Wrangler, Cherokee, and Grand enthusiasts: Enjoy Jeep Sporting Destinations

March 2001

By Chester Moore, Jr.

The annual Jeep Jamboree invades Texas' famous YO Ranch March 2, 3 and 4.

Participants will get to experience some of the finest and most unique outdoor pursuits to be found anywhere in North America. The YO, which is located 60 miles west of San Antonio in Kerr County, is rich in sporting opportunity, history and Texas culture. But it's only the tip of the iceberg for fun things to do in the region. The following is a rundown of things to do within a 50-mile radius of the wonderful YO Ranch.

Hunting

Hunting seasons for most native species will be shut down for the event, but that's no problem at the YO Ranch or practically anywhere in the Texas Hill Country for that matter.

The YO is also home to more than 10,000 other animal species including native 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 exotics can be hunted year-round and are considered some of the finest eating of any wild game.

These animals roam freely on 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.

Fishing

Canyon Lake, located at New Braunfels, spans 22,240 acres and is considered one of most scenic in Texas, spreading among steep-shouldered, evergreen hills. Public parks along shore offer camping/trailer areas, picnicking, and boat ramps. Lake fishing is excellent with several record fish including flathead catfish (86 pounds), largemouth bass (9.94 pounds), striped bass (25.5 pounds), and smallmouth bass (6.13 pounds).

In the Guadalupe River below, anglers take rainbow and brown trout. And thanks to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials, anglers can access the Guadalupe River this winter for free at two new put-in sites.

Before the arrangement, trout anglers were limited to one free access point directly below the Canyon Dam at the hydropower plant on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' property. All other access to this prime trout fishery has been by way of private property for an entrance fee.

The first new access site is Camp Beans, located at the third bridge crossing on River Road. According to TPWD fisheries biologist Steve Magnelia at the A.E. Wood State Fish Hatchery in San Marcos, trout have been stocked at this site by the state for many years, but in the past a $5 entrance fee was required.

The Camp Beans river stretch is located in the special trout regulation zone, where an 18-inch minimum size and one trout daily bag limit is in effect. Trout that are harvested in this area must be caught on an artificial lure, although anglers may use any bait type they wish for catch-and-release.

To reach Camp Beans, travel north on FM 306 from Gruene toward Canyon City to the FM 2673 intersection. Turn left on Farm-to-Market 2673 and go 1.5 miles to the intersection of River Road. Turn left on River Road. The entrance to Camp Beans is about a quarter mile north of the third bridge crossing on River Road. Camping is available at this site for a fee.

The second free fishing area is Camp Huaco, located on both sides of River Road at the first bridge crossing. Anglers may harvest a daily bag limit of five trout, and there are no minimum size restrictions for trout at Camp Huaco.

Camp Huaco can be reached by taking Exit 189 (Texas 46) on Interstate 35 in New Braunfels. Take the highway 46 west to the River Road exit. Exit River Road and go north until you come to Camp Huaco, about 1.5 miles

Additional access areas to the Guadalupe River for trout anglers include:

--Directly below the dam at the hydropower plant on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property (free access)

--Whitewater Sports, upstream from the easternmost FM 306 crossing (fee charged)

--Rio Raft at the bridge crossing in Sattler (fee charged)

--The Cliffs, located at the third bridge crossing (fee charged)

--Mountain Breeze Campground, just below the third bridge crossing (fee charged)

Unless exempt from buying a fishing license, anglers fishing for trout need a special $7 trout stamp. Trout stamps are available anywhere Texas fishing licenses are sold.

Rock Climbing

Enchanted Rock State Park located near Fredricksburg is a massive granite dome rising 325 feet from base to summit and covers an area of one square mile. Today, more than 350,000 people annually come from towns, cities, states, and foreign countries for rest and recreation at Enchanted Rock.

While the emphasis on the use of Enchanted Rock has changed, its original purpose is still intact. Native Americans still journey to this landmark for prayer and ceremony.

The park is 18 miles north of Fredericksburg on Ranch Road 965, or from Llano, take State Highway 16 for 14 miles south and then go west on Ranch Road 965.

Wildlife Photography

Photo enthusiasts will marvel at the wildlife photo opportunities available in the region. Native whitetail deer, Rio Grande turkey, exotic species as well as hundreds of species of songbirds are abundant in the area.

One of the best spots is Hill Country State Natural area. Minimum development characterizes this 5,369-acre park in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. On F.M. 1077, 10 miles west of Bandera.

Located within the city of Kerrville is 500 beautiful acres of Kerrville-Schreiner State Park. Follow the south edge of city of Texas 173 to get there. This place is loaded with whitetail deer.

Uvalde State Park is another beautiful spot encompassing 1,420 acres on the Frio River, an exceptionally scenic Hill Country area; long a very popular family-oriented recreational park. Located 10 miles north of Concan (31 miles north of Uvalde off US 83 on Park Rd. 29).

Beautiful Hill Country landscapes can be found in almost any direction just by driving: Texas 173 north winds through scenic vistas to Camp Verde and Kerrville. Texas 173 south rolls to southern edge of hills and enters lower South Texas Plains. Texas 46 east explores steep-shouldered scenery through community Pipe Creek to German-accented town of Boerne. Texas 16 and F.M. 470 west is one of the best--dramatic blue hills enfold small green valleys threaded by sparkling creeks.

Copyright Š 1997-2001 All Outdoors, Inc. All rights reserved.
All Outdoors¨ is a registered trademark of All Outdoors, Inc.
Copyright Š1995-99 DaimlerChrysler Corporation. All rights reserved.
Jeep is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler Corporation.
Important information and applicable terms and conditions