Stowers Ranch

Wildlife Viewing at Stowers Ranch

Stowers Ranch offers extraordinary opportunities for viewing wildlife in its natural habitat.

Birding

Many species of birds reside in or migrate through Kerr County. Two rare and endangered species, the Blackcap Vireo and the Golden Cheek Warbler, are concentrated in the Texas Hill Country. Both of these species have been sighted at Stowers Ranch, and we are in the process of establishing a sanctuary for the Blackcap Vireo on the north edge of the ranch.

Annual bird surveys are conducted at the ranch and over 50 species have been identified. For a list of these species, click here. Of particular interest are the Great Blue Herons that move about the river and the Bald and Golden Eagles that soar over cliffs above a lake during the winter months.

We believe that we have many other species of birds residing on or passing through the ranch, and we expect that future annual surveys will tell us what they are.

Stowers Ranch solicits the interest of organized birding groups that would like to come to the ranch. Individuals and less formal groups can also be accommodated. Stowers Ranch does not guide birding tours but will provide maps showing the areas for the best viewing.

Good binoculars of eight power or higher are recommended. We also recommend sturdy shoes or hiking boots, because some of the terrain is rough, rocky, steep, and occasionally wet.

For individuals or small groups, Stowers Ranch charges a fee of $50 per adult and $25 per child aged 6 to 16 years (children 5 and under are free). Special arrangements can be made for large groups.

For more information or to make a reservation, call us at (830) 238-4346 or click here to contact us via e-mail.

Pasture Trips

Stowers Ranch offers driving trips through the pastures to view the ranch's ruggedly beautiful terrain and abundant wildlife: whitetail deer and exotic game such as axis, sika and fallow deer, blackbuck antelope, and aoudad. One may also see coyotes, feral hogs, foxes, skunks, raccoons, porcupines, jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, squirrels, and armadillos, in addition to a wide variety of birds.

Under good conditions, stands of perennial prairie grasses such as cane bluestem, little bluestem, big bluestem, sideoats gramma, hairy gramma, curly mesquite, buffalograss, fall witchgrass, plains lovegrass, wildrye, Texas wintergrass, and Indiangrass blanket the rolling countryside. In the spring there is usually a profusion of wildflowers, including the famous Texas bluebonnet and cactus blossoms. Other wildflowers bloom throughout the year.

The best times to see wildlife and for photography are in the early morning and early evening. As with bird watching, good binoculars of eight power or more are recommended, and if you are taking pictures a telephoto lens is highly desirable.

Two hour driving tours through the ranch are offered for groups of up to five people at a cost of $100 per tour. Advance reservations are required.