Y.O. History

This legendary ranch sprang from a young man's dream and his single-minded determination. In 1852, at the age of 14, Charles A. Schreiner became the man of the family. At 18, he staked his first claim in the rugged country that had claimed his heart. In the Civil War's aftermath, Captain Schreiner, using rangy Texas Longhorns as a foundation, began amassing an empire that included banks, retail stores and 566,000 acres of ranchland. In 1914, he chose to divide his holdings among his eight children.

In 1880, Captain Charles Schreiner purchased a ranch from J.W. Taylor and James Clements. In so doing, he also acquired a herd of Texas Longhorns. These cattle carried the Y.O. brand which could have belonged to Youngs O. Coleman, but there is no written record to verify this origin. The Y.O. brand has been in the Schreiner Family ever since, and today signifies the Y.O. Ranch and is a registered trademark.

In his heyday, Captain Schreiner traveled the Western Trail and drove 300,000 Longhorns to Dodge City, Kansas. Amassing his fortune from the cattle drives, the Y.O. Ranch then became the Captain's cornerstone of an empire that at one time embraced over 550,000 acres. The Y.O. and the Schreiner Family have been establishing a reputation for permanency lasting more than 116 years. They've gained respect for their heritage, each other, and the land. The ranch and family are here to stay.

The Ranch Today

The Y.O. is a working ranch of 40,000 acres. Because of its heritage, it is an important link to ranching in Texas history. Today, the Y.O. maintains a herd of more than 1,000 registered Longhorns — one of the largest herds in the world. The Y.O. is home to more than 10,000 other animal species. A home to over 50 species of exotics such as Antelope, Impala, Blackbuck, Waterbuck, Oryx, Giraffe, and Ostrich. Many of these animals roam freely throughout the Y.O.

The Y.O. region is simultaneously beautiful and rugged. Hilltops afford matchless views. Wild game thrives in native cover. Tall grasses blanket the valleys. Is it any wonder that the Y.O. is one of the most famous hunting ranches in the world?