established in 1906

LOCATED IN THE HEART OF EAST TEXAS, the DAWG Ranch was purchased by S.H. Smith in 1906. The original 320-acre tract was intended for timber production and minerals. By the 1960s, S.R. Smith added a camp house and lake, turning the property into a recreation and entertaining spot for the family and members of their church community. In the 1980s, current owner Fred Smith stepped in, taking on the responsibilities to oversee the property, managing timber production, and wildlife. In 2007 it was decided to harvest timber, the first time since the land was purchased, and this created the need to erect a fence to protect the property’s wildlife.

With a barrier in place, Smith began introducing more species to the ranch, like elk and axis deer. The ranch expanded in 2013 as 335 adjacent acres were purchased and fenced, opening up the opportunity to introduce even more wildlife—this time Nubian Ibex, Sable Antelope, Markhor, and bighorn sheep hybrids. Smith also began inviting the public to hunt on the property and enjoy the newly constructed seven-acre lake. In 2020, another 540 acres were added to the ranch. Today, the DAWG Ranch welcomes hunters to harvest 20-40 animals each year on the ranch—based on wildlife surveys, conditions, and data.

Situated in the piney woods of East Texas, the DAWG Ranch is an easy 70-mile drive north of Houston. Once in Livingston, you’ll reach the ranch just 4.5 miles north of Highway 190.

 

Now Booking 2021 Hunts

 

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Ranch Staff

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Five full-time employees make up our hunting guides, hosts, and staff at the DAWG Ranch. Under the direction of owner Fred Smith, the ranch works to give guests world-class hunting right here in East Texas. Our daily operations are focused on the health, vitality, and superiority of our wildlife.

It’s our mission to offer an opportunity to bless someone’s life with the chance to do something they may not otherwise have a chance to experience. And it doesn’t stop with public hunts. We proudly host an annual youth hunt alongside the Texas Wildlife Association on our ranch. This hunt is a life-changing experience for youth not only in the greater Houston area but also statewide.

Our commitment to letting our blessings spill onto the lives of others spans back generations when our ranch was centered around entertaining and providing a place for recreation and fellowship.