Grazing

Rain in the Desert: July 6, 2010

At Circle Ranch, Hudspeth County, far-West Texas,  we get 11″ average rainfall per year. This is 1/2 the normal rainfall in Laredo where much of our Texas Scaled Quail research has been done.  Moreover, West Texas rains, unlike Laredo rains, come mostly in July and August.   South Texas blues

Hunting

Mrs. Harber's Desert Bighorn Sheep Trophy, July 7, 2010

This fine ram was taken by 70-year old Mrs. Dorothy Harber at a range of 220 yards.

Quail

Desert Quail and Water

Many quail experts say desert quail do not need water. Maybe so, but here is the ‘rest of the story’

Quail & Wildlife Waterers

16 Circle Wildlife Photos, Taken With Game Cameras

Note the time of day, temperature, and see the patterns for the habits of different species.

Quail

Winter Feeding Habits of West Texas Desert Quail

Circle Ranch biologist Mark Tyson and Son Adjust a Game Camera at Quail Feed-Block Station, July 2010

Predator Removals

John Sherman on Predator Trapping to Help Turkey

John Sherman is a senior wildlife biologist with the New Mexico BLM. John helped us set up our quail waterers and feeding program. He was kind enough to offer these thoughts on predator trapping around our turkey nesting sites: “Chris, just got back into the office and saw your series

Photos

Las Josefinas Headwall, June 27, 2010

Upper country has oak, juniper, pinyon. Note the seasonal waterfall on the right of  the cliff face.

Photos

Las Josefinas Canyon, June 27, 2010

Photos

Las Josefinas Monolith June 27, 2010

Photo by ‘Desert Rat’, Eaglebrook ’59…

Elk Removals

More Proof That Elk Were Native to Texas

My brother Richardson B. Gill holds a doctorate in anthropology and is a leading authority on the collapse of the Maya civilization.

Elk Removals

Additional Proof Elk Are Native to Texas

Here in this post (below) is a paper on an elk bone found in a Texas riverbank in 1993.

Grazing

Allan Savory at Circle Ranch, June 19, 2009: “I Who Grew Up in the African Bush an Ardent Wildlifer, Discovered That I Loved the Land More Than I Hated Cattle

Allan Savory is from Zimbabwe (former Rhodesia).

Photos

Baby Turkey: June 10, 2010

Here are ten little turkey at the Bunkhouse.

habitat restoration

Keylining Bare Ground in Lower Desert

This ground is bare except for creosote.

habitat restoration

Planting Cereals in Desert Using Yeomans Plow

The idea of Keyline/Yeomans is to open soil to root growth by causing all water to soak in where it falls.

Quail

Students of Quail From a Broad Range of Backgrounds: QuailMasters 2010 Visited Circle Ranch June 7, 2010.

In this scene we are examining a burn/graze comparison site.

Photos

Dale Rollins and Chris Gill

QuailMasters 2010 Visit to Circle Ranch, June 7, 2010

Grazing

Thoughts on Desert Quail and Desert Grazing Offered by Steve Nelle, June 7, 2010

Steve Nelle is highly-respected range and wildlife scientist who works for NRCS.

habitat restoration

Same Area in May Before 2010 Monsoons

This picture shows what winter moisture did for plants between the furrows.

habitat restoration

Our First Treatment With Yeomans Plow: October 2009

The first treatment with our Yeomans Plow.

Bio-Diversity

Christopher Gill to Editor of Big Bend Sentinel on Elk Removals by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

I felt that several comments made by TPWD Executive Director, Carter Smith, defending elk removals, needed rebuttal.

Elk Removals

Trophy Bull Elk at Circle Ranch

Bulls of this size bring $10,000 or more.

Photos

Headquarters in Winter

Ranch headquarters on Circle Ranch in West Texas

Photos

Desert in Winter

Desert grasslands on Circle Ranch in West Texas, in the winter

Photos

Sunset and Headquarters

Late sunset on Circle Ranch in West Texas