Rivercrest West Ranch DRUMMOND, MONTANA Hunting Ranching Fly Fishing Conservation
Rivercrest West Ranch DRUMMOND,MONTANA SIntroduction Situated at the north end of the Flint Creek Valley in western Montana, the Rivercrest West Ranch offers a blend of recreational and production land in a scenic mountain foothill setting. Consisting of 1,233± deeded acres the property is home to mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and mountain grouse, with moose and black bear also seen on occasion. The acreage varies from river-riparian habitat lying along nearly 2 miles of Clark Fork River, to mountain foothill pasture consisting of open grass meadows with scattered sage and pockets of timber. The deeded acreage borders both State of Montana and Bureau of Land Management lands for additional recreational opportunities. The ranch improvements include a main residence and additional rental cabin. There are several other scattered potential homesites, which would enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Clark Fork River corridor. The property controls both irrigation and stock water rights from the river as well as several developed springs in the higher elevations. The surrounding area is compelling from a sporting-oriented standpoint, renowned for a number of quality trout fisheries and high-caliber hunting options for both big game and birds. The Rivercrest West Ranch is a beautiful property and a competitively priced purchase opportunity for the outdoor enthusiast.
Tom Hilley, Associate Broker Jeff Shouse, Associate Broker Toll Free 866.734.6100 Email hilley@livewaterproperties.com jshouse@livewaterproperties.com WWW.LIVEWATERPROPERTIES.COM
Acreage Breakdown (via MontanaCadastral.com): Grazing - 1,174.5 acres Forest Land - 36.4 acres Irrigated - 19.8 acre Average annual precipitation for the ranch is 12.5± inches, with the wettest months being May-August. The ranch controls 15 individual water rights including 9 stock water, 4 irrigation and 2 domestic. The property is Acreage At an elevation ranging from 3,875 to 5,400 the Rivercrest West Ranch consists of a contiguous set of 1,233± deeded acres lying in the southern foothills of the Garnet Range. pipe with water pumped from groundwater sumps. The north portion of the ranch consists of shortgrass native pasture with pockets of sage, fir and aspen trees scattered across a large south-facing hillside. Several small draws perimeter fenced with a few areas of cross fencing. run through this part of the property, providing cover for cattle and collecting run-off water for both game The frontage road on the north side of Interstate 90 animals and livestock. The ranch controls a private divides the Clark Fork River bottomland from the remainder of the property. This river riparian acreage neighboring property to access the upper pastures. deeded easement and road through an adjacent consists of a mix of grass meadows, old hay fields, Grazing rights on the ranch have been leased to a native brush vegetation and cottonwood trees neighbor for the last several years, who typically runs bordering the Clark Fork for approximately 2± miles. cattle from May to October. Both Leafy Surge and The hay fields have been out of production for several Spotted Knapweed are prevalent on the ranch. years but could be easily reseeded back into alfalfa. Historically, this ground was irrigated via handline
Location The Rivercrest West Ranch is located west of the Continental Divide in Granite County, approximately 5 miles west of Drummond, 74 miles west of Butte, and 44 miles east of Missoula, Montana. Year-round access to the property is by paved highway out of Drummond. Commercial air service and FBO facilities are available in both Butte and Missoula. There is also a 3,600 paved airstrip located at Phillipsburg, which is a 30-minute drive from the ranch.
This scenic part of western Montana is characterized by varying geography, productive irrigated river valleys, timbered foothill and bench country, areas of dryland farm ground mixed Area The area was first settled by hard-rock miners, cattlemen, and later by loggers. continental United States in terms of density and variety. Whether the pursuit is fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, skiing, or any number of other similar activities, the possibilities are limited only with native rangeland, and high-alpine mountainous by the imagination, and thousands of people flock terrain. Today, the region is touted for its premier to Big Sky Country every year to experience outdoor recreational opportunities, cultural variety, historical pursuits amidst some of the most magnificent richness, and distinctive western feel. The area is scenery found anywhere in the world. blessed with a bounty of natural resources - millions of acres of snow-capped peaks and pristine forests, Missoula, the largest community in the region with a river riparian ecosystems that include some of the population around 71,000, is considered the leading finest wild trout streams on the planet, vast expanses trade center for the majority of western Montana and of prairie and plains, and a wildlife community is home to the University of Montana, with over 13,000 that most likely exceeds any other region in the students enrolled. Missoula is ranked 37th in the
nation by Norman Crampton in The 100 Best Small Towns in America. Missoula offers all major shopping and service related opportunities, many small specialty businesses, art galleries, historic buildings, sporting goods and fly shops, fine restaurants, and a myriad of cultural amenities. Missoula International Airport provides jet service to the area with numerous arrivals and departures daily, facilitated by five commercial airlines. Two full service FBO s catering to private aircraft are also available. Pintlar Scenic Highway Route. Mountain ranges in the immediate area include the Garnets to the north, the Long John Mountains to the south, and Sapphire Range to the southwest. A large amount of public land also can be found in the immediate area, including State of Montana, BLM and both Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Lolo National Forests. With a population of 350 residents, the small town of Drummond lies adjacent to I-90 and provides basic services including a couple of small motels, cafes, gas, groceries, post office, elementary and high school, and a few local watering holes. The town lies in the Clark Fork Valley, where State Highway 1 heads south into the Flint Creek Valley along the
Improvements Improvements on the ranch are in fair condition and adequate for year-round or seasonal living. T The original ranch home was built in 1938 and is of log construction with wood shingle roof. This structure is one level on a concrete foundation with 576 sqft of living space, two bedrooms and one bath. The structure is currently rented out to tenants on a month to month basis. Additionally, the main home was built in 1978 and is of log construction with wood shake roof. This structure is 1.5 stories on a concrete foundation, with 1,036 and 450 sqft on the first and second floors respectively for a combined living area of 1,486 sqft. There are two bedrooms and two baths. Heating is gas/forced air. There are also two attached exterior decks on the house. Behind the main home is a detached garage with 1,089 sqft and living quarters, that was built in 2001. There are also two implement sheds on the ranch; one built in 1950 measuring 16 x24 for 384 sqft, and the other built in 1970, measuring 16 x40 for 640 sqft. Land-line phone service provider to the ranch is Blackfoot Telephone Coop, and the utility provider is Northwestern Energy. Propane is provided by Northern Energy. The ranch has satellite TV and internet, and there is light cellular phone service on the higher benches above the river.
The mountains and plains comprising the region harbor all the recognized big game species in Montana, including elk, whitetail and mule deer, antelope, Wildlife & Hunting Some of Montana s best hunting opportunities are found in the western portion of the state. on the property are excellent. The ranch lies in Montana deer and elk Hunting District 292 which allows for harvest of brow-tined bull elk for the 2017 season. Either whitetail black and grizzly bear, mountain lion, moose, big or mule deer bucks may be harvested in this horn sheep and rocky mountain goats. Waterfowl district as well. The big game early archery season and upland wingshooting can also be excellent generally runs from the first week of September until in this area with the possibility of decoying ducks the middle of October, and the general firearms season typically runs from the third week of October and geese in the morning, and then hunting for Hungarian partridge Blue or Ruffed grouse in the through the end of November. Historically, both afternoon of the same day. elk and deer have regularly been harvested on the property, and elk numbers in the immediate area The Rivercrest West Ranch supports a varied are currently substantial. wildlife community. With the abundant water and feed sources, big game hunting opportunities
Seven rivers in Montana have the distinction of being considered the best of the best; designated Blue Ribbon status, and two of these - Rock Creek and the Big Hole are within 30 minutes to 90 minutes respectively from the Rivercrest West Live Water Montana s trout streams are legendary in quantity, quality and scale, and the state arguably contains more premier water than could probably ever be fished in a lifetime. Ranch. Other notable fisheries in this area include the 2± miles of meandering river flow through the ranch, Blackfoot and Bitterroot Rivers, and Georgetown Lake and offer a compelling mix of good trout habitat - near Phillipsburg. In addition, there are countless braided channels, enticing riffles, undercut banks, small mountain streams and high mountain lakes deeper pools and tapering runs. The river is lightly that receive minimal angling pressure, yet are full of fished, and the resident trout are generally very receptive trout. opportunistic and willing to eat a variety of imitative and attractor dry, emerger, nymph and streamer fly The Clark Fork of the Columbia River originates near patterns. There is often an early season Skwalla hatch Butte and flows for roughly 310 miles until emptying into Lake Pend Oreille in the Idaho Panhandle. from late spring through the summer. Terrestrial on the river, followed by mayfly and caddis hatches Tributaries upstream from the Rivercrest West Ranch patterns are important in the summer, and the biggest include Warm Springs Creek and the Little Blackfoot fish are generally taken on any number of streamer River. Despite suffering from various instream pol- patterns throughout the season. lution issues due to runoff in a watershed with a considerable past mining history, a number of recent mitigation projects have proven very effective and the river presently supports a good brown and rainbow trout fishery. Approximately
Recreation Downhill skiing opportunities can be found at Discovery Basin near Phillipsburg or Snowbowl Ski Area outside of Missoula. Backcountry and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, camping, horseback riding and other outdoor pursuits are easily accessible on the multitude of public lands in the area in the form of National Forest, designated Wilderness, State of Montana and Bureau of Land Management.
Water Rights The seller will convey/transfer all appurtenant water and mineral rights, if any, at closing, however the seller makes no representations or warranties concerning current status or validity of any of these rights. Independent investigation of both these items is recommended to any prospective purchaser.
Summary The Rivercrest West Ranch displays many highly sought after features in a Montana rural property. Ample water resources are a huge draw for a varied wildlife community, creating high recreational value revolving around both fishing and hunting opportunities. The ranch is large enough to offer a variety of terrain and enjoy protection from surrounding development. Improvements on the property, while certainly adequate, are modest enough that a new owner might opt to create their own special Montana retreat and lease out the existing structures for a possible income stream. The location of the property is distinctly rural, yet a convenient 45-minute drive from Missoula. The surrounding area is scenic and offers a multitude of easily accessible recreational possibilities. The Rivercrest West Ranch is a special offering for the buyer interested in a diverse and value-priced western Montana property. PRICE: $1,725,000 CONTACT: Jeff Shouse, Associate Broker Tom Hilley. Associate Broker Toll Free: 866.734.6100
Rivercrest West Ranch Aerial Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed. State of Montana Bureau of Land Management
Rivercrest West Ranch Terrain Map (Green shading is National Forest and Orange shading is BLM) Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.
Rivercrest West Ranch Location Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.