Summer 2024 - 4R Ranch Newsletter
Abundantly blessed. I use that term often, and not merely as a statement that sounds good in casual conversation.
When Jill and I started this venture over 20 years ago, I called it “The Big Experiment”, much to Jill's chagrin. I called it the big experiment because I had never guided a quail hunt for anyone other than family and friends. We hadn’t renovated the building in what is now the lodge, and Jill had never prepared a meal for anyone other than friends and family. Moreover, we only had 6 dogs and no kennel to put them in. Yes, I grew up hunting quail and never passed up a chance to go hunt them. I had a few bird dogs when I was in my 30s and hunted every chance I had, but that was the extent of my knowledge as it pertains to the hunting industry.
The chapters we have written since we took the big jump have been ones of pure joy for Jill and I. For me, I have been able to work with the love of my life and have some 60 four legged employees that think I am a super hero. All of that, coupled with the opportunity to derive a living on this beautiful ranch, has been the most rewarding life experience I could have ever dreamed.
I share this with you now because we will be going through some changes going into next season. I will be 60 this year, and as that does not make me an old man, I am not a young man either.
The love I have for hunting quail over dogs has never been greater, but Father Time is real. When I was young, I looked at the hourglass from up above, not seeing the stack of sand falling into the lower chamber. However, as I have grown older, I look at the hourglass head-on and the lower chamber has much more sand than the upper.
By no means are we shutting the doors! We are more committed now than ever to having a great kennel of dogs. Just this past week we ventured to North Texas to pick up GSP pups, and we just returned from Florida and Alabama with 7 English Cocker pups. The goal of assembling a great kennel of bird dogs is perpetual, and we continue that pursuit with the same passion as ever before.
The only changes we are making are the number of hunts we conduct each week. I am reducing my reps from 10 to 11 hunts a week to 8-9. We will not be hunting on Saturday afternoons in the future to give ourselves two, versus one night a week to recharge our batteries. These changes, as minor as they are, will have an impact on our calendar and available hunt dates. Half-day hunts will be the most affected and some overnight stays will have slight changes. Our hope is to make everyone as happy as possible going into next season, but realize some of you will have questions. When and if you do, please call.
All of you have been a part of this chapter in our lives, and we feel abundantly blessed that you all carve time out of your busy schedules to come see us. It is humbling beyond words and we cherish the time you are here.
Jill will be sending out invitations next week for the upcoming season. We look forward to seeing everyone this fall, and will follow up with a note before summer's end.
Adios for now,
Deryl & Jill
Posted in: News
