More about
The owners.
John Ed Stepan
Owner – Reserve Ranch
A third generation American from a lineage of immigrant farmers from Czechoslovakia, there a is a genetic imprint in me to recognize quality land. When I first set foot on the ranch, I knew I was in a special place. The abundance of water, quality turf and soils made me recognize what could be achieved on this canvas. My continued vision is to create a place where “wildlife can flourish, thrive and mature, where man can relax, rejuvenate and be challenged”. Stewardship of the land is something that I hold dear, and I am humbled and honored to be the next Steward of this amazing property. I am ever grateful for my Blessings and equally grateful I am a Texan where I am free to actually be the best Steward of my land possible.
As an avid Sportsmen and Adventurer, I have hunted 33 countries on five continents including a Shikar to Nepal for Blue Sheep and a twenty day trek into China’s Inner Mongolia for Gansu Argali. That coupled with over 800 days spent on the African Continent comprised of 35 Safaris, I bring my 36 years of experience in International Hunting to the Reserve Ranch. I have learned from every Expedition and honed the edge of what clients want and expect. The vast experiences I have been Blessed with allow me the ability to bring the ultimate adventure to my clients that visit the Reserve Ranch. I look forward to sharing my stories and experiences with you at the ranch. See you by the fire!
John Ed Stepan started his hunting business career in 1981 when he began organizing and guiding exotic game hunts in the Texas Hill Country.
His abilities as a guide are championed by the numerous entries in record books such as the Safari Club International, Records of Exotics and Trophy Big Game Records (please refer to John Ed Stepan, Reserve Ranch and JES Adventures in the records classifications). Many of his clients have taken trophies in the Top Ten in their class and set a few World Records.
Over the years John Ed has gained an in depth knowledge and understanding of ranch and wildlife management. He began by leasing and managing land in the Texas Hill County for hunting trophy native and exotic game animals. By 1993 he purchased his first ranch and built it from ground up into a successful hunting and wildlife managed property.
In 2000, seeking to expand his hunting grounds he purchased 3300 acres in South Texas. Two years later he added another 3800 acres nearby. A unique region, through habitat management and supplemental feeding he worked to improve the native whitetail herd. At its apex there was a deer per six acres with a 1 to 1 buck to doe ratio. The result was a ranch that consistently produced trophy whitetail deer season after season. In addition, a plethora of Exotic Big Game was propagated on the ranch.
The Season of 2005 proved a turning point and John Ed realize his commitment to the ranch and wildlife was keeping him from his true mission of being a father and the ranch was sold.
Now that his four children are in College (one a Pre-Veterinary Major, her twin an Agriculture Science Major, the third majoring in Economics and the fourth majoring in Marketing) he could go back to his passion of game management and hunting.
By the Grace of God and hard work he found himself in the position to obtain this amazing property and move it to the next level. He has a renewed passion for this new chapter in his life and is committed to make this the Premier Hunting Ranch in Texas.
From his international travels, the knowledge he has gained from his many experiences as an avid hunter and outdoorsman as well as a propagator of wildlife has given him the education to operate a World Class Hunting Property.
His wife Debra Stepan, was born in Colorado the daughter of an avid Big Game Hunter moved to Texas at an early age. After 12 years in sales, marketing and management with a Fortune 100 Corporation, she joined the Reserve Ranch in a management capacity. With her experience dealing with large Corporate clients she offers a great insight into clients needs. Debra shares a passion for the outdoors as she has also traveled and hunted extensively in Africa, Europe, South Pacific and the Americas.
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