Hebbronville, TX 78361 - Zapata County

The 4,624-acre Jacalon Ranch, located about 20 minutes from Hebbronville on the southeastern corner of Webb and northeastern corner of Zapata counties, is the South Texas ranch that wildlife enthusiasts dream of. The low-fenced ranch, surrounded by sprawling historic ranches, is home to exceptional whitetail and quail (both bobs and blues) hunting. Dove and waterfowl are abundant in their seasons.

Thriving wildlife populations are a combination of exceptional habitat and effective, conscientious game management. The Jacalon Ranch, that traces its beginnings to the Jose Vasquez Borrego Spanish land grant issued in the 1760s, benefits from both.

The trophy whitetail herd is managed under a MLD Level III Permit. For the past six seasons, limited hunting pressure has been applied. The diverse soil (Brundage Fine Sandy Loam, Copita Fine Sandy Loam, Hebbronville Loamy Fine Sand, Maverick-Catarina Complex, Zapata-Outcrop Complex and Gently Undulating) produces diverse vegetation delivering a natural buffet of high-energy, high-protein browse and forbs that grow robust animals. It is a rare ranch that encompasses so much diverse soil, topography and habitat.

The Jacalon Ranch is in an ecological transition zone marked by the Bordas Escarpment that runs through the upper portion of the ranch. It brings together the famous red sandy country, brush motts and savannah grasslands of the Coastal Plains with the rolling hills and flatlands typical of this region of South Texas. Thanks to the escarpment the ranch also offers stunning views. On clear days, you can see Mexicos Sierra Madre Mountainsand theyre 125 miles away.

Even the strongest habitat cant support wildlife without water. Fortunately, the Jacalon Ranch delivers with four wells, 7 stock tanks, and several creeks distributed throughout. A windmill, located near the ranch entrance, pulls from a well at 200 feet. Two more newly drilled wells that hit water at 400 feet are in the same general area and offer 4,500 gallons of storage. These wells, which flow at approximately 10 15 gpm each, have excellent quality drinking water. The fourth well, near the center of the ranch, extends 1,050 feet deep and provides water for wildlife, livestock and filling tanks at a rate of 40 gpm.

FM 649 provides road frontage access to the ranch and its centerpiece, the Jacalon Ranch Lodge beautifully appointed with Spanish and Southwestern furniture and dcor befitting its history and location. The lodge boasts 11 suites each with a private bath. The suites join the soaring two-story main building; the complex is equipped with telephone, high-speed internet and dish satellite. Designed to easily handle a crowd, the lodge includes a modern kitchen, a large dining room and bar area, a utility room and a full bath in the common area. Guests can enjoy a fire pit and an outdoor seating area in the midst of a native landscape oasis. A rain catchment system with an 8,000 gallon capacity helps meet water needs.

To make coming and going even easier, the Jacalon Ranch Runway, a private/restricted 3,900 foot turf runway (TE89), is located adjacent to the lodge. Jim Hogg County Airport, with a paved and lighted 5,000 foot runaway, is 20 minutes away and the Laredo International Airport, which handles private and commercial flights, is 40 minutes away.

The Jacalon Ranch is the stuff of a wildlife enthusiasts dreamsbut its real. To experience the Jacalon Ranch for yourself, contact Howard W. Hood at 830-739-3815. Available for $1,450/acre.