To the friends of Upland & Your Huntin' Buddies:
More than 20 years ago, my Daddy, H.R. "Sonny" Stroube, showed me an article from a magazine which talked about shooting preserves. "Why can't we do somethin' like this," he asked, adding, "... with cattle prices the way they are, this could be a fun business for us. The boys from Dallas can come down for a days' bird hunting and be home for dinner."
I wish he was still with us so that he could see what his idea has brought to North Texas hunting life. After all these years I'm sure he'd agree his land has been improved and he'd be pleased about the memories created for wing shooters and their families.
Many seasons have come and gone since my Daddy flopped that magazine in front of me, and so have many other shooting operations. We must be doing something right, and you have rewarded us for it.
We are proud of our Texas Class shooting legacy in North Texas, and all of us at Upland, myself, Manuel, all of our guides, and yes, even Pete, want to thank you for your friendship and support. Come see us soon, and help us continue our tradition of making memories!
Steve Stroube
Upland Bird Country was started as described in my 20th Anniversary letter from a ranch that has been in my family since 1938. My Dad began putting together this property after his graduation from Corsicana High School and College. World War II stopped his ranching activities but after his return from Saipan, he returned to his passion raising registered Hereford cattle. This ranch eventually grew to 640 acres, providing ample room for a registered herd of Herefords and later crossbred Brahman cattle. I finally got a chance to add to the ranch when our 97 year old neighbor, Mrs. Trudy Coggins, called me and decided it was time to sell the farm that she inherited in 1936. We added her 115 acres to Upland, so we now have 750 acres for your hunting pleasure.
Twenty three years ago the cattle business wasn't too good so we took a chance and started Upland Bird Country on a hunch that the Dallas MetroPlex would provide customers willing to make the short drive to Navarro County and enjoy a half day hunt. Thanks to all of our friends and customers our "hunch" has turned out better than I could have ever imagined!
Of course none of this would have happened were it not from a bunch of "old guides" who really created the original "Texas Class Wing-shooting" here at Upland. Those old guides were Godsends that lived just down the road. Jimmy Parks, Dewain Rash, and R. M. Drain helped me put together the Upland operation, and they entertained our customers with their hunting skills and country humor. Low and behold, when we needed extra guides, along came John Kenner and Oscar Chrisman. They fit right into the mold and helped us propell Upland to what it is today. Sadly,we have lost some of our original guides: Jimmy Parks joined Dewain Rash in the greatest hunting fields ever last year. We will miss his humor, good nature, and B.S. forever.
We bulit our new "Hill Country" lodge in 2000 after 15 years of hunting out of a 14 foot by 36 foot portable building. Despite blowing rain, hail, and even a tornado we had a blast in those early years and now, thanks to you, we are enjoying Upland more than ever.
This year, after numerous customers' proding and pushing we have built our hunters camp to allow our customers to spend the night at Upland Bird Country. Now this camp is a place to get outdoors, commune with nature, and enjoy your own meals. We hope that you will enjoy our camp fire and hunt with us more often.
I hope this short history has given you some insight into Upland and how we've created a true Texas Class experience Please come see us, enjoy a day of hunting, and take home a bunch of memories. It is our hope that Upland will be as rewarding for you, as it has been for us.
See y'all soon,
Steve
