Sold! Montana’s Historic Horse Ranch

Nestled in the rolling hills of Central Montana, the historic Horse Ranch sold in December 2011. According to listing broker Mike Swan of Bates Sanders Swan Land Company, the ranch is “a rare combination of privacy, beauty, and scale in a contiguous block of deeded acreage that is very difficult to find in today’s western land market.”

Ryan Flair of Fay Ranches represented the buyer. The initial owners, a prominent Fergus County family,  began assembling this magnificent property in the 1880s to supply remount horses for the U.S. Cavalry.  The new—and only the third—owner of the Horse Ranch looks forward to continuing the land stewardship of these two preceding Western pioneers.

Comprised of 25,323± acres, this ranch contains sufficient hay meadows and summer pasture to comfortably run 700 to 750 head of brood cows on a year-round basis plus a full complement of heifers and bulls. The deep timbered draws and grassy plateaus on this property also provide prime habitat for the resident elk herds, trophy mule deer, antelope, wild turkey and upland game birds, including sharp-tailed grouse, pheasant and sage grouse.

Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.

 

 

Land Report Top Ten: November 2011

From Hawaii to the Lone Star State, here are America’s priciest properties, led by $175 million Jackson Land and Cattle Ranch, pictured here, which is listed by Hall and Hall.

1. Jackson Land and Cattle: $175 million

These 1,750 acres are simply the most phenomenal property to come to the market in the Teton Valley in decades. Jackson Land and Cattle is one-of-a-kind in every respect: world-class improvements, including an equestrian center designed by Jonathan Foote, AIA; lack of any development restrictions; and don’t forget the stunning Teton views. Hall and Hall’s John Pierce has the listing.

2. Walton Ranch: $100 million

This 1,848-acre working cattle ranch was pieced together by the Walton family beginning in 1958. The family placed the ranch under conservation easement in 1983. Billy Long and Ron Morris of Ranch Marketing Associates have the listing.

3. Ranch Dos Pueblos: $84 million

This oceanfront parcel is on the market for the first time in three decades. Spanning 2,175 acres just west of Santa Barbara, it’s one of the largest remaining ranches along the breathtaking Gaviota Coast. Kerry Mormann & Associates has the listing.

4. Tranquility Estate: $75 million

These 210 acres on Lake Tahoe are crowned by a 20,000 square-foot mansion. Owned by Tommy Hilfiger co-founder Joel Horowitz, it was originally priced at $100 million in 2006. Listed by Shari Chase and Sue Lowe of Chase International.

5. Aspen Valley Ranch: $59 million

Billed as the largest ranch near Aspen in the Roaring Fork Valley, this ranch boasts senior water rights as well as over 800 acres and is located just 10 minutes from the Aspen airport. Joshua Saslove of Joshua & Co. has the listing.

6. Robert Taylor Ranch: $56 million

112 acres in Los Angeles’s tony Brentwood enclave. The roomy ranch house, which was designed by Robert Byrd, features 17 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms. Joyce Rey of Coldwell Banker Previews International has the listing.

7. Hana Ranch: $55 million
This 4,500-acre working ranch on eastern Maui surrounds the town of Hana. The property boasts two miles of Pacific oceanfront and rises over 2,200 feet up the slopes of Haleakala. Dan Omer of Island Sotheby’s International Realty has the listing.

8. Rockpile Ranch: $54 million

For only the third time in over a century, this 55,374-acre cattle ranch in the Davis Mountains of Far West Texas is on the market. Since 1992, the Rockpile has been owned by McCoy Remme Ranches (No. 41 on the 2011 Land Report 100). James King of King Land and Water is the listing agent.

9. Dana Ranch: $45 million

With only two distinguished owners in nearly 100 years and an unmatched record of profitability, the Dana is considered by many to be the finest operating and recreational ranch in the Rocky Mountain West. Supporting 3,000 animal units on 59,000± acres, it boasts over 13 miles of superb fisheries and an incredible diversity of wildlife resources from elk to waterfowl to upland birds. Listed by Dave Johnson with Hall and Hall.

10. Flying Dog Ranch: $40 million

This 245-acre Aspen landmark features nearly a mile of Collins Creek and Woody Creek and borders the White River National Forest. Morris & Fyrwald Sotheby’s International Realty has the listing.

Click here to download a copy of the November 2011 newsletter.

On the Block: Oklahoma’s Bird Creek Ranch

UPDATE: Bird Creek Ranch sold as one parcel for $1.995 million ($1,304/acre) at public auction in Tulsa on May 23. The 1,530-acre holding was offered in 11 tracts ranging from 20 to 320 acres. More than 70 individuals attended the auction with 36 registering as bidders.

“The local real estate community seemed to be impressed with the outcome of the auction and many registered bidders expected the land to sell for under $1,000 per acre,” said Scott Shuman. “As a result of the auction we have now been asked to look at several other parcels of land for potential auctions. It was a great way to introduce the auction division of Hall and Hall.”

ORIGINAL POST: Hall and Hall Auctions will open the bidding on Bird Creek Ranch Monday afternoon, May 23, at one p.m (CST). The ranch’s 1,530± acres, which are located just minutes from downtown Tulsa, will be offered in 11 tracts ranging from 20 to 320 acres. All tracts have extensive frontage on paved Tulsa County roads. The southeast side of the property borders Bird Creek.

“Bird Creek is ideal for the investor seeking to increase his or her portfolio, or a local farm operator expanding an operation,” says Scott Shuman, who heads up Hall and Hall Auctions. “For the hunter or outdoor enthusiast, this property offers a tremendous opportunity.”

The multi-parcel method of sale will be used to allow ranchers, farmers, investors, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts to bid on individual tracts or the combination of tracts that best suits their needs.

Scott Shuman
Hall and Hall
(800) 829-8747

 

On the Block: The Yellowstone Club’s 160-Acre Family Compound

Nestled in the heart of the world’s only private ski and golf community, the 160-acre Family Compound is without question the most unique offering ever presented in the history of the Yellowstone Club. The story of the property dates to the founding of the club itself when Tim and Edra Blixseth retained ownership of a 160-acre site inside its boundaries. The couple built two 2,240-square-foot, 3-bedroom residences that were to serve as guest homes for a main residence that was never constructed.

Situated at the end of a long, secluded driveway, each of the cabins features an open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, massive wood-burning fireplaces, and large floor-to-ceiling windows. Beautifully appointed bathrooms and well-designed kitchens round out the interiors, while an expansive outdoor living area creates an ideal setting for nights out beneath the Montana sky. Yellow Mule Creek runs year round through the property’s western boundary.

It is this acreage and improvements that are to be auctioned by Edra Blixseth’s bankruptcy estate pursuant to a court-approved bidding and auction process. CrossHarbor Capital Partners has tendered a stalking horse bid of $10,850,000, consisting of $850,000 in cash and $10 million in a credit bid against CrossHarbor’s lien on the Family Compound. Per the court’s order, the minimum required for qualified competing bids by third parties is $11.1 million. Deadline for submission of the $11.1 million is 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time on May 16. The receipt of qualified competing bid(s) will result in an open outcry auction to be held at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time on May 20, 2011 at the offices of Datsopolous, MacDonald and Lind in Missoula, Montana.

Membership to The Yellowstone Club is not included as part of this offering. The buyer may apply to The Yellowstone Club for membership, however, membership is not guaranteed. Independent investigation is advised. Additional information about the auction and the rules governing competing bids will be made available upon request.

To obtain a due diligence package and schedule a private viewing of the Family Compound at Yellowstone Club, please contact:

Bill McDavid
Hall and Hall
406-542-3762
mcdavid@hallandhall.com

Fish & Wildlife Announces Gray Wolf Settlement

“For too long, management of wolves in this country has been caught up in controversy and litigation instead of rooted in science where it belongs. This proposed settlement provides a path forward to recognize the successful recovery of the gray wolf in the northern Rocky Mountains and to return its management to States and Tribes,” said Interior Department Deputy Secretary David Hayes. Read the announcement HERE.

Biologists with tranquilized gray wolf
Photo Credit: William Campbell
URL: http://digitalmedia.fws.gov/u?/natdiglib,3327
USFWS National Digital Library

For Sale: Hollow Top Ranch

Nestled at the base of the Tobacco Root Mountains in Southwestern Montana’s premier ranching, big-game, and fly-fishing region, Hollow Top Ranch’s 4,438 acres feature a two-mile stretch of South Willow Creek with outstanding German brown and brook trout habitat.

The west side of the Ranch borders the Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest for approximately two miles providing unlimited hunting and recreational opportunities. From high alpine meadows to lush irrigated meadows intertwined along South Willow Creek, the Ranch contains a very diverse terrain that produces outstanding pasture and attracts large populations of wildlife. Conservative grazing patterns have enhanced deer, elk and upland game bird populations. The plentiful water resources – combined with abundant big game, upland birds and private fishing with close proximity to the conveniences of Bozeman – make this well-blocked place an extremely desirable offering in today’s market.

The Ranch is located in one of Southwestern Montana’s premier ranching, big-game hunting and fly-fishing areas. Combined with close proximity to the Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson and Missouri Rivers, it may be one of the finest fly fishing and big game hunting properties available today.

$6.95 million
(800) 819-9920
www.bateslandco.com

Landmark Sale of 310,000 Acres Completed

In one of the largest conservation purchases to date, Plum Creek (PCL) completed the sale of a huge swath of Western Montana to the U.S. Forest Service and Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. Swiss philanthropist Hansjorg Wyss jump-started the deal with a $25 million donation that he subsequently upped to $35 million. Other funding sources included the State of Montana, which contributed $65 million, and the Department of Agriculture, whose $250 million expenditure was arranged by Sen. Max Baucus.

Sold! Montana’s N Bar Ranch

The Wall Street Journal reports that Land Report 100er Tom Siebel has sold Montana’s iconic N Bar Ranch, 62,091 contiguous acres in the Snowy Mountains. The Journal reports that the buyer was a Texas limited partnership principally owned by Dan and Farris Wilks, co-founders of Frac Tech, a Texas-based oil-field drilling-services firm.

Located approximately 90 miles north of Billings and 35 miles southeast of Lewiston, the N Bar totals 62,091 acres, including 51,409 deeded, 4,875 BLM leased, 1,920 Montana leased, and 3,887 privately leased. Joel Leadbetter at Hall and Hall had the $45 million listing; final sales numbers were not disclosed.

The historic N Bar has an imposing legacy and predates Montana statehood. Its headquarters compound, which was established in 1885, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Under Seibel’s stewardship, the N Bar made balancing cattle operations with wildlife needs a top priority. According to the ranch website:

With respect to livestock, the N Bar Ranch has retained the best genetics of the N Bar-registered Angus lines. Current management has transformed the ranch into a commercial cow/calf/yearling operation running 1,000 cows with the intention of carrying the calves over to yearlings. A conservative estimate of capacity—at 30 acres per animal unit—is more than 2,000 animals; however, in keeping with present management’s emphasis on maintaining top quality wildlife habitat, the ranch currently supports approximately 1,500 head of cattle.

Read more HERE.

For Sale: Hall & Hall Lists Montana’s N Bar Ranch

One of the most historic working ranches in the Rocky Mountain West is on the market. The 62,091-acre N Bar Ranch, whose chain of title includes Tom Cruse, Anton Holter, and Jack Milburn has been listed by Hall and Hall for $45 million, not including livestock and other personal property.

“The N Bar Ranch is a piece of Montana history complete with a profitable livestock operation and an outstanding wildlife component,” said Hall and Hall broker Joel Leadbetter. Ranging in elevation from 4,200 to 5,500 feet above sea level, the ranch is time-tested cattle country and is further blessed by abundant wildlife, including trophy elk, mule deer and whitetail, antelope, Hungarian pheasant, and sharptail and mountain grouse. Brown trout thrive in the 60 miles of Flatwillow Creek that wind through the property down from the Snow Mountains. ”We are thrilled to be representing such a phenomenal land holding,” Leadbetter adds.

Located approximately 90 miles north of Billings and 35 miles southeast of Lewiston, the N Bar is 62,091 total acres, including 51,409 deeded, 4,875 BLM leased, 1,920 Montana leased, and 3,887 privately leased.

Read more about the listing in Friday’s Wall Street Journal or visit the ranch’s website.

Tour the Flying D With Ted Turner

Want an opportunity to meet the top gun on The Land Report 100 on one of his many ranches? Now you can, thanks to a Montana fundraiser. Tickets to tour Ted Turner’s 119,000-acre Flying D Ranch are still available, and they’re going for $1,500. Proceeds go to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition; Turner is a board member.

Your $1,500 fee gets you a driving tour of the ranch from the nation’s largest landowner, cocktails on his back porch, and a dinner featuring ranch-raised bison. Turner has the world’s largest private herd of bison, which he raises on the Flying D and markets through his restaurant concept, Ted’s Montana Grill, with over 50 locations in 18 states.

At last report 10 of the 60 tickets remained.

Read more at:
“Enviro Group Plans Fundraiser at Turner Ranch,” Billings Gazette, June 5, 2009.

Next Page »