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 […]
Back to Quail Nirvana
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 […]
Managing the Smaller Ranch
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 […]
Chapter 2-1: What IS a Ranch?
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 […]
Bluebonnets Are Up!
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 […]
6,000 Acres of the Best Hunting in South Texas
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 […]
Chapter 4, Choosing YOUR Ranch
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 […]
The Last Retrieve
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 […]