operations of outfitter Ric Martin (Trophy Adventures). Martin, you'll recall, received SCI's Outstanding Professional Hunter award in 1989. Considering that to date SCI has recognized only 26 outfitters in the entire world, this gives you some idea of the magnitude of this special honor. But, this specific award is only one result of Martin's 30 years in the outfitting business. Perhaps his finest awards have been earned by his hunters! For example, his clients have claimed three New Mexico state sheep records - one each by archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunters. The rifle award, for one, was the result of three years of hard work. Martin had found a huge ram numerous times during scouting trips, but couldn't find him when it counted. Finally, in 1996, they located the ram seven miles away from where they found him while scouting, and it was over. Scoring 192-6/8 B & C points, the massive ram joined the elite ranks of only a handful of rams. So, if you are ever lucky enough to draw a New Mexico sheep permit, Trophy Adventures would be a good choice for that "trip of a lifetime."
Martin charges $4,500 for the hunt, plus an additional $1,000 trophy fee for a ram that makes B & C. The hunt is scheduled for 10 days, which is the duration of the season. By the way, Martin also offers desert sheep hunts in Mexico! On these hunts, clients should expect rams scoring in the mid-160s or better at a price of between $50,000 and $55,000 depending on the ranch hunted. Of course, the cost includes the permits and licenses.
Speaking of Mexico, Martin pretty much pioneered deer outfitting here by US outfitters. At this point he has been outfitting in Sonora for 17 years, more than twice as long as most other US outfitters operating here now. Martin started hunting Coues deer northeast of Hermosillo and added desert mule deer shortly thereafter. Today, he leases five ranches for Coues deer covering more than 90,000 acres where he hosts from 25 to 30 clients........(continued)
