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Outstanding hunting and wildlife, upland birds [especially pheasants], water fowl, deer and antelope plus prairie dog towns. Five thousand acres of privacy bordering 3-miles of a 435 acre lake. Two sets of sandstone bluffs, one with a buffalo jump. Check the web site offered below for photos and more information.
A productive ranch with income and 542 acres irrigated alfalfa, 975 acres CRP with wildlife food plots, 388 dry land hay, and balance partly farmable pasture. Management / operations of the income producing part of the ranch is avaiable. Substantial tax benifits may also be available.
Wildlife & Hunting & Recreation
For the last few years, we have been letting our neighbor, who are outfitters/ranchers, do guided hunts for big game on the ranch. The payment for the 2005 season was $3,500. Before using Outfitters, we were participating in the FW&P’s Block Management program. The ranch was very popular with Block Management but with the Outfitters we have eliminated lots of paper work, and improved the privacy with 90% less hunters.
Big Game Species:
Mule deer are the native deer species, also available are white tail deer and antelope. The ranch supports good numbers of both deer and antelope because of the good habitat and low hunting pressure. Five bull elk were sighted on the ranch for a few days in early fall of 2005, but elk are uncommon on the ranch.
Upland Game Birds:
Chinese pheasants are in good numbers probably in the 300 to 400 range.
Sharptail Grouse have been increasing over the last 10 years. Hunters reported a flock of 50 in the food plot above the house. Many flock are located in good habitat through out the ranch.
Gray Partridge (Hungarian Partridge) are in huntable numbers and numerous coveys are located around the ranch.
Sage Grouse, the largest native game bird is increasing in numbers. Fall 05 we counted one flock of 50 head in the center pivot above the house. There is one lek just north of the ranch on BLM lands and watching the sage grouse strut on the lek is always a treat.
Wild Turkeys were spotted on the ranch for the first time this spring.
Water Fowl Species:
Canada Geese, sometimes in large numbers are around the reservoir and feed on the alfalfa and grain field on the ranch. A number nest close to the reservoir or on islands.
Snow Geese are occasional visitors to the ranch on their spring and fall migration. On Nov. 12, 05 we counted a flock of 200.
Ducks of all species common to montana can be found on the reservoir at various times of the year, often in large numbers in the spring and fall.
Tundra Swans are occasional visitors and sandhill cranes have nested in the Flatwillow Creek part of the ranch.
A bird list is on our web site. Some of the more interesting ones are; a flock of 9 White Faced Ibis (spring ‘05), White Pelicans, Western and Clarks Grebe, Eared Grebe, Long Billed Curlew, Horned Lark, Yellow Warblers, Wilson’s Phalarope, Nesting Golden Eagles, Nesting Harriers, Prairie Falcons, Great Horned Owls and Short Eared Owls.
Small mammals:
Jackrabbits are on the increase and with the increased numbers the bobcats have returned and several have been sighted the last few years.
A mountain lion has been sighted twice the last three years, but they are rare for our area.
There are three prairie dog towns on the ranch, these are the black tail prairie dogs. In these towns you will also see burrowing owls which nest in old prairie dog burrows.
Other small mammals include:
cottontail rabbits, marmots, raccoons, skunks, badgers, chipmunks, voles, mice, pocket gophers, porcupines, beaver, muskrats, coyotes, red fox, and weasels or mink.
Three bedroom home w/fireplace, shop, barn, grain storage, & outbuildings. Many fenced and watered pastures, creeks with two sets of sandstone rim-rocks and a buffalo jump.
After three family generations, owners retiring. 3.2 million dollars with minerals. Shows of fossil fuels. Many more photo’s, income records and details are all available. Please call Rich Petaja, retiring owner/broker 406-728-3557.
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