Do you dream of hunting a big red stag? At the Reserve Ranch, you can achieve your dreams right here in Texas.
According to owner John Ed Stepan, mature red stags are a key focus at the ranch.
“I started breeding them with New Zealand genetics, and we have some outstanding trophies to offer,” Stepan said. “A large, multi-tined stag is a sight to behold.”
Through a strategic relationship and years of breeding from some of the top bloodlines in the world, Reserve Ranch offers world-class red deer hunting at the expansive ranch north of La Pryor, about an hour and a half from the San Antonio International Airport, where you’ll see stags ranging from 300 to 500-plus inches!
Stepan, a lifelong hunter who also operates Ranch Investments, began guiding exotic game hunts in the early 1980s in the Texas Hill Country, and purchased his first hunting ranch in 1993, building it from the ground up. In 2000, he purchased 3,300 acres in South Texas, and added another 3,800 acres two years later, all of which he managed for big game.
Fatherhood eventually took priority in Stepan’s life, leading him to sell the ranches to focus on his growing children.
However, a decade later when his children were off to college, the Reserve Ranch property became available once again. Stepan, with his avid hunting wife, Debra, purchased the ranch with the goal of turning it into the premier hunting ranch in Texas.
The Reserve Ranch encompasses 5 square miles of some of the best habitat in South Texas and is bordered by 2 1/2
In addition to white-tailed deer, more than 20 species of exotics are managed on the ranch, and dove and upland bird hunting is available, too.
“Our dedication is to the preservation of big game animals through the funds generated by hunting,” Stepan said. “This is a proven method of game management utilized by governments and private nature reserves around the world.”
The Hacienda
The Stepans had a vision to create a destination in South Texas that embraces
along with the dreams exemplified by so many Texans. Styled after the historic mission at Goliad, the Hacienda, with its inviting colonnade, courtyards and fountains, takes you to another place in time — Texas in the 1800s. Massive, ancient pecan trees draw you toward the lawn, flanked by the swimming pool and veranda before entering one of the 10 private guest rooms. Also off the colonnade sits an expansive trophy room displaying more than 250 species from around the globe, a card room and 25-seat theater. The dining hall seats 30,
bar, welcoming guests to a gourmet meal coupled with a “Texas flair” after a day in the field, followed by a relaxing evening by the fire pit to share tales of the hunts. The ranch serves individuals, families and corporate groups.
RANCH
(512) 756-6445
Since its introduction more than 30 years ago, the Benelli Super Black Eagle has set the standard for what an unfailing semi-auto hunting shotgun should be. For 2024, Benelli expands the third generation SBE series with the SBE 3 Compact.
Boasting the same mechanical features and design that has made the SBE 3 the perennial leader in hunting shotguns, the new SBE 3 Compact models present a shotgun that is shorter and lighter for improved handling, better fit, and a more comfortable shooting experience for shooting and hunting enthusiasts with a shorter length of pull.
To begin, the SBE 3 Compact — boasting a 26-inch barrel — has an overall length of 46 1/4 inches. That is 3 1/4 inches and 1 1/4 inches shorter than the standard SBE 3 28- and 26-inch barrel models, respectively. This shorter overall length comes courtesy of a reduced-length buttstock, which shortens the length-of-pull to 13 1/8 inches. Weight is also decreased with the SBE 3 Compact thanks to the more compact stock and 26-inch maximum barrel length.
The SBE 3 Compact shotguns are available in 12- (6.7 lbs.), 20- (5.7 lbs.), and 28-gauge (5.4 lbs.), and chambered for 2 3/4and 3-inch shotshells. All models come with a black synthetic stock and standard features that include Benelli’s Inertia Driven system, extended (IC, M) and flush (C, IM, F) Crio chokes, Crio-treated barrels, Comfort Tech 3 recoil pads, Combtech pads, drop and cast shim kit, and a custom-fitted hard case. MSRP for all models is $1,949.
The Bretting Texan Ranch was established in 2020 in Olney, 100 miles northwest of Fort Worth and 90 miles northeast of Abilene. The ranch is in the north central Texas district and the Cross Timbers and Prairies Region.
The B-Tex Ranch offers a premium hunting experience with a focus on trophy whitetail and a variety of exotic animals such as elk, nilgai, fallow, axis, rams and aoudad. The ranch prides itself on creating a family-oriented atmosphere where hunting is more than a sport. The ranch also highlights its dedication to preserving the hunting heritage and fostering outdoor values. They collaborate with numerous sponsors and support programs that aid soldiers and promote outdoor activities among the youth.
The guides at B-Tex are an integral part of the ranch’s operations, having extensive knowledge of wildlife behavior, habitat and ethical hunting practices. The guides not only help in locating and tracking game but also focus on providing a safe, legal and responsible hunting experience. They play a crucial role in educating hunters about conservation efforts and the importance of sustainable practices.
Victor and Ronda Bretting are both native Texans and have been hunting since their early teens. Victor shot his first Texas exotic more than 25 years ago. The couple started hunting internationally 10 years ago and have harvested more than 125 species over six continents. This is all on display in B-Tex’s beautifully designed trophy room which serves as a showcase of hunting accomplishments, where each mount tells a story of the adventure.
The facilities include a 4,100 square-foot, five-star lodge ideal for both corporate and family hunting retreats. Relax around the fire pit under the star-studded Texas sky with fellow adventurers to share tales of the day’s exploits. You can also use the 50-, 100and 200-yard target ranges to enhance your shooting skills.
Culinary delights await at every turn, and the cooking experience at the ranch embraces outdoor methods like grilling and smoking, enhancing flavors with the smoky aroma of open fires, making every meal a memorable part of the ranch experience.
TEXAN RANCH
(214) 869-0567
Claiming 17,000 acres of soil between the Hill Country and the plains of South Texas is a slice of hunting heaven unlike any other. RecordBuck Ranch boasts incredibly diverse habitat across a blend of rolling hills and grasslands, making it a perfect place for large herds of animals to thrive.
White-tailed deer and elk call the property home, as do more than 50 species of exotics, from axis to zebra. Hunting is a year-round activity at RecordBuck.
Guests return every year for the same enjoyment of the facilities, the service and, of course, the incredible hunting.
Lifelong friendships are formed with guides and employees, both new and experienced. Knowledgeable guides are eager to get their hunters on the biggest trophies. World-class accommodations, including home-cooked meals each day, cozy lodging, an open bar and a friendly staff, make every stay an experience worth repeating. Come for the hunting and stay for the laughter and good times. RecordBuck is still booking for summer, but book soon.
Even after you upgrade to a new HK VP9, with its best-in-class trigger pull and ergonomic, customizable grip, you’re not quite done yet. You still need a couple of important accessories. And we’re not talking about holsters, lights and optics either. Training and Practice – They are two different things and we all need more of both. Look into it … and go do the work!
www.hk-usa.com • 706-701-5554
In 2007, Elizabeth Cary Mungall authored what is considered the best field guide for exotic animals, called Exotic Animal Field Guide: Nonnative Hoofed Mammals in the United States.
A lot has changed in the last 17 years, and soon, a new edition of the book will be available, a must-have for any rancher who has obtained or is considering obtaining exotic wildlife for their ranch, for wildlife biologists who study them and for anyone who is interested in exotic species.
“Some animals weren’t an issue in 2007 when the first book came out,” Cary Mungall said. “For example, there weren’t any Hartmann’s mountain zebra in the U.S. at that time, but now some ranches have herds. There also are white-lipped deer, gerenuk and other species in the U.S. now.”
The new edition, published by Texas A&M University Press, will debut at the Exotic Wildlife Association’s Congressional Fundraiser in August, and includes information about more than 10 additional exotic species not included in the first edition.
“Much more than a field guide, Cary Mungall’s book is a long-awaited repository and data source on the ecology, technology and management of more than 80 species of nonnative hoofed animals,” said James G. Teer, founding member of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society. “Anyone with exotics on his or her property will require Exotic Animal Field Guide.”
“It’s very close to being out,” the author said. “The cover shows a scimitar cow in full chestnut and white and the tan calf.”
The 368-page guide better serves the growing industry of raising exotics and related conservation efforts and includes a fully updated photography guide encompassing the latest technology in digital photography.
“We have detailed photos of springbok, including what the animal’s hair is like when they expand the patch on their back, something that’s rarely seen,” Cary Mundall said.
Also included are chapters about the history of exotics in the United States, where to see them, and hints on exotic animal ownership. Each animal profile includes native range maps, information about food habits, habitat, temperament, breeding and birth seasons, fencing needs, and photographs of the animals.
“The goal is to do good things for the animals,” Cary Mundall said. “Each have special characteristics, and people who have them need to keep these in mind. Other sections show what people are getting into when obtaining exotics and how to reliably and ethically work with them.”
Elizabeth Cary Mungall is a science officer at the Second Ark Foundation and adjunct professor in the Department of Biology at Texas Woman’s University. She is the author of The Dama Gazelles and senior author of Exotics on the Range. She lives on a ranch near Kerrville.
The book will be available through Texas A&M University Press and at online retailers.
Nonnative Hoofed Mammals in the United States
By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS
Exotics ranchers in Texas are playing a role in bringing back endangered species — and want to do more.
The scimitar-horned oryx, once considered extinct in the wild, has been reintroduced in the Republic of Chad in northern Africa and is doing well in a large preserve, and researchers are looking to bring the oryx to other areas of its native range.
The dama gazelle, though, hasn’t been faring as well in its native habitat, with only 250-300 left in the wild.
“They used to be present from the Atlantic to the Nile in North Africa,” said Elizabeth Cary Mundall, Science Officer at the Second Ark Foundation and an adjunct professor in the Department of Biology at Texas Women’s University. “The population has gone so far down it has spurred concern. A big focus has been on keeping dama gazelle from going extinct.”
Texas ranches hold between 1,000-1,500 dama gazelle, and a workshop, the third in a series to be held in September, is aimed at understanding and helping initiatives in the native range countries.
“We are planning on having people from the range states at the workshop,”
Cary Mundall said. “They, including representatives from the preserve in Chad, will provide updates on initiatives, and we’ll discuss what might be helpful. We don’t know enough about what’s happening inside all of the range countries — that’s why we’ve invited them to the workshops.”
Cary Mundall said the Chad preserve is one area where exotics ranchers may be sending dama gazelles in the future to help bolster the population.
“They have one of the better populations, but there aren’t that many,” she said. “West Africa has some, but they are in enclosed areas.”
Dama gazelles, both the eastern and western subspecies, are more fragile creatures in the wild, especially when faced with predators.
“In Tunisia, some were moved from a fenced area into a reserve, but the jackals got them all,” Cary Mundall said. “In other areas, wild dogs are problem predators of the animals.”
Scimitar-horned oryx and addax, another endangered species, aren’t impacted to that level by dogs and other smaller predators.
“Scimitars are large, and addax are ex-
tremely aggressive and protective of their young,” Cary Mundall said.
Texas ranches hold an estimated 12,000 scimitar-horned oryx, 5,000 addax and 1,500 dama gazelle, and hunting plays a significant role in keeping them healthy and abundant.
“You have to have some source of money to pay taxes, keep the fences and keep the staff,” Cary Mundall said. “These aren’t zoos — people aren’t paying admission to come and look at the animals. The hunting keeps everything going. We have a lot more biological diversity by keeping the animals alive and fed here. Plus hunting targets only certain animals. Doing that carefully helps keep healthy herds going.”
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