This is Texas. A Modern Texas. What Is A Ranch?

[NorthLoop 14,218]

Man that's gorgeous. 

 

The talk about mesquite and cedar reminds me of my grandpa. He hated mesquite trees more than communists. Always some newfangled way to poison them or burn them or whatever. He was always trying to get rid of them. In my younger days I figured I'd go out there with a chainsaw and load up a trailer full of mesquite wood to sell to bbq places, but the reality is that it's not worth the trouble. 

Grandpa felt the same way about pond turtles (not just snapping turtles... all turtles). Once I caught one on my fishing line and hauled it to shore. Grandpa pulled out his pocket knife and needle nose pliers and decapitated that turtle right in front of me. I was like 6 or 7.

[gurt 749]

If I could just get internet access out there we’d already have been holed up this whole time during the rona...

[ROFL BOX 6,649]

9 hours ago, NorthLoop said:

decapitated that turtle right in front of me. I was like 6 or 7.

That explains a lot.

 

[Armybrat 40,854]

On 7/10/2020 at 10:59 PM, NorthLoop said:

Man that's gorgeous. 

 

The talk about mesquite and cedar reminds me of my grandpa. He hated mesquite trees more than communists. Always some newfangled way to poison them or burn them or whatever. He was always trying to get rid of them. In my younger days I figured I'd go out there with a chainsaw and load up a trailer full of mesquite wood to sell to bbq places, but the reality is that it's not worth the trouble. 

Grandpa felt the same way about pond turtles (not just snapping turtles... all turtles). Once I caught one on my fishing line and hauled it to shore. Grandpa pulled out his pocket knife and needle nose pliers and decapitated that turtle right in front of me. I was like 6 or 7.

Props to Grandpa.

[Nicole44 22,070]

Been in contact with a few surly people. Tentatively, if any of y’all would like to visit my ranch (those in Austin can meet up with me here) it would be around the end of September or beginning of October. You don’t have to pay anything. Just groceries you’d want. Assuming we are all cool by then. We have enough bedrooms/bathrooms for people to come and see and go hike. If y’all are interested pm me: 

[TwiceHorn 31,510]

I see a fair number of horned lizards on a mountain bike trail in Oak Cliff of all places.

At least I think they're horned lizards.  I see a lot of spiny lizards also, but the fat round ones skedaddle.  I'm not aware of any other lizard that's fat and round like a horned toad.

[deadshank 24,653]

31 minutes ago, Nicole44 said:

Been in contact with a few surly people. Tentatively, if any of y’all would like to visit my ranch (those in Austin can meet up with me here) it would be around the end of September or beginning of October. You don’t have to pay anything. Just groceries you’d want. Assuming we are all cool by then. We have enough bedrooms/bathrooms for people to come and see and go hike. If y’all are interested pm me: 

It’s a trap!!!

[Nicole44 22,070]

33 minutes ago, deadshank said:

It’s a trap!!!

Nope. Lmao. Just a vacay. 
Like I said, be at least two months away. If the Covid isn’t an issue. 

 

[BabaYaga 15,302]

On 7/10/2020 at 8:59 PM, NorthLoop said:

Man that's gorgeous. 

 

The talk about mesquite and cedar reminds me of my grandpa. He hated mesquite trees more than communists. Always some newfangled way to poison them or burn them or whatever. He was always trying to get rid of them. In my younger days I figured I'd go out there with a chainsaw and load up a trailer full of mesquite wood to sell to bbq places, but the reality is that it's not worth the trouble. 

 

Yep.  They are an ever-expanding nightmare that is a FT job to keep under control.  Some people daydream about winning the lottery and getting a fast car.  I dream of a skid-steer with a mulcher.

Quote

Grandpa felt the same way about pond turtles (not just snapping turtles... all turtles). Once I caught one on my fishing line and hauled it to shore. Grandpa pulled out his pocket knife and needle nose pliers and decapitated that turtle right in front of me. I was like 6 or 7.

Same as mine.  How me and my best friend learned to shoot.  Popping a bobbing turtle head with a .177 pellet from a Sheridan Rifle isn't easy.  Or keeping barn cats under control with a .410.  

[Revolution512 1,491]

Dreaming of skid steers but posts pic of track loader. I kid, I kid

[BabaYaga 15,302]

20 minutes ago, Revolution512 said:

Dreaming of skid steers but posts pic of track loader. I kid, I kid

Lol, good catch - just highlighting the mulcher I want to use to destroy Mesquite with extreme prejudice.  

[troph 24,882]

Jesus christos I think I may be buying a farm. Shit.

[HOOKEM4 5,039]

4 hours ago, BabaYaga said:

Lol, good catch - just highlighting the mulcher I want to use to destroy Mesquite with extreme prejudice.  

Hydro axe bro. 3 days you can clear everything you need.

[workswithseed 2,110]

1 hour ago, troph said:

Jesus christos I think I may be buying a farm. Shit.

I mean if you don't want it....

[ROFL BOX 6,649]

2 hours ago, troph said:

Jesus christos I think I may be buying a farm. Shit.

Where?

[washparkhorn 9,939]

9 hours ago, Nicole44 said:

Nope. Lmao. Just a vacay. 
Like I said, be at least two months away. If the Covid isn’t an issue. 

 

Beautiful. Palo Duro Canyon is a gem. 

[troph 24,882]

Where?

Middle of nowhere north Texas.

[BabaYaga 15,302]

9 hours ago, HOOKEM4 said:

Hydro axe bro. 3 days you can clear everything you need.

I can watch those forestry mulching, shredder videos for hours....

[BabaYaga 15,302]

2 hours ago, troph said:

Middle of nowhere north Texas.

Size?  Acreage?

[workswithseed 2,110]

2 hours ago, troph said:

Middle of nowhere north Texas.

East, or west of 35?

[troph 24,882]

East, or west of 35?

Somewhere between Fort Worth and Lubbock. South of Oklahoma and north of Abilene. I say somewhere because it’s really nowhere. Under 100 acres to the other question. Happy to further discuss via PM. Could be interesting and could be a total disaster. I think I’m going to be well protected financially but who knows. I will most certainly maintain my soft and well moisturized hands.

[gurt 749]

Got back from the NM ranch sunday. It cooled off just in time for us, days where in the mid 70s, nights in the high 50s.  Absolutely perfect.  

Been dry out that way lately, monsoon hasn't really been as good as they need so the grass is a bit bare.  
Most of the landscape shots are from when we took the Ranger up into the Cibola National Forest which abuts the ranch.  On the high elevation parts the Very Large Array (VLA) is off in the distance. Didn't see as many elk this time, only saw a few females and babies run across the vega.  Did see some mule deer like the one in the pic.

[deadshank 24,653]

7 minutes ago, gurt said:

Got back from the NM ranch sunday. It cooled off just in time for us, days where in the mid 70s, nights in the high 50s.  Absolutely perfect.  

Been dry out that way lately, monsoon hasn't really been as good as they need so the grass is a bit bare.  
Most of the landscape shots are from when we took the Ranger up into the Cibola National Forest which abuts the ranch.  On the high elevation parts the Very Large Array (VLA) is off in the distance. Didn't see as many elk this time, only saw a few females and babies run across the vega.  Did see some mule deer like the one in the pic.

I, for one, think we need to have a Surly Allstars mule deer and elk hunt at Rancho de Gurt.  Can I get a second for this motion?

[ROFL BOX 6,649]

7 hours ago, deadshank said:

I, for one, think we need to have a Surly Allstars mule deer and elk hunt at Rancho de Gurt.  Can I get a second for this motion?

Seconded.

Motion carries?

[fattyflattie 4,639]

On 7/20/2020 at 5:43 PM, BabaYaga said:

Lol, good catch - just highlighting the mulcher I want to use to destroy Mesquite with extreme prejudice.  

Best man in my wedding has both a skid steer, and articulating loader hydro axes, among other kick ass ROW equipment. After college he decided he wanted to do ranch work (and finally be paid for it).  Those things definitely make short work of everything that gets in their path.  
 

I guess technically it’s a “track loader” but it’s a skid steer to me dammit. 

Edited July 22, 2020 by fattyflattie

[Larry T. Spider 1,746]

12 hours ago, troph said:

12 hours ago, workswithseed said:

East, or west of 35?

 

Somewhere between Fort Worth and Lubbock. South of Oklahoma and north of Abilene. I say somewhere because it’s really nowhere. Under 100 acres to the other question. Happy to further discuss via PM. Could be interesting and could be a total disaster. I think I’m going to be well protected financially but who knows. I will most certainly maintain my soft and well moisturized hands.

When my family decided to come to Texas in a covered wagon, they decided to stop and set up shop in Jayton. Glad I was born 80 years too late for that adventure.

[BabaYaga 15,302]

10 hours ago, fattyflattie said:

Best man in my wedding has both a skid steer, and articulating loader hydro axes, among other kick ass ROW equipment. After college he decided he wanted to do ranch work (and finally be paid for it).  Those things definitely make short work of everything that gets in their path.  
 

I guess technically it’s a “track loader” but it’s a skid steer to me dammit. 

My dream right there.  It's arguably the best defense against the ever-encroaching Mesquite and Huisache.  Grind them down, then remedy/diesel the stumps.  

[fattyflattie 4,639]

No stumps.  He’ll take that about 6-9” under like a stump grinder.  Another cool toy was a shear that had some little sprayers on it to hit the stump as soon as you sheared it.  Can’t remember how big It could shear but it was pretty big. 

[Armybrat 40,854]

11 hours ago, Larry T. Spider said:

When my family decided to come to Texas in a covered wagon, they decided to stop and set up shop in Jayton. Glad I was born 80 years too late for that adventure.

Wasn’t all what it was cracked up to be.

[troph 24,882]

12 hours ago, Larry T. Spider said:

When my family decided to come to Texas in a covered wagon, they decided to stop and set up shop in Jayton. Glad I was born 80 years too late for that adventure.

Levelland is one of my favorite James McMurtry songs.  It's hard to explain but I actually love that part of Texas.   

[Reagan1k 3,024]

On 7/21/2020 at 8:19 AM, BabaYaga said:

I can watch those forestry mulching, shredder videos for hours....

That's my go-to when I need to calm down my mind and fall asleep.  I pretend I won the lottery and bought a certain ranch I know well - then I start at the gate with my new hydro-axe and start to clean it.  Puts me right to sleep.

[BabaYaga 15,302]

1 minute ago, Reagan1k said:

That's my go-to when I need to calm down my mind and fall asleep.  I pretend I won the lottery and bought a certain ranch I know well - then I start at the gate with my new hydro-axe and start to clean it.  Puts me right to sleep.

LOL, same here.  

[fattyflattie 4,639]

Wagon must of lost a wheel, or they lacked ambition, one. 

[deadshank 24,653]

[CHIEF 5,094]

19 hours ago, Larry T. Spider said:

When my family decided to come to Texas in a covered wagon, they decided to stop and set up shop in Jayton. Glad I was born 80 years too late for that adventure.

Mine made it to Tuxedo, right outside of Anson. Must not have been too good of a time, my Great Great Grandfather killed himself there in 1913, I have a copy of the death certificate. Knox county is where I'm gonna buy, can still find stuff for around $1k per acre. I also do farm and ranch sales, might be able to nab something before it comes on the market.

CHIEF

[ZB'Tejas 593]

My family homesteaded the place we still hunt NW of San Angelo way back in the 1800's (Sterling City area).

csb...Just talked with my dad this weekend and our cousin's place in Water Valley is overrun with Coyotes. They estimated they had about 1000 sheep and they are down to about 200. Sounds like the coyotes are now too smart fo the traps and poison so they have just been hunting them from a helicopter with ARs. If you on't get them all they just recruit more and they are having a real tough time snuffing these guys out.

Our place which is not that far has not had real issues with coyotes/hogs... just a couple mountain lions and a few bears that past few summers.

Edited July 27, 2020 by ZB'Tejas

[Steel Shank 9,428]

25 minutes ago, ZB'Tejas said:

My family homesteaded the place we still hunt NW of San Angelo way back in the 1800's (Sterling City area).

csb...Just talked with my dad this weekend and our cousin's place in Water Valley is overrun with Coyotes. They estimated they had about 1000 sheep and they are down to about 200. Sounds like the coyotes are now too smart fo the traps and poison so they have just been hunting them from a helicopter with ARs. If you on't get them all they just recruit more and they are having a real tough time snuffing these guys out.

Our place which is not that far has Neve had really issues with coyotes/hogs... just a couple mountain lions and a few bears that past few summers.

Drove through Water Valley and Sterling City just yesterday. I enjoy that part of the state. 

[SydneyCarton 48,119]

On 7/10/2020 at 9:56 PM, gurt said:

Heading to the wife’s family ranch in Catron county New Mexico tomorrow. About 4K acres with 130 head of cattle. In laws live at their ranch in Driftwood, but spend about 2 months of the year in NM. There’s a full time ranch manager out there and he also raises and trains horses. More Elk than cattle in that area. Selling elk tags is the only way my in laws break even out there.

What are the upkeep costs on that kind of land, if you don't mind me asking? Not the actual money as much as what kind of things cost money annually that makes it a money suck?

[CleverNickname 1,321]

In 10 to 15 yrs when I retire, I'm going to buy one of those 12 ft tall power armor mechs for dealing with cedar and mesquite. Probably get the optional PTO and flamethrower attachments.

[gurt 749]

17 hours ago, SydneyCarton said:

What are the upkeep costs on that kind of land, if you don't mind me asking? Not the actual money as much as what kind of things cost money annually that makes it a money suck?

Well, the biggest expense is paying the ranch manager, as well as his utilities/internet.  Then costs on the cattle themselves, winter feed, vaccinations, etc. They've had to dig new wells for cattle tanks, fences always need repair.  And there is always stuff breaking on a 60 year old ranch house that doesn't get lived in 3/4 of the time.  Plus one-time expenses like getting a new ranger and new ranch truck. 

 

[troph 24,882]

didn't buy. thankfully.   

[Armybrat 40,854]

Whatever you buy eventually, negotiate for the mineral rights if not already included. That may help keep producers off your land someday.

And think about ag or wildlife exemptions to keep the taxes down.

This meager hay “crop” is saving me about $17,000/year....

 

Edited September 1, 2020 by Armybrat