Dove Season Opens in 11 Hours

If dove seasons opens @ sunrise on September 1st, then we're 11-hours from the first shots of 2006. I gotta tell you some great news from Windmill Ranch Preserve.. near Snyder, TX.
First of all,, we have dove everywhere! They're flying in pairs, triples, quadruples... even 10-15 at a time. So far, they're pretty predictable--especially in the evening. Say a prayer, knock on wood, cross your fingers (whatever works for you) that the weather cooperates for day one and beyond.
We've done some fun things to make sure our day hunters and package hunters have the best of the best... even if the birds disappear (like they're always capable of doing).
First of all, we have eight 'dove zones.' Each area's been cleared to make it easy for the hunters to find a hiddy hole beneath a tree, behind sunflowers or out of a bird's eye view.
Here's what you could expect if you opt for a 'package hunt' (overnight stay) like our first group Friday night. They don't know it, but they'll be greeted by just about everyone I can get to greet them. Then, they'll be shuttled to their hunting area where they'll find ice chests, filled with drink and snacks, waiting for them. After a presumably successful hunt, they'll return for a MAN'S MEAL. Our chef Cowboy Rob's making everything from baby back ribs to chocolate bourbon pie. Then, they can relax over satellite TV, on our front or back porch or where ever they want.
By morning, we'll wake 'em with steaming hot coffee at their door, a continental breakfast and then more hunting. Once they decide to call it quits, chef Cowboy Rob will have a massive, country breakfast ready and waiting. Just so you know, these guys are paying only $150 for two hunts, an overnight stay and all food and beverage included. And the organizer who can bring in 9 or more hunters gets a $100 discount.
If you're more of a day hunter, don't worry. We plan the same 'extras' for only $50 per gun. And the organizer who can bring in 4 or more hunters, gets his/her rate cut to only $20.
Our accomodations include two houses, the Big House (3 bedrooms/2 baths), the Lil' House (1 bedroom/1 bath) and Tents #1,2, 3. FYI, the tents all have antique beds, fine linens, swamp coolers or refrigerated air, private baths, electricity, showers, toilets, sinks, front porches... they're not your grandfather's tent.
Come visit. It's a long season... we're ready and waiting.
Bill Robertson, Ranch Manager

Weddings at the Windmill

I've only been married once (and maybe not for much longer-that's another story), but we're trying to get in the marrying business here @ the ranch.
I know Snyder limited by sheer numbers, but maybe somebody reading this wants to "cowboy-up" or get back to nature or just chill out on their wedding day.
If you haven't been out this way or worry.. "where is this place?".. don't sweat it. We're 1,000 acres of romance.
First of all, we can accomodate any size group. If ya want a small to medium gathering, join us in our pavilion. If ya want a small outdoor setting.. let's go to "Chapel Hill." If ya want a big event, let's set up tents in the 'north pasture.' If ya want dancin', book scoot all ya want. If ya want dinner after the meal, let "Cowboy Rob" cook up anything from BBQ to french cuisine.
The point is, we want that special day to be so special that you can't resist telling others. We want you to have the time of your life. We want you to want for nothing. Weddings are special. We want to make yours unforgettable!
Give us a call, 325.573.1200.
Bill Robertson
PS.. BTW, the day I got married--my wife to be did all the flowers, and drove herself to the chapel. Grooms: If I had it to do all over again---I'd help more.

The Pool

The pool or more appropriately, the hot, sweaty pain in my fanny, is coming along. If you haven't checked out our website or other blogs-you may not know the story. Here goes.
We're converting an old concrete livestock tank into a swimming pool. Heck, everyone in this part of the world's swam/swum in one at some point in their lives. We're trying to fix ours so it's not green with cow slobber.
Seriously, the plan is: clean it, sanitize it, seal it, fill it, swim in it! Suffice it say, that's much easier said than done. We had a group of Lubbock coming down to put in a liner, yada, yada.. but they wanted a fortune. So know we're doing it. FYI, the Lubbock gang's looking pretty good about right now.
So far, we've ordered and installed a fancy filter system. Now, the one and only Tina and I are sealing all the interior cracks. It's funny how at first glance there aren't that many cracks. Then, when you have to work in 105 degree heat there are tons!! Anyway, we're gettin' it done. Soon, we'll paint the inside and being work on the big deck. I expect it'll be finished by 2007. No, I'm just kidding. I hope to have it completed w/ in a week to 10-days.
Suffice it say to say, I'll be some kinda mad if it doesn't hold water.
Bill Robertson

The Pool

The pool or more appropriately, the hot, sweaty pain in my fanny, is coming along. If you haven't checked out our website or other blogs-you may not know the story. Here goes.
We're converting an old concrete livestock tank into a swimming pool. Heck, everyone in this part of the world's swam/swum in one at some point in their lives. We're trying to fix ours so it's not green with cow slobber.
Seriously, the plan is: clean it, sanitize it, seal it, fill it, swim in it! Suffice it say, that's much easier said than done. We had a group of Lubbock coming down to put in a liner, yada, yada.. but they wanted a fortune. So know we're doing it. FYI, the Lubbock gang's looking pretty good about right now.
So far, we've ordered and installed a fancy filter system. Now, the one and only Tina and I are sealing all the interior cracks. It's funny how at first glance there aren't that many cracks. Then, when you have to work in 105 degree heat there are tons!! Anyway, we're gettin' it done. Soon, we'll paint the inside and being work on the big deck. I expect it'll be finished by 2007. No, I'm just kidding. I hope to have it completed w/ in a week to 10-days.
Suffice it say to say, I'll be some kinda mad if it doesn't hold water.
Bill Robertson

If Dove Season Started Today...

If dove season started today, we'd slay 'em like they do down in Mexico. I'm not kiddin. Barney Fife w/ his one bullet could knock 10 of 'em out of the sky.
I have no idea what's going on, but they are every where. I drove to church last Sunday and crept along because I couldn't believe my eyes. I promise I'm not exaggerating. First, a flock of 10 flew over my truck. Then, a flock of 5ish flew over. Then, a flock of 10-15. Then, a flock of 10ish. Then, I turned the corner and no less than 10 were resting on the power lines.
You gotta come out here. I dunno if they'll be out here opening weekend, but they're sure here now. Here's what I've done to make it easier on you, the hunter... I've cut out at least 10-areas. There's a trail leading to trees (or cover), then there's a big circle to shoot over. That way when ya hit 'em, you can find 'em. Next, I'm going to our two tank and clearing out areas.
I hope you're here for the season b/c I don't know if I know can shoot my limit (easily), but I don't know if I can eat my limit.
Give me a call.. 325.573.1200.
Bill Robertson

Dove Season T-minus 24 Days

Dove hunters.. come and get 'em! There are just three weeks & and a few days til' dove season opens and we're swarming with 'em out here.
Right now, we have a some openings left for either package hunts (all inclusive) or day hunts for the first and second weekends of the season. The birds are everywhere! We've had enough rain to keep the feed available and the birds are flying predictable patterns.
Book your hunt now. If you want an all inclusive hunt, it's three hunts/two days (Thursday evening-Sunday morning). One price includes lodging, all your meals and drinks. If you can organize nine hunters, including yourself, I can cut your rate BIG TIME. The price for the package hunts is $375, but we're dealing if you're calling. Day hunters, the rate is $50 per gun. But if you can bring in three or more guns, including yourself--we can bargain!
Come on down! We're just eight miles west of Snyder in Scurry County. If you're in Lubbock, Midland or Abilene; it's just 90 or less miles. If you're coming from the metroplex, the drive time is less than five hours.
Bill Robertson

Justiceburg & Jessie Jane's

There's a new place out this way that you must check out, whether your our guest at the Windmill Ranch or just passing through. It's up the road from us, along the Lubbock highway. Long, long, long ago, it served as a post office for the wild west. Now, it's the most unique, surreal, fun, family oriented, attracts all kinds of restaurant and honky tonky.
The place is called "Jessie Jane's." It's literally right on Hwy 84 in Justiceburg (that's between Snyder and Post). The owner is Jessica. Her husband Frank's "kinda the owner, too". By the way, those are his words.
We'd heard about it and checked it out Saturday night. From the time we walked in the door to the time we left (five hours later), we couldn't have had a better time.
First of all, the decor inside is fun. Frank did it all. Then, we had a great supper. I had a "Justiceburger." It was great--but apparently the brisket and pulled pork sandwiches are the specialty of the house.
Then, the live music started. On this night, Kim Townsend and her band started inside--due to rain. The whole band with customers helping later moved outside to a stage behind the restaurant.
If I tell you being inside was fun--triple it outside. By 9pm, a pretty good sized group's gathered. They're either sittin' in their own chairs or those provided by Jessica. The band starts playing, the moon comes up, it was amazing.
Here's more... the crowd is made up of ranchers, bankers, bikers, teenagers, kids, dogs, young/old.. newlyweds.. engaged couples. Kim played to us all!! Then, Jessica got on stage and belted out "Bobby McGee" just like Janis Joplin.
At one point, a dog walked across stage, a biker road thru the crowd (slowly and safely), children giggled in a massive rope swing, a lil' brother and sister sat on stage, fathers danced with daughters, and a grandmother danced with her grand daughter.
Oh, I almost forgot one of the best parts. "Jessie Jane's" sits on the northside of Hwy 84. The train tracks run on the southside. So, every time a train goes by--the band stops whatever it's playing and goes into a train song. In this case, "Folsom Prison" by Johnny Cash.. "I can hear that train a blowin.. comin' down the tracks..."
Come visit us at WRP and we'll take you there. And if you don't visit us, visit "Jessie Jane's." You may not know a soul when you walk through the door--but I guarantee Jessica and Frank will make you feel like an old friend within minutes. As Frank says, "It's all Texas brother!"
Bill Robertson
FYI:
It's BYOB (soft drinks/tea for sale)
Cover charges ($6.00 last saturday)
Bring a lawn chair
Band plays Saturday nights/starts around 8pm (ish)

PS. Kim Townsend's band is moving on next week. But if ever see 'em playing in your town or nearby--go! They're fantastic and play a variety of music.

Broomin' tomatoes & Watermelon straws

I've heard a lot of strange things since I moved to the country, but these two may be the strangest. Both come from Ms. Gail. She's married to my buddy Max, who says he doesn't know anything about plumbing. He's full of it.
First of all, she says that I gotta " broom my tomatoes."
I said, "what?"
She said, "broom 'em."
"Why would I broom my tomatoes?" I asked.
"Because, you have only blossoms and no tomatoes," she explained.
I thought she was nuts, but played along... "okay, I'd broom 'em because????" "I dunno, just broom 'em and you'll get tomatoes."
Turns out Ms. Gail hits 'em with a flyswatter b/c she can't bear to hit 'em with a broom, but it's for the same purpose. And here's why as explained to me by Max's son, Josh, who has a degree in Range Mgmt from Texas A&M.
Josh says, "I don't broom my tomatoes b/c I have bees."
"What difference does that make," I asked."
"The bees spread the pollen from the male to the female plants," he explained.
"So," I egged him forward."
"If the bees don't spread the pollen that starts the asexual reproduction process--then broom 'em and the breeze with spread it." So, now I know. I'm gonna broom my tomatoes after writing this blog.
Here's more from Ms. Gail and this one's even better. She calls it an old wive's tale, but claims she's an old wife.
She says place a piece of broom straw in the middle--but across a watermelon (while it's still on the vine). If that straw moves to point from end to end, then the melon is ripe.
I asked her, "what if it's windy?"
She didn't skip a beat and said, "you don't do it in the wind."
So there you have it. Gardening advise from Ms. Gail. Keep in mind, she grows a pretty good garden and she's a great cook. So, I'm gonna believe her. By the way, the last time I talked to her today--she was on her way to the grocery store to pull some straw from a broom on aisle five.
Bill Robertson