There is a specific kind of magic found in the quiet rustle of the Hill Country brush and the crackle of a shared campfire. It’s a heritage that defines the Texas spirit. And on June 12-13, that spirit takes center stage as the Texas Hill Country Game Fair returns to the prestigious Joshua Creek Ranch (JCR). For its second year, this premier outdoor celebration pairs JCR’s world-class sporting grounds with the philanthropic mission of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo’s Wildlife & Natural Resources Committee.
Following a successful inaugural launch in 2025, the fair’s purpose remains singular: helping Texans understand, appreciate, and protect the great outdoors. Led by Duane Westerman, Chairman of the Wildlife & Natural Resources Committee, the event serves as a bridge between today’s conservationists and the next generation of land stewards. “If we can get even just one more young person into nature with a fishing pole, or sitting at a campfire, or hunting a deer, I think it is a success,” Westerman says. “My concept, which is borrowed from others, is we may not be able to change the world, but we can work to change a little at a time.”
The two-day celebration highlights the pinnacle of outdoor sport and Texas hospitality. The festivities ignite on Friday with the Game Changer gala. This evening features live music, chef-prepared hors d’oeuvres, and a high-stakes live auction with firearms and world-class hunting adventures.
Saturday shifts the focus to the field. Families and sporting enthusiasts can enjoy a competitive shooting tournament, live demonstrations, and a silent auction. New for 2026, the fair introduced a “Buckaroo Que Competition” for kids ages 4 to 17, alongside more accessible day-pass pricing and an expanded exhibitor lineup.
The evolution of the event is the result of a deep-rooted collaboration between the San Antonio Rodeo and Joshua Creek Ranch. The two teams have worked to elevate the Game Fair into a cornerstone of the Texas summer calendar. “Through lots of brainstorming, including opportunity assessment, together we dreamed up the idea of a Game Fair in the summer of 2024 before launching our inaugural event in 2025. We envision it becoming an annual event for years to come, attracting local, state, and even national interest and participation,” noted Kevin Welborn, Managing Director of Joshua Creek Ranch.
While the atmosphere is one of celebration, the underlying goal is educational. Proceeds support the San Antonio Rodeo’s expansive scholarship and grant programs, a Texas staple since 1949. This includes specific initiatives such as hunter safety, angler education, taxidermy scholarships, and a burgeoning archery program. “We remain consistent with the focus on raising funds to support and educate the youth of Texas, specifically as it relates to the outdoors and conservation of our agricultural and outdoor culture,” Westerman notes.
By partnering with Joshua Creek Ranch—a legendary wingshooting lodge for over 36 years—the Wildlife Committee provides an immersive setting that words alone cannot capture. For Welborn, the partnership is a natural fit between two organizations dedicated to excellence. “It is an honor to be working with the San Antonio Rodeo, one of the largest and most prestigious fundraising organizations in Texas,” says Welborn, “while also building an event that has something for everyone in the sporting world and our community, in general, to experience and look forward to.”
Beyond the gates of JCR, the fair has garnered local support from groups like the Kendall County Junior Livestock organization. For Boerne families, it is an invitation to step away from the screen and back into the landscape. “The most important aspect of this event is that it is for our future and the future of our kids and grandkids,” Westerman says. “At the Wildlife Committee, we have been focused on supporting and educating youth about the outdoors, wildlife, and all that many of us take for granted in Texas, but not every kid has a chance to experience."
Whether you are a seasoned marksman or a family looking to explore the outdoors for the first time, the Texas Hill Country Game Fair offers a gateway to the wild. As Westerman puts it: “It is a chance for Boerne families to come out and enjoy the outdoors and find out what else is out there with respect to all things associated with the outdoors.”
Find more information and purchase tickets at sarodeo.com/wildlife.
About Joshua Creek Ranch
Joshua Creek Ranch is a premier luxury wingshooting lodge and sporting resort tucked right into the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Since 1990, this family-owned destination has earned a global reputation as a top-tier sporting estate. Guests enjoy custom itineraries, world-class hunting opportunities, and diverse outdoor adventures, all paired with high-end dining and lodging amenities, and authentic Texas hospitality.
joshuacreek.com | 830-537-5090 | 132 Cravey Rd.
About the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
A cornerstone of Texas tradition, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo attracts over 1.5 million visitors annually as one of the nation’s most prestigious events. Beyond the arena, the organization is defined by its commitment to Texas youth and agriculture. Through an extensive scholarship and grant program, it invests millions each year to empower the next generation of leaders in our natural resource industries.
sarodeo.com | 210-225-5851 | 723 Frost Bank Center Dr., San Antonio
“If we can get even just one more young person into nature with a fishing pole, or sitting at a campfire, or hunting a deer, I think it is a success.” —Duane Westerman
Schedule of Events
Friday, June 12
12:00 p.m. | Exhibitor Village sponsored by Waterman Construction opens
2:00 p.m. | Demonstrations
6:00 p.m. | Game Changer Dinner
Saturday, June 13
9:00 a.m. | Wingshooter Challenge presented by Federal Premium Ammunition
9:00 a.m. | Exhibitor Village sponsored by Waterman Construction opens
11:00 a.m. | Buckaroo Que Wild Game Cooking begins
12:30 p.m. | Wingshooter Challenge Competition presented by Federal Premium Ammunition
1:00 p.m. | Demonstrations
4:30 p.m. | Wingshooter Challenge Competition Awards presented by Federal Premium Ammunition