Wildlife At The 4N Ranch

By Aaryn Valenzuela

The "NNNN" Ranch is one of only a handful of places in the Concho Valley where people can view and hunt exotic animals, like Zebra. There's about 15 different species of animals on the 3500 acre ranch. Its located just ten minutes past San Angelo's Mathis Field Airport.

"You can see things like Greater Kudo, Pere David Deer, Scimitar Oryx, North American Elk, Red Stag, and beautiful Whitetail Deer.We got a lot of animals out here," said Alvin New, San Angelo Mayor and Owner.

New says the Zebra have always been the most popular.

"Before they come out here, and when they see them, Zebras are just a great hit, they know what they are looking for, and they look forward to seeing them," said New.

New bought the property in 2008. He says he intended to use the 3500 acres for cattle, but because of the drought, he decided to stock the land with exotic animals instead.

"The number of acres that you can run with cattle, particular during a drought, make it really hard to be in that type of business, and so this gave us an opportunity to do something a little different, and we can work on Eco-Tourism," he says.

He says their busiest time is from September to May, during hunting season.

At the Ranch, they host "Safari Parties", reunions and weddings. This week, they're hostiing the Convention and Visitor's Bureau Retreat.

New says he grew up farming in the South Plains, and says he has always had a passion for agriculture and animals.

"As I grew up I knew that I didnt want to farm, butI still really like agriculture, and so I get a little bit of the farming blood taking care of by tending food plots on the ranch, but mostly I like animal husbandry, and taking care of animals."