Matador Ranch, which is owned and operated by Matador Cattle Company, is a 128,500-acre working cattle ranch that covers parts of Motley, Floyd, Cottle and Dickens counties. Matador Ranch is located primarily on the Rolling Plains of Texas, although the western edge touches the Caprock or High Plains escarpment. Its terrain includes mesquite, cedar, rolling hills, rugged canyons and open pastures.

The ranch supports more than 2,000 head of cattle, as well as Quarter horses and diverse wildlife. Cattle carry the flying V brand, while the horses are marked with a “50.” Both brands were acquired by Fred C. Koch, when he acquired the ranch in 1953.

Matador Ranch is active in the Matador, Texas community, supporting the Motley County Chamber of Commerce, the Motley County Livestock Show Association, and the Motley County Volunteer Fire Department. The ranch is also a member of American Quarter Horse Association, Ranch Horse Association of America, Ranch Cutting Horse Association, Stock Horse of Texas, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Matador Cattle Company is a division of Koch Agriculture Company, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., and operates ranches in Texas, Montana and Kansas that cover about 445,000 acres.

Renowned for its quail, whitetail and mule deer populations, the market for hunting has expanded on the ranch. With such expansion, ranch management has measured each of its operational decisions to determine if they offer wildlife habitat enhancements.

Matador Ranch has been under game management since 2000. The ranch, which is divided into hunting tracts of 3,000 to 13,000 acres, offers fully guided hunts for Bobwhite quail, mature Whitetail deer (8 points or larger), large Desert mule deer, wild turkey and feral hogs. Day hunt options are also available for dove.

The ranch focuses on improving its deer herd genetics through food plots and supplemental high protein feed, which is available year-round via feeders. Deer taken have shown a continual improvement in greater antler growth and additional body weight. A limited number of mature bucks are harvested each year. Since the game management program was initiated, hunters have harvested numerous animals recognized by the Texas Wildlife Association's Texas Big Game Awards.

The ranch is blessed with an abundance of quail that has resulted from using a rest-rotation system employed on the ranch, offering some of the best quail hunting found in Texas. The Ranch works with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service to consistently improve habitat and nutrition for quail. In addition to guided quail hunts, day leasing is available. Guests and their dogs will be taken to a pasture and be treated to exciting hunting opportunities. Seasonal quail lease tracts of any size are available to accomodate your hunting party.

Guests who participate in guided hunts will stay in a lodge built in 1917. Good homecooked meals will be provided. Guests may choose to fly into Lubbock, Texas and rent a car for the 90-mile drive to the ranch, or fly private plane into Plainview, Texas, for a 60-mile trip. Transportation may be provided with prior arrangement.

Additional Contacts
Wayne Pearson           
Hunting Coordinator                  
Office-229-686-7622

Bob Kilmer
Ranch Manager
806-347-2645