thunderhillranch.com » Around the Ranch

Successful trip for the first October management deer hunters!

marytdav — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:06:09 +0000

The first group of hunters arrived at Thunderhill Ranch last weekend under different weather conditions. It was rainy, foggy, cool, cloudy and occasionally hot. They travelled to Llano from East Texas and Louisiana to hunt some of our native bucks. They all went home with great deer hunting stories and good heads for mounting.

Michael Leach with his buck and guide Brad Barington. Michael's native buck is still in velvet.

Jakey Lewing with his management buck and guide Chad Barington

Hunter Lewing with his native buck and guide Chad Barington

Mary and Jimmy Davenport with Hunter Lewing and Chad Barington

American Bald Eagle Sighting on January 20th, 2009

Thunderhill Admin — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:09:54 +0000

The American Bald Eagles have returned to their nest this year

located on State Highway 29 just East of Llano, TX. Two eaglets are in the

nest and the parents are busy feeding their young. One of the adult eagles

was sighted flying down the Llano River at Thunderhill Ranch looking for

fish on January 20th. The attached website also shows photos taken the same

day.

http://www.cottonwoodphotography.com/20082009_Llano_Bald_Ealges.htm

Texas Trophy Whitetail Deer Hunting and Lodging Facility Taking Reservations Now for the 2009 Texas Deer Hunting Season

Thunderhill Admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:42:36 +0000

Thunderhill Ranch is now taking reservations for the 2009 -2010 deer hunting season in Texas. Contact Carol Barington @ 325-247-5444 or e-mail her carol@thunderhillranch.com.

Finalized Breeding Plans For 2008 Breeding Season: September 15, 2008

Thunderhill Admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:31:58 +0000

After much discussion with all the Thunderhill Ranch Staff during the summer months, the breeding plan for 2008 was finalized. Approximately 100 does will be bred to five 3 year old breeders and five 2 year old breeders. This is the first year that Thunderhill Ranch has not used artificial insemination as a part of their breeding program.

New Scientific Breeding Facility Game Fence Completed September 2008

Thunderhill Admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:30:57 +0000

During September 2008 the new security fence that was built around the Scientific Deer Breeding Facility was completed. The purpose is to provide a buffer of approximately 100 acres between that facility and the rest of the ranch.

Fawning Updated: August 15, 2008

Thunderhill Admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:26:18 +0000

By the middle of August 2008, approximately 93 fawns had been born: 39 Buck fawns and 54 doe fawns.

Fawning at Thunderhill

Thunderhill Admin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:48:53 +0000

June is a busy time at the ranch when the fawns are beginning to be born. The mothers of the first born fawns had been artificially inseminated by James C. Kroll “Dr. Deer” with some of our Redoy Marlin and Hock semen.

In preparation for the fawning, the doe pens are mowed in the center area leaving the grass long at the upper and lower ends of the pens. That way, Brand and Chad Barington can catch the day old fawns hidden in the high grass. The does are observed either from the observation building or by driving along the fence line at dawn and dusk. Does who have fawned will hide the babies in the tall grass. Brad or Chad walk in the pen looking for the hidden fawns. They gently picks them up to identify and tag.

First the fawn is put into a bag to be weighed. Weights are generally between 6 and 9.5 pounds. Then they are identified as male or female and tagged accordingly. Fawns are given a small vaccination to help with the lung development. Lastly, they are gently placed back into the grass into the mother’s care.

The does at Thunderhill have many sets of twins and occasionally triplets. As of Sunday, June 22nd, 38 fawns had been born and tagged.

The Wedding

Thunderhill Admin — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 13:41:19 +0000

On a beautiful starlit, cold, clear evening in Llano, Texas Angela and Chad were married by Chad’s dad, the Reverend Kenneth Barington. Surrounded by family and friends, the wedding was celebrated on the banks of the Llano river at the site of the park decorated for the Starry, Starry Nights Celebration.

Afterwards, the reception was held at the historic Badu House where guests enjoyed all the local fare. Angela’s family traveled from Mason and San Antonio for the festivities. Other friends from Houston attended as well and marveled at the beauty of the Starry, Starry Nights Celebration as the setting for this momentous occasion.

A Beautiful Site!

Thunderhill Admin — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 07:48:23 +0000

Spring in the Hill Country was absolutely beautiful with the bountiful rains. We still have lots of wildflowers even into September. Generally, we don’t have much grass to mow during the summer months, but the mowers were well used this summer.

We invite you to call us to plan a visit to Thunderhill Ranch!

New Ownership

Thunderhill Admin — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:18:52 +0000

The transition a the result of the change in ownership went smoothly and Mr. Davenport now has his license to sell deer. Two bucks were sold to a ranch near Dripping Springs, Texas. Thunder Chief and Thunder Storm were released to new big pastures.