Game in Mail Trail Valley includes White-tail, Axis, feral hogs, Sika, Aoudad, and itinerant elk. There are several game feeders, a predator trap, and a water trough for wildlife, as well as bird-houses throughout the ranch for ease of maintaining a wildlife exemption. Predators include fox, bobcat, raccoon, coyote and the occasional mountain lion. The thousands of acres comprising the Mail Trail Valley Ranches subdivision is covered in dozens and dozens of ranches of similar size with essentially all providing supplemental feed and water for game. This is part of the wildlife management program in which all members are encouraged to participate and some of which is supported by the annual membership dues. This creates a haven for game, especially the deer species, which never have to travel far to find feed and water.

WATER

The Mail Trail Ranches Landowners Association (LOA) operates and maintains miles and miles of high quality propylene pipelines that deliver non-potable well water to the ranch and all of the 11,000+/- acre Mail Trail Ranches. For a modest annual membership fee, the LOA keeps several water wells and water storage facilities running, as well as maintaining the access easement road from Hwy 377 and the grid of access roads to all parts of Mail Trail Ranches.

IMPROVEMENTS & ELECTRIC SERVICE

There are no permanent residential improvements on the ranch, but with an RV that conveys with the property, electricity service lines down two boundaries, and several prime building locations, a new owner will have a place to stay and plenty of time to plan their own dream get-a-way place.

FENCES, TOPOGRAPHY, & COVER

The Stevens Ranch is not fenced to contain livestock and has no deer proof fencing on its boundaries. The topography and cover are an ideal mix of hilly, thick cover and more open, flatter - almost bottomland - areas. This provides options for different activities - hunting, hiking, 4-wheeling, or just watching wildlife. A dry creek cuts across the ranch and acts as a route for turkey and other game to wander across the ranch. The approximate northeast third of the ranch is the flatter area that allows for easy travel by foot or vehicle. The remainder of the ranch is hilly and is mostly accessible by 4-wheelers or side-by-side buggies, with the main hill topped by a four+/- acre flat peak, an ideal building site. Brush and tree cover include pinion pine, mountain laurel, mesquite, several oak species, cedar, persimmon, agarito, and other native brush species. Grasses include Curly mesquite, Texas winter grass, Texas gramma and other native grasses.

TAXES & MINERALS

Property taxes for 2024 were $291.42, which is $2.10/ac, typical for the area for unimproved parcels. The owners believe they own none of the minerals but will convey all they own, if any.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The Stevens Ranch is part of Mail Trail Ranches in Edwards County, a well-known 11,000+/- acre game managed development designed for owners to get the most out of their hunting experience with the least amount of time, money, and effort spent in repairing, maintaining, and managing those assets and features which typically take time away from hunting and recreation. A well functioning Landowners' Association (LOA) manages and maintains a community (non-potable) water system comprised of several wells, water storage facilities, and pipelines to every property in Mail Trail, as well as maintains all the interior access roads from US 377 to the entrance to each tract. The LOA also assists with the game management activities required for each landowner to maintain Ag Value property taxes through Wildlife Management of White-tail Deer. This includes the assistance of a consulting biologist for certain parts of the annual paperwork. Mandated membership in the LOA includes annual dues of around $4/acre, which is used for the roads, water and game management. Owners still have to do a few things, such as fill their own feeders, keep game feed and other wildlife management records, and report all game and predators harvested.

Here are a few facts about Mail Trail Ranches:

- no tract less than 100 acres

- 11,000+/- acres comprised of 90 tracts and 76 owners (at last count)

- ag valuation under wildlife management

- electricity delivered to every tract

- community, non-potable, water supply delivered to every tract

- well-functioning Landowners Association with road/water well committee and game management committee

- biologist recommended (not mandated) feeding and harvest guidelines

If this ranch sounds interesting to you, and the photos make you want to see more, then you probably need to come and tour the Stevens Ranch. Give Lockhart Real Estate a call. We look forward to showing you the ranch.