T&C Ranch
Situated where the Hill Country meets the Brush Country, the 5,698-acre T&C Ranch, located in Edwards and Kinney counties, provides complete privacy in a ruggedly beautiful setting. Neighbored by large ranches and nestled in the expansive elbow room between Rocksprings, Brackettville and Barksdale, the ranch is a secluded oasis of tranquility that boasts star-studded night skies and superlative wildlife habitat.
The ranch's terrain is diverse, encompassing bottomlands, majestic bluffs with views "to the end of the world" and Indian Mountain, the area's highest peak that rises more than 2,100 feet. One of several caves that exist on the ranch has been explored. In at least one location, Native Americans etched pictographs into the rock to record their history.
To make the most of the views, there are three observation decks placed at prime locations throughout the ranch. One of the deck...
To make the most of the views, there are three observation decks placed at prime locations throughout the ranch. One of the decks is roofed and outfitted for skeet shooting, giving guests an opportunity to hone their marksmanship while soaking up the scenery. Most of the ranch roads are improved providing stress-free access throughout the property.
Cedar has been strategically removed throughout the ranch, opening space for native grass, forbs and nutrition-rich brush. Several varieties of oaks as well as elm, sycamore, Texas persimmon and other native species dot the land, providing shade and shelter for game.
The majority of the ranch is high-fenced, but a few select sections have been low-fenced to maintain eligibility for inclusion in Boone & Crockett Club records. Native white-tailed deer, historically managed under an MLDP 3 permit, and Rio Grande turkey are plentiful. Free-ranging exotics including elk, Auodad and red stag as well as Addax antelope and Axis, Fallow, and Sika deer are spotted regularly.
In recent years, T&C Ranch has been managed solely for wildlife and management efforts include a protein feeding program. Approximately 24 box blinds, each seating two or three hunters, are set up on the ranch in close proximity to timed corn feeders. Currently, a Fortune 500 company holds a year-round lease and uses the property as hunting and entertainment destination.
Nine water wells (one solar and eight electric) with varying production and several stock ponds are scattered throughout the ranch. During wet years, Sycamore Creek and Little Sycamore Creek run through the property.
Lodging, Living and Entertaining
While the T&C Ranch is a haven for those who love wildlife and the outdoors, its amenities make the time spent indoors as enjoyable as the time spent afield.
With nine bedrooms and four baths, the lodge, which anchors the headquarters compound, is set up to accommodate large groups of hunters or family and friends. Expansive covered porches invite guests to sit and enjoy one another's company as does the rock patio with fire pit in sight of the burbling waterfall in a park-like setting. A barbecue area, with a wide assortment of grills and pits, is nearby.
At night, pole-mounted kerosene lanterns illuminate the outdoor paths with a lustrous glow.
Built from rock, large windows, high ceilings and warm woods define the livable space of the lodge. A towering stone fireplace anchors the Great Room, which sets off the eye-catching mesquite furniture arranged throughout. The lodge features a fully equipped commercial kitchen as well as a media room, office, utility room and walk-in cooler.
After a day in the field, guests can secure their belongings in one of 16 custom wooden lockers, before gathering in the 8,500 square foot saloon, a well-designed haven for fun. The focal point is an antique-style bar that hearkens back to the Old West that is equipped with beer taps as well as beer and wine coolers.
Guests can sit at the bar or on the custom mesquite furniture in the room. From every vantage point, they can see the bandstand. In addition, the saloon boasts a commercial kitchen, a pool table, shuffleboard, poker tables, and juke box as well as a merchandise room for souvenirs of their stay.
If guests would like to travel without packing a bag, they can move to the trophy room, which is spacious enough to accommodate life-size mounts of game from around the world. A world map adorns a portion of the ceiling and the wine grotto invites guests to sip vintages from around the globe.
To continue the international journey, guests can step outside to the African Palapa. Its thatched roof, carved wood and European-style mounts of African game transport guests to the Serengeti. Built to catch the breeze, it's the perfect evening destination.
For those gatherings where the number of guests exceeds the lodge's capacity, T&C Ranch boasts three cabins, all freshly painted and two recently remodeled. Each has a kitchen, living area, bed and bath as well as porches for relaxing. In addition, the ranch has an RV park complete with five full hook-ups.
The four-bedroom/four-bath main house with a sleeping loft is a short drive on a paved road from the headquarters compound. The rock house was sited to provide a panoramic view of the unfolding landscape, and to make the most of the awe-inspiring vistas, the home boasts multi-level decks, including a hot tub deck. From the decks, the sunrises, sunsets and velvet night skies surpass anything ever created for the big screen.
The master bedroom flooring, made from imported African wood, is just one of the unique touches that elevates the home beyond the ordinary.
The well-appointed kitchen boasts two sinks, custom cabinetry as well as top-of-the-line appliances. The master suite includes an oversized copper tub, ideal for soaking away the day's exertions, as well as a luxurious walk-in shower. It also is home to a stone fireplace and an over-sized walk-in closet.
Ranch Infrastructure
The primary ranch entrance provides access via a private easement road. The second entrance fronts on Cedar Creek Road, which is a county road.
For those who prefer to travel by air, the T&C Ranch has a 4,000' x 75' paved runway. In addition, there is a grass landing strip as well as a lighted, concrete helipad with tie downs.
Other ranch infrastructure includes a covered game processing area with running water and walk-in coolers, a double-wide mobile home used as the manager's house, a mobile home to house additional staff, an equipment barn, a workshop, an overhead grain storage bin with separate compartments for both corn and protein, and two grain buggies, two overhead fuel tanks, a set of livestock working pens, a 2-acre chain link dog kennel, three gun safes and three large ice makers.
For those who want to enjoy the best of the Hill Country and South Texas in one expansive, breath-taking package, the T&C Ranch is the destination of a lifetime.
To experience the peace, solitude and rugged beauty of the T&C Ranch for yourself, call Howard W. Hood with Hood Real Estate Inc. at (830) 739-3815. The ranch is listed for $15,950,000. Seller will consider owner financing.