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College
of Applied
Arts
Texas
State University - San Marcos
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The wildlife program on the Freeman Ranch serves
two functions 1) as a laboratory for flora, fauna,
and habitat research for classes and individual
projects, and 2) as an income producing enterprise
to support ranch operating expenses.
The harvest of renewable resources (white-tailed
deer and Rio Grande turkey) has evolved from guest
to day hunts to the present management leases.
Hunting and hunter management are used to improve
herd quality and control population densities.
Approximately half of the Freeman Ranch enclosed
with eight foot high fence allowing for the
utilization of different conservation management
methods. Turkey harvest is usually limited to the
spring season. All other game and non-game species
receive preservation management including the
unique melonistic form of White-tailed deer. Other
non-game mammals resident of the ranch include gray
fox, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, ringtail, skunks,
undetermined species of bats and rodents, and
occasional visits by mountain lion.
Avian species ranging from humming birds,
bobwhites, and various doves await the avid bird
watcher. Nature tourism and bird watching is
encouraged and an annotated Nature Trail, developed
by the student chapter of Wildlife Society, is
available year round. Checklists of birds, mammals,
reptiles and amphibians are available and kept
updated by student research projects in the Biology
Dept. Other departments such as Geology, Geography,
and Physics enjoy the use of the Ranch.
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