For Sale: New Mexico’s Southern Cross Ranch

The Southern Cross controls over 70 square miles of the finest trophy elk habitat in North America: a total of 47,309 acres of which 33,514 are deeded. On this trophy property in western New Mexico, geography, genetics, and habitat combine to create an ecosystem that produces some of the largest bull elk anywhere. The Southern Cross is renowned for amazing numbers of 350- to 400-class bulls.

The Southern Cross has been superbly managed to maintain its status as one of America’s premier hunting destinations. A spectacular 6,000-square-foot log lodge is the centerpiece of the ranch. With six bedrooms, five and one half baths, and wraparound deck, the lodge treats guests luxuriously. A caretaker’s house, corrals, barn and meat cooler completes the outstanding facilities on the ranch. Southern Cross Ranch was recently allotted 49 bull elk tags and 14 cow elk tags.

Straddling both sides of the Continental Divide, the Southern Cross ranges in elevation from 7,300 to 8,200 feet, which makes it ideally situated for supporting thousands of acres of pinion pine and alligator juniper forest, interspersed with grassy meadows. Parts of the eastern portion of the ranch adjoin the Cibola National Forest. Much of the ranch’s terrain is rolling, and a good network of ranch roads provides vehicular access throughout. With wildlife and livestock management in mind, dozens of water sources have been developed throughout the ranch, utilizing both wind and solar power.

The Southern Cross is best known for its elk hunting, but its superb mule deer and antelope hunting are also available. As a combination cattle/hunting ranch or a hunting resort alone, the potential for this spectacular piece of western New Mexico may be unmatched anywhere in the United States. With excellent year-round access, the “land of giants” is located only 2.5 hours from Albuquerque and 3.5 hours from Santa Fe.

Dave Harrigan / Hunter Harrigan
www.harriganland.com
(800) 524-1818

America’s Best Brokerages: Harrigan Land Company

Dave and Hunter Harrigan (pictured here) are the father-and-son team who run Harrigan Land Company. Based in Colorado, the two cover a far-ranging territory that includes Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

Last week The Land Report caught up with Harrigans en route from their Colorado headquarters to Southwest New Mexico, where they have the listing on the $25 million Southern Cross Ranch, one of the finest elk hunting properties in the Lower 48.

“We’ve been real lucky these last few years. We specialize in elk hunting. That’s what we enjoy doing. That and fly-fishing. We only list ranches that we like, ones with big bulls and trout fisheries,” Hunter says.

A recent trend that Dave singles out is the focus by buyers on large parcels at low per-acre prices. “When you start putting big elk into the picture, if the price per acre seems reasonable, you get bigger bang for your buck. Plus, it’s a great place for people to park some money,” he says.

Hunter concurs. “Larger recreational ranches at a low price-per-acre is the trend we’re seeing. Like the Mangas Ranch. We just closed on it – 12,000 deeded and 60,000 leased – and it’s right next to the Southern Cross in Southwest New Mexico.

2010 Sales: < $50 Million

What Attracts Clients:“We deal only in larger fly-fishing and elk-hunting properties,” says Hunter.

Market Observation: “We’ve seen buyers looking for somewhere to park their money and ride the storm out.”

Harrigan Land Company
www.harriganland.com
(800) 524-1818