We all want to attract and hold game on our property, but that’s often easier said than done. Intensive deer management can be an overwhelming project to take on, but if you start with the basics you can really accomplish a lot with a little. This is the first of four articles that will go in depth on how to practically manage your property to attract and hold white-tailed deer. Keep in mind that these practices can be accomplished in any region of the south or mid-west and can coincide with the management of various types of livestock.
No matter where you own property, intensive deer management has the same basic elements, food, water, and cover. I’ve learned a lot over the years, but the Quality Deer Management Association sums it up the best. They have a framework of management that is not only easy to follow and learn from but it’s fairly straightforward in implementing as well. They break it down into four parts (4-cornerstones); habitat management, herd management, hunter management and herd monitoring. Over the course of these articles we will highlight the key aspects of each cornerstone. Be sure and click on the links to learn more about each one.
To begin, you have to have the right piece of property to grow and hold quality white-tails. Also, having large, like-minded neighbors is another crucial ingredient, but not an absolute necessity, and once you have that in place its time to focus on the details.
Timber stand improvement (TSI) is one of the most important management techniques in holding deer on your property. Having adequate bedding cover and the ability to give the deer a sanctuary is pivotal to ensuring they don’t leave your property to find it elsewhere. Managing your timber stand will also maximize the food tonnage your property can produce. Deer need cover and food all throughout the year to survive; so managing your timber effectively will cover most of those needs. Sound timber management can also increase your property’s huntability and make it more profitable as an additional source of revenue. Try to provide a diversity of stand types whether its hardwood, pine, or open pasture. https://www.qdma.com/hack-squirt-timber-stand-improvement/
Your hard mast species such as oaks, maple, birch and willow can provide food as well as cover. Soft mass species like persimmon, plum, muscadine, black gum and beautyberry are equally as important. Other plant species that serve as forbs such as ragweed, goldenrod and native legumes make up the majority of the native browse that deer depend on during the warmer months of the year.
Just remember, when managing your timber stand its important to have a plan. The best way to approach this is to involve a professional to assess what you already have. Learn the market and have a forest service professional advise you on how and where to cut. https://www.qdma.com/get-cash-assistance-habitat-projects/ http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu Harvesting timber isn’t all that bad for wildlife; in fact, it could be your missing link. TSI isn’t just removing the less desirable trees, it’s managing them, and often, making them work for you. Creating bedding cover with your less desirable timber is often an overlooked tool.
For example, if you have a stand of mixed hardwoods with sweet gum or black gum (tupelo) trees mixed in, they could be competing with your oaks for sunlight. Totally removing the gum trees would obviously help in acorn production, but take a step back and look at ways they could work for you. Half-cutting or hinge cutting here could get you the best of both worlds. Hinge cutting the black gums will open up the canopy for the oaks which will increase acorn production, but also double as bedding cover. Also, once the gums are cut, they will produce sprouts that will then provide additional forage within a white tail’s reach. https://www.qdma.com/create-living-thicket-cover-hinge-cutting/
Managing your pastures and open areas can make a large impact on deer density as well. The majority of a deer’s diet, especially during the warmer months, is comprised of the successional vegetation that naturally occurs after the last frost. Plants such as ragweed, goldenrod, poison ivy, green briar, honeysuckle and various native legumes grow throughout Texas and Oklahoma; however, most uninformed land managers mow them down because they appear as weeds, especially in the summertime. https://www.qdma.com/video-better-hunting-early-successional-cover/ Now if your property produces hay or some other type of crop, managing the field edges can also produce additional tons of needed forage for white-tails while providing them a little extra security when traveling fence/tree rows. Also, implementing a regiment of prescribed burns will help maximize the potential for both your timber and open areas. Again, remember to always consult with a professional before attempting a burn. https://www.qdma.com/4-ways-light-prescribed-fire/ If done correctly, prescribed burns can be the cheapest and most effective ways to manage your ranch.
Once you have a handle on your native forage, supplementing with food plots can be another impactful tool to attracting and holding deer. If your property produces large amounts of native forage and browse, food plots may not even be needed. Many people go straight to the plow when they want to set their property up for deer and in some cases, do more harm than good. So, remember: food plots are just icing on the cake. Before you plant, take an evaluation of what you already have in terms of native forage and develop your plan from there. For years, we unknowingly mowed and sprayed tons of quality forage to make way for a food plot. Once the plot was established we were lucky to get half of the quantity that was already there due to weather or improper seedbed preparation. It was a frustrating process, but over the years we’ve learned to enhance what God gives us and supplement where it’s needed. Native forage such as beautyberry, pokeweed, sumac, and partridge pea, to name just a few, occur naturally and abundantly all across the south. These plants have high levels of protein, provide cover for fawns, and food for other species such as upland game birds and songbirds.
When planting food plots keep one thing in mind… variety. https://www.qdma.com/plant-food-plot/ Mixing it up and rotating your plots are the keys to success here. Be sure and consult with your local Ag extension service or the NRCS https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/tx/home/ to ensure soil quality/type before investing in seed and fertilizer. There is no magic recipe when it comes to food plots, it all depends on soil types, and what your land is able to produce. Many types of plots such as Lablab, iron clay peas, and various clovers are highly adaptable and can be grown just about anywhere. https://www.qdma.com/video-power-grain-sorghum-summer-food-plots/
However, like the previous intensive deer management techniques we’ve discussed for land, stop and develop a plan before you plant. Personally, on our hunting property, we have discovered that the placement of the food plots was one of the most important factors. Once we established what worked in the different seasons we tweaked the placement of the plots to fit their purpose. Some of our plots served as strictly attracting and feeding the deer. They needed supplemental forage, especially in the dead of winter, and these plots served that purpose. The other plots served as attractor/hunting plots, and one in the interior of our place served as a sanctuary plot that was completely left alone. Over the years, most of these plots have been left fallow for a season or two, then re-established and planted again. Our goal now is to be more consistent with the rotation and implementing more clover across the property to replenish the nitrogen levels in the soil. It took several years but we finally dialed in a program that works.
Implementing these intensive deer management practices can not only improve your property and its ability to attract and hold deer, but it can greatly increase the value of your property. Land that is intensively managed can bring a far greater dollar per acre value than land that is left completely unmanaged. It’s all a work in progress so have fun with it. Teach your kids or grandkids how to manage the land and they’ll have a far greater appreciation for it, and for the deer they take this fall.
Download Printable eBook for this Article
Stephen Schwartz is a Texas licensed farm and ranch real estate agent with Hortenstine Ranch Company and a graduate of Texas A&M with a BS in Agricultural Engineering. Mr Schwartz has also earned a Level 1 Deer Steward QDMA from Clemson University. Learn more about Stephen Schwartz at https://hrcranch.com/stephen-schwartz/
TACKLING A THORNY PROBLEM: Pricklypear Removal
/in Texas Ranch Broker Articles /by Blake HortenstineAs any experienced rancher knows, rangeland requires regular maintenance, especially when it comes to controlling invasive species, such as Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri, more commonly known as the Texas pricklypear. The cactus, native to the American Southwest, can be a particularly, uh, thorny problem. During drought, pricklypear grows when nothing else will and can quickly overtake an entire pasture. If you’re finding massive stands of pricklypear where once tall grasses waved, it’s time to get serious and call in the experts.
Unless you’re an experienced land manager and you know what you have to do, it’s best to start with a phone call to the local USDA office. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Resources Conservation Service provides advice and assistance to landowners to restore wetlands, recover losses after wildfires, and control invasive species. Federal grants to assist with the cost of brush removal and land restoration are available through the NCRS Environmental Quality Incentive Program. Each state has its own NCRS website with extensive information about available assistance, programs, and local conditions and NCRS agents can help on a one-on-one basis.
Through its Brush Busters program, the Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Service also provides do-it-yourself instructions for pricklypear removal on its website.
Proven methods of Pricklypear Removal
There are two generally recommended ways to get rid of pricklypear: spraying or mechanical removal with a grubbing hoe (isolated plants) or a skid-loader (large stands). Occasionally, controlled burns can be used, but burning requires lots of ancillary dry brush (cactus don’t burn easily) and fire isn’t selective. Burn bans in place throughout much of the Southwestern U.S. also take this method off the table for most.
Spraying and grubbing have distinct advantages and disadvantages, depending upon the size of the cactus growth and surrounding vegetation. Temperature and rainfall also can impact the success of your method. And cost can be an important consideration.
Digging up cactus with a skid-loader is generally considered the most effective, immediate, and ecologically friendly way to remove large stands of pricklypear. It can, however, be costly, with rates for the equipment and operator reaching $80 to $100 an hour. Michael Dalrymple, a Mills County, Texas, contractor who specializes in brush removal, recommends a skid-loader equipped with a rock rake for attacking large stands of cactus. The tines of the rock rake permit dirt to fall back to the ground, thus reducing top soil loss and disposal weight. This process permits the operator to remove several inches of the root, enough to kill the plant.
Dalrymple recommends trenching a pit and burying the uprooted cactus under 18″ to 24″ of dirt. (Unlike cedar which can be piled and burned, piled cactus will re-root and grow into an impenetrable mound.)
It’s also important to collect as many of the fallen pads as possible. Each pad left on the ground has the potential to root and form a new cactus.
While mechanical removal can be done all year, fall and early winter are optimum to permit reseeding in time for the growing season.
2. Herbicides
Spraying works best on individual plants and thin growths of pricklypear. Because pads and stems must to be thoroughly coated, it’s virtually impossible eradicate a large, dense stand with ground-level spraying. It’s also important to avoid spraying near trees and mature vegetation, as their roots can take up the poison.
Aerial spraying is occasionally recommended for large stands of cactus at a safe distance from trees and other desirable vegetation, which could be damaged or killed by the herbicide drift.
While cactus can be sprayed year-round, most recommend using herbicides in warm weather when rainfall is expected, as moisture facilitates the uptake of the poison.
It can take six to eight months to see results and more than one application is often required to kill the cactus.
The Dow AgroSciences division of Dow Chemicals makes several effective herbicides, though two of the most well-known, Tordon 22K® and Surmount®, are federally restricted and require a license for use. Some ranchers recommend Dow’s PastureGard® HL herbicide for spot maintenance, as it can be used without a license. The cost to hire a licensed applicator varies locally but can run upwards from $35 an hour plus the cost of the herbicide.
Once the cactus is gone, it’s important to reseed and restore the rangeland with a mix of native grasses, forbs (herbaceous flowering plants) and pollinators. Shop seed prices, as some native species can be very expensive.
Follow up, Follow up, Follow up
Invasive species management is never one and done. Spot spraying is the easiest way to remove isolated growths. Cactus growing near trees should be removed with a grubbing hoe to avoid damaging or killing the tree with heavy machinery or herbicides. It doesn’t take long for little cactus plants to become a big nuisance. However, with regular maintenance, your eradication efforts will pay dividends for years to come.
Download Printable eBook for this Article
Helpful Resources for Pricklypear Removal
Texas A&M University AgriLife Research and Extension Service
National Resources Conservation Service
Texas A&M AgriLife Brush Busters Program
Author: Blake Hortenstine
Toddie Lee Wynne Leaves Indelible Marks on Texas History
/in Land for Sale, North Texas Ranches /by Chad PolkHowever, the beginnings of Star Brand Ranch are as old as Texas. When the state’s settlers took up arms to win their freedom from Mexico, the nascent Republic called on William Nash to raise a militia from volunteers, and for that support and his service fighting, Nash was awarded land in St. Augustine County. In 1850, he swapped his grant for better land to the northwest, and it was there Nash and his family would quickly become a driving force in the new Kaufman County, founding both its First National Bank and its oil mill. Over the next few generations, the ranch would be home to statesmen like James Young—a U.S. Representative for Texas and husband of Nash’s granddaughter Allie—host the outlaws Bonnie and Clyde—who hid out on the ranch before being arrested and penning “The Story of Suicide Sal” in the Kaufman jail—and develop one of the most distinctive and important cattle brands in the state—a crescent moon over the star, the Star Brand.
But it was when Congressman Young’s daughter, Imogen, married Toddie Lee, who was the scion of another sprawling East Texas family, that Star Brand Ranch would seize its full potential and become a quintessential Texas institution, primed for cattle, hunting, and relaxation. “Fat Dad” and “Big Mimi”, as they were called by their grandchildren, added onto and modernized the old, elegant homestead, built a new complex of spacious barns, improved the pastures and planted new grasses, constructed an extensive private network of levees and irrigation, stocked all the ponds with fish, and even created a new 26 acre lake on the edge of the ranch’s southern rise. Their son-in-law planted a stand of pine trees around the shore; duck hunting there was strictly prohibited; and the Big Lake would dispense serenity and laughter to all their family and friends through those hectic years of the American midcentury.
The Wynne family didn’t keep Star Brand Ranch to themselves either. Toddie Lee’s son and daughter-in-law hosted the first Cattle Baron’s Ball on the lawn behind the Big House. Johnny Cash and Charlie Pride sang that night beneath those tall oak trees, and Cattle Baron’s Ball has gone on to become one of the leading fundraisers for cancer research in the world. Cattle Baron’s returned twice more: to the Big Lake in 1996 with Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings; then to the front pasture in 2009 with Julianne Hough and Montgomery Gentry. In 1992, Toddie Lee’s grandsons built the new Main Lodge and two wings of guest rooms and opened the Star Brand Ranch to executive retreats, private parties, and weddings, and for over two decades the brothers shared with new friends the great hospitality and relaxation their family had enjoyed for a century.
Today, the Main Lodge has been converted back to a family retreat, outlaws no longer stop by on their way to infamy, and the world’s perhaps even more hectic than it was when the Big Lake was new. But the Big House still stands proudly at the site of William Nash’s first cabin, the evening shadows are still cool and long like they were in the early days of Texas, the pines still bend in the breeze above the Big Lake, and slow herds of cattle still graze in the pastures as always. Members of the same family have been born, married, and buried on the land for the better part of 2 centuries, but history isn’t the past at Star Brand Ranch. History still lives there. The times change outside the white gates but never so quickly within.
Now, with 7 generations of fond memories and gratitude, the descendants of Toddie Lee Wynne are offering their historic ranch to the marketplace for the first time in 160 years, and they are excited to see the next owners write their own history there and add new chapters to the long legacy of an exceptional and beloved place—Star Brand Ranch.
Click to view complete details of this exclusive offering including video, maps, and photos: Star Brand Ranch.
Intensive Deer Management on Your Ranch
/in Texas Ranch Broker Articles /by Stephen SchwartzWe all want to attract and hold game on our property, but that’s often easier said than done. Intensive deer management can be an overwhelming project to take on, but if you start with the basics you can really accomplish a lot with a little. This is the first of four articles that will go in depth on how to practically manage your property to attract and hold white-tailed deer. Keep in mind that these practices can be accomplished in any region of the south or mid-west and can coincide with the management of various types of livestock.
No matter where you own property, intensive deer management has the same basic elements, food, water, and cover. I’ve learned a lot over the years, but the Quality Deer Management Association sums it up the best. They have a framework of management that is not only easy to follow and learn from but it’s fairly straightforward in implementing as well. They break it down into four parts (4-cornerstones); habitat management, herd management, hunter management and herd monitoring. Over the course of these articles we will highlight the key aspects of each cornerstone. Be sure and click on the links to learn more about each one.
Timber stand improvement (TSI) is one of the most important management techniques in holding deer on your property. Having adequate bedding cover and the ability to give the deer a sanctuary is pivotal to ensuring they don’t leave your property to find it elsewhere. Managing your timber stand will also maximize the food tonnage your property can produce. Deer need cover and food all throughout the year to survive; so managing your timber effectively will cover most of those needs. Sound timber management can also increase your property’s huntability and make it more profitable as an additional source of revenue. Try to provide a diversity of stand types whether its hardwood, pine, or open pasture. https://www.qdma.com/hack-squirt-timber-stand-improvement/
Your hard mast species such as oaks, maple, birch and willow can provide food as well as cover. Soft mass species like persimmon, plum, muscadine, black gum and beautyberry are equally as important. Other plant species that serve as forbs such as ragweed, goldenrod and native legumes make up the majority of the native browse that deer depend on during the warmer months of the year.
Just remember, when managing your timber stand its important to have a plan. The best way to approach this is to involve a professional to assess what you already have. Learn the market and have a forest service professional advise you on how and where to cut. https://www.qdma.com/get-cash-assistance-habitat-projects/ http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu Harvesting timber isn’t all that bad for wildlife; in fact, it could be your missing link. TSI isn’t just removing the less desirable trees, it’s managing them, and often, making them work for you. Creating bedding cover with your less desirable timber is often an overlooked tool.
For example, if you have a stand of mixed hardwoods with sweet gum or black gum (tupelo) trees mixed in, they could be competing with your oaks for sunlight. Totally removing the gum trees would obviously help in acorn production, but take a step back and look at ways they could work for you. Half-cutting or hinge cutting here could get you the best of both worlds. Hinge cutting the black gums will open up the canopy for the oaks which will increase acorn production, but also double as bedding cover. Also, once the gums are cut, they will produce sprouts that will then provide additional forage within a white tail’s reach. https://www.qdma.com/create-living-thicket-cover-hinge-cutting/
When planting food plots keep one thing in mind… variety. https://www.qdma.com/plant-food-plot/ Mixing it up and rotating your plots are the keys to success here. Be sure and consult with your local Ag extension service or the NRCS https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/tx/home/ to ensure soil quality/type before investing in seed and fertilizer. There is no magic recipe when it comes to food plots, it all depends on soil types, and what your land is able to produce. Many types of plots such as Lablab, iron clay peas, and various clovers are highly adaptable and can be grown just about anywhere. https://www.qdma.com/video-power-grain-sorghum-summer-food-plots/
However, like the previous intensive deer management techniques we’ve discussed for land, stop and develop a plan before you plant. Personally, on our hunting property, we have discovered that the placement of the food plots was one of the most important factors. Once we established what worked in the different seasons we tweaked the placement of the plots to fit their purpose. Some of our plots served as strictly attracting and feeding the deer. They needed supplemental forage, especially in the dead of winter, and these plots served that purpose. The other plots served as attractor/hunting plots, and one in the interior of our place served as a sanctuary plot that was completely left alone. Over the years, most of these plots have been left fallow for a season or two, then re-established and planted again. Our goal now is to be more consistent with the rotation and implementing more clover across the property to replenish the nitrogen levels in the soil. It took several years but we finally dialed in a program that works.
Implementing these intensive deer management practices can not only improve your property and its ability to attract and hold deer, but it can greatly increase the value of your property. Land that is intensively managed can bring a far greater dollar per acre value than land that is left completely unmanaged. It’s all a work in progress so have fun with it. Teach your kids or grandkids how to manage the land and they’ll have a far greater appreciation for it, and for the deer they take this fall.
Download Printable eBook for this Article
Upshur County Landowners Resource Guide
/in East Texas Ranches, Land for Sale, Texas Ranch Real Estate News /by Stephen Schwartzby Stephen Schwartz
Below is a list of helpful resources for Upshur County Land Owners.
Upshur County Eateries & Groceries:
While you do have your staple chain restaurants such as Subway and Milano’s Pizza, there are several unique places within just a short drive of the property. Also, you have a tremendous amount of opportunities awaiting in Tyler and Longview, both ~ 20 miles away.
Big Sandy
Circle M Crawfish
*excellent crawfish and shrimp
14449 HWY 155
Phone: (903) 636-9199
Hours: 11 AM-10 PM
Longhorn Smokehouse
10191 HWY 155
Phone: (903) 636-4208
Hours: 11AM- 9PM
Closed: M-W
Two-Rivers Grocery & Market
*excellent meat market, very clean and friendly
712 W Broadway St.
Phone: (903) 636-4083
Hawkins
Taste of Italy by the Lake
2448 CR 3440
Phone: (903) 769-0600
Hours: 11 AM-9 PM Tues-Thurs
11 AM-10 PM Fri/Sat
12-9 PM Sunday
Closed: Monday
Fairhaven Vineyards
5340 S FM 2869
Phone: (903) 769-4616
Hours: 10 AM-5PM Tue-Sat
Closed: Sun/Mon
Brookshire’s of Hawkins
1477 N Beulah St
Phone: (903) 769-5959
Hours: 6 AM-10 PM
Bodacious Bar-B-Q
1105 W Upshur Ave.
Phone: (903) 845-2311
Hours: 10 AM-8 PM
Tele’s Mexican Restaurant
401 S. Tyler St.
Phone: (903) 845-9999
Hours: 11 AM-9 PM
Brookshire’s of Gladewater
1300 E Broadway Ave
Phone: (903) 845-2189
Hours: 6 AM-10 PM
Other Local Favorites
Country Tavern
*Best Ribs in East Texas!!
TX-31, Kilgore 75662
Phone: (903) 984-9954
Hours: 11 AM- 9 PM Mon-Thur
11 AM- 10 PM Fri/Sat
Closed: Sunday
The Catch
* seafood
2551 S. Main St., Lindale 75771
Phone: (430) 235-2003
Hours: 10:30 AM- 10 PM Mon-Sat
10:30 AM- 9 PM Sunday
East Texas Burger Company
*old fashioned burgers and homemade fried pies
126 E. Broad St., Mineola 75773
Phone: (903) 569-3140
Hours: 11 AM- 8 PM Mon-Sat
11 AM- 3 PM Sunday
Upshur County Lodging:
Rustic Pines RV Park of Hawkins
170 Yates St. (Hawkins)
Phone: (903) 769-1017
Regency Inn
1009 E. Broadway Ave. (Gladewater)
Phone: (903) 845-8003
Best Western Mineola
100 Debby Ln. (Mineola)
Phone: (903) 569-5331
There are a host of small, local shops in Big Sandy and Hawkins, but just a short drive to Gladewater you’ll find a hardware store and a great feed/ranch supply store for all of your ranching needs.
Hewitt’s Farm Supply
101464 HWY 155 (Big Sandy)
Old Time Feed and Mercantile
907 S. Tyler St. (Gladewater)
Phone: (903) 845-5306
Hours: 7:30 AM-6 PM Mon-Fri
8 AM-1 PM Sat
Closed: Sunday
Ace Hardware
1620 E. Broadway Ave. (Gladewater)
Phone: (903) 845-5787
Hours: 7:30 AM-7 PM Mon-Fri
8 AM-6 PM Sat
Closed: Sunday
NAPA Auto Parts-Hawkins Auto and Farm Supply
500 E Front. St. (Hawkins)
Phone: (903) 769-2246
Hours: 7:30 AM-5:30 PM Mon-Fri
8 AM- 1 PM Sat
Closed: Sunday
Lowe’s (Lindale)
3200 S Main St.
Phone: (903) 579-2470
Hours: 7 AM-9 PM Mon- Sat
8 AM-8 PM Sunday
Wal Mart Supercenter-Lindale
105 E. Centennial Blvd.
Phone: (903) 882-0740
Wal Mart Supercenter-Gilmer
1102 US HWY 271
Phone: (903) 797-6501
Austin Bank (Big Sandy)
108 E. Broadway St.
Phone: (903) 636-4344
Hours: 9 AM-5 PM Mon-Fri
Closed: Sat/Sun
Gladewater National Bank
678 N Main St.
Phone: (903) 845-5566
Hours: 9 AM-4 PM Mon-Thur
9 AM-5 PM Friday
Closed: Sat/Sun
Game Warden: Kurt Kelley (903) 571-6805 or Derek Spitzer (903) 571-6820
Wild game processing: Mineola Packing Co. 906 E Broad St. Mineola (903) 569-5355
Nearest Airport: Gladewater Municipal Airport 1302 S. Tyler St. (903) 845-2116
Hospitals: UT Health Science Center at Tyler (903) 877-7000 uthealth.org
Dentist: Lakeview Dental Center 1800 S Pacific St., Mineola (903) 569-5569
Veterinarian: Gladewater Animal Clinic 1830 E. Broadway Ave., (903) 845-2293
Holly Lake Boarding Kennels: 215 PR 7922, Holly Lake Ranch, TX (903) 769-2400
Be sure to check out the newly renovated rodeo arena in Gladewater which is home to a big rodeo every summer. The 2017 summer rodeo is scheduled for June 5th-10th. Click to view details: http://www.gladewaterrodeo.
Stephen Schwartz is a Texas licensed farm and ranch real estate agent with Hortenstine Ranch Company and a graduate of Texas A&M with a BS in Agricultural Engineering. Mr Schwartz has also earned a Level 1 Deer Steward QDMA from Clemson University. Learn more about Stephen Schwartz at https://hrcranch.com/stephen-schwartz/
Texas Waterfront Land for Sale By HRC
/in Land for Sale /by Chad PolkHortenstine Ranch Company is proud to have an excellent collection of Texas waterfront land for sale. View some of our highlights below.
Lake Creek Ranch
1833.536+/- acres with a HUGE 550+/- ACRE PRIVATE LAKE set among scenic rolling terrain heavily wooded in oak and elm forests. Clear right-of-ways, scenic elevation change and excellent building locations. Raw land with limited improvements allows for a blank canvas to with endless possibilities. Learn more about Lake Creek Ranch.
Scenic Red River frontage, large spring-fed private lakes, spring-fed Pine Creek, dramatic topography changes, rolling coastal Bermuda pastures, timber-laden hills, and highly productive agricultural soils typify 4M Ranch. The ranch’s spectacular river peninsula, distinct shape and land plan fuse, creating a notable multi-purpose ranch with improved grasses for cattlemen, prime soils and pivots for working farmers and unique habitat diversity for sportsmen. Learn more about 4M Ranch.
Tranquility, privacy and unparalleled riverfront recreation await your family and friends at Walnut Hill on The Sabine. Located in the game-rich “Sabine Sanctuary,” this privacy fenced refuge contains one of East Texas’s rarest treasures. Learn more about Walnut Hill on the Sabine.
Situated between the Blue River and the Red River, Big Water Ranch is a stunningly well balanced combination recreational and agricultural ranch with excellent proximity to the Dallas /Ft. Worth Metroplex area. Wildlife and sportsmen benefit collectively from over 34 surface acres of stocked private lakes, 6 ponds up to 2.5 surface acres in size, fantastic hunting, private hardwood lined gravel roads, scenic topography, and Bermuda laden hay meadows. It is quite rare to find a ranch tract of this size so rich in water features and diverse in topography. Proximity to Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX. and Durant, OK. contributes to the relative scarcity of this property. With structural improvements limited to a 2-stall covered boathouse, Big Water Ranch provides a blank canvas for your lodging needs.
JT Ranch is a high quality combination ranch with scenic rolling topography, lush coastal pastures, superb 28+/- acre lake, abundant wildlife, beautiful hardwoods scattered throughout, numerous water wells, and first class improvements. The land offers a diverse range of use and is well suited for cattle and equestrian operations, hay production, hunting, and top quality fishing. Learn more about JT Ranch.
Mill Creek Ranch’s primary uses include: remarkable waterfowl hunting, dense cattle production, outdoor recreation and family fellowship in a memorable setting. Over a mile of spring-fed Mill Creek, dramatic topography changes, rolling coastal Bermuda pastures, timber-laden hills, and highly productive soils typify this remarkable multi-use East Texas ranch. The current owner has owned Mill Creek Ranch for over 30 years and it has never been on the market. Learn more about Mill Creek.
Whiskey Creek Ranch is a turnkey, first class operation. The owners have not overlooked any details in making this a truly exceptional ranch. A manicured front entrance leads up to the luxurious, custom built family log cabin. A large barn and building combo provides a place for equipment and storage. A fully stocked fishing pond sits just off the back porch and hunting blinds and feeders are set-up and ready for the sportsman. The incredible 46 Acre Whiskey Creek Reservoir borders the ranch and is at your disposal year round. This property is turnkey and ready to enjoy day one! Learn more about Whiskey Creek Ranch.
To tour any of these Texas waterfront land for sale properties or others, contacts us here.
View more ranches for sale in Texas.
Land Report Best Brokerage Award 5 Years Running
/in HRC Ranch Marketing /by Chad PolkHortenstine Ranch Company is proud to announce that it has received The Land Report Best Brokerage Award. This is the 5th consecutive year that Hortenstine Ranch Company has received the award. The award marks achievement in the real estate industry with only the top 100 best brokerages focusing on timberland properties, Texas ranches for sale, income-producing properties, productive farmland and recreational retreats being recognized by Land Report each year.
“We’d just like to thank everybody that has helped us along the way” says partner Cash McWhorter. “The referrals that opened up new opportunities, the hard work of all of our team, and the kind words of people we’ve worked with have all been key ingredients in our success, always serving to motivate us to go above and beyond the traditional real estate brokerage. Awards like this just confirm that what we’re doing is working and we look forward to giving our clients the same exceptional service as we round out 2016 and head into 2017.”
About Hortenstine Ranch Company
Hortenstine Ranch Company, LLC is focused on rural, recreational, and farms & ranches for sale in Texas. Our diverse and talented team can deliver the most advanced marketing strategies, ranch market analytics, professional mapping, photography, wildlife consultation, negotiation management, and Buyer & Seller representation. Our brokerage company continues to set the bar for the farm & ranch real estate market as proven by referrals and repeat business.
The Land Report Magazine
The Land Report magazine provides news, information, and insight into America’s land for existing and potential landowners. The Land Report profiles passionate landowners, identifies investment opportunities, explains ways to improve and conserve land, provides legislation updates, and highlights outdoor gear and equipment.
Hamilton County: Dove Capital of Texas!
/in Texas Ranch Broker Articles /by Chad PolkHamilton County History
This spirit of selflessness is also reflected in local 19th Century heroine Anne Whitney of Hamilton County. Anne was a schoolteacher who died protecting her students when Comanches attacked her one-room schoolhouse. It is this trait of selflessness that is claimed to be passed down from generation to generation and continues to reside in the hearts of the people of Hamilton County.
Hamilton County Places of Interests
Top Crops in Hamilton County (acres)
Forage-land used for all hay and haylage, grass silage, and greenchop
Wheat for grain, all
Winter wheat for grain
Oats for grain
Sorghum for grain
Top Livestock Inventory Items (number)
Cattle and calves
Goats, all
Sheep and lambs
Layers
Quail
The “Dove Capital of Texas”
In an effort to enhance wildlife habitat, Texas Parks and Wildlife has established five wildlife management associations within the county: Leon River Wildlife Management Association, North Vista Mountain Wildlife Management Association, Pecan Wells Wildlife Management Association (also part of Coryell County), Southwest Hamilton Wildlife Management Association and Plum Creek Wildlife Management Association. These associations are groups of private citizens joined together to manage their property for the benefit of wildlife. Hamilton County has seen many benefits from these associations such as cooperating with neighbors to enhance habitat values on a larger level.
Click here to view ranches available for purchase in Hamilton County.
Resources for Albany Texas Hunters and New Land Owners
/in Texas Ranch Broker Articles /by Blake HortenstineAlbany is located in Shackelford County in north central west Texas at the intersection between highways 283 and 180. Shackelford County covers 914 square miles of mesquite savannah and rolling plains, and presents itself as an opportunity to both hunters and those seeking recreational land. This article will cover some basic information about the county and give you tips on how to get the most out of your hunting experience in or near Albany, Texas.
Albany Texas Hunters and Land Owners Local Resources
Eateries & Groceries
While the only chain restaurant is a Dairy Queen, Albany plays host to some wonderful restaurants. A popular eatery in town is Ice House restaurant which features Mexican food and has 4.5 stars on Yelp. Another restaurant of note is the Beehive Restaurant, serving Modern American food with 4 stars on Yelp.
Fort Griffin General Merchandise (aka “The Beehive”)
525 Hwy 180 West
Phone: 325-762-3795
Hours: Lunch – 11:00am – 2:00pm;
Dinner: 6:00pm – 10:00pm;
Closed Sunday and Monday
beehivesaloon.com
Icehouse Restaurant
200 South 2nd Street
Phone: 325-762-3287
Hours: Lunch – 11:00am – 2:00pm;
Dinner – 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Icehouse in Albany on Facebook
Los Cazadores Mexican Grill
225 North Main Street
Phone: 325-762-3362
Hours: Breakfast – 6:00am Monday – Saturday;
Lunch / Dinner: 10:30am until 9:00pm
Closed Sunday
Los Cazadores in Albany on Facebook
Vintage Vanilla
104 South Main Street
Phone: 325-762-3030
Hours: Soda fountain/coffee bar/store – 8:30am – 5:300pm Monday – Saturday;Lunch – 11:00am – 2:00pm Monday – Friday.
Vintage Vanilla in Albany on Facebook
Donut Shop – Kalaches (great after a morning hunt!)
Hill Street
Hours: 6:00am – Noon
Brookshires of Albany
204 Walnut St, Albany, TX 76430
Phone:(325) 762-2792
Google map
Lodging
The Hereford Motel and the Reddy Inn and Suites are the primary motels/hotels in the area, but there are also several RV parks.
Albany Motor Inn & RV Campground
424 E. Hwy 180
Albany, TX 76430
Phone: 325-762-2451
www.albanyinntexas.com
Hereford Motel
557 Hwy 180 West
Albany, TX 76430
Phone: 325-762-2224
Lucky RV Park
33 North Ave. B
Albany, Texas 76430
(325)762-2101 / (325)207-1673
janmignon@gmail.com
REDDY INN & SUITES
724 US Hwy 283 South
Albany, TX 76430
(325)514-5048 or (718)598-8198
Shopping
In Albany, the county seat of Shackelford County, there are a host of different stores and specialty shops to fit your needs, with the highlight being the EZ Feed and Supply store, which offers complete animal nutrition, livestock, hunting supplies, and more.
The nearest Wal-Mart is located in Breckenridge, about 25 minutes east of Shackelford County.
Blanton-Caldwell Trading Co.
117, 125& 129 South Main
Phone: 325-762-2370
Open 10:00am – 5:30pm, Monday – Saturday
Features outdoor clothing, hunting and camping gear, ranch gear and more.
The kitchen store carries everything for the kitchen from dishes to linens to cookware and gadgets.
EZ Feed & Supply
9580 Hwy 283 South (Baird Hwy)
Phone: 325-762-2955 or 325-762-2954
Mobile: 325-669-3706
Fax: 325-762-2965
Email: EZFeeds @ aol.com
Complete animal nutrition. Livestock, wildlife, and hunting supplies.
Albany Specialties & Manufacturing (need fire pit for hunting camp?)
417 West South First (behind First National Bank)
325-762-2535
Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9am – 6pm.
Sanders Drug Store
104 South Main Street
(In the back of Vintage Vanilla)
Phone: 325-762-3979
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:30pm;
Saturday 10:00am – Noon (pickups only)
Banking
First National Bank
84 N Main St, Albany, TX 76430
Phone:(325) 762-2221
Google map
First Financial Bank
232 N Main St, Albany, TX 76430
ffin.com
(325) 627-7200
Other Info for Albany Texas Hunters and Land Owners
Game Warden: Shea E. Guinn; Phone: 325-669-0084
Wilder game processing: Escalon’s Buck n’ Hog
Nearest Airports: Abilene Regional, DFW International Airport
Click here for more info on the history of Shackelford County.
Red River Ranch for Sale : 4M Ranch
/in HRC Ranch Marketing, North Texas Ranches /by Cash McWhorterRed River Ranch for Sale: An Ag & Hunting Paradise
Red River County Overview
Red River Ranch Features
Hunting/Fishing
Livestock, Soils & Irrigation
The ranch’s best soils are located on a riverfront bend along the northern boundary. This peninsula is over 700 acres, consisting primarily of Redlake clay and Oklared sandy loam; both soil types are classified as Prime by the USDA. Currently, there are 200+/- acres in cultivation.
These highly productive soils benefit from a comprehensive irrigation system including: prolific water wells, miles of underground water lines, diesel generators, convenient electrical controls, dedicated irrigation lakes and pump stations. Two 1,000 foot towable Reinke pivots and seven separate attachment points complete the ranch’s irrigated circulating system.
For complete livestock information, historical planting schedules and detailed crop production, click here to contact our office or schedule a tour of this Red River ranch for sale.
View full listing of 4M Ranch here: https://hrcranch.com/ranches-for-sale-listing/4m-ranch/
Bobwhite Sponsor of the 10th Annual Park Cities Quail Dinner
/in HRC Ranch Marketing /by Blake HortenstinePark Cities Quail Dinner & Auction
The Hortenstine Ranch Company is proud to have been a Bobwhite Sponsor at the 10th annual Park Cities Quail dinner and live auction March 3rd at the marvelous Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.
Presented at the event is the T. Bo
one Pickens Lifetime Sportsman Award, an award presented to a sportsman that demonstrates generosity, both in and out of the sporting community, a respect for natural resources, and most importantly, a tremendous love of the outdoors. This year’s recipient was Mr. Delmar Smith, a man who has dedicated a lifetime to the sport of bird dogs and gun dogs as a trainer, judge, and breeder. In addition, he was on the forefront of biological and ecological studies to create better habitats and environments for the proliferation of game birds as a conservationist.
In addition to the handing out of the T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsman Award, all of the proceeds of the Park Cities Quail Dinner and Auction go towards the funding of the Park Cities Quail Organization. Park Cities Quail is a Dallas based non-profit organization completely run by volunteers that strives to research, study, and preserve our sporting traditions both for our generation and future generations. As a fully volunteer organization, nearly 100% of donated funds go directly towards scientific research and youth education regarding these topics. As sportsman ourselves, this cause is very important to the Hortenstine Ranch Company as the Audubon Society states that quail populations are down by over 82% since 1967, making it very important that we do what we can do to research, preserve, maintain, and restore upland game.
To learn more about Park Cities Quail, or to learn how you can volunteer, you can visit their website here.
Not in Dallas but still want to get involved? Look for a local chapter of the affiliated organization Quail Coalition by visiting their website here.