I’ll be the first to admit it—I get to do some incredible things. The privilege of many of the experiences that I have been blessed to be part of is not lost on me, and I am grateful to be among the select few who get to partake. To that end, it’s always great to report on the times when these sorts of opportunities are made available to the general public, as everyone should have the chance to shoot a mile, harvest a trophy animal or just sit and relax within a picturesque landscape. With that, I’m pleased to announce that the Sellmark Ranch is open to the public and currently taking reservations for a most memorable outdoor experience.
Appropriately named, the Sellmark Ranch is owned by the Sellmark Corporation, which houses brands such as Sightmark, Pulsar, Firefield, BulletSafe and Kopfjäger, just to name a few. For the last five years, these 6,800 continuous acres in Fairfield, Texas, have served as the proving ground for the company’s products, as well as an informal retreat for its employees and other members of the firearm industry. Prior to that, it had some colorful history, even including two prohibition-era shootouts at a whiskey cabin, which is still preserved on the property. Following that dark period in history, as well as a few ownership changes, the ranch resumed typical cattle-raising duties and still continues to do so to this day.
As the property was little more than a grazing field, the ranch underwent a major reformation, and much of it is thanks to the work of Andrew Przybiski and Stephen “The Gun Life Coach” Powell, the ranch’s respective land management and range development team leaders. Andrew’s contributions include establishing and maintaining over a dozen hunting areas and doing everything needed to help the whitetail population thrive while keeping predators at bay. Powell was tasked with the job of locating the best area to establish the shooting range, which was no small task.
When I met Stephen early in my trip to the ranch, he shared the challenges of navigating around the natural gas pipelines that pass through the property while meeting EPA and drainage requirements. "The biggest challenge was determining the most equitable place for the range that wouldn't interfere with other ranch activities,” he said as he summed up his work and jokingly professed his love for dirt. He continued to explain that the project involved building several hundred acres up with dirt, which surprisingly was more economical than clearing out the ranch's prized woodlands. These efforts bore fruit to the tune of a 2,200-yard rifle range, with a 500-, 100- and 50-yard shooting area alongside it.
The event kicked off the next morning with a speech from James Sellers, the company’s founder and CEO, as well as a few words from Freestone County Mayor Bobby Nichols, where the ranch is located. James’s words carried gratitude for the employees who made it possible, and we learned that the inspiration and overall goal of the ranch was to help re-invigorate the American passion for the outdoors. This sentiment was echoed by Mayor Nichols, who feels that ranches like these embody the spirit of Texas, not to mention the values of this country as a whole.
From there, live music rang out as the gourmet food trucks served more than 200 guests. Just an hour later, the firing line went hot, and guests who opted for the “Tactical Access” ticket package were invited to test a wide range of Sellmark products that spanned nearly every brand. Drawing on my long-range shooting background, the team asked if I would make the mile shooting station my home base, a task that nobody ever has to twist my arm for. Working with Sellmark’s Media Relations Specialist, Kevin Reese and Scott McRee of Longshot Target Cameras, we helped close to 100 attendees score first-round hits with a single round of Hornady Match .300 PRC and used Scott’s product to watch the action live on screen.
Sellmark’s ranch grand opening was made possible by several other sponsors, many of whom are also within our industry. On the short range, Staccato was available to test out its latest hit pistols, with Silencer Shop situated neatly next to them. Wiley X gave all participants a pair of its ballistic-grade eye protection, and Safari Club International set up a booth to answer questions regarding conservation.
The line remained hot until 5 p.m., giving attendees ample time to work with product specialists and learn more about Sellmark’s brands, its principles and how it’s able to bring products of such quality to the average consumer. In short, the answer is a dedicated staff who’s arduously working with overseas contractors, holding both them and stateside inspectors to stringent quality-control parameters.
After the ceasefire, guests had an hour to relax lakeside with a cocktail before the Jason Ashley Band took center-stage. I wish I was able to report more on this segment, but I had to make a choice between listening to country music or sitting in a stand to get an idea of what type of feral hog hunting opportunities await at the Sellmark Ranch. A photo is included for those who might question which path I took.
Evenings at the ranch unfold at one of three locations, depending on individual tastes and budget. The Main Lodge is massive and fraught with luxurious adornments, including a pool and jacuzzi, fire pit and more than enough room for up to 20 guests to stretch out and relax after a long day enjoying the landscape. For those traveling in smaller groups, or seeking a quaint resting place, both the North and South camps offer all the comforts of home with endless opportunities to gaze at wildlife.
With the conclusion of all ceremonies, The Sellmark Ranch is now an official destination for anybody interested in taking part in some of the same adventures you may have read about in this and other NRA Media publications. This facility is currently able to offer duck, predator or whitetail hunts under the direction of its many experienced local guides, as well as fishing opportunities on its 35-acre lake. With your downtime, you’re welcome to rent a bay on the shooting range to try your hand at long-range shooting or hone your pistol or shotgun skills a bit closer in. Whatever it is you enjoy doing outside, the Sellmark Ranch is eager to help you take it a step further, and best of all, you don’t have to write the experience up afterwards.
For more information, visit sellmarkranch.com.
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