Mountain Creek Ranches Hunting Club

Hunters Beware - Misrepresentation & Outright Lies at Mountain Creek Ranches in Bandera/Medina, Texas

I am extremely disappointed in the experience at Mountain Creek Ranches, and the treatment my hunting party received while guests of Mountain Creek Ranches in Bandera/Medina, Texas. A member of our party visited this ranch in June of 2023, where he spoke with the ranch foreman, Ken Upchurch, and the owner, Debby Upchurch. The visit was great. He toured the two tracts of land totaling 700 acres managed by the pair and saw some animals while visiting. After the visit, our group of three decided to book a trip for the week of Thanksgiving. During the June visit, we were told the rules were as follows: we could shoot two whitetail deer (one doe and one buck (no restrictions),) two axis deer (one doe and one buck,) and other "exotics" if we saw them (goats, hogs, etc.) We were happy with these rules, and I was very excited about the trip, as it was my first-time hunting in Texas.

Everything changed upon arrival at the ranch. First, they changed the rules: we were no longer allowed to shoot whitetail does or whitetail bucks under an 8-point with a 13-inch spread and we'd be charged a $500.00 fine for shooting a whitetail doe. We were still allowed to shoot axis deer and exotics. This severely limited our ability to hunt. Of our group of three, only one of us saw an axis deer; none of us saw any exotic animals for the duration of the trip. We saw plenty of does and smaller bucks, but no deer we could actually shoot. I spoke with a guide to ask when they implemented the rule change and was told, "It's always been that way."

Second, the schedule we were given changed constantly. We would be told we were hunting on one tract of land, and two hours later it would be changed. Additionally, Ken interrupted our hunts 30 minutes prior to when they should have ended, causing the only whitetail buck large enough to shoot to get spooked and run off before my buddy had a chance to get a shot off. Ken laughed at this missed opportunity. One morning we were told it was "too cold" for us to be out there, and the next "the fog is too thick." During all my hunts, I never saw an animal I could shoot, and I never saw any buck Texas is supposed to be famous for. Nowhere close to the 4.1 deer density per acre that Debby bragged about. Not upset that we did not see a lot of animals or the ones that we were looking for. That's hunting. Had there been no rule change we did see enough whitetail bucks and does to tag out and not come home emptyhanded.

It was very clear that we were told one set of rules to get us to book the trip, only to have them changed upon arrival. We spoke to several other hunters disgruntled by the same things mentioned above along with the fact that there were only 11 working stands for 21 hunters. 21 hunters on 700 acres is not feasible. If all hunters showed up at the same time, there is no way all could be accommodated. We were so frustrated by the end of the week that we left a day early. These people clearly are not interested in ensuring their guests have a great experience - they are only interested in scamming hunters out of their hard-earned money and packing their land with as many of those hunters they can screw over. Please don't waste your money on this place. There are better people and better clubs out there that will put you and your experience first.

This place is a discrase to the Hunter!

Bought 7 days for my 10 year old.

Place is old and run down. Stands are hunted everyday. People coming and going!

Debby and ken only allowed us to hunt on 1 place, where we did get lucky and see 1 spike. We did camp on it where you can't even have a fire!

Supposedly there are 2 other ranches. 1 in Medina and 1 in Kerrville.

They told my kid he could hunt Medina 3 x's.

On the 3rd we were supposed to meet at family dollar in Medina and this is when my son was told again he couldn't hunt and should just go home due to him having a stomach ache from the day before!

Needless to say, we were sent home after only 2 hunts when we bought 7 days. This was there way of say Merry Christmas I suppose!

Debby would not even answer my calls after collecting the money! But sure to have us sign a paper as soon as you arrive agreeing to NO REFUNDS!

All I can say is, hope you enjoy the money folks!

There's definitely a special place in Heaven for people like you!

Do yourself a favor and stay as far as possible AWAY from these people!

Nothing good to say!

This place is HORRIBLE. From out of town and showed up to hunt only for them to tell you MORNING OF that the CLUB rules state you can only take an 8+ whitetail even though doe are in season too. I lost track of how many dozen does and less than 8 point bucks we saw. Infuriating. I'm not looking to trophy hunt. I just wanted to hang with some of my friends and put some meat in the freezer. I would NOT recommend this place at all.

I have been a member at Mountain Creek Ranches for going on 4 years now. 2 of my friends and I joined at the same time, and we are all still members. We have enjoyed, and continue to enjoy being with this hunting club. We highly recommend this club to anyone who expresses an interest in hunting, it is a great club at a great price in a beautiful area of the Texas Hill Country! This is a very family friendly club that allows you to bring a guest along on a hunt for a very nominal fee, I have brought my grand children to hunt for the past couple of years, and they cannot wait until the next hunting season starts. We have gotten our share of axes and white tail each year that we have hunted here, We are very pleased with the club and the guides that go above and beyond what would be expected of a hunting guide, aside from the discounted lodging and other ammenities we enjoy as club members. They take you to your stand, pick you up after your hunt and bring you back, as well as clean and quarter your kill. I have hunted on several different ranches that are part of this Club and have never been disappointed with the stands, feeders etc...as stated before the guides always go the extra mile to make their hunters want to return again and again! HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS CLUB!!! You will not find a better group of people who truly want you to have a great hunting experience, nor will you find a better deal. Excellent Club, Excellent People, exceptional value.