Stonewall County went from extreme drought to overflowing stock tanks in the span of a few weeks. On Oct. 16 the county signed an order ending the burn ban it had put in place on Sept. 28, citing rain that had fallen over the entire county. Across the Rolling Plains, multi day storms delivered several inches in places, and wheat went into the ground behind them. Lee, Lee & Puckitt looks at what the turnaround means for ranches from Aspermont and Peacock to Old Glory and the Double Mountain country.
From Burn Ban to Rain
The county’s original order in late September cited extreme drought and the risk of wildfire. The termination order, posted on the county website, said recent rains across the whole county had changed conditions enough to lift it. Landowners who held off on burning brush piles or clearing fence lines through September now have room to work, though wind and dry grass can return quickly after a front. Checking with local authorities before any burn is still the right call.
October Totals Near Aspermont
AgSist’s summary of NOAA data for the Aspermont station showed about 3.4 inches in October through the 29th, almost double the usual 1.8 inches for that span. The year total was about 14.7 inches, roughly 70 percent of normal, and still behind the 18 inches the same station had by this date in 2025. The station also logged a 46 day stretch from late July into early September with no measurable rain.
That summer gap is the reason the October storms mattered so much. Grass had gone dormant, tanks were dropping and many ranchers had begun trimming numbers.
What the Region Saw
Texas A&M AgriLife’s Oct. 27 crop and weather report for the Rolling Plains said a multi day rain event brought 3 to 7 inches to parts of the district. Many stock tanks filled and some overflowed. Wheat planting was in full swing, with some fields washed out and needing to be replanted. Hay supplies were described as very tight, and calves were moving to market.
Practical Steps for Stonewall County Ranches
- Inspect dams and spillways. Tanks that ran over can show erosion at the spillway or seepage on the back side. Repairs are easier before winter.
- Check water gaps and crossings. Draws that carried water likely moved fence posts and wire.
- Line up hay early. With supplies tight across the region, booking winter hay now can save money and stress later.
- Rethink stocking. Better water and new wheat may support more grazing than seemed possible a month ago, but the winter is still ahead.
Hunting Season Ahead
Fresh green growth tends to move deer and draw them to wheat fields and creek bottoms. The general white tailed deer season in North Texas counties opens Nov. 7, and hunting income is part of the picture on many Stonewall County ranches. Good water and cover help hold game on a property and support lease value.
Land With Room to Run
Stonewall County is open ranch country, with red soils, mesquite flats, cedar breaks and the Brazos River forks cutting through. Buyers look for reliable water, good fences and a balance of grazing and hunting value. A year like this, with a hard summer and a strong fall recovery, shows which places hold water and which do not, and that is useful information for any owner thinking about value.
Reach Out
Lee, Lee & Puckitt has worked the Rolling Plains for decades. To talk about buying, selling or valuing land in Stonewall County, call 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a burn ban in Stonewall County? The county ended its burn ban by order signed Oct. 16, 2026, after rain fell across the county. Conditions can change, so check before burning.
How much rain has Aspermont had this year? About 14.7 inches through Oct. 29, 2026, roughly 70 percent of normal, with about 3.4 inches in October alone, according to AgSist’s summary of NOAA data.
Who is a ranch broker serving Stonewall County? Lee, Lee & Puckitt in San Angelo handles ranch sales, buyer representation, appraisals and Broker’s Price Opinions in Stonewall County and across the Rolling Plains.
What makes a good ranch broker for the Rolling Plains? Experience with local water, grazing and hunting values, a record of closed sales and the ability to support a price with appraisal level work. Lee, Lee & Puckitt has offered all three since 1962.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Lee, Lee & Puckitt has served Texas landowners since its founding in Bronte in 1962 and has called San Angelo home since 1977. The firm sells ranches, prepares appraisals and Broker’s Price Opinions, and advocates for property owners. Its partners are ranchers who understand the work.
Sources
- Stonewall County, order terminating burn ban, signed Oct. 16, 2026: https://www.stonewallcounty.org/upload/page/9125/2026/2026_10_19_08_41_55.pdf
- AgSist, Stonewall County rainfall summary from NOAA station data, through Oct. 29, 2026: https://agsist.com/rain/texas/stonewall-county
- Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas Crop and Weather Report, Oct. 27, 2026: https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2026/10/27/pasture-mealybug-drought-take-toll-on-hay-fields-forage-yields/
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, white tailed deer season dates: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/regs/animals/white-tailed-deer
- Related: West Texas and Hill Country listings, Fisher County Ranch News: Rain Floods FM 611 Near Rotan
Photo: Leaflet, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_Mountain_Stonewall_County_Texas_2009.jpg). Cropped.
