Welcome to the FLYING X RANCH.
799 Halleck Canyon Rd
Wheatland, WY 82201
307-322-9626 (p) 307-322-1914 (f)
fxr@myfxr.com
Winter Staff Interviews
The ranch partners’ metal storage shed looked like it had been ripped open with a giant can opener. That huge building housing motor homes was shaking, shuddering, and being lifted up into the air by the ferocious, howling winds….
It is late autumn. We drive west on H34 towards the Flying X Ranch. I barely catch a glimpse of Blue Grass Creek. It is a trickle of its former summertime self. The wind does a body block as we turn onto Halleck Canyon Road and head toward the ranch house. Summer’s vibrant greens, multi-hued mountains, purple and yellow wildflowers have all quieted into shades of tans and browns.
Antelope are everywhere, their bouncing white rumps dot the grasslands as large herds migrate to lower elevations for their primary winter refuge. Up ahead and behind us, no dust trails from other partner’s trucks. At the ranch, the RV park is dotted with only a few remaining vehicles. The water faucets are dry. Deer are grazing in the mobile home yards. Last winter, these almost empty neighborhoods were hunting grounds for some young mountain lions.
It is amazingly silent. We sit outside our camper realizing we can hear our heart beat. Even the resident meadowlark is missing from his rock perch. After we go inside, the deer wander and munch around our camper. We appreciate the company. As night closes in, the wind takes control of every loose thing.
Autumn and winter create a different life at the ranch. But even as partners pack up and head out with school years starting and forecasts of cold and snow, there is the ever-present need to maintain, repair, and protect the ranch grounds, buildings, equipment, horses, and human life present. Feeling the chill creep over me, I wonder what it is like for staff members who are here keeping the ranch going when the rest of us are gone. So, of course, I ask them. Each one tells me about their life during the winter and their constant companion—the wind!
Wounded Warrior Hunt Results 2011
By all accounts the recently FXR sponsored hunt for our Wounded Warriors was a resounding success. Two GI's were invited to the Ranch to hunt for antelope. Each of our guests was treated to food, drink, lodging, guide service, game retrieval and preparation. In addition, a small stipend to cover travel costs and license fees was provided and several garments with the FXR logo were given to each of the participants. Donations received from various sources covered all of the associated costs.
Special recognition should be give to partner Steve Kosier. Steve was the catalyst that generated the majority of the donations that in turn insured a first class hunt for our guests.
The FXR provided a steak dinner, masterfully prepared by Ray Parker, on the eve of the hunt. Each of the guests, Josh Black and George Bodnar, accompanied by friend and caregiver Wesley Felice, were introduced. While at the Ranch various partners invited our guests for dinner, several provided lunches and others cooked and served breakfast at the Ranch house. Ammunition was provided by Parker Arms of Wheat Ridge and used to sight in the rifles prior to the hunt. It was no surprise that each of the veterans were excellent shots.
Josh had drawn a buck antelope permit and George had a doe permit donated and transferred to him via a new Wyoming program that allows licenses to be given to disabled veterans. Josh was guided by Gene Titzel and Len Verrelli and Josh was successful in tagging a 14 1/2" buck. A nice shot at approximately 400 yards. George was guided by John Kelly. George shot his doe early on the first day. Both hunters returned to the Ranch and the meat was cut, vacuum packed and ready for the freezer and subsequent transportation.
Stoll Taxidermy of Wheatland gave us a very generous discount off his usual fee and will mount Josh's antelope for him. Mrs. Stoll even provided six loaves of homemade bread for us to use preparing lunches for the hunters.
Both Josh and George gratefully expressed their thanks for our hospitality and the opportunity to participate in a great hunt - a hunt they called "a once in a lifetime opportunity". All-in-all the program was well received and enjoyed not only by the guests but also the participating partners.
It is anticipated that the program will continue and possibly be expanded to include children in the Make-a-Wish program.
-- Gene Titzel
A special thanks to Gene Titzel for his efforts to make this program possible and such a great success. Partners can find more in the October President's report.
-- John Parker
