The La Copita Research Area is composed a diverse mosaic of vegetation types important as wildlife habitat.  Of the 2,726 acres comprising La Copita, all except approximately 120 acres of improved pasture and agricultural land is native vegetation ranging from dense thickets to relatively open grasslands.   Major game species on La Copita include the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), javelina (Tayassu tajucu) , bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), and white-winged dove (Zenaida macroura). The most common carnivores include the coyote ( Canis latrans)  and bobcat (Felis rufus).  Mountain lions have been sighted on several occasions.

Commercial and lease hunting of game species (deer, javelina, quail and dove) have been conducted to provide income  for site operations and, more importantly, to provide research and extension information on values of wildlife and their interrelationships within the ranching enterprise.