Ranch Manager

Assistant Ranch Manager

Office Manager

A lifetime of hunting and a love and fascination for the area native wildlife has led to the perfect vocation for Les Woolsey, the Matador Ranch assistant wildlife manager. 

Born and raised in Motley County, Les’ vast knowledge of the area and its fauna greatly benefits the Matador hunting program.  A wrinkled napkin quickly sketched with the topography of a pasture and clearly marked with an X to guide a next-day hunt was testament to this ability during the 2010 season.  Using that napkin as a guide, the hunter harvested the largest native white-tailed buck of the season and vowed to frame the napkin along with a picture of his trophy.  

Les is a dedicated family man and enjoys camping, hunting, fishing and playing golf with son Jacob, daughter Kaylee, and wife Kim.  He is a long-time volunteer fireman and currently serves as fire chief for the town of Roaring Springs. 

Starting at the Matador in 1997 as a part-time employee, Les’ hearty good nature, strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit bode well for the Matador hunting program’s future. 

“I get to meet great people from all over the country in this job, and I learn something new every day,” Les says. 

His enthusiasm is contagious to guests and employees alike.  

Lodge Manager Linda Roy often just stops and admires the lodge’s beauty and says a prayer of gratitude and amazement that she works in a place as beautiful as the El Matador.  

It’s a far cry from the school house where she spent most of her professional career, progressing from a high school English teacher to a media specialist to a principal, before retiring in 2006. It is not such a far cry from her first, post-retirement vocation as owner and operator of a renovated 1915-era hotel transformed into a highly acclaimed bed and breakfast—a nice segue into hunting lodge management.  

Maybe there is a bit of fate at work here since she is now part of a line of six generations of her family members that have worked for the Matador in some capacity—although she is the first female to work there full-time.   Linda learned to hunt during summers with her grandfather, and her claim to shooting fame was cinched when she shot a rattlesnake in the head with a 38 Special.  

Wife of Tom and mother of three grown children, Emily, Matt and Luke, Linda enjoys the role of concierge and is ready to do “whatever it takes” to make your time at the Matador memorable in every way.

This woman can hunt!  What’s more, this woman can cook! 

Whether you want to discuss the attributes of a trophy white-tail buck or the subtle nuances of flavorful herbs and spices, Kim Woolsey is the one.  

Kim worked at the El Matador Hunting Lodge part-time until she became the full-time cook in 2010.  Dining at the Matador is almost as memorable as the hunting, and this family-style cook racks it up a notch with dishes such as marinated, honey-roasted quail and mesquite-grilled Akaushi ribeye steaks.  

The wife of Les Woolsey, assistant hunting manager, and mother to Jacob and Kaylee, Kim is a professed “country girl.”  She spent many years in the home health industry prior to signing on with the Matador and the caring nature required in that profession, along with her culinary skills, result in a winning combination.

Stoic, soft-spoken, but with a lightning-fast wit, Shane Taylor could write the book on wildlife and hunting in Motley County.  He is living the dream working as a guide and with the white-tail breeding and free-range programs at the Matador Ranch.  His knowledge and appreciation of the beauty of West Texas wildlife are especially evident in his skills as a licensed taxidermist. 

A high school athlete himself, Shane and his wife, Wendy, actively support their three children’s participation in sports.  Sons Austin and Bryant and daughter Jacie also share their parents’ enthusiasm for hunting, the outdoors, and a leisurely day at the golf course. 

“Not many people get to make a living by doing the things they love,” Shane says, “and the people I get to work with and guide make it even better.”

The youngest member of the hunt team, John is often the object of good-natured teasing, and true to his nature, he is quick to reciprocate and join in the fun.  But his knowledge of hunting and the area is no laughing matter.  

For two years John has been a Matador hunting guide and has helped with the white-tailed deer development program. Prior to joining the Matador team he was a guide for the Pitchfork Ranch.  Along with his collection of guns, however, is fishing gear.  Among the waters John has fished are those of South Dakota and Minnesota in a quest for walleye and smallmouth bass, and he has placed in a McDonald Fishing Tournament.  

John attended Texas Tech University and South Plains College, completing courses in wildlife and plant studies, firefighting and emergency medical services. He serves as a volunteer fireman for the town of Matador. 

John loves to talk about his fiancée, Mandi Ream, a teacher in Paducah.  He is also quick to tell you about his dogs, Remmie and Riggs, a redbone hound and a Catahoula, who are fantastic pig hunters.  Just get John going and he will talk about most anything!

Camp Man

Russellville Camp Man

Lucky Knob Camp Man

Headquarters Camp Man