Current News

September 2013 update

This month marks the 2nd anniversary of the fire that devastated Tarbone Ranch animals and forest. Just as we had the animals up to the quality standards we have been striving so hard for, a fire started by a Contractor on The Wichita Mountains Refuge came storming over Tarbone Mountain on September 1, 2011. The next day the fire charged out of the Medicine Creek valley, over our south boundary and virtually surrounded the Ranch HQ.

Thanks to efforts by family and friends along with several Volunteer Fire Departments, we managed to save our home and outbuildings from the fire. Many of our animals and most of our old growth oak forest were lost to the extremely hot fire.        

As of this date, still no restitution has been realized from the "Wrongdoer" of this event, but we are hopeful that some action will happen soon to help us to recover financially from our losses.

In the meantime, we are trying to recover from the droughts of 2011 and 2012. This year has seen above average rainfall that will help to re-establish food plots lost to the fire and droughts. Our surviving animals are doing well despite the drought because of our efforts to supply them high quality nutrition. We have several trophy buck deer and elk bulls that are available for hunts this season and others to come.

We have re-established our bison herd to some extent and have some really nice trophy bulls available for hunters to pursue. The elk herd has produced several calves each of the last two seasons. These new babies will carry the herd into the future with new opportunities for growth.

Please continue to follow us on this website or Ken Cook Outdoors on Facebook. I will continue to post updates as Tarbone Ranch returns to its former game rich and beautiful site.