Deep Creek Wildlife Sanctuary | Fay Ranches

DEEP CREEK WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Townsend, Montana

$6,999,999 | 968± Acres

Deep Creek Wildlife Sanctuary | Townsend, Montana

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Deep Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, boasting over three miles of Deep Creek teeming with trout, 968± deeded acres of which 400± are irrigated, and contiguous public land. The Missouri River, one of the many world-famous trout streams in southwest Montana, is right down the road, as well as Canyon Ferry Reservoir.

A mix of forested canyons, rolling hills of native grass, and riparian creek bottom provide a healthy mix of terrain and vegetation suitable for a remarkable variety of wildlife, including moose, elk, mule and white-tailed deer, antelope, upland game birds, and waterfowl. Located about an hour from Bozeman and just a few minutes from Townsend, land this size rarely comes to market. With some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery, this property enjoys views of the Big Belt Mountains in an unspoiled area that has remained unchanged for generations.

QUICK FACTS

• 968± deeded acres

• 400± acres under center pivot irrigation

• Outstanding fishing on over three miles of Deep Creek

• Excellent hunting for elk, white-tailed and mule deer, antelope, black bear, turkeys, pheasant, and Hungarian partridge

• Contiguous to 472± acres of State land

• Under conservation easement with Montana Land Reliance

• 5± minute drive to Townsend, MT, and its airport for private air travel

• 10± minutes to the Missouri River

• 15± minutes to Canyon Ferry Reservoir

• About an hour to Bozeman and it’s airport

This property features a historic home built in 1900. The 2,016± SF home has three bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms. Outbuildings include a barn, grain bins, a shed, corrals, and a granary.

ACREAGE | AGRICULTURE

Deep Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is unique because several acreage types can be found within its boundaries. The most significant portion of the ranch comprises irrigated hay meadows with a sizeable riparian area and a mature Cottonwood forest along Deep Creek. The property includes five pivots and native pastures and is contiguous to 472± acres of State land to the west. The property is protected by an existing conservation easement with Montana Land Reliance.

The ranch is a solid agricultural operation with excellent facilities, ample cover, and a hay base. Five pivots provide irrigation to 400± acres. Another 24± acres of hay ground under wheel lines round out the sprinkler irrigated property. Crops grown on the ranch include barley, oats, timothy hay, and grass alfalfa hay, all producing high yields annually. The remainder of the ranch is not harvested to allow plenty of feed for wildlife and cattle in the winter.

RECREATION

H unting | W ildlife

Deep Creek Wildlife Sanctuary resembles a zoo-like atmosphere in the mornings and evenings. The abundance, variety, and quantity of game animals make this a top-tier Montana hunting property. The entire property is in hunting district 391. The ranch is in an over-the-counter area for white-tailed deer and elk licenses and qualifies for landowner preference for pronghorn antelope. Trophy white-tailed and mule deer are available on the ranch, as well as plenty of antelope. White-tailed deer are found in high numbers, with bucks exceeding 150 Boone and Crockett inches. The ranch provides excellent food sources and outstanding cover for bedding and protection, making this the perfect opportunity for white-tailed deer management. Rocky Mountain elk are found on the ranch in high numbers. Mule deer can be seen throughout the property, and pronghorn antelope are consistently seen in the hay fields. Agricultural portions of the property provide epic days hunting upland birds and waterfowl. Pheasants are found throughout the property, and waterfowl congregate in the grain fields and wetlands. Wild turkeys and sandhill cranes are also found in healthy populations.

Turkeys on property

White-tailed deer on property

Elk on property

Elk on property

f is H ing

Deep Creek Wildlife Sanctuary boasts over three miles of Deep Creek, an outstanding walk and wade dry fly fishery teeming with rainbow and brown trout. The creek originates in the Big Belt Mountains, where it flows for roughly 30 river miles west to its confluence with the Missouri River. The lower watershed is predominantly privately owned land used for cultivated agriculture, irrigated pasture, grazing, and residential development. In the upper watershed, Deep Creek runs through steep canyons adjacent to Highway 12 before it opens to the wider, flatter portion of the lower watershed. Land use in the upper watershed is sparse but includes logging, grazing, residential development, and several active forest roads.

The Missouri River is a world-famous trout fishery just minutes down the road. From its origin in Three Forks to Canyon Ferry Reservoir, the river becomes a trophy trout fishery in the fall when monster browns and even rainbows run out of the lake below. The stretch near Townsend is one of the best places to have a shot at 23-30” trout during October. The Townsend stretch produces some of the world’s best fly fishing for carp in the summer.

Canyon Ferry Reservoir, minutes from the property, was formed when Canyon Ferry Dam was built, blocking the Missouri River. The reservoir provides quality fishing for both warm-water and cold-water species. The reservoir is large, even by Montana standards, measuring more than thirty miles long and up to five miles wide. Canyon Ferry Reservoir is an excellent spot for fishing for rainbow trout. It is heavily stocked each year, and the large size of the reservoir, combined with its fertility, allow rainbows to grow large and quickly. More than two-dozen designated access sites surround the reservoir. In addition to trout, fish species include smallmouth bass, yellow perch, mountain whitefish, northern pike, panfish, and walleye.

Trout caught in Deep Creek on property

LOCATION

t o W nsend

Previously trekked by Lewis and Clark, the area that would become Townsend (population 1,769±) was officially founded in 1883 as a depot for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Townsend is a picturesque town that sits on the banks of the beautiful Missouri River. The mountains surrounding it offer plenty of recreational opportunities. You will find necessary amenities in Townsend, including a grocery store, a gas station, a post office, restaurants, bars, etc.

H elena

Helena (population 32,871±) is about 40 minutes from the property. Helena became the “Queen City of the Rockies,” with the boom brought on by the 1864 gold strike. Helena grew along Last Chance Gulch and, in 1875, became the Montana territorial capital. Today the state capital’s architecture, museums, and historical sites offer a glimpse into the rich history of the city. Helena also boasts a cultural center with a busy event calendar, shopping, galleries, restaurants, microbreweries, and an epic trail system.

B ozeman

The property is about an hour from the vibrant university town of Bozeman (population 56,250±), home to Montana State University and the Museum of the Rockies. Bozeman has received national accolades for its scenic location, endless outdoor activities, and historic downtown. Bozeman restaurants and shops have become favorite places for those who love nature—whether fishing, hunting, skiing, mountain biking, or hiking.

GETTING THERE

The most convenient airport to the ranch for private air travel is the Townsend Airport. Located about 5± minutes from the ranch, it has a 4,000’ x 60’ runway.

The nearest commercial airport is Helena Regional Airport, a 45± minute drive from the property. This airport is serviced by Alaska, Delta, and United Airlines.

Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport is the busiest airport in Montana and is only an hour from the property. It is serviced by Delta, United, American, Alaska, Allegiant, Avelo, Frontier, Jet Blue, Southwest, Sun Country, and Jet Suite. The airport also caters to corporate and private aircraft and provides hangar rentals.

WATER RIGHTS

Montana waters, in all their varied forms and locations, belong to the State for the benefit of its people. A water right is the right to use the water within state-established guidelines, and not any ownership of the water itself. Since water rights in Montana are guided by the prior appropriation doctrine, a person’s right to use a specific quantity of water depends on when the use of water began, establishing the relative priority date of use on the water source. The first person to use water from a source established the first right, the second person could establish a right to the water that was left, and so on. Additionally, water users are limited to the amount of water that can be beneficially used. Beneficial use includes, but is not limited to, agricultural, recreational, fish, wildlife and domestic purposes.

Montana is currently conducting a statewide adjudication of all water rights with priority dates prior to July 1, 1973. The statewide adjudication is a court process that prioritizes and quantifies all existing water rights in each Montana drainage basin. With 85 basins in Montana, and over 219,000 water right claims, the statewide adjudication is a massive undertaking that is expected to stretch well into the future. Until the adjudication process is complete, the status of any particular water right claim cannot be guaranteed. Fay Ranches, Inc., its brokers and salespersons do not warrant or make any representation concerning the quantity or quality of any water rights, nor any legal entitlement to use of water rights, permits to appropriate water, exempt existing rights, determination of existing water rights, nor any ditches, ditch rights, or ditch easements appurtenant to or constituting a burden on the property. Water rights claims appurtenant to the property may or may not have been fully or finally adjudicated, and any Buyer is advised to make any offer to purchase contingent upon and subject to such independent inspections, evaluations, and advice concerning the water rights and adjudication process as a Buyer might deem prudent. All Buyers should be aware that Fay Ranches, Inc., its brokers and salespersons involved in this offering have not conducted an expert inspection or analysis of the water rights for this property.

Deep Creek Wildlife Sanctuary | Townsend, Montana

MINERAL RIGHTS

All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the Seller will convey to the Buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the Buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.

CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP

This property is under conservation easement with Montana Land Reliance. Please inquire with the listing agent for more information.

Each of us at Fay Ranches has a love of the land and a desire to see it remain as productive agricultural ground as well as quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting the use of thoughtful land stewardship, Fay Ranches has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitat, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay Ranches is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, the landscape on which we work has been significantly enhanced by the conservation ethic and land-use practices of our clients.

SUMMARY

Fay Ranches is honored to bring Deep Creek Wildlife Sanctuary to market. Nestled against State land in southwestern Montana, this ranch is one of the most scenic and prolific sporting properties on the market in the Northern Rockies. Over three miles of trout-rich Deep Creek meanders through the property. Located a few minutes from the Missouri River, one of Montana’s greatest fly fishing rivers, this 968± acre ranch is located just south of Canyon Ferry Reservior and to the west of the Big Belt Mountains, boasting some of the finest outdoor recreation inthe area, as well as plentiful agricultural production. Wildlife abounds, with elk, mule and white-tailed deer, upland birds, antelope, turkeys roaming the acreage, and wild rainbow and brown trout in Deep Creek. World-class fly fishing and miles of hiking and horseback riding trails mean that Deep Creek Wildlife Sanctuary has an endless ability to entertain and amaze, making it the perfect legacy ranch.

$6,999,999

CASH

Please contact Vinny Delgado at (406) 253-0507 | vdelgado@fayranches.com to schedule a showing. This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Fay Ranches must be present at all showings, unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com .

Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.

RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE

As required by Montana law, a broker or salesperson shall disclose the existence and nature of relevant agency or other relationships to the parties to a real estate transaction. The various relationships and description of duties are as follows:

1. SELLER AGENT

A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:

Act solely in the best interests of the seller; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the seller; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the seller agent and not known or discoverable by the seller unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the seller agent; Safeguard the seller’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the seller’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the seller for any funds or property of the seller that comes into the seller agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a seller and obtaining a seller’s written consent, to represent multiple sellers of property and to list properties for sale that may compete with the seller’s property, without breaching any obligation to the seller.

A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to:

Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the seller agent, except that the seller agent is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent when the seller agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a buyer and a buyer agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

2. BUYER AGENT (cont)

A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:

Disclose any adverse material facts that are known to the buyer agent and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Disclose to the seller or the seller agent when the buyer agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a seller and a seller agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

3. DUAL AGENCY If a seller agent is also representing a buyer, or a buyer agent is also representing a seller with regard to a property, then a dual agency relationship may be established. In a dual agency relationship, the dual agent is equally obligated to both the seller and the buyer. These obligations may prohibit the dual agent from advocating exclusively on behalf of the seller or buyer and may limit the depth and degree of representation that you receive. A broker or a salesperson may not act as a dual agent without the signed, written consent of both the seller and the buyer.

A “Dual Agent” is obligated to a Seller in the same manner as a seller agent and is obligated to a Buyer in the same manner as a buyer agent, except

a dual agent:

Has a duty to disclose to a buyer or seller any adverse material facts that are known to the dual agent regardless of any confidentiality considerations; and May not disclose the following information without the written consent of the person to whom the information is confidential; The fact that the buyer is willing to pay more than the offered purchase price; The fact that the seller is willing to accept less than the purchase price that the seller is asking for the property; Factors motivating either party to buy or sell; and Any information that a party indicates in writing to the dual agent is to be kept confidential.

4. STATUTORY BROKER

A “Statutory Broker” is not the agent of the Buyer or Seller but nevertheless is obligated to them to:

Disclose to: i. a buyer or buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the statutory broker, except that the statutory broker is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; and ii. a seller or a seller agent any adverse material facts that are known to the statutory broker and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in putting together a real estate transaction, and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

5. IN-HOUSE SELLER AGENT DESIGNATE

Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house seller agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a seller for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the seller with respect to the designated transaction.

6. IN-HOUSE BUYER AGENT DESIGNATE

Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house buyer agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a buyer for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the buyer with respect to the designated transaction.

BUYER AGENT

A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to: Act solely in the best interests of the buyer; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the buyer; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the buyer agent and not known or discoverable by the buyer, unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the buyer agent; Safeguard the buyer’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the buyer’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the buyer for any funds or property of the buyer that comes into the buyer agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a buyer and obtaining a buyer’s written consent, to represent multiple buyers interested in buying the same property or similar properties to properties in which a buyer is interested and to show properties in which a buyer is interested to other prospective buyers, without breaching any obligation to the buyer.