Shields River Ranch. Livingston, Montana. Fly Fishing Hunting Ranching Conservation

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1 Shields River Ranch Livingston, Montana Fly Fishing Hunting Ranching Conservation

2 Shields River Ranch Livingston, Montana Introduction: Situated 20 minutes from Livingston and 45 minutes from Bozeman, Montana, in the scenic Shields Valley, the Shields River Ranch offers 894 +/- acres of prime production and recreational property in a serene setting. Excellent water rights and pivot and flood irrigation facilitate good hay and grain crops, attracting a variety of wildlife to the property including partridge, pheasant, ducks, geese, deer and antelope. Fronting nearly 2 miles of the meandering Shields River, this ranch offers unpressured fishing for brown and rainbow trout. Improvements are minimal, creating an open canvas with choice building sites scattered throughout the ranch. The Shields River Ranch is platted into eight parcels suggesting the possibility of conservation easement options. In addition, the famous fisheries of Yellowstone National Park are located 45 miles from the ranch via the north entrance of the Park at Gardiner. The surrounding area is one of the most sporting-oriented locations in Montana, renowned for a number of legendary fisheries and worldclass hunting options for birds and big game. The Shields River Ranch has spectacular views of three mountain ranges, a large stretch of frontage on a trout stream, varied hunting opportunities and strong agricultural features including an income-producing lease in place. The ranch is a gem situated in one of the most desirable valleys in Jeff Shouse, Broker Cell: Craig Janssen, Montana Managing Broker Toll Free: Office: southwest Montana. The offering price is $4,950,000.

3 Location: The Shields River Ranch is located a convenient five miles south of Clyde Park and 15 miles northeast of Livingston, Montana. The property is accessed via Fiddle Creek Road, 1/2 mile west of State Highway 89, which runs north and south through the Shields Valley. The property has yearround access off a graveled county road. Southwest Montana, and particularly the area around Livingston, is considered by many to be one of the most desirable addresses in the Treasure State. This region is characterized by varying geography; productive irrigated river valleys, timbered foothill and bench country, large expanses of rolling prairie and rangeland, and high-alpine mountainous terrain. The area is touted for its recreational opportunities, cultural variety, historical richness, and distinctive Western feel. Situated on the northern fringe of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and running south from Livingston, the Paradise Valley is framed by two prominent mountain ranges the Absarokas to the east, and the Gallatin range to the west with the snowcapped summits of certain peaks exceeding 10,000 feet in elevation. The Yellowstone River bisects the valley floor and is fed by numerous freestone streams and spring creeks, the majority of which originate from the high, forested slopes of the surrounding mountains. Populations of elk, deer and moose are frequently seen in the foothills and hayfields around the perimeter of the valley, and grizzlies can still be found roaming the forests and peaks of the Absaroka and Gallatin Ranges. To the northeast of Livingston lies the Shields Valley, cradled by the Gallatin Range to the west and the Crazy Mountains

4 Location: (Continued) to the east. Tributaries from both mountain ranges feed the Shields River, which meanders 65 miles from its origins in the north Crazies to its confluence with the Yellowstone River, roughly eight miles south of the ranch and six miles downstream from Livingston. Unlike the Paradise Valley, the Shields Valley remains largely rural. Agriculture is still the primary economic activity, centered around both purebred and commercial cattle ranches, as well as large farming operations. The towns of Clyde Park and Wilsall provide basic services, however Livingston offers much more variety. Livingston was established in the 1880s as a major hub for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and today has a population of 7,000. The town offers a mix of fine restaurants, art galleries, museums, historic buildings and famous fly shops including the renowned Dan Bailey s, as well as George Anderson s Yellowstone Angler. Bozeman, the largest community in the area with a population of some 38,000 is located approximately 23 miles to the west on Interstate 90 and is the major trade center of southwest Montana as well as home to Montana State University. Bozeman provides major shopping and service-related opportunities, many specialty shops and fine dining establishments, and cultural amenities including the Bozeman Symphony, dinosaur exhibits at the Museum of the Rockies and the Taylor Planetarium. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport at Gallatin Field provides jet service facilitated by six commercial airlines.

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7 Property & Improvements: The Shields River Ranch consists of approximately 894 contiguous deeded acres, and is platted into eight separate parcels, suggesting the possibility of conservation easement options. Four of the parcels directly border the river. The property is also bordered on three sides by county road, and the Shields River Road runs north and south through the western quarter of the ranch. The Shields River flows along the western edge and Fiddle Creek runs through the property, as does the Lower Shields Valley Ditch. The topography is rolling and slopes from north to south. The river is lined with cottonwoods, as is much of Fiddle Creek, and the views of the Mountains the Crazies to the east, the Absarokas to the south and the Bridgers to the northwest are dramatic. The house on the property is modest and currently leased on a month-to-month basis. Built in 1929, it is approximately 1,200 sqft with two bedrooms and one bath. winter wheat, and does some limited aftermath grazing. Both pivot and flood irrigation are utilized on the cultivated ground east of the Shields River Road. In two cuttings off the pivot, irrigated hay will yield approximately 3 to 3.5 tons, and 2012 yields on the grain ran from 40 to 70 bushels per acre. The flood-irrigated ground has historically yielded 2.5 to 3 tons per acre on one cutting. The west side of the road comprises 60 acres of hay in two fields that are flood irrigated but not fertilized. These are older stands of hay that need reseeding, but historically have produced 3 tons per acre on one cutting. In 2012 approximately 127 acres were flood-irrigated grass/alfalfa, 247 acres were pivot-irrigated alfalfa, and 126 acres were seeded to grain under pivot-irrigation. The balance of the ranch is pasture ground, including 70+/- acres of crested wheat. Aftermath grazing begins in October on the grain and hay ground east of the road, and then in December on the west pastures. The cattle are removed in January. The agricultural component of the ranch is currently being leased to a neighbor who grows alfalfa, both spring and The general condition of the perimeter and cross-fences range from fair to excellent. Water Rights & Irrigation: The Shields Valley Ranch has excellent water rights, both in terms of volume and priority date, and is the largest water user in Lower Shields Valley Ditch Company with 450 shares/724 miners inches. Decreed water rights include 375 miners inches for irrigation, plus stock water. Water cost for 2013 is estimated to be $ There are three Valley center pivots to irrigate the majority of cropland. All three are electric and in good condition. Water is pumped from the Shields Valley Ditch via Cornell centrifuge electric pumps a 20hp for the north pivot and 2-40hp for the middle pivot. The south pivot is mainly gravity fed, however it does utilize a small electric booster pump as needed. Total 2012 electric cost for the irrigation system was $7, The ditch water runs from May 15 to September 15.

8 Live Water The Shields River: The Shields River is relatively unknown by the majority of anglers who frequent this trout-rich part of Montana. One of the primary reasons for this is that it simply doesn t receive fishing pressure principally due to access complications. Much of the river flows through private deeded land, and while it can be legally accessed at county road and state highway bridge crossings, or by landowner permission, many people elect to avoid the hassle. Considered a small- to medium-sized river by Montana standards, the Shields originates high in the Crazy Mountains, where the upper drainage catches water from several mountain creeks. Once the stream reaches the valley floor near Wilsall, and for the remainder of its course until its confluence with the Yellowstone River, the Shields has more meanders, less velocity, and deeper pools. This portion of the river runs through pasture and cropland and tends to be more productive from a fisheries standpoint despite increased sedimentation from agriculture and elevated summer water temperatures. Although the volume of the river is augmented by numerous tributaries as it runs south through the Shields Valley, dewatering becomes more of an issue on the lower river, and some sections experience less flow and increased moss growth during the irrigation season. Despite these conditions, the quality of the fishery has remained good over the years. Run-off with typical snow pack starts in April and winds down by mid to late July.

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10 Live Water The Shields River: (Continued) The three main trout species in the Shields are the native Yellowstone cutthroat, brown trout and rainbow trout all naturally reproducing, round; mayfly and caddis larval imitations work well in the riffles, while sculpin patterns and general attractor streamers such as wooly wild fish. Additionally, brook buggers, will take the larger trout trout can be found in a few places generally near feeder creeks that support the species as can mountain whitefish. The farther downstream, the more browns make up the population due to habitat conditions. Consistent insect hatches begin in late May and usually run through mid-september. For the bulk of late spring, in the deeper pools and holding lies along undercut banks. The largest fish from the river are caught on streamers in the fall. Current regulations allow year-round fishing on the river, with catch and release mandatory for cutthroat all season and all other trout from December 1 to the third Saturday in May. summer and early autumn, excellent dry fly fishing can be experienced using a variety of adult-phase, imitative and attractor patterns for hatches that include midges, bluewinged olive, baetis, trico and pale morning mayfly duns, and several genus of caddis. Mid-summer through early fall is terrestrial time, with grasshopper, ant and beetle patterns taking many fish on the surface. Nymph and streamer presentations are particularly effective all year- The ranch fronts on approximately 2 miles of meandering water with an interesting mix of shallow riffles, undercut banks, deep pools and runs, offering a variety of fishing water. Brown trout are most common, but rainbow and mountain whitefish are also available. Fish up to 18 are typical, and several dozen trout in a morning s outing would be possible on the river portion bordering the ranch.

11 Nearby Live Water: Montana s trout streams are legendary in quantity, quality and scale, and the state arguably contains more premier water than could be fished in a lifetime. Seven rivers in Montana have the distinction of Blue Ribbon status simply the best of the best. In addition to the fishing possibilities in the Shields River, the ranch is within 90 minutes of four Blue Ribbon designated trout streams the Yellowstone, Gallatin, Madison and Missouri Rivers, as well as fabled trout waters such as the Stillwater, the Boulder and the enormous diversity of Yellowstone National Park s waters. The O Hair and Depuy sections of Armstrong Spring Creek, and Nelson Spring Creek both world-renowned trout fisheries are within 30 minutes of the property, and there are several private fee-fishing lakes and ponds located in the area that offer the chance to cast to eight to ten pound trout. As well, the 921,000-acre Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area south of the ranch, and the Gallatin National Forest lands in the Bridger and Crazy Mountains are teeming with high alpine lakes and crystal clear mountain streams. Wildlife Resources: Shields River Ranch is home to diverse wildlife. Whitetail deer are thick on the ranch, and it is not uncommon to see hundreds on the hay and grain fields on a summer evening. Herds of mule deer and antelope are also seen with regularity, along with an occasional elk and moose along the river. Ducks and geese are commonly seen on the river and adjacent beaver ponds. The ranch also supports several coveys of Hungarian partridge and a number of pheasants. The occasional Ruffed grouse can be flushed in the brush along the river. Pheasants could do very well on the ranch with proper management. The food and water is in place; a reduction in grazing would enhance native grass cover increasing the number of birds.

12 Hunting: Excellent hunting opportunities are found in southwestern Montana. The mountains and plains comprising the region harbor all the recognized big game species, including elk, whitetail and mule deer, antelope, black and grizzly bear, mountain lion, moose, Bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goats. Waterfowl and upland wingshooting is also superb in this area with the possibility of decoying ducks and geese in the morning, and then hunting for Hungarian partridge, pheasant and grouse in the afternoon. Recreation: Montana offers an overwhelming bounty of natural resources. It s blessed with millions of acres of snowcapped peaks and pristine forests, river riparian ecosystems cradling some fine trout streams, vast expanses of prairie and plains, and a wildlife community that in terms of density and variety most likely exceeds any other region in the continental United States. Whether the activity is fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, skiing or any number of others, the possibilities are limited only by the imagination. People flock to Big Sky Country every year to experience outdoor pursuits amid the most magnificent scenery found anywhere in the world. Skiing options include Bridger Bowl, only 16 miles northeast of Bozeman, offering 60 runs and covering 2,000 acres on the Gallatin National Forest; the Bohart Ranch, which is located adjacent to Bridger Bowl and has 30 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails; and Big Sky Ski and Summer Resort, which is 43 miles south of Bozeman and contains over 3,600 acres that include 122 trails on three mountains.

13 Summary The Shields River Ranch represents a fantastic opportunity to acquire a recreational property of the highest caliber, in one of the most revered areas of southwest Montana. This is one of the largest stretches of Shields River frontage that has come on the market in several years, and this particular piece is unique. With a wonderful location, a substantial agricultural component, spectacular setting and views, conservation easement possibilities, prime frontage on a quality trout stream, and varied hunting amenities, this ranch offers something for everyone. PRICE: $4.5M, Was $4.95 TAXES: $4, in 2012 CONTACT: Jeff Shouse, Broker Cell: Craig Janssen, Montana Managing Broker Toll Free: Office: Notes: 1) This is an exclusive listing of Live Water Properties LLC; an agent of Live Water Properties must be present to conduct a showing. The owners respectfully request that other agents and/or prospective buyers contact Live Water Properties in advance to schedule a proper showing and do not attempt to tour or trespass the property on their own. Thank you. 2) Offering subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information provided herein is intended as a general guideline and has been provided by sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy of which we cannot guarantee. 3) Live Water Properties LLC represents the Seller as a Seller s Agent.

14 Shields River Ranch Aerial Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.

15 Shields River Ranch Aerial Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.

16 Shields River Ranch Location Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.

17 Shields River Ranch Topographic Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.