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Central Texas Outdoors
Friday, November 4, 2016
LOCAL
SLOW COACH RANCH PHOTOS
Breeding deer are raised on 750 acres on the Slow Coach Ranch in Ballinger. The ranch was started by Steve Mueller, who was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Mueller’s wife Tammie and daughters Angela Mueller and Amanda King now run the operation he started before his death in 2012. Amanda’s husband Kelly King is the ranch manager.
RANCH
CONTINUED FROM 3 is now a state requirement. And, they have a game biologist who takes DNA tests which are sent to Texas A&M to maintain the pedigree of the 200 bucks, does and fawns that are inside the 20 acres of breeding pens. “I want to know that I am doing what the law requires me to do,” Tammie said. This year, they are booking hunts on the ranch for the first time. They have lodging for hunters who are allowed to hunt on the 700 acres of the ranch. They are offering a variety of two-day hunting packages this season. They are also selling some breeding stock. “This year we are allowed to harvest 20 bucks and 25 doe this season,” Amanda said. The hunting this year and the sale of some breeding stock will allow the family to continue the operation. “It is expensive,” Kelly said. But overall, as was Steve’s wish, the Slow Coach Ranch is running smoothly and offers a hunting and outdoor experience for family, friends and hunters and breeders.