Encinal, TX 78019(La Salle County)

Originally part of the 250,000-acre Callaghan Ranch, the Caiman Ranch was purchased in the late 1940s by Kenneth C. Miller, who traded his interest in an oil and gas lease in East Texas for the 9,321 acre ranch. Named after the creek that traversed the north section of the original ranch, the caiman, an animal similar to the alligator, was often seen in the creek with many encounters on the ranch, the last being in 1957. El Camino Real, or the Royal Highway, meandered through the Caiman Ranch and was used by both the Native Americans and the early Spaniards. It was along this road that Santa Anna led his men to the Alamo. Santa Anna wrote in his memoirs, as he passed over the land that is now a part of the Caiman Ranch, that he admired the country and noted he would advise the Mexican government to sell it only at a very fair price. Mr. Millers family still operates the ranch today. Current ownership has implemented thoughtful management practices on the ranch for both cattle and wildlife alike, resulting in the ranch being awarded the South Texas Plains Lone Star Land Steward Award, sponsored by the Texas Park and Wildlife Department. Steeped in Texas history with three generations having cared for the ranch in a manner that sets it apart from other ranches in the region, the land is prime for new ownership to write their own legacy on the famed Caiman Ranch.

Land/Water

As you enter the property you are sure to notice the care and maintenance that has been poured into the ranch by the family over the last 75 years. Having been moderately grazed over the years, the ranch is comprised of native grasses coupled with South Texas brush which includes mesquite, huisache, prickly pear, white brush, black brush, guajillo, granjeno, guayacan, brasil, kidneywood, acacia, etc. The primary water source on the ranch is the approximately 1,420 deep water well consisting of a 5 H.P. submersible pump which is run off solar, and located on the NE section of the ranch that produces an estimated 20g/m. The well is piped to the southernmost surface tank as well as 4 cattle/wildlife water troughs and a 10,000 gallon cement storage tank located in the center of the ranch. Each of the 4 water troughs are uniquely designed with a spill-over feature that pipes water out of the trough throughout the day and onto the ground creating constant pools of surface water for cattle, wildlife, and various insects. One of the highlights of the ranch is the abundance of arrowheads located throughout, adding to the recreational value of the ranch for those who enjoy the sport of hunting these prized possessions. With a great interior road system consisting of wide senderos and well-groomed roads, the ranch is fully traversable via a full-size truck. Free of any oil/gas related infrastructure and surrounded by large low fence neighbors, the Caiman Ranch is a beautiful piece of raw land ready for new ownership to put their touch on.

Hunting/Wildlife

DEER:

If youre looking for fantastic native whitetail hunting, look no further than the Caiman Ranch. Since the trophy whitetail program began in 1984, multiple deer scoring in the 160+ range have been harvested every year off the original acreage, including numerous record-book deer recognized by Boone and Crockett and Texas Big Game Awards. The ranch has been winning big buck contests throughout South Texas, year after year, including the Los Cazadores, Muy Grande, and the Cola Blanca. In 2018 there was a buck that grossed a whopping 202. With no introduced genetics and a free-ranging deer herd, the ranch is eligible to make the B&C Record Book, which is something getting harder and harder to find. The ranchs feeding program consists of year-round feeding of both corn and 20% RHR protein pellets from Dilley Feed and Grain, as well as supplemental cottonseed feed from Jan-Sept every year. Providing great native browse coupled with a quality supplemental feed program and great surface water, the Caiman Ranch has a proven track record of growing exceptional native whitetail, sure to satisfy any serious hunter.

GAME BIRDS:

Bird hunting opportunities nicely complement the whitetail hunting. With a great population of both blue and bobwhite quail, along with a consistent number of Rio Grande turkey, dove and waterfowl, the Caiman Ranch checks all the boxes for bird hunting in South Texas.

Utilities/ Taxes/Minerals

Electric: Medina Electric at road. Seller would consider providing easement through their neighboring tract if necessary.

Water: 1 well

Taxes: Ag Exemption

Minerals: Surface Sale only

NOTE:

This write-up may contain errors and omissions and is for information only. The above information has been deemed correct but is not guaranteed and is subject to changes, corrections, and or withdraws from the market with no prior notice. Buyer's Agent must make first contact and be present for all showings to be eligible for buyer's commission.