Class IV Sheep

Last week at the Lado, a Class IV Desert Bighorn Sheep was seen watering.  Through conservation projects on the ranch, the number of sheep has increased and the ranch was given a permit in 2010 and 2011.  Trail cameras near the guzzlers like this one  allow us to see a number of sheep, whether they be lambs or Class IV rams when they come to water.

Mountain Lion Tracking on the Lado

That paw could do some real damage.

Last week, a mountain lion was caught in a snare on the Lado.  Texas Parks and Wildlife tranquilized the lion and added a GPS tracking collar to follow the 130-pound lion's movement throughout the area. 

The sedated lion.

Putting the muzzle on--pretty key for the night's work.

A lion in the Davis Mountains has been followed and is only eating Aoudad, an African invasive sheep.

The snared lion.

Notice the size of the lion compared to the biologists!

It will be really exciting to follow the lion throughout the ranch and West Texas.

A gorgeous cat ready to roll.

Invasives Control at Wexford

Steele, Kai, Christian, and Miles

It's Cowboy Camp at Wexford.  For two weeks every summer, the grandchildren come to the ranch to learn about ranching and conservation.  They also spend time in the offices too, learning about finances and the oil industry.  It's a great way to give the kids a taste of what's to come.  It's not all work at Cowboy Camp, though.  The kids made a little dent in the pig population this week.

Miles, Christian, and Kai

Feral hogs cause over $400 million dollars in damage to farms and ranches in Texas yearly.  It's a good thing they're so delicious!

Aoudad on the Lado

Aoudad are sheep that are native to the mountains of Northern Africa.  They were introduced some years ago in West Texas and reproduced rapidly.  They also prevented Desert Bighorns from reproducing, therefore, they are a nuisance and have mostly been eradicated on the Lado Ranch.

Last month, Quint and Byron Burris, of Victoria, Texas, shot this aoudad on the Lado, a treat for a non-native species.

2012 Lone Star Land Steward

Wexford Ranches was recently honored at a banquet by Texas Parks and Wildlife as a 2012 Lone Star Land Steward for the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes Region.

Improving the Wildlife Habitat

A corner of the electric fence to keep the cattle out.

Last week at Wexford, a lot of brush was removed to improve the wildlife habitat.  The disturbed area has now been fenced off with electric fencing to keep the cows out and promote the growth of native vegetation.  Native browse will be great for the deer and other wildlife--I'm sure it tastes better than Huisache too.

Hopefully, the heavy duty electric fence will keep the crazy South Texas cattle out.

In August, the fenced off area will be burned to complete the brush removal.  The hot air temperature will create a hotter fired, making is easier to burn stumps and tall branches.  I love a good fire on the ranch, but I think I'll pass on helping out in August.

The newly brush free area is surrounded by a fire guard in preparation of the August fire.

Wexford Ranches has been using prescribed burns to promote native vegetation growth for decades.  That was always my favorite day to go to work!

Spring Colts at Wexford

The favorite colt of the season at Wexford.

Wexford is full of new life right now with 12 colts on the ground and three more are expected any day now.  Wexford has 18 brood mares and two studs in their breeding stock.  The O'Connor family has been breeding horses for about 75 years in South Texas.  The photos are of the favorite colt this year, a sorrel filly.

The colt and her mom.

Just another shot of a pretty horse.