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By Chester
Moore, Jr.
The Y.O. Ranch, Kerrville, Texas-longstanding king of the exotic hunting world-has quite a colorful, interesting history.
In 1880, Captain Charles Schreiner purchased a ranch from J.W. Taylor and James Clements. In so doing, he also acquired a herd of valuable Texas
Longhorn cattle. These cattle carried the Y.O. brand, which might have belonged to a local rancher named Youngs O. Coleman (although there is no written record to verify this.)
The Y.O. brand has been in the Schreiner Family ever since; today, it symbolizes the Y.O. Ranch and has become a registered trademark.
In his heyday, Captain Schreiner traveled the Western trails, driving in as many as 300,000 Longhorns to the big markets in Dodge City, Kansas. These cattle drives earned him fortunes, allowing him to create an empire that at one time covered as many as 550,000 acres-almost 1,000 square miles.
During the last 120 years, the Y.O. Ranch has changed dramatically. After selling off most of the acreage, the Schreiner family now owns "only" 40,000 acres. The Y.O. continues to maintain a herd of over 1,000 registered Longhorns-one of the largest herds in the world.
One of the most popular attractions at the Y.O. is the annual cattle drive, which allows average citizens to participate in a legitimate cattle round up. According to ranch officials, the event really took off once the movie "City Slickers" came out back in the mid 90s.
In addition to cattle, the Y.O. is home to more than 9,000 other animal species, including whitetail deer, javelina, Rio Grande turkey and 50 species of exotics such as blackbuck, oryx, ostrich, sable, sitatunga, dik-dik, zebra, emu, axis, fallow, sika, mouflon, catalina, corsican, aoudad and a host of others.
These animals roam freely across the 40,000 acres, which consists of widely varying habitat. Much of the ranch is rolling rimrock country, while other parts resemble African Savannah. Still other areas are more like typical Texas oak and pecan flats. The Y.O.'s success at breeding exotic animals is famous and has a direct link to the ranch's variety of habitat.
For example, when blackbuck antelope were first brought to the ranch in the 1940s they were common in their native land of India. Now, however, they are endangered; in fact, there may be as many blackbuck on the Y.O. as there are back in India. In the 1970s and 1980s, Y.O. officials were involved with the Indian government in a program to deliver Texas blackbuck to India; Y.O. Ranch officials pride themselves on such conservation efforts.
Kerrville Area Attractions
Cowboy Artists of America Museum
1550 Bandera Highway
(830) 896-2553
A western art library is also at this facility; classes are held regularly.
Hill Country Museum
(830) 896-8633
Located in the restored Victorian mansion of pioneer Charles Schreiner, this museum is filled with antiques (showing off the affluent life of the early days here.)
Riverside Nature Center
150 Francisco Lemos Street
(830) 257-4837
Culture and natural history blend well at this center; open daily.
Kerrville-Schreiner State Park
2385 Bandera Highway
(830) 257-5392
A 500-acre park on the Guadalupe River; offers quality fly-fishing opportunities.
Kerrville Folk Festival
(830) 257-3600 (general information)
(800) 435-8429 (for tickets only)
Held at the outdoor theatre at Quiet Valley Ranch, this great 18-day Festival happens around Memorial Day each year.
Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair
Schreiner College Campus
(830) 896-5711
See the state's best artists and craftsmen; in addition, there are demonstrations, children's activities, food and entertainment.
Fredricksburg Area Attractions
The town of Fredricksburg-just 30 miles from Kerrville down Highway 16-has dozens of unique Texas and German-style shops, bakeries and restaurants, all within a short walking distance.
Another big attraction in the area is Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, located between Fredricksburg and Llano. This massive granite dome is the tip of the second largest batholith in the United States.
Long before European settlers came to the area, Native Americans believed the domes of Enchanted Rock to be inhabited by spirits; on cool nights (as the rock contracts due to the dropping temperature,) eerie, creaking noises can be heard.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department purchased the 1,643-acre site in 1978 with the help of the Texas Nature Conservancy. In addition, the site has been designated as a state natural area (protecting much of the area from visitors' overuse.)
Designated trails are clearly marked; it is requested that you tread lightly on the flora, be kind to the fauna and carry out whatever you carry in. Pets are allowed, but must remain on a 6-foot leash at all times. For more information call (915) 247-3903.
Copyright © 2000
by Chester Moore. All rights reserved.
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