Carroll Lewing hits the jackpot!!

Carroll Lewing has been hunting at Thunderhill Ranch for many weekends since October, 2009.    Both of his boys have killed bucks, but when it came time for Papa Carroll to hunt, nothing ever came his way. Finally on February 18th, he got lucky.  The Winter has been so cold with so much rain that a pattern of their travel could never be established. They traveled all over the ranch chasing the does.

The first buck to come within site was this wide 146 B & C deer.

Then lo and behold, another big boy decides to make his appearance at the same blind.  This one was even bigger so  Carroll decided to take him as well.  It was a happy day for this persistent hunter.  We have heard told that hunting on a high fenced ranch doesn’t present any challenges.  Carroll Lewing doesn’t agree with that and plans to return to Thunderhill Ranch in the next hunting season.

Wendy McWilliams Kills her first buck!!!

Wendy McWilliams from Midland, Texas made her first trip to Thunderhill Ranch on January 11 -13, 2010. The wife of videographer Ron McWilliams who has filmed before at this ranch and other local ranches, Wendy had never been hunting before. She made her well traveled husband proud by killing a beautiful 9 point buck that scored 146 B&C. Wendy nailed her buck with one shot through the heart and lungs. She never stopped smiling for the entire time in Llano.

Ron got into the action as well by shooting this nice fox that decided to make his appearance known. The McWilliams had a great mini vacation while grandparents kept their little boy Hunter. Ron did some beautiful photography while on the ranch as well as enjoying the gourmet food and companionship.

Wendy's first buck

Side view of Wendy's first buck

Wendy with proud husband Ron McWilliams

Ron with his fox

Hunting is available through February and we still have some openings. Call Chad at the office 325-247-5444 to inquire.

More photos from the field cameras

Night time photo

Grazing in the food plot

Buck and goose at the Harlow blind

Interesting photos taken by one of the cameras around the Harlow blind food plot.  We still have hunts available and can book hunts until the end of February.  Call the office with any questions you might have.  325-247-5444.

Rear view

Front view

Caught with his mouth full

Trophy Hunting Adventure for Sergeant Tim Seckel, US Army

Tim and Grant Seckel arrival at Thunderhill Ranch

Carol Barington with Astro pitcher Doug Brocail

Tim and Grant Seckel in Game Guard Camo with Tim's buck

Owners CJ and Mary Davenport along with Houston Astro pitcher Doug Brocail hosted Sergeant Tim Seckel, his son Grant, Veteran Outdoor Hosts Cody Hirt and Brad Strittmatter plus 2 cameramen at Thunderhill Ranch for a great weekend of hunting and hospitality. Tim and Grant were flown into the Llano airport by Veterans Airlift Command having been told they were to help with a commercial for the Airlift Command. The real reason for the trip was a complete surprise with the help of Tim’s mother.

Upon arriving at the ranch and being met by ranch managers Brad, Carol and Chad Barington, Tim and Grant were told they were there for Tim to shoot a trophy whitetail buck. Tim and Grant were presented with new guns, gun cases and Game Guard Camo courtesy of the Houston Gulf Coast Chapter of SCI.

Tim was a Sergeant in the US Army.  Tim and 3 other soldiers were on a recon mission when they were hit by a roadside bomb.  The blast killed Tim’s Lieutenant  and wounded Tim and the other 2 soldiers.  Tim’s back was broken in 2 places and he suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Hunting was difficult as the weather was warm and the deer were not moving. On the last scheduled day of the hunt, Tim made a great shot on a 140′s B and C whitetail with some great character. It was Tim’s first buck. After shooting the deer, Tim was informed that David Griffith of Highland Lakes Taxidermy was going to process his deer and mount it for him so he could remember his trip for a lifetime.

Veteran Outdoors Hosts Cody Hirt and Brad Strittmatter at the Hunter's Cabin

Tim and Grant sighting in rifles at the rifle range

Brad Strittmatter, Tim and Grant Seckel, Cody Hirt with the whitetail buck

Quiet time for father and son

Jimmy Davenport, Tim Seckel and Mary H Davenport

The batter

The pitcher

Trophy Buck Killed at Thunderhill Ranch

Pennsylvania hunter Ron Marburger was most pleased with his successful hunt at Thunderhill Ranch the first week of November, 2009. The weather could not have been more perfect with temperatures in the 40′s at night and the 70′s during the day. Ron killed an 11 point buck that had a 171 B and C score.

For a man who has hunted all over, we were pleased to hear him say this was the “greatest hunt ever”.

Brad and Chad Barington, Ron Marburger, Jimmy Davenport

11 point buck

Ron Marburger with his 171 B&C buck

Busy week with the deer!

Many things are happening this week at Thunderhill Ranch.  Fawns that were born last summer are being brought  into the deer handling barn for the first time.  They will be given their shots and separated from the mothers to be weaned. Buck fawns go into one pen and the doe fawns go into another. The fawns are far away from the mothers.

On October 21st, 3 of our bucks will be brought into the breeding facility to be vaccinated and released into the breeding pen. Early on the morning of October 22nd, Dr. Bob Woodward from Champion Genetics will draw semen from several of our breeder bucks. This is our insurance just in case anything happens to one of them.

Successful trip for the first October management deer hunters!

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

Around a hunting blind.

At Thunderhill Ranch trail cameras have bee installed around different hunting blinds and feeders to capture the activity of the wildlife. Attached are some of the recent photos captured in late September.

Green Going into Fall!!!

The entire Hill Country area as well as Thunderhill Ranch is green and beautiful after all the recent rains. We are still suffering from the extended drought, but it is so much better after the recent slow rains.  We have water standing where we have not seen it since the Spring 2007 flood.

On a late evening drive around the ranch last night, we saw the following:  2 magnificent 10 point bucks; 4 inches of growth in the recently planted food plots; a covey of quail; flying doves; hog and deer tracks in the soft, wet soil; numerous wildflowers and a magnificent sunset.

Unfortunately with the prolonged drought, we have lost some of our oak trees.  The plan is to cut some down for firewood to use in the Hunter’s Cabin as well as the big fire pit.

Our first hunters will arrive this Friday.  We still have space available so call to reserve now.

More Rain

Thunderhill got more rain last week which was really good for the recently planted food plots.  The food plots are near the deer blinds.  It is going to be a really good year for hunting!