Want to learn more about the Waggoner Ranch

[12 point]

Are there any members on here that work on the WT Waggoner Ranch or maybe even someone that lives there? I've always been fascinated by the history of that place.

If only I hadn't been running short on time when passing by, I would have stopped to see some of the sights in the area.

I don't know much about the hunting and fishing potential of the ranch, but would love to hear from some folks that have personal knowledge of it.

The ranch's website mentions their cattle, horses, farming, and also the vast oil wells. http://www.waggonerranch.com/

When the story first broke several years back about there being a possibility that the ranch might be divided and sold, I was shocked to say the least.

Can anyone on here tell me anything new about the Waggoner Ranch that isn't well known public knowledge?

Just want to learn more about it. There's so much history there.

Thanks

[MQ32Shooter]

Try Jim Bob Little at Sweetwater Creek Bowhunting Ranch in Decatur. I understand that it's part of the Waggoner empire and he's been with them for years.

[12 point]

Try Jim Bob Little at Sweetwater Creek Bowhunting Ranch in Decatur. I understand that it's part of the Waggoner empire and he's been with them for years.

Thanks very much. I'll do that.

[elliscountyhog]

We eased around some of the backroads through and around the ranch one year and the amount and quality of deer was unreal. I would LOVE to hunt there

[br549redneck]

Its my understanding that they have strict no hunting policy on the ranch. Even the people that lease lots around Lake Kemp which is on the ranch and is ranch owned from the Waggoner estate cant hunt. I work with a guy that owns a cabin on the lake. And seen some pictures of deer he has seen from his place there. The lake was at one time a crappie hot spot I fished it for years every spring. Then they had a golden algae bloom and it did a number on all species of fish.

[MQ32Shooter]

Sweeterwater Creek has a website. Just check it and give him a call. Nice guy. Tell him or Michael, his son that I referred ya.

[12 point]

Its my understanding that they have strict no hunting policy on the ranch. Even the people that lease lots around Lake Kemp which is on the ranch and is ranch owned from the Waggoner estate cant hunt. I work with a guy that owns a cabin on the lake. And seen some pictures of deer he has seen from his place there. The lake was at one time a crappie hot spot I fished it for years every spring. Then they had a golden algae bloom and it did a number on all species of fish.

I forgot about the no hunting policy. There was an article published around 2004 that mentioned one family member who alone controls about 50% of the ranch and didn't want hunters leasing land. Was reported to have said he was against it mainly because hunters would likely leave trash behind.
The same article said that it was another family member who has say over the other half of the ranch or ranch holdings that initiated the discussion of leasing land to hunters in the first place.

Hope the ranch never gets divided and sold off.

[12 point]

Sweeterwater Creek has a website. Just check it and give him a call. Nice guy. Tell him or Michael, his son that I referred ya.

Thanks

[riverbowman]

My old lease was just a few miles east of the ranch. We used to drive through there in the evenings just to witness the giant bucks that would stand on the side of the road and stare at you as you stopped to look at them. They knew they were safe.

This was the only big one we ever caught glimpse of on our place, but we never saw him in person. This type deer is seen often on the ranch.


I also hunted ducks on Lake Diversion, which is on the ranch, and both times I was there a helicopter buzzed us and "wagged" its tail to let us know we were being watched. It's an amazing place.

[Dale Moser]

Home of the world famous Poco Bueno. He was a champion cutting horse that made a ton of money, and sired a bunch more horses that did as well. One of the Waggoners left instructions that PB be buried standing up.....and so he was. They had a granite marker put in place on his grave that weighed 4 or 5 tons.

[Captrix]

Home of the world famous Poco Bueno. He was a champion cutting horse that made a ton of money, and sired a bunch more horses that did as well. One of the Waggoners left instructions that PB be buried standing up.....and so he was. They had a granite marker put in place on his grave that weighed 4 or 5 tons.

They have some amazing horses.

[Codie]

I forgot about the no hunting policy. There was an article published around 2004 that mentioned one family member who alone controls about 50% of the ranch and didn't want hunters leasing land. Was reported to have said he was against it mainly because hunters would likely leave trash behind.
The same article said that it was another family member who has say over the other half of the ranch or ranch holdings that initiated the discussion of leasing land to hunters in the first place.

Hope the ranch never gets divided and sold off.

there is some hunting done on the ranch (be it a VERY small amount)

[Devin]

I had a lease near Seymour that was bordered by the Waggoner on two sides.

I ran into one of their hands riding their fence horseback after a heavy rain checking for damage. A young man, but was a throwback to a different generation, living a life in a cabin on that particular "pasture". His father and grandfather had worked as hands for the Waggoner too.

I asked about hunting and he said they did do some, but not really in his "pasture", more North and West. They had been flying helicopters shooting pigs though as I'd heard 'em. He said it was only making 'em worse. They would come fly for a week at a time. First time they shot 1500, second time 1800, third time, 2000. He laughed that if they kept it up, they might as well sell the cows as the pigs would take over.

What I thought was funny was when I finally asked how big his "pasture" was. He said "Aww, it's one of the smaller ones. About 15,000 acres."

The Waggoner's an amazing place to say the least. I sure hope it never gets broken up.

[Devin]

This hunt we went on was just a half mile from the Waggoner and most the deer on this pasture had come from their. There were literally hundreds of deer on this 600 acre wheat field. I imagine there were 10 deer over 150 at one time. It was incredible.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-TckbgcPPY&feature=channel&list=UL"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-TckbgcPPY&feature=channel&list=UL[/ame]

[Devin]

A good video on the Waggoner from a pretty good source:

[ame="http://vimeo.com/14144976"]http://vimeo.com/14144976[/ame]