Pitchstone Waters

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Circle Ranch in West Texas

Experience From the High Deserts of Texas to the Rocky Mountain West.

For 20 years, our family owned and managed Circle Ranch, 32,000 acres of high desert located in the Sierra Diablo Mountains of far-West Texas. Our goal? Leaving the land more diverse, and therefore healthier, than we found it.

Our Philosophy

Wildlife and habitat only prosper when their ecosystem is in balance.

A pronghorn herd in desert grasslands of West Texas

Our Resources

The objective of biodiversity conservation is to maintain viable native animal and plant populations of all kind.

a native Elk roaming the desert grasslands of West Texas

Elk Removals Featured

Are Elk Native to Texas--Historical and Archaeological Evidence for the Natural Occurence of Elk in Texas

This paper began as an effort to persuade Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to cease its efforts to eradicate elk on the state lands which it manages in far-West Texas. Our assumption was that TPWD was acting out of a sincere misunderstanding of science, which could be corrected.

Fight for Wolf Valley | Yellowstone Wolf Dynasty

Yellowstone wolves

Fight for Wolf Valley | Yellowstone Wolf Dynasty

Yellowstone’s Druid Peak wolves became the most famous wolf pack in the world. Over a 14-year reign, the pack endures invaders and epic battles.

Secrets of Marmot Hibernation

Secrets of Marmot Hibernation

A family of marmots prepares for their upcoming hibernation in a den 6 – 20 feet underground. Fourteen species of this animal are found across the world.

Buffalo Return to Indigenous Lands

Buffalo Return to Indigenous Lands

The film explores what living among the bison once again means for Native people—today and for future generations.

ORVIS–How to Spot Trout in Deep Water

ORVIS - How to Spot Trout in Deep Water

Spotting fish in deeper water is a great skill for an angler to have, and the key is to teach your eyes what to look for. Rarely will you see an actual fish shape. Instead, it’s about searching for an out-of-place “smudge” that seems as if it doesn’t

Wild Wolves: Pack Life

Wild Wolves: Pack Life

It was one of nature’s greatest experiments: bringing back wolves to Yellowstone. Anything could happen as the dramas of pack life unfold.

Shane Mahoney - a widely recognized as a wildlife biologist, conservationist, and thought leader

Shane Mahoney Speech on the Wild Harvest Initiative

Shane Mahoney is widely recognized as a wildlife biologist, conservationist, and thought leader.

Wildlife Survival in Yellowstone

Wildlife Survival in Yellowstone

This is the Yellowstone you never knew.

A New Bee Species Was Discovered in Texas and Oklahoma. Here's What to Know

A New Bee Species Was Discovered in Texas and Oklahoma. Here's What to Know

Scientists have discovered a new bee found only in Texas and Oklahoma documenting it interacting with plants in both states.

circle_ranch_texas_fall_flowers_feature

Out Here in the Middle - Summer at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas

“Out Here in The Middle” is about summer at the Circle Ranch in the high-desert mountains of far-West Texas. Wildlife, great scenery, ranching, cattle and family. “Out Here in The Middle” is performed by James McMurtry. NOTE: This was originally posted to this site in the summer of 2015. And

Yellowstone Park to Reconsider Controversial Bison Plan

Yellowstone Park to Reconsider Controversial Bison Plan

A new analysis of bison management could result in an expansion of where the animals are permitted to roam freely.

Restoring the Western Water Cycle

improving water cycle

Restoring the Western Water Cycle

Hosted by WLA's Jake Lebsack and featuring groundbreaking scientists Dr. David Ellison, Dr. Makenzie Skiles and Zuzka Mulkerin. This webinar was recorded live on January 15th, 2025.

Beavers Save Millions, Finish Delayed Government Dam Project Themselves

Beavers Save Millions, Finish Delayed Government Dam Project Themselves

A hardworking beaver colony in the Brdy protected landscape area has done what bureaucratic red tape could not—completed a vital dam project in record time, free of charge.

Mule Deer Hunting in the Sierra Diablos

Mule Deer Hunting in the Sierra Diablos

Circle Ranch Texas, Desert Mule Deer, Desert Bighorn NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on January 30, 2017.

Restoring Biodiversity - 2/25/2025

Restoring Biodiversity - 2/25/2025

Ted Turner is opening up his land to visitors. And a large-scale beaver reintroduction project in Washington.

Ted Turner's Nature Preserves: A Carefully Curated "Heaven on Earth"

Ted Turner's Nature Preserves: A Carefully Curated "Heaven on Earth"

Turner is opening some of his land to visitors, creating almost overnight what amounts to a private national park system.

Beaver Reintroduction in the Washington Cascades

beaver restoration

Beaver Reintroduction in the Washington Cascades

For the past 3 years, Cascade Forest Conservancy has been engaged in a large-scale beaver reintroduction project in Washington's South Cascades.