This week, we signed the papers and transferred the ownership over to this wonderful couple with our full confidence that they will continue to operate the business with the highest of standards. Over the past week, we have been busy calling all of our guests who have hunts booked just so they can rest assured that their deposits have been transferred to the new owners and that they will have the same quality of hunt that they've always had here. Our ranch hand, Les, is staying on to work for the Holmes and we made sure that the transition will be seamless.
In the meantime, we are moving about an hour away to be closer to the church we pastor. Our little congregation has grown and it's time we move into a bigger building, so that will be our primary focus now, to help people in ways we never could before while running a hunting ranch. It's bittersweet to say goodbye to the ranch, but we are so very excited about the future of our church.
If you have any memories of your hunt with us, please take a minute to share it with us here and we will do the same. There are just so many good memories we can't possibly remember them all. Maybe we'll even share some of the unsavory things that happened (that Matt would never let me write about...lol).
Thank you all whom have been such a blessing to us. You made our lives richer in so many ways. We cherish every minute we got to share around the campfire, helping track your hogs, or even sitting in the storm shelter (some of our best times were during tornadic storms!). We especially want to thank Pat Lefemine and his family for not only providing us with this special place through which we got to meet you all, but for the wonderful times we got to spend together when you all came down to visit. It's folks like you that made this all such a special time in our lives.
You will all be missed sorely, but never forgotten. We look forward to following along with your continued adventures at Shiloh Ranch. Please make sure to take lots of pictures for us!
Forever in our hearts, Matt and Cheryl Napper
Best of luck, and God Bless!!!!
I never been there but heard nothing but great things. Grew not to far from there in Hugo. I miss the country but not the hot summers. Good luck in future!
By the way that is sure a fine hog you are posing with! That's one of the stories that I won't change how I tell it!
The church where you pastor is fortunate to have great spiritual leadership as you two.
May God Bless
Great times having a smoked hog, or just a dinner I brought up, getting to know "the cousins," Matt and Cheryl.
Seeing the many trophies Matt and Cheryl had on the wall. Slogging through mud when 1/3 of the ranch was inaccessible due to creek flooding. My son's first bowkills were all there, and over the years, I've probably brought a dozen bowhunters for their first kills to the ranch.
And getting to know Les, aka "Country" on his first time working with hunters for Matt and Cheryl. Slowest skinning job in the state, a lot faster now, but a genuinely happy man, and a good fellow. Matt and Cheryl rescued him from tough times, a testament to the good they will bring to their church.
Two of the best folks you will ever meet. While it's our loss that they won't be running Shiloh Ranch, it's their gain for the people in their new community and the Arbuckle Pentecostal Church. They are a magnificent team.
Memorial Day weekend was our first trip 2002, we were blown away by the hospitality at Shiloh and how fun environment they had created. Long story short we have gone every year since, at least one trip some times two. It didn't take Matt long to convince us to discard that May date and come in January when Oklahoma temps can be a little more friendly. Our group has grown and shrunk by the year but one things stays the same we are always thinking about Shiloh and when we can get back. Looking forward to the new owners and what new experiences they will bring, think its safe to say they have big shoes to fill.
Matt and Cheryl, sorry I missed you guys. The Ranch is is good hands! Jon and Linda are awesome people and we had a blast this weekend. I'm already looking forward to a return trip.
Good luck to you guys in the future.
First test is done and all passed No better feeling!!
I'll show up in one of the pews in the future!! Good luck and God Bless!!
Mike B- thanks for letting us borrow your hog for that pic! It's sad that over 20 years we didn't manage to get to hunt for a trophy ourselves.
Mike N- you didn't lose your job, you got a promotion! That's what happens when the boss retires...you step up!
Kevin- we were blessed to have acquired a new cousin in you. Blood or not, you're family to us.
Scott- I'm glad you decided to make the switch to Shiloh all them years ago. You'll like Jon and Linda. They have the passion to make Shiloh even better than we did.
Rob- we're gonna hold you to that promise! We are only a phone call away, and want to stay in touch. Too many good stories still need to be told :)
