There are three types of commercial hunting opportunities at Rancho del Cielo. These include Management Mule Deer Buck hunts, Trophy Aoudad Sheep hunts, and Javelina hunts. This ranch is a low fenced ranch that has native wildlife, as well as some introduced species that are typical to our area. Rancho del Cielo is rich in bio-diversity and—while one of our main operations is raising cattle—overall the ranch is under very little grazing pressure. Wildlife management is one of our main priorities.

We do not sell any trophies, but we do offer Management Hunts for Trans-Pecos Desert Mule Deer or maybe better known as the Classic Mule Deer, which is a buck that will score less than a 150 Boone & Crockett score and is usually a 6 to 9 pointed deer. These deer must be at least 3 ½ years or older. Depending on factors such as current year’s deer population numbers, “Upgrade Management Hunts” are available. Generally, every fall we accept groups of 4-6 management hunters to come at one time for a 3 day hunt while staying in our African Safari Style Tent Camp. Guides and field transportation will be furnished (two hunters per guide). Once the hunter has harvested their deer, it is field-dressed by the guide, hung, skinned and quartered. The deer are hung in a cooler until the hunter is ready to depart. While on a management deer hunt, hunters also have the option to add on additional Javelina or Aoudad hunts to their expedition.

Our Aoudad (or Barbary) sheep are free range ungulates, a species introduced to Texas from North Africa in the early 1950’s. Aoudad can be hunted year round, however the optimal times for hunting are October through March. For Aoudad hunters, arrangements can be made to stay in lodging here at the ranch with meals and amenities provided, or accommodations can be made in one of the nearest towns of Ft. Davis, Vanhorn, Balmorhea, or Pecos.

All Hunters are required to obtain a license, which is available online through Texas Parks and Wildlife at www.tpwd.state.tx.us.

In addition to our hunting packages, we offer the total experience of several days in the secluded mountains. Our remote camp is set in a beautifully scenic valley, nestled in hills of our high desert mountains that seems completely removed from the outside modern world.

The camp has many amenities while also having the feel of camping in the wilderness. Our tent camp has indoor bathrooms including showers with hot water and plenty of water pressure. Three meals per day are cooked in our kitchen tent and each meal is served buffet style in the dining tent. The heated sleeping tents are double-occupancy with twin beds. Hunters are responsible for bringing their own pillows & sleeping bags. Each hunter should also bring their hunting license (and Hunter Education Certificate, if applicable), riffle, shells, binoculars, camera, flashlight, ice and ice chest (for their meat), layered clothing (temperatures can range from well below freezing to high 80s), personal toiletries, and alcoholic beverages (if desired) to enjoy at camp after the hunting.