Western Agri Financial, Inc. is privileged to present this ranch, to the market. Ranches of this size, quality, and recreational amenities, properly priced are truly a rarity!
This ranch consists of 3,192.36 deeded acres and a 640 acre State of Montana lease for total acre-age of 3,832.36. The ranch is a “block unit” with no private, state, or federal, land ownership in-holdings. The ranch differentiates from the typical, as it has been in this family for more than 50 years, historically supported 150 cows and calves, and harvestable populations of trophy elk, mule deer, white tail deer, and pronghorn antelope!
Large rainbow and brown trout have been taken on the approximate 2 miles of the “Sweet Grass River” that flows through the deeded lands of the ranch. The bottom land along the “Sweet Grass” is a Mecca for pheasants, turkey, and migratory waterfowl. The owners have all of the mineral rights to the ranch with the exception of 320 acres, and will pass these mineral rights to the new owner at closing! The ranch is well suited for a conservation easement.
The improvements to the ranch include various shops and out buildings one would expect to be located on a working livestock ranch. The main home is a beautiful two story log lodge built in 1979, and an additional 1,700 square foot manufactured home built in 1999, which provide adequate housing for the owners and operations of the ranch. The ranch has a modern 50 acre center-pivot sprinkler irrigation system to alleviate labor demands for proper irrigation of the farm lands. The present owners have carefully rip-raped the Sweet Grass to minimize soil erosion, and have maintained excellent riparian areas along the river as it transverses the property. Additionally, they have developed spring fed ponds, and reservoirs to enhance wildlife and domestic livestock usage of the ranch.
The ranch lies 15 miles east of present day Big Timber, Montana a beautiful small town in western rural Montana under the fabulous “Crazy Mountains”. Big Timber boasts gourmet dining, modern lodges, and is considered the local trade area for Sweet Grass County. Big Timber has long been the summer home of investor ranch owners and maintains the Sweet Grass County Airport (6S0) which is capable of servicing Gulfstream sized business jet aircraft. Big Timber is probably best known for the mild winter climate, and boasts of more “frost free days” than any other city or town in Montana!
The “Howie Ranch”, located on the Sweet Grass River has the distinction of being home to the first settlement in what is now Sweet Grass County, Montana. The ranch and surrounding area is rich in western history, from Native Americans, to fur traders, pioneers, cattlemen, and outlaws. Gunfights, hangings, stage coach robberies, livestock rustling, and all of the excitement of the old west, are documented to have happened in the immediate area of the “Howie Ranch”! .
This Spanish silver dollar was photographed on the spot where it was found at the ranch headquarters, and was minted in 1775! |
This is a photograph of Ancient Artifacts made by Native
Americans found on the ranch. |
Water Rights /Land Classification:
The water right information has been taken from the State of Montana DNRC records and is as follows:
420 acre feet from the Sweet Grass priority date May 1, 1898
240 acre feet from the Sweet Grass priority date June 1, 1898
300 acre feet from the Sweet Grass priority date June 1, 1892
276 acre feet from the Sweet Grass priority date June 1, 1892
Domestic well 25 GPM priority date June 1, 1889
Stock water well 25 GPM priority date June 1, 1889
Various other surface water rights as on file at the DNRC.
The deeded acreage is classified as follows:
Range pasture land 2,838.02 acres
Dry land farm land 205.34 acres
Irrigated farm land 147.00 acres
Farmstead land 2.00 acres
Total deeded lands 3,192.36 acres
All mineral rights owned by the sellers estimated to be 2,872.36 acres.
(This information is provided as a courtesy to potential buyers by Western Agri Financial, Inc. and while considered accurate, is not guaranteed. All water right and acreage information, should be verified by the prospective buyer through separate due-diligence.)
Western Agri Financial, Inc. welcomes buyer’s brokers! The ranch will be shown by appointment only and is conservatively priced
at $9,900,000.
Download a boundary map of Howie Ranch (click here)
