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As a certified wildlife biologist representing ranch buyers, particularly those wanting to hunt Bobwhite quail, I am often tasked with finding something in the “sand sheet”. What is the sand sheet and why does it have the reputation of being the very best quail country in Texas, or the world for that matter? The […]
Research just out from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M by Dr. Charles Gilliland indicates that the recent buying frenzy is dying down and ranch buyers are becoming more selective. https://mailchi.mp/mays/reporttexas-rural-land-buying-frenzy-wanes What is the take away from this? It means buyers once again have the luxury to be more selective, taking their time to […]
Ranch brokers in Texas are required to use contracts formulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission. The Farm and Ranch contract runs to 11 pages and with addendums and exhibits, can grow to 20 pages. Even at that, not every aspect of the land is addressed leaving a lot of questions. And, while calling in […]
Hunting is a great way to get young people outside and learn stewardship of Nature.
As the drought continues, coupled with scorching heat, ranch sales continue. The uncertain stock market, record inflation, and the housing boom are all fueling ranch buyers with money to invest. If you are thinking of selling, water seems to be the biggest indicator of a “good” ranch. I recently represented the buyer on a ranch […]
In South Texas, it is important at times to provide supplemental water for wildlife.
NEWS RELEASE FROM THE REAL ESTATE CENTER AT TEXAS A&M A year in which Texas rural land sales reached unprecedented highs ended with a surprising slowdown. Total land sales for 2021 surpassed 2020 by 17.8 percent. That was despite a fourth quarter with 953 fewer sales than the same period of 2020. “There were 9,055 […]
This tract lies SE of Anywhere and has a history of intensive cattle stocking. The previous owner ran a cell system on this place and much of it had been cleared and planted to Kleingrass. Remnant clumps of Kleingrass can still be seen and they provide excellent nesting cover. There are is one high-fenced […]
The next few days will be miserable outside, so what better time to sit by the fire with a good book? Finding, Buying and Developing a Ranch in South Texas is a quick read in two parts. Part 1 covers looking for a ranch, assessing it, and the buying process. Where do I want to […]
2021 ended with the closing on the last tract of Rocky Ranches, a six-tract accumulation put together over the years by J.D. and Carol Williams. J.D. was a D.C tax lawyer and lobbyist originally from Oklahoma that fell in love with the red sandy country around Pearsall. While J.D. wouldn’t kill a deer to save […]
The nine day overlap of dove and quail season in the South Zone is heaven for bird hunters.
RUBY IS READY TO START THE HOLIDAYS WITH A LONG HUNT THRU THE GREAT OUTDOORS. HOPE YOU ALL ARE WELL AND HAVE FRIENDS AND FOOD TO BE THANKFUL FOR, JIM
On opening day of the South Zone dove season, I have to look back at one of my best dogs and share again the tale of her last outing.
I reported in an earlier post that the recent rains, following a significant drought, had resulted in abundant Three-seed croton in South Texas. A little further to the north at the Rockpile, the drought was of course followed initially by a severe freeze/snow event lasting several days then a cumulative rain of some 14 inches! […]
It’s that time of year again; time when does leave their fawns for a nap, sometimes in odd places. And either I’m getting better at spotting them, or there are more fawns this year. Two new ones on my morning walk today at Regional Park here in Castroville. So, leave mowing that vacant field for […]
Quail are in trouble in South-Central Texas and it can be frustrating to be a quail hunter in a poor year. Perhaps the biggest reason for the decline in quail numbers is the fragmentation of the habitat across the state combined Sorry, but not everyone can be an heir to a big ranch and, […]
I am getting reports that pairs of Bobwhites are showing up all over South Texas so with eternal optimism, I pray for a great hatch. Last season was very bad over most of Texas, even in areas where the birds normally do well. As usual, I get reports of pairs where people say there simply […]
Built out of left-over PVC pieces and hardware cloth, this raised feeder with a store-bought feed bin finally saw some action. Known as Black-bellied tree ducks or Mexican whistling ducks, these birds nest in tree crags. Beautiful if somewhat subdued plumage, they actually sound as if they are whistling when in flight. More info below. […]
I like to give clients a lock when they close on their new ranch. There is just something rewarding about putting a lock on your gate to your ranch. Sometimes it takes a lot of study, work, and creative financing to buy a ranch, but once done, the rewards are great, starting with locking the […]
In times of social and economic uncertainty, land, raw or improved, is a great comfort. Two hundred acres or twenty thousand, land in Texas is valuable and getting more so daily. Drop me a line and we can start the search for your getaway in South Texas or the Hill Country.
On a recent consulting job, the continuing drought in South Texas was brought home to me. As I was in eastern Frio Co., about 12 miles E-SE of Pearsall, it was not as bad as last weeks visit to Artesia Wells, but still sobering. This particular ranch is mostly a deep sand and as such, […]
Brokers/agencies that advertise ranches represent the SELLER, not you. I can represent YOU at no cost, giving you the edge when looking, negotiating, and buying your ranch. Ranches are complex, made up of location, soils, vegetation, weather, history, improvements, minerals, and price. Everybody should have experienced advice when comparing ranches. With 35 years as a […]
Bobwhite quail management requires attention to the weather and the calendar.
Readers of my blog will remember that I addressed Covid and it’s potential effect on ranch prices at the onset of the pandemic. I postulated that the crisis would have a similar effect as that of the 2008 financial crisis and it appears I was correct, so far. In a recent presentation, Dr. Charles Gilliland […]
I have two Labrador retrievers and I love to hunt birds. Zucker, (German for “sugar”), is 13 and ‘Becca is 5. I like to stagger my dogs as I’ve found having a young pup keeps an older dog frisky longer while the presence of a mature dog helps calm a young one. Zucker is pretty […]
Buying a ranch is often the greatest investment a buyer will make in his or her lifetime and should not be undertaken lightly. Admittedly, while ranches are simply toys for some people, land ownership and the transfer of ownership is serious business. Unlike a car, you cannot just “take it back” if you find something […]
Almost 70 years (in July) and I am still amazed by the resiliency of South Texas flora. As you can see below, Texas, and Medina Co. just west of San Antonio, where the Rockpile Ranch is located, is in a severe drought. Bluebonnets came up in profusion, but about half flowered weakly then went to […]
As a young boy I loved the outdoors and was blessed with “woods” just outside the back door. Perhaps a thousand acres of floodplain, the land could not be developed and thus was an island in the midst of San Antonio growth to the north. I walked every acre, fought off Indians and bad guys, […]
As a ranch buyer’s rep, I am frequently asked when the ranch market will soften or even crash with all the uncertainty in the world today. The answer is, “not yet”, and if 2008 is any indication, it won’t soften or crash. Long gone are the “mom and pop” ranches where the family had to […]
I moved my “rental cows” to my best pasture today, a plot of good carry-over grass from last year. While I was saving the pasture for later, agricultural termites have moved in and are quickly spreading. Nothing but a good rain will subdue them, so the cows need to graze what little grass is left. […]
Driving on a back road yesterday, I noticed a glaring example of poor grazing management. One side with thick carry over forage from last year, one side bare dirt. I know we are in a drought, I know some managers are hurting financially, but overgrazing is never the answer. Admittedly, the one on the left […]
It’s that time of year, fawns are starting to drop and we Humans need to be very observant and cautious. Fawns are left by the does between feedings, sometimes well-hidden, sometimes not. Natural camouflage works in most instances, but they can be left out in the open, too. Please refrain from shredding for a few […]
With the opening of the North Zone tomorrow, thousands of Texans will be heading afield in search of dove. Lucky hunters will enjoy the companionship of a dog. It is critical to watch your dog closely for heat exhaustion. Many retrievers are also house dogs and have been inside so […]
To celebrate three years of blogging, I ask you to peruse my efforts writing about ecology, wildlife management, bird dogs, and life in the brush country. My Blog
I am continually amazed and humbled to see the effects of rainfall on the red sandy country south of San Antonio. Just weeks ago, I was resigned to yet another bad year for Bobwhite quail, perhaps spectacularly bad. Yet, unexpected rains over much of the Rio Grande Plain have brought to fruition our meager efforts […]
In an earlier post, I mentioned that smaller rural tracts were in great demand here in Medina Co. This was not reflected in the stats from the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M, so I asked what size acreage was being tracked. Turns out, the tract size was concealing the boom. Once adjusted for 50 […]
The last 18 months have been increasingly stressful for Texans. This seems to have resulted in a “land boom” for country tracts. In a very interesting article from Bizjournals, Dr. Charles Gilliland from the Texas A&M Real Estate Center reports a 28.9% increase in rural land sales. I have experienced this surge here in Medina […]
DESCRIPTION: This tract is incredibly unique for two reasons; first, it has been in the same family since Castroville was settled, well over 150 years ago, and second, it is still in its native state. Except for minimal roadways and wildlife senderros/food plots, the ranch appears as it was when first viewed by Alsatian settlers […]
With all the depressing news about Covid, it is uplifting to see some good come out of it. Across the United States, hunting and fishing license sales are greatly increased due to the pandemic. Texas is no exception. This is good news for several reasons. First of all, it means increased revenues to Texas Parks […]
As the old saying goes, timing is everything. For those wildlife managers that have started their cool season discing, kudos! For those that have not, it’s time to make plans and check the oil in the tractor. Fall or cool-season discing is the cheapest way to supplement the Bobwhite diet. Of course, most wildlife benefits […]
It is deja vu all over again at Rockpile Ranch. We just received a nice 3 inch rain on Rockpile after a hot, dry Summer. The difference is, this time the rain was followed by very cool nights, 43 this morning, with a chance of a freeze tonight. Unfortunately, this rain will not revive the […]
We just closed on the sale of the Mack Ranch in Medina Co.. Listed during Covid and sold during Covid. Easily the best part of my work involves matching buyers with their dream ranch. Although this was my own listing, I represented the seller 12 years ago when he bought it, and the ranch has […]
Instead of listening to the incessant empty talking heads of the media, I took an extra long walk at the ranch today to restore tranquility. I’d much rather look at Ruby’s butt moving through the brush than anything on TV or the web. Said an extra prayer for a peaceful election, but doubt I have […]
Such an amazing dog that has enriched and no doubt lengthened my life. A bit standoffish at first, she has warmed up to me and Eileen a lot in five years. Sometimes, she still thinks she is a puppy and curls up in her tiny puppy bed. Other times, she is the Master of the […]
What if you do everything right and still don’t have quail?
In spite of Covid and social unrest, my thoughts are turning to a cold drink and a hot shotgun on the edge of a stocktank or sunflower field. Summer is upon us and we only have to endure another six weeks and bird season is here! What better way to social distance than sitting on […]
Has Covid affected ranch sales?
I was at the Rockpile, my small place south of Castroville the other day to check on the “rental cows”, cows that belong to a friend but spend the summer at my place just to keep the grass down and the taxes low and noticed this guy laying in the left rut. Sights such as […]
As coffee shops across Texas reopen, talk will center on the effects of the pandemic on the economy. Closer to home, my conversations with friends and clients often focus on how Covid will affect ranch prices. A common hope among sellers is that it will have little effect while among buyers, the hope is for […]
Below are my sales for the last several years. I deal in ranches from 200 acres and up, and work with buyers who primarily want their ranch for wildlife enjoyment, with or without extensive management. The buyers come from all walks of life; some pay cash, some use financing, all variations with wildlife as the […]
Exactly two months ago today, March 15, Eileen and I were enjoying Spring Break at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi. I had recently helped close on a nice ranch in Bee Co., and Eileen was battling several “problem children” at the university, so the break was appreciated and overdue. The food was wonderful, the weather […]
Life goes on in spite of the Corona Virus. Nature is a great balm for a troubled soul.
We are unfortunately living in times of great uncertainty. Concerns about our health, our finances, and our families and future are at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts. I am blessed to have a small tract of land near the house and can drive out and escape the craziness on the web and on TV. Should […]
Adapting to “social distancing”, I offered to show the 544 in Medina co. without getting near the client!
In today’s digital age, having a broker represent you in a land purchase is more important than ever.
Determination, patience, and professionalisim pays off!
Best wishes to you and yours for a very Merry Christmas from Jim (and Ruby) at Quailpro. Back at selling good ranch properties after the 1st and praying for some serious rain across Texas to make my job easier!
For the second time this week, I was asked to speak to a gathering, this time to the South Texas Area Farm and Ranch Club. Unlike my workshop with the best and brightest from St. Mary’s Business School, this presentation was about my career as a biologist specializing on Bobwhite quail. As this audience came […]
Today I returned to St. Mary’s University to speak to seniors in the Greehey School of Business. The visit, as it was last year, is a chance for two-way communication between a decidedly seasoned businessman and the best and brightest new marketing consultants soon to be released into the real world. Primary topic was my […]
While it may be hard to get into the holiday spirit when it’s 70 degrees outside, I wanted to wish everyone a great holiday season. And, if you have plans to buy or sell a ranch in 2020, give me a call and we can get started. One man, one office, 35 years of experience […]
Long, long ago, in a place far, far away called California, I had the honor of commanding some fine young Marines in the First Platoon, Bravo Co., First Tank Battalion, First Marine Division at Camp Pendleton. Like me, some passed thru the Marine Corps briefly, others made it a lifetime vocation. Life as a Marine […]
An old farts sojourn into social media; writing a blog for ranch buyers.
What impact will the recent rain have on South Texas? Coming in early Fall, after a very dry Summer, the moisture will still be effective due to the continued warmer temperatures. Had it come much later, cooler temps would have negated much of the impact short term. Moisture is always welcome, but, like fixing a […]
For many years, residential property sales were dominated by the agent. The listing agent listed a house, a buyer’s agent brought a buyer, and after some negotiation, the sale went through, over and over millions of times a year across the U.S.. In the Digital Age, that scenario may be on the way out as […]
I had an opportunity to visit with an old Aggie friend near Devine the other day. He wanted to know what the family place was worth in today’s market. As a Broker, I cannot give an “opinion of value” as we did in the old days, but can still offer my opinion of what it […]
Section III. Timing Your Purchase and Improvements Does it make any difference when you buy your ranch, when you high fence a ranch, when you dig a new stocktank? In this section, I provide some suggestions as to when to implement your plans, either for buying or developing your new ranch. Ch. 3-1: When to […]
Great day previewing a solid deer/quail/dove ranch in deep South Texas.
First dove hunt of 2019 tired us both out, but in a good way.
The long shovels are stacked and waiting and the pits (actually re-purposed B-52 engine shipping containers) are relatively cold now. Later this evening, a huge bonfire will be lit to much celebration and the coals will be loaded tonight. Carefully tended by parishioners doing jobs handed down for generations, the long shovel handles will not […]
Time to get yourself, and your dog, in shape for Dove season.
Saw this guy dart across the road on the Rockpile and drop into the first cover he hit. Still very young and, as you can see, still in the “freezing” mode. I drove up at took this pic leaning out the window and he never budged. So I ask my readers to hold off another […]
In my travels this week, I have been from Castroville to Encino, down to Pearsall, back to Falfurrias, then out to D’hanis and of course to my small place south of Castroville. Key indicators I look for are native sunflower and croton. Overall conditions are very good and remain green although there are some dry […]
Over the course of 35 years in the wildlife consulting business, I have seen management emphasis change from cow-calf operations with deer leasing as an adjunct to pure deer programs with no cows and the agricultural exemption from ad valorem taxes granted for wildlife management alone. Whitetail deer are big business in Texas, all over […]
Supplemental feeding of deer has come a long way. Use some simple steps to save money and increase effectiveness of your feed dollar.
Last summer I had the ‘guest cows’ removed early due to a lack of rain. Of course, it started raining soon thereafter and it was a wet winter. Ponds are still going around and there is a surplus of cured forage going to waste. What I hope to achieve is a reduction of surplus that […]
As part of the monthly meeting of the Texas Alliance of Land Brokers, some 60 farm and ranch brokers were updated on current research into the “control” of feral pigs by the “chief pig biologist” at the Kerr Wildlife Mgmt. Area near Hunt, Texas. As anyone who has spent time in the outdoors in Texas […]
I’m sure you’ve heard it said that nothing is constant in Nature. Your piece of Nature is no exception and is constantly changing, even though day to day it may appear to be the same. Some changes are relatively rapid, such as grass growing. Others are slower, such as the filling of a pond […]
At a clients request, I drove to Aspermont to preview a ranch that has just come on the market. Although a long way from South Texas, I always enjoy the drive and seeing some really good country. This place is ideal for quail, composed entirely of Nobscot sand, key to quail numbers in that part […]
While it is a fact that most of us Texans or Texas-transplants cannot own a 10,000 acre spread, or a 1,000 acres for that matter, does not mean we cannot manage and enjoy what piece of this great State we are lucky enough to own. Whether you own 30 acres or 300, there are still […]
That living chunk of dirt with all its inhabitants that you just bought, now known as “The Ranch”, can get along for a time without food, but not without water. Certainly, rainfall will replenish moisture in the soil, which takes care of the amoebas, worms and insects. Others, like Bobwhites, snakes and javelina, get by […]
Now that you own a ranch, what is a ranch, what is it you own? A ranch, be it 10 acres or 10,000 acres is a living machine. It takes in moisture and sunlight and converts them into food, food for animals, insects, and plants. Such a machine is known as an ecosystem. A square […]
Some may not know that Bluebonnets actually sprout about now and lie close to the ground until Spring. So, if you’re giving your lawn one last cutting before Winter, set it high so you don’t damage young Bluebonnets. Out on the range, look for young native sunflower that has a similar life history, sprouting in […]
I really love my job! Yesterday I had the pleasure of showing 6,000 acres of ideal quail habitat deep inside the King Ranch to a prospect. We drove for miles through great habitat that, after 30 inches of rain, has never looked better. In fact, this ranch needs only judicious grazing/burning/discing to make it the […]
I had the pleasure of addressing a senior marketing class recently at St. Mary’s University. Subject of the class was how a “mature” businessman adjusts to social media and makes it effective in a small business. Lots of good questions from the class and suggestions for me to improve my public image. Best response of […]
Once you have reached an agreement with the Seller and the contract has been receipted at a title company, there are several actions you need to monitor. First of all, ensure that a surveyor has been retained and has all the documentation possible to do his job. Even if the Seller is paying for the […]
As a ranch broker with 30+ years’ experience in South Texas, and a Certified Wildlife Biologist specializing in the red sandy country, my business has been directly impacted by developments over the Eagle Ford Shale. I remember the last oil boom, the Austin Chalk. Although on a smaller scale, that boom occurred over much of […]
Sharing your life with a good dog is like having a non-judgmental best friend that just doesn’t talk much. Ruby is finally out of the puppy stage and has matured into a companion looking for ways to please.
A wildlife rain water collection system need not be a major project. Below are pictures of a “wildlife guzzler” I build in remote areas that are short of well water or ponds. FYI, a one inch rain on a 10 ft. by 12 ft. roof will yield 75 gallons of water! Start with 6 “T” […]
After an exhaustive search, you’ve found a ranch located in the area you want, priced no more than 20% above your purchase limit, and has the soils, vegetation, and improvements that you desire. More importantly, you “like” this ranch. It is time to buy the place and get on with enjoying it. The Farm and […]
Once you and your Broker have found several ranches that seem to fit your requirements, it is time to take a look, a “showing”. A showing is when you finally get to take a tour of the property. Usually on the first showing, both the Listing Broker and the Buyer’s Broker will be present. Follow-up […]
After 25 years representing ranch buyers across Central and South Texas, I’ve heard any number of reasons the ranch is for sale. Sometimes the owners have accomplished all they set out to do, they have their trophies and have come to know all the deer on the place. Or, they may get too old to […]
You cannot help but to notice that the economy is in the news. On every talk show, in every paper, and leading off most newscasts is a gloomy report on the economy. If you have not been affected, that’s great; hopefully it won’t be too bad in Texas. If it does strike home, and you […]
Chapter 1-3. The Prospectus The prospectus, or “package”, is a valuable tool in looking for a ranch. When I started in the business back in the 80’s, packages were paper and consisted of a text description of the ranch, some deer pics, a location map, and a topo. Now, with advances in technology, a “package” […]
As a ranch broker with 25 years’ experience in South Texas, and a Certified Wildlife Biologist specializing in the red sandy country, my business has been directly impacted by the recent developments over the Eagle Ford Shale. I remember the last oil boom, the Austin Chalk. Although on a smaller scale, that boom occurred over […]
O.K., now you have decided on one Broker to represent you in the search for and purchase of your “dream” ranch. You have ensured that this broker has participated in the sale/purchase of similar properties in the past in the areas you prefer. I harp on experience for several reasons, one in particular. As a […]
I have two Labrador retrievers and I love to hunt birds. Zucker, (German for “sugar”), is 13 and ‘Becca is 5. I like to stagger my dogs as I’ve found having a young pup keeps an older dog frisky longer while the presence of a mature dog helps calm a young one. Zucker is pretty […]
