John and Taunia Elick are native Texans and owners of Texas Ranch Life. They have been cattle ranching the entire 27 years of their marriage on the Prairie Place Ranch, which has been in John’s family for almost 50 years. They raise cross bred cattle, registered Texas Longhorn cattle, and breed registered quarter horses used for cutting and ranch work. Their three daughters, Laramy, Lacey and Ashlyn have grown up in the best of both worlds-on the ranch working with cattle, horses and livestock while at the same time having access to the city life of Houston and Austin not too far away where they enjoy modeling & acting.

John and Taunia are both practicing attorneys in Bellville, Texas where John grew up. John practiced law in Austin, Texas prior to moving to Bellville and both are graduates of the University of Texas.

Taunia was active in the oil business in Houston prior to starting a family and entering law practice. Laramy is carrying on the family tradition as a third generation UT Longhorn.

John was a saddle bronc rider in the Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana circuit for 15 years. For practice, he also raised, trained and sold rough stock to rodeo producers. Taunia occasionally competed in barrel racing. They performed together in convention shows which included performances before Queen Beatrice of the Netherlands and the Vice Premier of China. Once John was 40, and they started their family, John and Taunia kissed the “golden rodeo trail” goodbye. All three girls competed in youth rodeos when they were younger and are accomplished riders. But the family gave up rodeo for calmer pursuits. Taunia and the girls are 1st degree black belts in TaeKwondo and John holds a 2nd degree black belt.

The Elicks, as are many Texans, are lovers of history, nature and the outdoors and have always had an interest in protecting and preserving our natural resources, native habitats and wildlife. With that in mind, they had the goal of acquiring a ranch for each of their daughters, so that their love of the land could be passed on as it had been passed on to them.

They acquired the Lonesome Pine Ranch between Bellville and Chappell Hill beginning in 1989. In 1996 they purchased the Eagle Roost Ranch near Sealy. Both ranches, along with Prairie Place Ranch, are steeped in Texas history and have given the Elicks an opportunity to restore wildlife habitat and preserve Texas history in a manner consistent with proven ranching methods. The Elick’s have been honored by Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, who has visited the ranches, for their conservation efforts and habitat restoration for the most endangered species in the U.S. - the Attwatter Prairie Chicken.

John, Taunia and especially the girls, enjoy travel, experiencing other cultures and meeting people from different parts of the world. They have traveled to Europe, Asia, Central America and all over the great United States. While these experiences are fun, enlightening and educational, it always makes coming back home to their Texas ranch very special. And it is one reason why they love sharing the history and culture of “Texas Ranch Life” with all their guests.