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Growing Stronger during the Tough Times
We have seen the calendar year 2011 pass and opened a new calendar for 2012. I can honestly say that 2011 was the toughest year I have experienced. Yet it built the most character I have seen--not only in myself and our team here, but in our neighbors throughout the whole region.
We had the worst fire season in our history, the worst drought on record, the highest heat for the longest period of time recorded, and even tremors from an earthquake were felt here on the ranch! We lost over 60 miles of fence and in excess of 25,000 acres of grass to wildfires and had to sell off half of our cow herd. In all this, I feel we are truly blessed!
It is times like this that one steps back and realizes the power of our creator and realizes one's own mortality. We are approaching the anniversary of February 27th--the day that a wildfire swept through the ranch headquarters and burned about 20,000 acres on the ranch and a total of 40,000 acres in the county. For the next two days, we would be fighting fire.
As I stood in our shop at midnight--which was still smoking from catching on fire--and we were rigging up additional fire-fighting equipment, you could see the orange glow of fire
completely surrounding the ranch. That fire had already gone through headquarters, forcing firefighters and employees to abandon their stations. As they retreated to the safe zones,
they saw the headquarters completely vanished in a rolling ball of flames, smoke, and dust. In their minds it was gone. As I worked I was pondering how fragile life can be, but at the same
time vowing not to give up.
I said earlier that we were blessed--we were and are--because no one was hurt and no homes were lost. The Matador Ranch homes and buildings only suffered minor damage. What more can one ask?
Through this past year as I reflect on our team, I saw each team member embody Koch's Guiding Principles. The events of 2011 demanded change, shared knowledge, teamwork, compassion, a willingness to help team members and neighbors, generosity as demonstrated by our company to community VFD's and EMS, but more than anything else, tenacity--a "won't give up" mentality.
I'm proud of our team. I'm proud to be part of a great company. I'm proud of an outstanding ranch and the great group I work with. I look forward to a new year and the opportunities it brings. We live in exciting times. We are blessed!
Sincerely,
Bob Kilmer
Ranch Manager
bob.kilmer@matadorranch.com
Be sure and stay abreast of what's going on by following us on Facebook and Twitter @matadorranch.
 
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Matador Ranch Wildlife Report: A Year in Review
by Bobby Buntyn
Wildlife Biologist
Looking back, 2011 will be lamented as a most challenging year in all aspects of range and wildlife management. The annual precipitation during the 12-month period was recorded at less than 3 inches. This lack of rainfall has the distinction of being the worst 12-month period in recorded history for Motley County.
In addition to the lack of rainfall, plants and wildlife were dealt the joker in mother nature's deck of cards-fire. While Aldo Leopold, the father of wildlife management, recognized fire as a range and wildlife tool, he also understood that a fire event must be followed by rainfall to be beneficial. To date the Matador Ranch has had over 25,000 acres burned in wildfire events, without a subsequent rainfall.
Considering these factors, one wonders how the wildlife population will respond. To date upland bird populations have been the most affected. Both fire and drought affect available nesting cover, thus providing fewer nesting opportunities. Of those nests that do hatch, the limiting factor for the clutch is the arthropods required for nutrition.
The Matador Ranch has teamed up with Dr. Dale Rollins and the Texas A&M Extension Agency to conduct two landmark quail studies. The focuses of these studies are numerous yet are all centered on disease components that affect quail populations. The results of these studies will be published for peer review and publication.
Turkey numbers are down due to the same limiting factors-available nesting cover and insects. All upland bird populations are boom-or-bust species. As conservationists and land stewards, we must understand the variables we can control and be patient for those we cannot. The turkey and quail populations at Matador Ranch are on the rebound, and all signs point to a moderate recovery by year 2013.
Mule Deer and white-tailed deer, with their larger size and ability to cover a greater area in search of food resources, are holding their own. Statistically speaking, body conditions and weights are +/- 4 percent of historical range. However, antler development has been documented as being +/- 12 percent down. The deer population has a greater chance of a quick recovery as evidenced by their maintaining proper body weights. Given their positive physical condition, antler development can recover by next hunting season.
Overall, I remain encouraged at the range condition and soil moisture considering where we have been. Range recovery and subsequent wildlife recovery will take its course-hopefully sooner than later. All signs point to a speedy recovery.
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Drury Outdoors Dream Season Final Episode at Matador Ranch
 | | Dream Season team members Joe Shults and Steve "Coon Dog" Coon watch the bow competition at the Matador Ranch. |
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Four teams of Drury Outdoor's Dream Season: The Journey competition traveled to the Matador Ranch for the final episode of the season the last of January.
Hunting the Matador were Team Reconyx, Rod Owen of Missouri and Doug Hampton of Arizona; Team Mad, Joe Shults of Tennessee and Steve "Coon Dog" Coon of Missouri; Team Mossy Oak Properties, Bart and Blair Goins of Alabama; Team Hunt VE, David and Jeff Lindsey of Iowa.
Terry Drury of Bloomsdale, MO, who with his brother Mark owns Drury Marketing, Inc., the producer of Drury Outdoors (http://www.druryoutdoors.com), also attended the Matador Ranch competition.
"The Matador Ranch is a diamond in the rough," said Drury. "The ranch is unbelievable. It has five-star food and accommodations!"
Production manager Jacob Snyder and his film crew Zac Coleman and Joe Foster were constantly recording footage for the show and accompanying video. The filming and interviewing schedule often ran late into the night.
Camaraderie among the team members was high despite the intense competition, as the hunters were able to relax and enjoy the accommodations and hospitality of the ranch and its staff.
The Matador Ranch episode of Dream Season: the Journey will be aired during the summer.
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Cheesecake de Cordero a Guest Favorite
When Chef Francisco (Frank) Cordero of the Culinary Academy in Vernon provided a week of culinary training at the Matador Ranch Lodge, he left us with some wonderful recipes and a whole new skill set. One of our favorites is for a delicious cheesecake which we lovingly renamed "Cheesecake de Cordero."
Chef Cordero worked for many years in New York restaurants, the legendary birthplace of cream-cheese cake. He experimented until he came up with what he considers to be the best basic cheesecake recipe, and we agree. When we top it with our over-the-top caramel sauce and sprinkle on a few chopped pecans from local trees, guests who claim they can't find room for dessert eat every single bite.
Cheesecake de Cordero
3 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
2 large eggs
5 ounces sour cream
1 ½ cups sugar (or to taste)
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 packet Graham crackers, ground fine
2 ounces butter, melted
Cinnamon (to sprinkle on crust)
Thoroughly mix together the soft cream cheese, eggs, sour cream, sugar, and lemon zest.
Combine Graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter. Fit the bottom of a spring-form pan with foil. Pat the crust mixture evenly on top of the foil. Place crust in the freezer for 10 minutes. After removing the crust from the freezer, spread the cream cheese filling over the crust.
Place the cake in a water bath and bake at 350 degrees for 90 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the cake at rest in the oven for 90 more minutes. DO NOT OPEN the oven door during any of the 90-minute baking and the 90-minute resting period.
Remove cake from the oven and place it in the freezer. Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving. Remember to remove all the foil. To cut the cake smoothly, dip the knife in a container of boiling water between each cut.
Top with your favorite topping (ours is below) or enjoy it plain.
Butter Caramel Sauce
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
Mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, and heavy cream in a sauce pan. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 90 seconds and remove from heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of butter. Cool until thickened. Drizzle on cheesecake. Garnish with chopped pecans. |
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Matador Horses
We are standing our two stallions to the public in 2012: High Marked and Wrigly. Call J.D. Russell at 806-347-2645.
 | | Wrigly |
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 | | High Marked |
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Don't forget to follow Matador Ranch on Facebook and Twitter!
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Weather Update
The weather pattern established in 2011 appears to be continuing. Only .03 precipitation was recorded in January, and the average high temperature was 57 degrees. February has been a bit better, with an average high daily temperature of 49 degrees and .64 of recorded precipiation. There have consistently been extremely high winds, however, so the moisture is quickly lost to evaporation. |
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If you haven't tasted Akaushi beef from HeartBrand, you are in for a treat! This heart-healthy beef is being featured in five-star restaurants across the country, and some of it is raised right here on the Matador Ranch.
Call the Matador Ranch Store at 806.347.2600 and purchase a $100 Akaushi gift card for only $80, plus tax.
Always check for additions to the ranch store on our Facebook page.AAllways watch fAlwayor additions to our ranch store on our page!
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Calendar of Events
March 29 - April 1
March 31
Spring Turkey Season Begins.
April 13-14
June 8-10
August 10-11
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Matador Scrapbook 2012
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Take advantage of special pricing on Matador Ranch quail hunts today!
Call Les Woolsey at 806.422.0196 or 806.347.2645. |
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Dream Season team member Jeff Lindsey particiaptes in the bow competition while Terry Drury of Drury Outdoors looks on. |
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Matador Ranch cowboys have been
busy working calves. The herd has
been reduced by half because of
drought conditions. |
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Area game wardens served as guides
to youth involved in the annual
Youth Hunt at the Matador Ranch. |
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Hawks 95, a 7-year-old gelding (AQHA 4737283),
is available form the Matador Ranch. Call J.D.
at 806.347.2645 to make a deal. |
 | | Teresa Craig bagged a 221 5/8 buck while bow hunting on the Matador. |
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 | | Matador Doc King a 11-year-old Matador Ranch gelding (AQHA 4143284), is for sale. Call J.D. at 806.347.2645 for the particulars. |
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Lodge Cook Kim Woolsey recented attended a cooking demonstration and training on making over-the-top desserts. Come try one! |
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Matador Ranch Store Offers Unique Mesquite Pieces by Texas Craftsman
Soft light reflects off the satin patina of the mesquite wood, whose red-brown circles chronicle its life, season by season. Some show evidence of injury; there are lean years and years of abundance. Imperfections transform to beauty marks inlaid with turquoise.
The turnings of the master craftsman style a gentle crescent, cupping slightly to hold small treasures or fashion a cross, a symbol of so much to so many. The rough beauty of natural bark edges a contrast and gives testament to the crusty character of this tree--a survivor par excellence.
 | | Mesquite crescent bowls are highlighted with turquoise inlay. |
The eye of artisan Buddy Compton, however sees beauty and possibility in the mesquite thickets outside his West Texas hometown of Colorado City.
For 20 years Compton has released and refined the elegance within these most unwelcoming of trees, thick with torn and scant of shade-but able to thrive despite heat, drought, and nutrient-poor soil.
"It is very satisfying to see the beauty of the wood emerge as I work on the piece from start to finish," says Compton.
Start to finish involves several steps from harvesting the right thickness and circumference needed, to working the wood on a lathe, roughing out a design, sanding, and finally applying a finish. All are steps Compton has been doing for a good part of his life, but since retiring from public schools after 33 years, woodturning has gone from avocation to vocation.
Spending time with master wood turners in Texas and Ohio has added expert technique to his natural talent.
And the wood responds, as if being called forth. And none are without merit. "The defects in the wood can provide some very dramatic effects on the finished piece, either through turquoise inlays or naturally," contends Compton.
View some of his creations on the Matador Ranch Facebook page or drop by the ranch so you can actually feel their smooth, graceful lines. You will be convinced that even the accursed mesquite can be coaxed into pieces of unique and exquisite beauty.
Mesquites are indeed survivors, much like the people of this rugged countryside, and the trees are worthy metaphors of the ranchers by whom they are despised. When killed from the ground up and burned black by wildfires, the brushy trees returned to their roots and came back green and renewed to thrive again.
Call the Ranch Shop at 806.347.2600 today for a stunning mesquite cross, bowl, or lamp. Prices are from $32. A nuisance to ranchers and considered one of the most problematic, invasive species of trees, the mesquite is even said to be responsible for lowering underground water tables with its depth-seeking taproot. |
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