Mariposa Ranch

"Deep South Texas Hunting At Its Best"

Few places are as famous for quality game as the Mariposa Ranch.  It is recognized for its abundance of wild game and its magnificent world-class hunts.  Come and enjoy the pursuit of exceptional game, relaxation, and the unspoiled beauty of a South Texas ranch

Description

Located midway between Corpus Christi, Texas and Mexico, the Mariposa Ranch has remained in the Sullivan Family for over 100 years.  Daniel J. Sullivan, V continues the legacy, managing operations and implementing a further shift away from cattle ranching toward a more complete wildlife management program.  Once the world's largest producer of Beefmaster cattle, the ranch now sustains a small herd of cows for the sole purpose of enriching the wildlife habitat.

Bordered on the east, south, and west by the King Ranch and Kenedy Ranch, the Mariposa spans 45,000 contiguous acres across Brooks and Kenedy counties.  With over five types of terrain ranging from heavy mesquite and live oak thickets to vast open prairies and salt grass flats, the Mariposa Ranch enjoys the best of both worlds----excellent deer herds along with immense quail and turkey populations.

Facilities

Naturally, at the Mariposa Ranch, the food and lodging complement the hunt.  We have four lodges on the ranch.  Each lodge is independent of the other and has its own kitchen staff, guides, and host.  We do not combine individuals or groups unless this has been arranged and agreed upon prior to the hunt.

We have a unique sporting clays course called Cinco's Pavillon.  It consists of seven shooters stations (4 lower and 3 upper), two towers (20 ft. and 30 ft.), and sixteen GP electric traps (rabbit, chandelle, springing teal, 6 standard, 2 battue, and 5 full wobble).

Also uncommon at most ranches is a sense of security and privacy.  At the Mariposa, we provide quality service and attention without imposing on your group.  We are nestled in-between the King Ranch and the Kenedy Ranch.  On the north end we are high-fenced from the smaller ranches.  Along with other measures, the only entrance to the ranch is guarded twenty-four hours a day year around.  So, whether you hunt alone or with a group, not only will you lodge in comfort, but also with the security, privacy, and individual attention only the Mariposa Ranch can provide.

Location

The best way to the Mariposa Ranch is by plane.  Those flying commercially should land in Corpus Christi, Texas.  From there you may rent a vehicle or, through prior arrangements, have us collect you.  The drive to the ranch is just over an hour.

If you are traveling via private aircraft, you should land at Falfurrias Brooks County Airport.  It has a paved and lighted 5,000 foot strip with an instrument approach.  We will collect you and make the 5 minute drive to the ranch.

Whitetail Buck

Whitetail bucks are the most sought after North American game animal, and the Mariposa Ranch bears some of the best whitetail habitat in the country.   The vegetation, shrubs, mesquite beans, acorns, and a thousand varieties of grasses and weeds contribute to the high caliber of antlers in this area.

Of course, habitat is only part of the equation in the quality of animals at the Mariposa.  The other part is management.  Because of the tremendous amount of native feed and the absence of confinement through game proof fences, we do not concern ourselves much with buck/doe ratios.  However, we do pay extremely close attention to the age class of bucks taken.  Along with this and other criteria we determine a harvest quota and adhere to it.  It is a long-standing program we began in the 1950's.  With a whitetail population of over 3,500 on the ranch, the average B&C score is 135 to 140 and the average age is 5.5 to 6 years old.  At the Mariposa Ranch, the most difficult aspect of hunting is deciding which buck to shoot!

Bobwhite Quail

At the Mariposa Ranch, wildlife management and control is our business.  From clearing young mesquite growth to selective, controlled strip burning, we preserve and improve our quail habitat.  Too, unlike most, we use cattle to graze the grass just enough to keep it from becoming too thick.  We also shred over 200 miles of quail hunting roads each year, which are then fed throughout the season.  These measures ensure that our quail populations are not pressured, remain well nourished through the winter, and have pristine cover in which to hold and hide.

Since 1986, Rick Smith has provided the Mariposa Ranch with trainers and dogs.  The job requires over one hundred bird dogs that must perform to exacting standards for four months.  Rick has won 3 National Championships, 7 US Open Championships, 6 International Championships, and well over 100 Open All Age field trials.  Along with his cousin, Ronnie Smith (well respected field trial judge and trainer), they form Team Huntsmith, presenting bird dog training seminars throughout the US.  They bring to the Mariposa a century of knowledge---breeding, training, and handling championship bird dogs.

Rio Grande Turkey

One of the most thrilling and beautiful hunts at the Mariposa Ranch is for Rio Grande gobblers during the Spring.  The spectacular beauty and majesty of these birds as they strut and gobble is exhilarating.  Combined with the stunning colors of vegetation, wild flowers, and trees in full bloom, it is a moment in time few people ever see.

With thousands of acres of dense oak motts and mesquite thickets, the turkey flourish here at the ranch.  Through sound game management and an abundance of natural feed and cover, we have a huge turkey population with beard lengths averaging over 10 inches and spur lengths averaging 1.25 inches.  At the Mariposa Ranch, there is no reason not to take home a trophy bird!

Morning Dove

Few things are as challenging, exhilarating, and relaxing as dove hunting!  Like many places, we hunt our mourning doves over water holes.  However, instead of being limited to one or two tanks, the Mariposa has thirty-two ponds from which to choose.  That gives us the edge retaining and finding birds since they tend to relocate periodically and after each cold front.  This also enables us to accommodate larger groups of hunters and allows us to rest the doves by closing the tank(s) for a few days after an afternoon of shooting.

The area around each pond has ample cover and plenty of open space for unobstructed shooting.  All the water banks have been sloped and bladed.  Periodically, we shred the grass and weeds in the area to aid in cattle trapping and roundup.  This also entices the doves and makes it easier for the hunters' shagger to locate the downed birds.  Unless you travel abroad, you will not find a better dove hunt than on the Mariposa Ranch.

Nilgai

Imported several decades ago, the Nilgai, or Blue Indian Antelope, has proliferated in South Texas.  Fortunately not overrun with these animals, the Mariposa Ranch has healthy herds that roam freely.  Extremely elusive and weighing up to 700 pounds, the Nilgai is not only difficult to hunt, but even tougher to bring down.  A magnum caliber rifle and a well placed shot are essential.

Rainfall

The average rainfall on the Mariposa Ranch is over thirty inches per year.  Since the ranch covers almost seventy-one square miles, we record precipitation at twenty-two locations.  Our web site is updated regularly to reflect precipitation at the ranch.  We also have a "Current Conditions and Forecast" which is updated hourly.

Prices

Our package hunts cover two full days of hunting, with a two or three night stay at the ranch.  Custom tailored hunts are available as well.  The package prices are per man and include:

    ~  Lodging, meals, and bar
       ~  Guides and vehicles
       ~  The animal or daily bag limits of the game sought
       ~  Dogs and trainers (quail)
       ~  Shaggers (dove)
       ~  Shotgun shells (quail, dove, & turkey)
       ~  One round of sporting clays (quail & dove)
       ~  Cleaning of all game and packaging in sturdy insulated cartons
       ~  Transportation to/from Falfurrias Brooks County Airport

If you wish to have any meat processed and/or shipped, we can handle that for you through El Campo Deer & Game Processing in Kingsville.  They will bill you separately for those charges.  If you like, they will collect your trophy from the ranch and deliver it to Brush Country Studios taxidermy in Houston at no charge.  Any charges for taxidermy/shipping are separate and payable to BCS.

 Packages:          

Round trip transportation from Corpus Christi, TX is $400.00 per vehicle.  A fifty-percent deposit is required to book a hunt.  The balance is due sixty days prior to your arrival.  All monies received are non-refundable for any reason.  Therefore, please plan your hunt carefully.

General Hunting FAQ's

Q:  What kind of clothing should I pack?
A:  Generally, pack for cold, warm, and rainy weather.  Clothing that can be layered is best.  We recommend that bird hunters include a pair of snake proof boots and/or chaps and a hunting vest.

Q:  Are any of these items available at the ranch?
A:  Yes.  We have eight sets of leggings.

Q:  Do you have guns available for use at the ranch?
A:  Yes.  We have two 300 Winchester magnums, two Ruger 22 Hornets, and eight Beretta over/unders (two 12's, four 20's, two 28's).

Q:  Do you have a rifle range?
A:  Yes.  We also require everyone to recheck zero prior to their first hunt.

Q:  Which gauges of shotgun shells do you provide for the bird hunters?
A:  We carry the following gauges; 12, 16, 20, 28, and 410.

Q:  Do you have high brass shells (mag loads)?
A:  Yes, for turkey.  These are 12's with #4 and/or #6.  The 16's and 410's are factory field loads.  The others are custom loads:  12's (3, 1, 7-1/2)    20's (2-3/4, 7/8, 7-1/2)    28's (2-1/4, 3/4, 7-1/2).

Q:  Are the meals you provide low fat/low cholesterol?
A:  No.  However, if this is a concern, let us know in advance and we will be happy to accommodate you.

Q:  Is there an evening dress code?
A:  No.

Q:  What dates does the hunting season cover?
A:  Refer to the FAQ's for that particular species.

Q:  Do I need a hunting license?  If so, do you sell them?
A:  Yes and no.  The easiest way to obtain a license is by contacting Texas Parks & Wildlife at 800-792-1112.

Q:  Do you give any type of group discount?
A:  No.

Q:  What if I have a valid reason and cannot make the hunt?
A:  You will need to find a replacement or, if possible, reschedule for the current season.  We will assist by trying to resell the hunt.  However, we do not rollover monies received into the following season.

Q:  Do you allow bow hunting?
A:  Yes.  However, we only accept a handful of bow hunters each year.  We schedule those hunting deer, turkey, hog, and/or javelina during the regular bow season.  Those that do not want to hunt deer we schedule during the Spring turkey season.  For dates, check the FAQ's for buck and/or turkey.

Q:  I shot an animal, but was unable to recover it.  Do I still pay for it?
A:  Yes.  Any animal hit is viewed as a kill.

Q:  How do you handle our meat and trophies?
A:  Refer to our price list.

Q:  Do you take credit cards?
A:  No.

Buck Hunting FAQ's

Q:  What are the 2007-08 season dates for buck hunting?
A:  Deer season, bow only, opens Sept. 29th and closes Nov. 2nd.  The regular season opens Nov. 3rd and closes Jan. 20th.

Q:  What is included in your deer package
A:  Our deer package is $4,000/man.  It is a two or three night stay, depending on your arrival.  It includes lodging, meals, guides, drinks, and your whitetail buck.  There are no trophy fees.  For additional information, please see our price list and general faq's.

Q:  How are your deer hunts conducted?
A:  Your guide will drive you to your blind before daylight and pick you up around 10:30 that morning.  Around 3:00 that afternoon your guide will drive you to another blind and pick you up at dark.  These are general guidelines.  We can adjust the schedule to suit each individual.

Q:  Is there a minimum caliber requirement?
A:  Yes, one that shoots at least a 150 grain bullet.

Q:  May I use my black powder gun?
A:  No.

Q:  May we hike around and look for deer?
A:  No.  However, you may move off a little ways from the blind and rattle for deer.

Q:  May I shoot game from the truck?
A:  On your way to or from a blind, except on certain roads, yes.  However, you may not pursue the animal so as to get a shot.  If you wish to safari style hunt, you may do so for an additional fee.

Q:  Should I field dress the animal?
A:  No.  We will do that for you.  If you want to field dress it yourself, you may do so back at the camp.

Q:  What dates are best for hunting big bucks?
A:  The best dates are the available dates!  Some hunters like to come at the beginning of the season because the bucks are more predictable and those big ones haven't been shot.  Others like to come later in the season during the rut because they feel the big bucks are just now coming out.  Still others come toward the end of the season because of the cooler weather.

Q:  When is the rut?
A:  Bucks will start to rut around Thanksgiving.  The peak of the rut usually occurs the last two or three weeks of December.

Quail Hunting FAQ's

Q:  What are the 2007-08 season dates for quail hunting?
A:  Quail season opens Oct. 27th and closes Feb. 24th.  However, we do not begin hunting until late December.

Q:  What is included in your quail package?
A:  Our quail package is $4,000/man.  It is a two or three night stay, depending on your  arrival.  It includes lodging, meals, drinks, guides, vehicles, dog trainers, dogs, shotgun shells, and a round of sporting clays.  For additional information, please see our price list and general faq's.

Q:  How do you conduct the quail hunt?
A:  Your guide drives along a quail road while you sit topside and the trainer works the dog from the front of the truck.  Once a covey is pointed, you'll dismount, catch the rise and work the singles.  Once three birds are down or the covey has been worked enough, you'll pick up, load up, and look for another covey.  A cripple is counted as a downed bird.

Q:  What times do we hunt?
A:  Generally, the morning hunt begins with a wake up call at 6:00 and breakfast at 6:30.  You will load up at 7:00 and pick up at 11:00.  You will load up for the afternoon hunt around 2:30 and pick up close to dark.  Departure times will be adjusted as the sunrise and sunset times change. 

Q:  If four of us decide to go, may we all hunt on the same quail rig?
A:  Yes.  However, we allow no more than two shooters on the ground at a time.  If you decide to stay within the two man limit of birds per day, then the extra hunters would be charged only $600 per man.

Q:  If it's raining, is there room enough for everyone to ride inside?
A:  Yes.  Each of our four quail rigs is a customized F350 4×4 with aluminum bed and cages.

Q:  Do you have enough dog power for the entire season?
A:  Yes.  At any given time, we have over 100 dogs, of the pointing breed, on the ranch and ready to go.  Each rig goes out with at least eight pointing dogs and one to three labs.

Q:  How many birds may I kill?
A:  We do not release any birds.  This is strictly wild bird hunting.  Therefore, state law applies; 15 birds/day, 45 in possession.

Q:  What type of shotgun should I bring?
A:  For safety reasons, we prefer you use a side-by-side or over/under.  Our house guns are Beretta o/u's.

Q:  What chokes should I use?
A:  These birds are tough, fast flyers.  We suggest you use tighter than normal chokes.

Q:  May I hunt with my auto or pump shotgun?
A:  Yes. However, we require the magazine to be plugged (limited to two shells in mag.).

Turkey Hunting FAQ's

Q:  What are the 2007-08 season dates for turkey hunting?
A:  The regular season for turkey opens Nov. 3rd and closes Feb. 24th.  The spring season opens Mar. 15th and closes Apr. 27th.

Q:  What is included in your turkey package?
A:  Our turkey package is $2,000/man.  It is a two or three night stay, depending on your arrival.  It includes lodging, meals, guides, drinks, and your turkey.  There are no trophy fees.  For additional information, please see our price list and general faq's.

Q:  How are your turkey hunts conducted?
A:  Your guide will drive you to your blind before daylight and pick you up around 10:30 that morning.  Around 3:00 that afternoon your guide will drive you to another blind and pick you up at dark.  These are general guidelines.  We can adjust the schedule to suit each individual.

Q:  May I walk around and call for turkey?
A:  Yes, as long as you remain within 200 yards of the blind.  However, we suggest that you remain in the blind or close to it.  You will have a much better chance of getting your bird.

Q:  Should I bring a shotgun or rifle?
A:  If you have both, bring both.  The rifle will be handy for shots over thirty yards and/or for birds close together.

Q:  What about the particulars on guns we should use?
A:  The shotgun should be a 12 gauge choked full.  Excellent small caliber rifles are .22 Hornet, .218 B, .222, and .223.

Dove Hunting FAQ's

Q:  What are the 2007-08 season dates for dove hunting?
A:  Our dove season is a split season.  The first half opens Sept. 21st and closes Nov. 11th.  The second half opens Dec. 26th and closes Jan. 12th.

Q:  How many birds may we kill?
A:  Each hunter may kill twelve birds per day, twenty-four in possession.

Q:  What is included in your dove package?
A:  Our dove package is $800/man.  It is a two night stay, and includes lodging, meals, guides, shaggers, shotgun shells, drinks, and a round of sporting clays.  Plan an arrival for lunch the first day and a departure after breakfast the last day.  For additional information, please see our price list and general faq's.

Q:  How are your dove hunts conducted?
A:  Our dove hunt consists of two afternoon shoots.  We will depart to the water holes at least two hours prior to sunset.  This is a general guideline, and can be adjusted to your schedule.

Q:  Do we hunt dove in the morning?
A:  Our package does not include a morning hunt.  For an additional charge, you may participate in a morning hunt.  However, any kills apply to your daily bag limit.

Q:  Aside from the afternoon hunt, what other activities are available?
A:  You may relax in our hot spring tub, take a guided tour of the ranch, fish for bass, shoot sporting clays, and/or play golf.  For additional fees, you may hunt other game in season (i.e. nilgai, hogs, trophy boars, javelina).  We can also arrange fishing trips in Baffin Bay for red fish and trout.

Q:  What about fishing tackle?
A:  If you have a fly rod, bring it.  Otherwise, we have rods and reels on hand.

Q:  What type of shotgun should I bring?
A:  Which ever you are comfortable shooting.  However, auto's and pumps must have the magazine plugged.

Q:  What chokes should I use?
A:  A modified or tighter seems to work well.

Q:  What is a shagger?
A:  A shagger refers to a young man that will retrieve your downed birds for you.

Nilgai Hunting FAQ's

Q:  What are the season dates for Nilgai hunting?
A:  Nilgai may be hunted year around.

Q:  Do I hunt Nilgai from a blind?
A:  No.  This will be a safari style hunt.  You will shoot from the truck.

Q:  What is included in your nilgai package?
A:  Our nilgai package covers two full days of hunting, with a two or three night stay at the ranch.  It includes lodging, meals, drinks, guides, vehicles, and your nilgai (bull or cow).  There is no trophy fee.  For additional information, please see our price list and general faq's.

Q:  How much is a nilgai hunt.
A:  Our nilgai package is $2,700/man.  If two men hunt per vehicle, the price is $2,000/man.

Q:  How are your nilgai hunts conducted?
A:  You will be awaken at 6:00 and have breakfast at 6:30.  You will leave with your guide at daylight and return to the lodge around 11:45 for lunch.  You will depart again after lunch and hunt until dark.  Of course, this schedule can be adjusted to better suit you.

Q:  Is there a minimum caliber requirement?
A:  Yes, a rifle that shoots at least a 180 grain bullet.

Q:  What's the distance of the average shot?
A:  Usually less than 150 yards.

Q:  Do they make good table fare?
A:  Yes, excellent.

Contact Information

Mariposa Ranch                                                                       Ranch Entrance:  (24/7):  361-325-2848
906 CR 225                                                                                 Office:  361-325-5752   Fax:  361-325-5827
Falfurrias, TX 78355                                                               Cell:  361-813-4980
http://www.mariposaranch.net                                           E-mail:  sullivan@mariposaranch.net

Hunts advertised are fair chase.
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