Category: Uncategorized

Baby Fawns Everywhere, Be Careful and Hold Up On Mowing

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 […]

Has Texas’ land rush run its course? Record year ends with quarterly sales decline

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 […]

ADDENDUM TO A TYPICAL RANCH 1-D-1 APPLICATION FOCUSING ON QUAIL

   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 […]

ICED IN? BORED? READ MY FREE BOOK!

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 […]

The end of a great era, Rocky Ranch is sold.

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 […]

Remembering Zucker on Opening Day

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.

Dove Season Starts Tomorrow; Is Fido Ready?

          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 […]

50 Years in the Brush Country of South Texas and Never Leave Your Armchair

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

Drought, Snow, and Floods, OH MY! Results At Rockpile Ranch.

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! […]