About Salt Fork Ranch
We are a veteran owned, family run hunting and cattle ranch based in Abilene, Texas that has been in business since 1992. We have multiple ranches through out West Texas, from Ballinger to Clairemont, each with a very diverse topography.
Salt Fork Ranch Clairemont & The Bunkhouse Hunting Lodge
We officially merged with The Bunkhouse Hunting Lodge/Lazy E Ranch in 2019. Shawn grew up guiding and working cattle for Eddwin Kyle for over 30 years and has a very special bond with him and this ranch. They both have guided some very interesting guests over the years, to include: Bobby Knight, Governor Edwin Edwards, and numerous college and NFL coaches to name a few.
This is a low fenced, highly managed property that has a year round feeding program of corn, protein, various food plots and wheat. Complimenting our feeding program is a water well system (over 5 wells) through out the ranch, which greatly attracts and holds wild life of all kinds.
One of the best qualities of the Clairemont Ranch is having large neighbors with little to no hunting pressure. The 50K acre ranch to our SE and the 10K acre to our North does not even allow deer hunting, so we are pulling a lot of deer from them and other neighbors. We have 15 blinds and 15 feeders that operate twice a day, 365 days a year. Protein is fed from March to August to supplement our deer and turkeys diet. Food plots are planted when the rain allows.
The “Bunk House” is our main lodge and sleeps over 12, with a kitchen, living and dining rooms, satellite tv, etc. There is also a cabin that sleeps 4 for those that desire more private lodging.
We are building a brand new lodge in 2023/2024 to accommodate even larger parties and will have multiple private rooms that sleep 2-4 per room.
Learn more about our hunts here!
Salt Fork Ranch- Clairemont-High Fence
Shawn purchased the ranch that borders us on the South in 2022 and high fenced it in the fall of that year. Our goal is to raise trophy White tails, Blackbuck, Nyala and other super exotics.
Stay connected with us and be one of the first to hunt this place!
Need to Buy a Hunting License?
Go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s website to buy licenses, check season dates, and more!
Salt Fork Ranch- Ballinger
This ranch is located South of Abilene 50 miles just to the East of Ballinger Texas. It has over 1 mile of Colorado River frontage on the South border, and is a mix of agricultural fields and native Mesquite pasture. We alternate crops every other year between cotton and winter wheat. It is not uncommon to see over 50 deer, turkey and hogs in one day!
This ranch also has a year round feeding program with 8 blinds and feeders, which operate 2 times a day, 365 days a year.
“The Cabin” on the Ballinger Ranch
The cabin sets in the middle of the ranch and was built in 2017. It is one open room with a private rest room and mini kitchen. It will sleep 6 and has Heat and AC, hot water, shower, full size refrigerator, two burner cook top, BBQ grill,
Etc.. Just bring food and a sleeping bag/pillow!
The Owners
Shawn McDonald
Shawn McDonald is the President/Owner of Salt Fork Ranch and Outfitters, LLC. which has been in business for over 30 years. His family roots go back over 100 years in West Texas, and he is proud to call Abilene home. He is an Army Veteran with the 82nd Airborne Division and a lifelong hunter. He has bow hunted 4 of the 7 continents, from Alaska to Africa, South America, Europe and Mexico. He has taken over 300 big game animals by archery, including 3 of the “Dangerous 7”(Lion, Crocodile & Cape Buffalo), The Turkey Grand Slam, American Bison (18th in the World SCI), etc.
By hunting and traveling throughout the world and seeing how different hunting operations work, he believes he can bring some of those positive aspects to Salt Fork.
Ryan McDonald
Ryan McDonald is the Head Guide and Ranch Manager for Salt Fork and also Shawns brother.
He is also a life long hunter and fisherman, and also competed heavily in Bass Tournaments through out Texas. He has degrees in Molecular Biology and Economics/Finance from The University of Texas at Dallas.
He wears many hats during hunting season, including assisting the cooks. He is a former Texas State Champion BBQ Winner for his very famous ribs, which are usually on the menu at The Bunk House during deer season.
We both look forward to seeing you at one of our ranches!
