Author Topic: Got my piece of Texas! (Read 2224 times)

ShooterSATX · « **on:** February 27, 2010, 06:29:16 PM »

Chiming in from Baghdad...

All,

I was home on R&R from Iraq (for the last time) Jan/Feb and I finally achieved my dream...I bought me a small hunting ranch in the area I have been looking at for a few years now. I bought 38.4 acres between Rocksprings and Lake Amistad, just a few miles off of Hwy 377. It has a seasonal (rock-bottom) creek and a box canyon. The top corner has already been cleared for a cabin. Aside from that, she is completely raw.

I will finally be back in San Antonio by mid-June and I will get to work on the cabin and drop a couple of feeders on it to prepare for deer season. It has always been my biggest dream to have my own piece of Texas and now, it's finally hear. I plan on having a Cedar cabin built and going completely off the grid...propane stove and fridge and 12V for lights and TV. Later on down the road I plan on water reclamation too (shower and washing).

I am going to find and RV (propane) fridge and stove and have thought out (in detail) how to drain the sink outside and how the outhouse is going to be. I also plan on an outdoor panel to plug the generator in to run an AC in the summer (if needed) and to charge the 12V system when there is limited sun for a solar panel.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this with the board since I have received so much useful information here. Graybeards spot is truly top-notch and the folks here are down right great!

Cheers!

Aaron

skarke · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2010, 06:32:09 PM »

Mega congrats, and as a Native Texan and Vet, I couldn't be prouder or more thankful for you and your service.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2010, 07:57:35 PM »

Good for you!!

FWIW - propane appliances are usually available at a Co-oP, right along with the rope and feed.

Texas may have enough wind to support a wind generator. They are quite popular in windy areas off the grid. I ran a sink drain into a sand box fitted with a drain into another tank. It sure looked clean enough, but I can't testify if it were bacteria free or not. Made good cleaning water. For sure, keep your outhouse downwind and away from any possible water source. Good luck with your adventure.

mrbigtexan · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2010, 04:56:20 PM »

fwiw, up here in the panhandle where it gets cold, heating with propane is way more expensive than electricity.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2010, 05:13:27 PM »

Well hello in Bagdad Pardner! Thank you for your service and Gods speed for your return!

We here in God's country will look forward to your return and wish you well with your "piece" of it!

ShooterSATX · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2010, 05:37:46 AM »

Thank y'all!

The reason I have to figure something out is because I am a few miles from electricity. My wife has suggested just buying a used RV to put out there and run off generator. I have seen too many ranches with old RV's just left to rot...an eyesore I don't wish to have.

A small Cedar cabin and a wood-burning stove is what I had in mind. But then I wonder how much wood I'll be going through. I figure during hunting season, I wouldn't be there for more than a few days at a time anyway.

Thanks for the well-wishes and gratitude. I am the lucky one...protected by the greatest military force in the world!

Regards,

Aaron

markc · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2010, 05:49:34 AM »

Congrats Aaron. It sounds like your property is near mine. We are about 9 miles south of Carta Valley, 1/2 hour drive to Amistad. Does that ring a bell? Summers are hot there, just like Iraq I guess. We use a generator for lights, propane for heat in the winter.

Here is my cabin. In March I will be adding a gutter system in order to catch rain water. I have a 250 gallon tank that I will be using. If you drive in ot Del Rio, the Sirloin Stampede is a good place to eat!

RHM · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2010, 01:54:32 PM »

Edwards County, and Rocksprings in particular, is my retirement plan...or sooner than retirement if I get tired enough of working for the gov't before then!

markc · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2010, 06:59:56 AM »

Love that part of Texas. I am heading there a week from today to do some work, set a new feeder, and relax. Maybe hunt for axis while I am there.

ShooterSATX · « **Reply #9 on:** April 21, 2010, 07:11:36 AM »

Chiming in from Baghdad...

Well folks, I am headed home next Wednesday! I will be so glad to have my family back in my arms again! I have been here for just over 15 months and my time is up.

As for the ranch now, I have decided on a Cabin afterall. I came across a local guy in San Antonio that builds cabins for a living. I am going to have him build me a 16' X 20' built with 8' walls and an 8' deep loft (my bedroom). I also decided on a 3-burner drop-in Propane Cooktop and a Propane (wall-mounted heater).

As far as electricity goes, I'm going with a 12-volt solution utilizing 2 deep-cycle batteries with an inverter. Eventually I will add a charge controller and a solar panel. I will have to settle for a generator to run the AC on Summer nights however. I figure some 12 volt (RV-style) LED lighting and a small LCD TV/DVD player, I should be fine.

Next update is coming from San Antonio!!!

Cheers

Aaron

BBF · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2010, 10:50:23 AM »

As a suggestion for your 12Volt setup. look to buy at least 2 6 volt cart batteries. They come in different capacities,they handle drawdown much better and give you lots of amp/hours when in use. Hook them up in series to get 12 Volt.

markc · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2010, 07:49:57 AM »

Congrats Aaron, welcome home!

ShooterSATX · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2010, 07:21:31 PM »

Sorry for such a delay!

The cabin is up and almost finished. I opted for a 30' x 16' cabin. the first six ft is covered porch (loft inside). So the interior is 16 x 24.

I wired the house for electricity and use a generator for the AC. I have installed insulation throughout, walls and roof are in and the wife and I installed the laminated flooring this weekend (bought at Lowes for .65¢ per ft). Just need to finish the paint on the outside and she'll be just about finished.

I did purchase a drop-in propane stove top and a wall mount heater. Should have all that done within a couple of weeks as I need to fabricate a small counter top and seal it.

Headed out for the long weekend to assemble the feeders and blinds. Pics coming soon!

Shooter

PS. Hey markc, I am off of 377 and cr460.

markc · « **Reply #13 on:** September 01, 2010, 04:46:35 AM »

hey shooter, sounds like you and the wife are going to really enjoy your cabin and property. I am headed out in the morning (daughter gion with me) to install a small window AC unit, re-fill feeders and check out the new fence. We had the front fenced and two 8' gates installed in May. Pics to come. We are close to you, 6 miles or so south of 377, down RR 2523.

ShooterSATX · « **Reply #14 on:** September 01, 2010, 06:54:02 AM »

Markc,

We'll have to get together and trade cabin secrets. I am almost always with my wife...she is my hunting partner and very adept in the outdoors. Maybe you could offer me some advice as to where to place my feeders and blinds. I have 2 of each that I will be assembling this weekend and I have a pretty good idea of where to put them...once I get a path cleared to get to them.

I know exactly where 2325 is. I took that route a couple of times but I got tired of Border Patrol pulling me over when I have my Polaris in tow. Turn right on 377 and then take your next right (cr460) and I am about 9 miles in (sorta). Being that far in keeps the illegals from passing through (mostly follow main roads closely).

Aaron

markc · « **Reply #15 on:** September 06, 2010, 02:59:16 PM »

Aaron, Yeah we are about 18 or so miles apart it sounds. I installed a small window unit this past weekend, took my daughter for the first time. Here she is driving the Rhino, after she ran over a big snake of unknown origin.

Aaron, I will be glad to help in any way I can. On my feeders and blinds, I placed them near, but not on, game trails, or draws and heavy cover. That way the deer can approach from safety, and position the blinds where I can see a number of trails if possible. Here are my current set ups...

ere is my

BBF · « **Reply #16 on:** September 07, 2010, 05:34:16 AM »

WOW!! Did you built that fence?

markc · « **Reply #17 on:** September 10, 2010, 05:34:02 AM »

The only fence I built is the feeder pens. The 5 strand Barbed wire fence I hired out to a local guy. He has fenced most of the property out there on our ranch and works with his brother and son. They are fast. I purchased the wire, t-posts, clips and twists and delivered it all to him. The pipe was purchased from a rancher friend across the highway. He was done with the whole thing in a matter of 3 days. It was amazing how fast. Oh, I did provide the 2 8" gates as well. It can be cheaper to purchase and deliver than to have the fence company purchase themselves. I bought material as it went on sale or where it was cheapest. After deer season I will fence the north side, and hire a dozer operator to build a road down into the canyon on the back track.

Photos do no justice to how steep and rough the terraine can be out there..

HL · « **Reply #18 on:** September 13, 2010, 03:58:44 AM »

ShooterSATX, congrats on getting your piece of Texas. Hope you limit out, and especially, thanks for your service!!!!!!!

HL, in Bulverde, Tx.

ShooterSATX · « **Reply #19 on:** September 13, 2010, 05:57:26 PM »

Thanks HL! It was my honor.

I went to the ranch again this weekend and STILL didn't take any pictures. I will next time and post them up here.

I now have two blinds up and two feeders running. I just need to figure something out for the bottom of the canyon...that's where I plan on putting myself for Bow Season in my pop-up blind. I am also thinking about getting a tripod to put in the canyon for just about everything.

I will follow up soon.

Shooter

billy_56081 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 13, 2010, 06:03:21 PM »

Can I ome hunting?

grout-scout · « **Reply #21 on:** November 09, 2010, 08:37:38 AM »

Marc, that snake looks like a Bull snake from the pics. They look exactly like rattle snakes minus the rattles, they actually eat rattle snakes so they are kinda friendly. Although many people say the only good snake is a dead snake.

markc · « **Reply #22 on:** November 10, 2010, 05:44:43 AM »

grout-scout, I believe you are correct, a bull snake. My mistake, though I am not fond of snakes at all, I usually avoid them unless it is a copperhead back in E. Texas, or an obvious rattler.

grout-scout · « **Reply #23 on:** November 10, 2010, 09:20:17 AM »

Man I bet you have plenty of rattler's at the ranch! I have property west of you and we find plenty of rattlers but I've never seen a Bull out there. Hope the hunting seasons going well for you. Good luck and post some pics when you get one.

Mohawk · « **Reply #24 on:** November 17, 2010, 11:58:18 AM »

Thank you for your service and representing the State Of Texas. Those large storage buildings they sell at Home Depot,etc... Are good values. They can be converted into good cabins at minimal expense. Ours has electric and all the graces of a house..... except the bathroom. But a close port-o-potty fixes that! Really I think we spent less than 3K for a good livable ranch cabin.