Hebbronville, TX 78361(Starr County)

Managed for wildlife for almost three decades, the Rancho Estrella is home to white-tailed deer, bobwhite and scaled quail, Rio Grande turkeys, javelina, dove and feral hogs. While quail hunting occurs regularly on the ranch, the native population has been supplemented with pen-raised birds to keep the numbers stable. In addition to healthy populations of native game, the ranch has a full complement of desirable exotics: sable antelope, scimitar-horned oryx, axis and zebras.

The well-managed brush country habitat is supplemented with protein feeders as well as winter and summer food plots. The ranch has 24 protein feeders ranging in capacity from 1,000 to 2,500 pounds as well as 18 quail feeders. To facilitate hunting, there are 30 Atascosa deer blinds and 30 1,000 pound corn feeders strategically located throughout.

In addition to wildlife, the ranch is well-suited for cattle. The new owners can choose to run their own herds or lease out the grazing for an additional income stream. There are two sets of cattle pens: one on the Brush Pasture and a newly constructed set that can be accessed from the remaining three pastures.

Water for wildlife and livestock are plentiful. The Rancho Estrella has nine water wells; two of which are run on solar pumps and the remainder on electric submersible pumps. There are also four stock tanks, three of which are supplemented by water from the wells. The other relies on rainwater. Plus, there are more than 30 wildlife waterers scattered throughout the property.

Rancho Estrella is designed to entertain large numbers of family, friends, colleagues or clients, providing opportunities for both camaraderie and privacy. The scope and scale of the facilities can handle special events. For instance, the focal point of one of the dining rooms is a 24-foot mesquite table.

There are two separate compounds to house guests, one in the Brush Pasture and one in the House Pasture. At each location, there is a combination of a main lodge as well as apartments and casitas. The smaller quarters offer partial kitchens and private baths. The Brush Pasture Compound, which reflects the style and tradition of South Texas, also has a swimming pool and a series of common areas designed to bring people together. There is a master plan in place outlining potential expansion of the House Pasture.

The owners home is located at the Brush Pasture compound. It is a four-bedroom, four-bath house with half baths attached to the kitchen and family room. While it is central to the compounds design, the owners home includes a separate wing where the family can gather privately.

There are two modular homes for staff.

The ranchs infrastructure is also designed to support ranch work and entertaining. For instance, there is a 10 x 25 walk-in cooler for storing game and kennels for housing the ranchs bird dogs. Guests can enjoy shooting skeet from both a high and low-house. A watch tower near the owners home provides a view of Mexicos Sierra Madre Mountains.

The ranch has been both a hunting destination and a corporate retreat. If the new owner chooses, Rancho Estrella could easily be transformed into a commercial hunting operation.

Brush country. Grassland savannahs. Camaraderie. Privacy. Rancho Estrella is provides an opportunity for the best of all worlds.

To schedule a private showing and make Rancho Estrella part of your world, call Howard Hood at (830) 739-3815.