Uvalco Blog

With cold wet weather approaching it is time to outfit your truck with a tool box from Uvalco Supply.  We stock truck tool boxes for full size domestic trucks from the top brand manufacturers of RKI and UWS.

RKI, formerly Rawson Koenig, manufactures a vast array of truck tool boxes made from 14 gauge steel featuring stainless hinges and steel paddle latches.  RKI boxes are available in steel with a black or white powder coat finish and aluminum bright, black or white powder coat.  All RKI truck boxes feature sealed gas shock lid supports.

Most RKI boxes are available in deep and or wide dimensions to fit almost any application.  See RKI’s unsurpassed warranty for details on their lifetime warranty.

Uvalco also carries aluminum boxes made by UWS.  UWS features a lower profile lid design that opens a full 90 degrees to the box allowing it to be loaded with larger items than the competition.  All single lid boxes come equipped with two super-duty lift cylinders that raise and hold the Structural Foamed Lid open.  Also check out the popular drawer slide boxes.  A great investment for field service trucks.  These had been a great seller here at Uvalco.

Tools are a big investment so make sure you have them well protected with a tool box from Uvalco Supply.  We have many boxes in stock but if we don’t have what you need we can get it on the way with just a phone call.  See us for your fuel transfer tank needs as well.

Well, another whitetail deer season is bearing down on us here in south Texas and it looks to be a shaping up to be a good one.  While we had a hot and dry summer, fall is looking just the opposite with mild temperatures and some decent rainfall.  The deer are packing on the weight from all of the acorns and the bucks are starting to move due to the cooler weather.

When we prepare for deer season we tend to concentrate on pre-hunt supplies and duties and often times neglect products that are essential for post-kill.  Uvalco Supply carries items that are a must for hunters and outfitters that can make life much easier after you drop a deer.

Loading a deer can be made simple with one of our receiver hitch winch hoists available with either a manual or 12 volt electric motor.  Simply slide the hoist into your receiver, attach the cable to the deer, crank to the proper height and swing into the truck bed.  Also works great with UTVs.  The receiver hitch hoists can also be used as a portable processing station as it raises and lowers to any height for convenient gutting and skinning.

Another product that aids in quick processing is the Uvalco chest cavity speader.  The chest spreader makes gutting a snap and will  surely reduce knife accidents with any species especially in low light conditions.  Stick one in the glove box and one in the hunting bag.

Uvalco was founded to be everything from A to Z for ranch and farm living – and that extends to modular homes as well!

Not many folks know that we represent Living Modular Homes in south Texas, from Alpine to Zapata. If you’ve been by our store in Uvalde, then you’ve probably seen the model, which looks something like this:

Developed utilizing a progressive-precast modular system, these eco-friendly “green” homes are manufactured on an assembly line and made of cellular concrete, which provides significant advantages in terms of density and structural integrity while remaining amazingly lightweight. The final product is a complete home, including electrical wiring, plumbing, windows, doors, etc. You don’t have to build anything on site; these homes leave the plant completely finished.

Originally developed as an affordable high technology solution for low income housing, the Living Modular homes are great solutions for a hunting cabin, vacation home, add-on to your existing home, guest quarters, fishing lodge or starter home.

The one-bedroom model is 384 square feet and features a kitchen, dining area, living room, bedroom and bath. The two-bedroom model is 586 square feet and has a kitchen, dining area, TV room, living room, two bedrooms and one bath. Custom configurations are also available. All walls are painted and textured, inside and out.

The Living Modular Homes carry a one-year unconditional warranty and are extremely energy efficient.

Come on by and visit the Living Modular model home or give us a call at 1-866-300-4141 to find out more about this affordable option for farm and ranch living.

Wild hog destruction in the southern U.S. shows no signs of getting any better and all indications are that they are getting worse.  Much to the hog’s delight, urbanites are moving to the country and bring their landscaping with them.  Nothing is more inviting to a hog than a cool, damp yard full of St. Augustine grass.  As a number of folks will tell you, hogs can destroy an entire yard in a matter of hours if not minutes.  The damage does not just entail replanting the yard but in most case doing extensive dirt work to smooth the furrows.

If you are looking for a cost effective deterrent, a high tensile 4-point barbwire with 3″ spacing may be your answer.  Unlike conventional barbwire, high tensile is made with a smaller but much stronger wire.  Therefore, the barbs are much more effective as they are more aggressive and with 4 points every 3″ there is much more coverage along the run of wire.  At just pennies per foot and virtually no maintenance it is an excellent alternative to traps and snares.  Uvalco Supply keeps a large supply of high tensile fencing products at all times and tools to go with it.  Call one of our knowledgeable staff today!

Utility trailers turn any vehicle into a truck, providing the perfect flatbed for hauling just about anything you need to haul – brush, tools, ATVs, lumber, fence and even crops. One sure sign it’s October is the appearance of utility trailers hauling pumpkins to market and parked at the local church pumpkin patch fundraiser.

One of our most popular utility trailers is the Load Trail Single Axle Utility Trailer. This 5 x 8 utility trailer weighs in at 3,500 lbs., which makes it exempt from Texas state inspection certification. (Trailers in excess of 3,500 lbs. gross vehicle weight require inspection by a State Certified Inspection Station and must bear an inspection certificate.)

Uvalco’s top selling model is our 83″ x 12′ trailer with 4′ fold down tailgate and side ramps.  This utilitarian trailer is perfect for ATV’s and similar type vehicles.   The tailgate  and ramps allow for easy on- and off-loading.

All our utility trailers are made by Load Trail, a Texas-based manufacturer of well-built, high quality trailers at competitive prices.

Uvalco also offers a variety of dump trailer configurations that are sure to fit your farming or ranching needs.  Our most popular and functional dump trailer is our Gooseneck 6′ x 14′ dump trailer.  This trailers comes standard at 14,000lb G.V.W.R and 6,080lb (each axle) G.A.W.R. and includes scissor lift, 2′ fold/spreader gate, 6′ slide in ramps, 4″ D-Rings and much more.

Uvalco also offers a variety of enclosed cargo trailer configurations that are sure to fit your recreational or commercial needs. Cargo trailer sizes range from 5′ x 8′ to 8.5’ x 30’ and have single, dual and some triple axle configurations.

Each standard Uvalco trailer model can be customized with a variety of options to suit the needs of your farm, ranch, home or business.

We’ve also got loads of trailer accessories, including safety chain, mounts, couplers, locks, lights, reflectors and other hardware you need to keep your trailer in top working condition.

Happy trails!

We’re now well into Fall; the dogs are frisky and itching for the hunt and the opening day of the 2009-2010 quail season is a little over three weeks away here in Texas (opening day is Oct. 31 – as if you didn’t know!).

The question on every quail hunter’s mind is, will this year be better than last or recent years past? Here’s what the Texas Parks and Wildlife website has to say:

Bobwhite quail hunting can be hit or miss in Texas considering these birds exist here on the very western edge of their distribution in the U. S.  There are still vast expanses of suitable bobwhite habitat in the rangelands of South Texas and in the Rolling Plains, where in some years over a hundred thousand hunters flock to pursue these wary game birds. Bobs are limited in these regions by rainfall, more specifically the lack thereof.

Carryover From Last Season

This past winter was the second dry winter in a row. Dry conditions limit the availability of late winter and early spring greens, an important part of the quail diet. Of course some areas fared better than others and proper range management is also a part of the equation. Field reports indicate good carryover in parts of the Rolling Plains and to a lesser degree in northern South Texas.

For quail survey data by region, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Quail Forecast page here.

It’s no secret that feeding game birds will increase your bird population. Uvalco has 150- and 400-lb. quail feeders to give you a helping hand in attracting quail.

Bringing back Texas quail populations is the focus of the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch and your support is always appreciated. Visit www.quailresearch.org for more information.

One of the most important tasks in preparing for deer season – which starts on Nov. 7 here in Texas – is making sure your deer feeder is in good shape. Here’s a good deer feeder maintenance checklist:

• Check batteries. Make sure the battery is fully charged.  Also check for oxidization on the terminals and clips.  Clean accordingly with nail files or fine sand paper.  Bicarbonate of soda also works well - simply mix a little bicarbonate soda with warm water and brush on the oxidized areas.  Rinse the residue off with fresh water.

• Check motor. Make sure the motor is running smoothly so corn is thrown in the proper amount and with the right velocity.

• Check for condensation. With the changes of temperature from hot to cool, feeders collect condensation.  Particles of chaff from the corn can collect on the inside walls and bottom of the feeder, which will restrict the corn flow and also reduce the amount of corn the feeder will hold.

• Check for pests. Yellow Jackets, wasps and hornets often make their home in feeders.  Uvalco sells powerful sprays to eliminate these.  Use caution when spraying so you don’t get any spray in the feed. If your feeder is attracting raccoons or other varmints, place a varmint cage over the timer motor.

• Check for water. Be sure your feeder is not taking on water.  Lids and sight glasses may need to be resealed.

• Check solar panel. Wipe down the solar panel and make sure there is no condensation under the cover.  This can obstruct the amount of light entering the panel, causing the batteries to fail to fully recharge.

If it’s time to replace that old deer feeder, then drop by and visit with us about our feeders. We’ve got deer feeders that are varmint and weather resistant, including this solar feeder:

Uvalco also carries a variety of bulk feeders with capacities from 350 to 3,000 lbs. as well as several different types of tailgate feeders.

Getting your deer feeder into shape will prepare you for a successful deer hunting season!

Most people don’t think of Uvalco as the place to go for good prices and selection on cookware for hunting, camping or life on the ranch. You don’t need to search high and low in a big box warehouse store for what you need when we’ve likely got it right here:

Burners

We have attractive dual burner cooker carts:

For camping or hunting, we have a triple burner with hose and regulator:

We also carry a variety of burner parts and supplies:

Fryers

If you’re a fan of deep frying, look no further for your fryers than Uvalco.

We’ve got a Texas-sized deep dual burner fryer:

We carry two sizes of the Cajun Fryer – one-basket and two-basket:

And we’ve got several different types of turkey fryer:

We also carry all the accessories you need for deep-frying, including stainless steel baskets and wire mesh skimmers.

At Uvalco, we’re always cooking up something good for our customers – come see us soon!

There’s something about Fall that brings out the cook in us. Cool weather, football season and good hunting just makes us want to reach for the skillet. There’s a growing trend these days for cooking again in cast iron just like your grandmother used to do. Some of you may be lucky enough to have inherited a few pieces, which means they are perfectly seasoned and ready for one of our favorite recipes: skillet cornbread. We like ours sweet and moist, so here it is:

Ingredients:

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter

2/3 cup white sugar (if you don’t like it sweet, reduce to 2 tablespoons sugar)

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup cornmeal (white or yellow)

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (175 degrees C). Put 2 tablespoons bacon drippings or oil into a 10” cast iron skillet and heat in oven.

2. Melt butter and stir in sugar. Quickly add eggs and beat until well blended. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture . Fold in cornmeal, flour, and salt until well blended and few lumps remain. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

3. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

If you are not lucky enough to have a seasoned cast iron skillet, don’t despair! Uvalco has a full line of cast iron cookware, including seasoned skillets:

If you want to fancy-up your cornbread, try cooking it in one of our cast iron cornstick pans:

And if you want to marry that cornbread with a good stew or a jumpin’ jambalaya, then pick up our 11-quart jambalaya pot:

We guarantee years of good cooking in all our cast iron pots and pans!

Hopefully you’ve started the Texas dove season with a bang, bagged a limit or two and are looking for a few good dove recipes to fully enjoy the results of your labors. Here are some of our favorites:

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno-Stuffed Grilled Dove Breasts

• 10 dove breasts
• 10 slices bacon
• 5 pickled jalapenos, sliced lengthwise
• 2 T melted butter
• 1 t minced garlic
• 1 t ground black pepper
• 1 t salt

Mix butter, garlic, pepper and salt together. Pour over dove breasts and marinade at least 4 hours.

Place a jalapeno half inside the cavity. Wrap each dove breast with a slice of bacon and hold all together with a toothpick.

Grill over medium heat, about 4 minutes per side, until bacon is crisp and dove breasts are brown.

Dove Au Vin

• 12 dove breasts
• 1 cup flour
• 1 t salt
• 1 t pepper
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 small green bell pepper; chopped
• 1 can beef consommé
(10.5 oz.)
• 1/2 cup dry red wine

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine flour, salt and pepper in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add doves, a few at a time; seal and shake to coat.

Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add doves, and cook until browned, turning once. Place doves in a lightly greased 13″ x 9″ x 2″ baking dish, spread celery, onion, and bell pepper evenly over doves and add consommé. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350F for 1 ½ hours. Remove from oven, pour wine over doves, and bake, covered, 30 additional minutes. Serve with noodles or rice. Serves 6.

Dove Enchiladas

• 8 whole dove breasts; boned and coarsely chopped
• 3/4 cup onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 T vegetable oil
• 2 10-ounce cans enchilada sauce
• 8 corn tortillas
• 2 T + 2 t olives, chopped
• 1 c cheddar cheese, shredded
• Whole ripe olives

Preheat oven to 350F.  Sauté dove, onion and garlic in oil until dove is browned; set aside.

Warm enchilada sauce in a skillet; remove from heat. Place tortillas, one at a time, in sauce. Let stand 1 minute or just until tortillas are softened. Set remaining sauce aside.

Spoon dove mixture evenly over each tortilla; sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon chopped olives and 1 tablespoon cheese. Roll up tortillas, and place in a lightly greased 13″ x 9″ x 2″ baking dish, seam side down. Pour remaining sauce over tortillas; bake at 350F for 15 minutes. Top with remaining cheese, and bake an additional 5 minutes. Garnish with olives. Serves 4.

Dove Tetrazzini

• 6 cooked whole dove breasts, chopped
• 3 t butter or margarine
• 3 t onion, chopped
• 1/3 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 2 T cornstarch
• 2 cups thin spaghetti
• 1 cup shredded cheese

To cook dove breasts: fill large cooking pot with water and turn heat on high to boil. Add bay leaf and dove breasts. Boil uncovered for 15+ minutes, or until dove breasts are cooked through. Remove from water and set aside to cool.

Melt butter in saucepan; cook onions and mushrooms over low heat until tender. Add chicken broth and cornstarch and stir until thickened. Add dove and spaghetti. Heat mixture until bubbling, stirring frequently. Turn into baking dish and top with cheese. Place under broiler until cheese melts.

Remember to visit Uvalco or shop online at uvalco.com to stock up on cooking utensils and outdoor cooking gear.