Night time photo
Grazing in the food plot
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
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
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
Trophy Buck
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.
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
Early evening at the Harlow feeder
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.
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.
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!
Jimmy Davenport has been invited to make a presentation during a Seminar sponsored by the YO Ranch. He will discuss the Thunderhill Ranch deer breeding operation and the state-of the-art barn facilities. The seminar will be held in early October. Also attending are Brad and Chad Barington as well as Mary Davenport.
To date approximately 100 fawns have been born. Ten or more have not been tagged to date.
