CATPAW Ranch and John McLean
Concan Adventure Trails, Private Access Wilderness
I am a sixth generation Texan, born and raised in the Edwards Plateau hill country. Uvalde High School graduate, 1961. The land has supported the family since my grandparents moved to the area in 1880’s. Then, bears and wolves roamed here. It is beautiful, hard, yet fragile land. Relatives still live on and operate Texas Century Stoner Ranch in the Nueces River Canyon. Michael Stoner, my uncle, purchased this land in 1960, raising quarter horses, cattle and angora goats on it. What we do on and with the land affects many, now and in the future. It is about US, not me, yet 93% of Texas land is privately owned and subject to what the title holder can legally do. I wish to share the uniqueness and beauty of CATPAW with you who seek respite from the asphalt hubbub and today’s high stress lifestyle. Land ownership is a privilege, yet expensive. I expect to pass it forward. The land endures and benefits us all IF AND ONLY IF we protect and preserve it via good stewardship. Destruction is easy, examples abound. I hope during your CATPAW visit you can enjoy the over 1200 acres of nature, wildlife and wilderness around you. Respect the property, leave only light tracks and take only memories. Thanks for that!
What must be said
CATPAW ranch entry means you and any family member are voluntarily engaging in agritourism. CATPAW, and any ranch, is a dangerous place, you can be injured or die here. Under the 2015 Texas Agritourism Act, (chapter 75A, CPRC), an agritourism entity is not liable for any injury to or death of an agritourism participant resulting from an agritourism activity. Therefore, we have agritourism signs posted at all entrances and release waivers must be signed. Dangers include, but are not limited to: thorns, spikes, loose rocks, insects (stinging, beautiful, poisonous), animals (hogs, porcupines, skunks, snakes), the effects of physics, gravity, etc. Management practices and rules are implemented with risks in mind yet all risk acceptance remains with each agritourism guest. Your vehicle can be damaged, scratched or totaled here and we are not liable. You come because CATPAW has extremely varied terrain, and many other characteristics very different from the asphalt city.
Your CATPAW visit experience is expected to be different from other places you may have been. I am new to agritourism and experimenting to see if it is compatible with my land management objectives. People respectfully and safely enjoying the property is paramount and what I want. It takes time to fine tune things and get it right for us. Please be patient. Ideas and suggestions are welcome, but realize I lean more to the wilderness, undeveloped side. We offer wilderness, dark skies, wildlife, views, trails to explore, dry/primitive camping yet our infrastructure is intentionally minimal. We are fortunate to be so close to all that Concan has to offer: shops, entertainment, visitor center, restaurants, lodging, Frio river, night life, etc.
I expect guests to drive their vehicle home. This requires driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance, seat belts, good judgement about how and which trails to travel, etc.. If a risk exceeds what you will accept, stop, turn around. CATPAW ranch does not rate any trail. Trail ratings are the opinion of prior guests, not CATPAW Management, are an imperfect designation of perceived difficulty, and prior guests asked that we share their impressions of trails with others. . Off road success depends on many combined factors: driver experience, driver skill, driver judgement, vehicle capability, engagement of vehicle features, trail conditions, speed, etc. An impossible trail for one driver may be easy for another. All vehicles must stay on designated trails/roads. We are not open every day, it’s a ranch and we have lives. We do not wait at the front gate for drive-by’s. We will be closed at our discretion because of weather or any other consideration.
CATPAW entry is by RESERVATION ONLY
Payment of entry fee, and signed waivers, grants entry under stated conditions. Nevertheless it is my property. Anyone may be asked to leave for any reason and must do so immediately or be subject to trespass. “Play nice,” allowing all guests to enjoy their visit, and all will be well. Sounds, sights, smells, activities, etc. all contribute to an enjoyable visit. Take time to enjoy what appeals to you, views, family time, wheeling, photography, visits with new/old friends, etc. Every rancher has horror stories of access abuse. Thoughtlessness by a few leads to ranchers’ forceful private property protective measures. CATPAW’s guest requirements may not offer your desired outdoor experience. If not, it may be offered elsewhere, in Concan, or state parks. We do not allow: SIDE X SIDE’S, ATV’s, ROV’s, UTV’s, dirt bikes, golf carts. I understand many people successfully operate these vehicles. I am unwilling to accept the risks they present to CATPAW ranch.
Respectfully, John and Ellen McLean, owners CATPAW RANCH
