The Hawkeye Ranch, located in Princeton, Texas, is owned by Tim and Heather Brister. Tim grew up in the country, and with a shared love for animals and the great outdoors, the couple dreamed of one day purchasing their own land. In 2018, they bought their first 55 acres, and their dream began to take shape.
The Bristers moved to their new property and started a cattle and sheep ranch. When the land to the west of them went up for sale, they jumped at the chance to expand their new home (and with it, their opportunities). With 105 acres, tireless work ethic, and a passion for creating something new and meaningful, the Bristers were prepared for exciting growth—they just didn’t yet know what that would look like.
It wasn’t until Heather had a conversation with a friend about camels that they recognized an exciting opportunity for their ranch.
Their friends have children with autism, and at the time, their friend was researching ways to help her kids who were struggling behaviorally. In her research, she learned that camel milk could potentially improve her children’s behavior issues—so she gave it a shot. Oddly enough, it made a dramatic difference in her children’s behavior. She shared this with Heather, who was inspired to do her own research. As a special education instructor with a Ph.D. in special education studies, she was fascinated by what her friend had discovered, and soon she decided that camels should be a part of The Hawkeye Ranch story.
Since then, the Bristers have expanded their assortment of exotic livestock, and The Hawkeye ranch is now home to longhorns, Scottish Highlands, reindeer, agile wallaby, and Watusi cattle. The couple loves spending time with these unique creatures, and Heather works hard to give them the care and attention they deserve. Over the years, she’s traveled across the country to attend conferences and training workshops, where she learns how to properly care for exotic animals.
The Hawkeye Ranch continues to evolve as the Bristers pour their hearts, soul, and sweat into creating a magical home for their family and animals. They’ve built their farm from the ground up, and their children have learned priceless skills and responsibility in the process. Their ranch began as a dream, turned into an exciting venture, and now, as it grows, becomes a powerful legacy for the Brister family.
