Barksdale, TX – (October 30, 2025) Located in the southwest part of the rugged Texas Hill Country, about two hours west of San Antonio, is the FTW Ranch. Just outside Barksdale, the FTW Ranch is celebrating its 30th anniversary, while the popular hunter training SAAM Program (Sportsman’s All-Weather All-Terrain Marksmanship) marked its 20thanniversary earlier this year.
All SAAM courses focus on training and preparing hunters of all skill levels for any worldwide hunting scenarios with an emphasis on ethicaland reasonable hunting distances – making them better hunters who know their limitations. FTW’s unique topography and challenging climate conditions have also made it the top destination for government sanctioned training, pushing the limits of both the shooter and their firearm setup. With over 35 diverse ranges and 2400 targets, from up-close and personal for hunter training out to 3600 yards for those avid ultra long-range target shooters, the FTW Ranch features rugged hills and valleys that challenge target acquisition and wind reading. The SAAM Program also includes a specialized safari training section with many life-size, interactive target systems designed to sharpen skills, improve reaction time, improving alertness and safety in the field.
“The FTW Ranch/SAAM Training team is a dedicated group of professionals with backgrounds in US Military Special Operations as well as worldwide hunting. They are laser-focused on wildlife conservation through hunter training and believe that hunting is a vital component ofwildlife Conservation. The FTW Team also believes it’s important to pass these skills to future generations,” said Tim Fallon, owner of FTW Operations and FTW Partners.
While the past 30 years have been an amazing time building and observing the FTW Ranch/SAAM program evolve, owner Tim Fallon has decided to adopt a new strategy to secure the future of the SAAM Program and guided hunting at the ranch. In fact, Fallon will transform his business into an employee-owned operation, granting the many long-time dedicated team members, all considered family, ownership of FTW Operations.
Tim’s objective is that the FTW/SAAM Program thrives in perpetuity! “The SAAM Programs have made a difference in the world of hunting and conservation, and I want to ensure it keeps going,” noted Tim.
To ensure that, he is selling the FTW/SAAM Operation over time to the FTW Team, who built it and continue to build it. Knowing there would be challenges he went on to clarify, “However, I cannot sell the property with the FTW/SAAM (FTW Operations) as it would be very difficult, if not financially impossible, for 20+ folks to own a ranch of this magnitude. It’s readily apparent that the segment that owns and runs the FTW/SAAM Program (FTW Operations) is the heartbeat of what happens here, and we all know the FTW Ranch is obviously the perfect place to do it,” stated Tim.
FTW Ranch is not like many others in Texas or the world for that matter. It’s a special place with a special team. Finding the right individual or group to purchase the land and partner with the Operations team was absolutely critical. Tim is pleased to announce that “Larry Bell and the Bell Family of Bell Texas Ranches, who are committed land stewards and love the FTW Ranch and the SAAM Program, are purchasing the land. Combined, the Bell family has been to FTW over 50 times and refer to it as their “happy place”. Tim went on to confirm that “We have put our heads together and developed an amazing long-term lease (two 10-year leases) through which FTW/SAAM (FTW Operations) will lease the land back from Bell Family Ranches and keep doing what we have been doing for over 20 years – nothing changes!”
“On behalf of the Bell family, we couldn’t be prouder to own the FTW Ranch,” said Larry Bell, entrepreneur. “This is truly turning a dream into reality. Our family’s history with the ranch made it an easy decision when the opportunity to purchase arose and we are excited to be a part of the future of the FTW/SAAM Program and the wonderful team.”
Selling the ranch itself and leasing it back from the Bell Family is the path Fallon and the Bells have chosen so that the operating entity (FTW Operations) can be purchased by the Team to help ensure its long-term operation will continue indefinitely. “Folks might ask where I am going? Nowhere!” stated Tim. FTW/SAAM Operations along with its assetsincluding all trademarks, livestock and other elements needed for operations will be purchased by the FTW Team over the next few yearsthrough an ESOP. “I will keep doing what I have been doing for 20+ years. In fact, I’ll probably take my last breath on the FTW Ranch as I love it and everything we do! There are several folks that have already begun taking on more responsibility getting it ready to stand on its own! I am almost 70 years old and keenly aware that none of us get out of here alive, so let’s get it set up now and be completely prepared when that day comes when the good Lord calls me to Africa for the last time,” remarked Tim.
For those who have attended the SAAM Programs at the FTW Ranch, Tim and the same great staff will be there to ensure that the exceptional training continues to boost your confidence and accuracy in the field. For those just learning about FTW or always wanting to participate in a SAAM Program, reward yourself by visiting the FTW/SAAM team. There, you’ll create lifelong memories and friends while gaining shooting and hunting skills that will serve you well when you get that once-in-a-lifetime shot.
