Rutherford Frio Town Ranch - Frio County, Pearsall, TX

The Rutherford Frio Town Ranch, located in northwest Frio County, is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to acquire a large acreage ranch on the Frio River in the northern South Texas Plains. Ranches of this size, location, quality and diversity do not come on the market very often and are increasingly rare. The ranch highlights include a high quality classic South Texas headquarters, over 3 miles of Frio River, 4 pivots, high volume water wells, 10.5 miles of paved main roads and privacy. Soils vary from sandy loams in the uplands to clay loam in the riparian zones along the river and creek drainages supporting a diversity of flora and excellent wildlife populations on the low fenced ranch.

Location

The ranch is accessed off Highway 140 a little less than 17 miles from Pearsall by way of a paved one mile easement. Drive time from San Antonio is about 1 hour; from Austin is less than 2.5 hours and from Houston is less than 4 hours.

Topography, Rangeland & Habitat

Live oaks, bull mesquites, diverse South Texas brush and grasses thrive on the ranch, benefitting from great soils as one moves from the Frio River bottoms to the uplands. Many areas of the ranch have been sculpted to improve wildlife habitat and grazing options alike. With nearly 200’ of relief, the ranch offers many exceptional views. 

Wildlife

Wildlife populations include native white-tailed deer, northern bobwhite quail, scaled (blue) quail, Rio Grande turkey, dove, migratory waterfowl and feral hogs for excellent and diverse hunting opportunities.

Historically, hunting has been focused on friends and family.

The deer herd is managed using Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Managed Lands Deer Program and the ranch was issued 158 tags for the 2025/2026 season.

In the past, the ranch maintained a kennel of bird dogs and the quail hunting can be exceptional when conditions are favorable.

Dove hunting and turkey hunting are exceptional.

Agriculture

The ranch has maintained a robust agricultural operation over the years primarily focused on livestock grazing and including some limited irrigated farming under the four pivots.

The ranch’s cattle herd has been in a rotational grazing program since 1971 with cattle being rotated through 14 primary pastures. The cattle herd typically numbers about 450 cows when conditions are right. Currently, the herd is reduced in size due to drought conditions.

The four pivots are used for hay production (about 900 round bales per year) and small grain annuals for irrigated winter grazing, both in support of the ranch’s cattle operation. The smaller of the pivots was used historically with crops known to attract dove. The pivots are approximately 12, 40, 52 and 67 acres in size and are irrigated with several irrigation wells.

Several pastures on the ranch include stands of kleingrass.

Improvements

The headquarters area is accented by large irrigated lawns, shaded by massive live oaks and pecans and includes walking paths between the various structures.

The ranch is highly improved with an expansive main lodge for entertaining with kitchen, living, dining and gathering areas plus one upstairs bedroom and extra room.

Nearby are 5 guest quarters, each with full baths; one of the quarters is a master suite.

Across the parking area are 3 additional guest quarters with full baths.

The gun room, game cleaning area, walk in cooler and covered parking are located adjacent to the main lodge to the northeast.

There is also another carport a short distance away from the main lodge on the west side.

The 4 bedroom, 2 bath Caretaker’s house is located behind a tree/brush line just past the carport.

The 4 stall horse stables and related turnouts are nearby. That facility also includes small office/apartment.

Just west of the stables are the bird dog kennels that include 9 kennels with associated runs plus storage and a 2 vehicle carport.

About 1.5 miles southwest of the headquarters are the ranch operational facilities, including several barns, sheds, feed silos and other related structures. This area is also used for round bale storage. Adjacent to the operational facilities is a mobile home one of the ranch employees resides in.

There are approximately 10.5 miles of paved roads.

Water

The ranch has approximately 3.17 miles of Frio River frontage and about 4.25 miles of Cocklebur Creek traverse the property.

There are some 18 plus ponds or tanks on the ranch benefitting wildlife and livestock alike. Many of the ponds are supplemented with water from the various water wells.

There are 14 operating water wells. 4 of the wells are high volume irrigation wells. Three of the irrigation wells are reported to produce 1000 GPM and the fourth 750 GPM. One of the irrigation wells is powered by 3 phase electric, the other three are run by diesel motors. Several of the irrigation wells provide water to the pivots (as detailed above) and the other two provide water for livestock/wildlife water storage and delivery.

The ranch is situated over the Carrizo Wilcox Aquifer with some portions over the Edwards Aquifer and Queen City Aquifer. The Edwards Aquifer in Frio County is not subject to  the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s jurisdiction.  The ranch is located in the jurisdiction  of the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District.

Electricity

Three phase and single phase electricity is available at different locations on the ranch.

Minerals

This offering is surface only. There is no production on the ranch.
 

Area Attractions

Frio County is a favored area and destination for hunters and producers alike. It is home to the well known Los Cazadores Deer Contest in Pearsall. Pearsall also offers well stocked grocery stores, farm and ranch supply houses and feed stores.

Additional details

There is one pipeline easement that crosses the ranch.

Seller to reserve a thirty (30) foot access easement along the north property line to access the adjacent Buccaloo Pasture.

The open space of the property benefits from 1D1 Agricultural use tax valuation.

Rutherford Frio Town Ranch

Frio County, Pearsall, TX

9,240± Acres

$59,600,000