ABOUT

Texas Divide Ranch has been in Judy May’s family since 1936. The history of this family-owned and operated ranch is rich and embedded in West Texas history. Originally acquired by her Great-Aunt and Uncle, Sid and Vivian Cavett and then inherited by Judy’s grandfather in 1941. After that, the ranch has been passed down through the generations.

The locals called the ranch the Runkles’ ranch, after Judy’s grandfather, Sam Runkles, Sr. It was passed from her grandfather to her grandmother and then to her father before Judy inherited the ranch. 

After inheriting the Ranch in 1981, Judy May transitioned the ranch from cattle and sheep to a wildlife ranch. As part of this transition, the name was officially changed to Texas Divide Ranch, reflecting the location in the foothills of the Callahan Divide mountain range. In 1993, Texas Divide Ranch began offering individual hunts for whitetail and turkey, which started a new and exciting adventure.

The ranch has grown and changed so much throughout the years. From the first hunting cabin with 12 beds that was converted from a metal building chicken house, originally built by Mahotah Runkles in 1963, to the beautiful private cabins, recreation building and cafe kitchen that makes up the ranch today. Honoring the ranch’s rich history, the original building’s concrete foundation serves as our outdoor covered patio/outdoor kitchen.

Originally hunts were only whitetail and turkey but in 1995 a new era began with the acquisition of a pair of Armenian red sheep. The herd was allowed to grow and thrive for many years before harvesting began, but during that time, high fencing was finished and additional exotic species were acquired. Several endangered species were also added to the ranch that are now used to help with conservation awareness. Beginning with the more common animal species such as Axis, Blackbuck, Aoudad and Fallow, and then continuing to grow due to numerous requests for more super exotics. The super exotic collection quickly grew to include Bongos, Kudu, Water Buffalo, Sable, Markhor, several varieties of Ibex including the Alpine, Nubian and Persian, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Sika, Eld’s Deer, Thorold’s Deer (white-lipped deer), and many other hard to find/hunt species. The Ranch later added Elk, Bantang, Watusi, Tur, Ibex and several other wild sheep species.

At this point, the ranch is now well known in the hunting industry for having or being able to obtain super rare and hard to find species. We are always expanding the list of species, proudly raising and pasturing between 50 - 60 species on the ranch at all times.

The rich heritage is continuing to be passed down through the generations. Judy’s daughter and son-in-law Amber and Jeff Simecek as well as her granddaughters are very involved in the daily operations of the ranch.