M Whitley
AH veteran
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2018
- Messages
- 182
- Reaction score
- 1,074
- Location
- Missouri, USA
- Media
- 124
- Member of
- DSC, SCI, DRC
- Hunted
- RSA 2x, Namibia, Tanzania 2x, Botswana, Zambia 2x, Spain, Canada, Cameroon
Last week I took a group of friends and associates to Texas and had the pleasure of seeing the @RESERVE RANCH first hand while entertaining a group of professionals that have become friends over the years.
Our arrival was on a Monday afternoon. The ranch is an easy 1.5+/- hours SW of San Antonio. Wrangling my guests at the airport and nearby drinking establishments to the rental car was a feat in itself. One flew in later and was driving himself, which I am thankful for.
Upon arrival at the ranch we got a full tour and history of the ranch from John Ed Stepan. The ranch is equipped with 10+/- bedrooms, many common areas inside and outside, pool, theater room, and one of the most amazing trophy rooms I’ve seen.
My group of 7 including myself got settled in our rooms and met in the trophy room for a drink before dinner. All of the food on this trip was top notch, wine to match, and it felt like you were staying in a boutique resort more than a hunting lodge.
The reserve ranch handled everything at my request including rental shotguns and ammo. I simply managed the travel and my guests only had to pack clothes and personal items.
Each morning coffee was ready at 6:30, breakfast at 7:30, and we typically departed around 8:30 both mornings. We split into a group of three and a group of four. I rotated around the groups in the morning and afternoon both days to get some time with all the guests on the hunt and corner one or two on some current work we have together.
The quail hunts took place in native scrub brush near the ranch estate with strategically cut rows through the brush that presented great conditions to shoot. The dog handlers were top notch and all of the birds hard flying. Rental equipment was a mix of semi auto and O/U 12 and 20 gauge shotguns that were in great shape.
Typically I have an idea before any hunt about how it’s going to be but the reserve ranch surpassed my expectations and really impressed my guests as well. If anyone is on the fence about a trip to the reserve ranch I’d say pull the trigger you won’t be disappointed!
Thanks again to @RESERVE RANCH and John Ed for spending a couple of days with us. A few guests want to make it an annual event so I’ll be in touch!
Our arrival was on a Monday afternoon. The ranch is an easy 1.5+/- hours SW of San Antonio. Wrangling my guests at the airport and nearby drinking establishments to the rental car was a feat in itself. One flew in later and was driving himself, which I am thankful for.
Upon arrival at the ranch we got a full tour and history of the ranch from John Ed Stepan. The ranch is equipped with 10+/- bedrooms, many common areas inside and outside, pool, theater room, and one of the most amazing trophy rooms I’ve seen.
My group of 7 including myself got settled in our rooms and met in the trophy room for a drink before dinner. All of the food on this trip was top notch, wine to match, and it felt like you were staying in a boutique resort more than a hunting lodge.
The reserve ranch handled everything at my request including rental shotguns and ammo. I simply managed the travel and my guests only had to pack clothes and personal items.
Each morning coffee was ready at 6:30, breakfast at 7:30, and we typically departed around 8:30 both mornings. We split into a group of three and a group of four. I rotated around the groups in the morning and afternoon both days to get some time with all the guests on the hunt and corner one or two on some current work we have together.
The quail hunts took place in native scrub brush near the ranch estate with strategically cut rows through the brush that presented great conditions to shoot. The dog handlers were top notch and all of the birds hard flying. Rental equipment was a mix of semi auto and O/U 12 and 20 gauge shotguns that were in great shape.
Typically I have an idea before any hunt about how it’s going to be but the reserve ranch surpassed my expectations and really impressed my guests as well. If anyone is on the fence about a trip to the reserve ranch I’d say pull the trigger you won’t be disappointed!
Thanks again to @RESERVE RANCH and John Ed for spending a couple of days with us. A few guests want to make it an annual event so I’ll be in touch!
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