The GEO Group, Inc., a world leader in the privatized development and management of correctional facilities is highly involved with the local communities and a variety of community service projects throughout the Central Region (which consists of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana).  Over the past six years, The GEO Group, Inc’s Central Region has raised over $500,000.00 for the Special Olympics of Texas.  Mrs. Louise Taylor, landowner of the KC Walker Wells Ranch donated a guided Mule Deer hunt to the Lockhart Correctional Facility to be raffled with all proceeds benefiting the Special Olympics in 2005.  This hunt has an estimated value of $5,000 with the winning ticket holder provided the opportunity to harvest a 140 to 160 B&C buck during a 2-day guided hunt with meals and lodging provided.

Tony Garcia with deer hanging at Ranch Headquarters

On the afternoon of October 1, Tony Garcia of Pecos, Texas was notified that he was the lucky ticket holder.  Even though Tony has been an outdoorsman his whole life and has hunted whitetail deer for many years, he never had the opportunity to hunt Mule Deer.  “Being an outdoorsman and whitetail deer hunter all my life, you know I was excited when Warden Clark notified me that I was the lucky winner.  The excitement continued to build up, until I finally got to go on the hunt last week.”

On Tuesday, November 29, the trip started with Tony Garcia, and Guide, Clay Taylor.  They were headed to the KC Walker Wells Ranch in Culberson County, Texas to hunt Mule Deer.  Due to the knowledge and experience of the KC Walker Ranch Guide, Clay Taylor, Tony saw over 60 Mule Deer within a two-hour span.  The efforts of guide and hunter resulted in the harvest of an 8-point buck.  The Ruger Model 77, .270 caliber rifle topped with a Simmons scope was Tony’s gun of choice to harvest the beautiful buck at 11:45 on the morning of November 30, 2005.  This is a miraculous feat, as Tony was fielding calls from friends and co-workers inquiring how the hunt of lifetime was going.

Tony Garcia with his first Mule Deer trophy at site of kill

The KC Walker Wells Ranch has been a part of the Taylor family for as long as Clay has been alive, and when asked how long he had been guiding hunts on the ranch, Clay’s reply was, “All my life.  Ok, maybe not all my life, but definitely since I was 8 or 9 years old!”  Ironically, Clay is not quite 33 years old.  Don’t let age fool you, he knows the land and studies the patterns of the wildlife on the ranch.  This year, Clay has guided another first time Mule Deer hunter to a 10-point buck, and an 11-year old hunter to an 8-point.  One lucky hunter pulled the trigger on the largest buck taken during the 2005 Mule Deer season, scoring over 180 B&C.

Brian Beach with a 10-point buck. This was Brian’s first experience hunting Mule Deer

Landowner, Louise Taylor, has continued to enforce the family tradition started by her late husband, Charlie Taylor, family members can only shoot a buck if it is bigger than what is already on the wall.  For the last few years, Clay has had to fill his urge to hunt by guiding hunts on the ranch, as he is proudly displaying a hefty 14-point, 210 B&C mule deer with a 30” spread taken off the KC Walker Wells Ranch.

The Ranch, a low-fenced fair chase ranch, sits approximately 50 miles off I-20 in Culberson County on an unpaved road.  The ranch headquarters is equipped to accommodate 10-12 hunters in three separate houses and provides all meals for the hunters during their stay at the ranch.  Guests at the ranch should not be alarmed at the drive to the ranch.  As Tony Garcia stated, “My excitement turned to concern after I drove fifty miles off of Interstate 20; I did not know where they were taking me.  We finally arrived, and what a beautiful place.”

Tony with full view of deer

Tony recently sent a letter to a member of the Taylor family that stated, “I could go on and on about how much fun I had, and the beautiful accommodations.  Again, it was all for a great cause - Special Olympics. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Taylor Family for their support.”  In summary, Tony was elated with the hunt, guide and deer until he got home.  On Thursday, Tony spent most of the day with a mechanic since the dirt roads leading to the ranch had put a hole in the oil pan of his car.  Tony said it was worth it and he plans on having his buck mounted European style.

Fact Sheet
Target Game: Mule Deer
Weapon: Ruger 77
Scope: Simmons
Time of Kill: 11:45am November 30, 2005
Distance: 200 yards
Weather: clear, chilly, slight breeze

Tony Garcia, and Trevor Teague, Assistant Guide

All in all, the raffle was a success for the landowners, the winner, and the Special Olympics of Texas.  In 2005, The GEO Group raised over $90,000.00 for the Special Olympics, and has started charity efforts for their 2006 cause.  With the help of companies like The GEO Group, Inc and special people like Louise and Clay Taylor the Special Olympics of Texas continues to provide opportunities of a lifetime to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Hunter
Name:Tony Garcia
Phone: (432)447-2926

Guide
Name: Clay Taylor
Email: hollebekeranch@hotmail.com
Phone: (432)447-2123

Ranch
Name: KC Walker Wells Ranch
Email: hollebekeranch@hotmail.com
Phone: (432)447-2123