SOLD: Little Belt Elk Ranch | Fay Ranches

L ITTL E B ELT ELK R ANC H White Sulphur Springs, Meagher County, Montana $14,995,000 | 6,210± Acres

Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

INTRODUCTION LITTLE BELT ELK RANCH Fay Ranches proudly presents the Little Belt Elk Ranch, where recreation becomes a lifestyle. Bordering national forest service land, it provides a sense of seclusion that is difficult to find and coveted by many. The ranch headquarters consists of a rustic, two bedroom-two bath log home with an incredible view of Eagle Creek, grassy meadows, and timbered ridges. This historic and stunning ranch is situated in the Little Belt Mountain Range and offers a nearly incomparable spectrum of wildlife habitat to attract game. The combination of grassy meadows, large basins, spring seeps, aspen groves, and mature timber provides shelter, food, and sanctuary for a plethora of species. Eagle and Sheep Creeks flow through portions of the property, which provide endless fishing adventures for the avid angler. When you drive across this massive landscape, you see pronghorn antelope, numerous elk, and healthy mule and whitetail deer populations. When autumn turns the aspen groves into colorful splashes of color against the emerald green of grasslands and forests, the views are unequaled.

This property offers approximately 6,210± deeded acres with an additional 7,540± acres of leased ground.

Comprised of green basins, creeks, timbered ridges, meadows, and endless vistas, it is extremely rare for a ranch of this size with this combination of topography to come on the market. This land can sustain three to four hundred cow-calf pairs and boasts approximately 300± acres of hay ground. In addition, it has 910± acres of senior water rights and substantial stock water rights.

www.fayranches.com | (800) 238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

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QUICK FACTS • • • • •

6,210± Deeded Acres 7,540± Leased Acres Forest Service Allotments 910± Acres of Senior Water Rights Manager’s Cabin

• • • • •

Sustains 350 to 400 Cow-calf Pairs for 4.5 Months Extensive Underground Piped Watering Station System Excellent Big Game Hunting Borders National Forest Service Balance of Habitats for Elk, Deer, Moose, Prong-horned Antelope, and other Wildlife

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Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

www.fayranches.com | (800) 238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

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LOCATION The Little Belt Elk ranch is located 34 miles northwest of White Sulphur Springs, a small town that has a deep cultural history in ranching and mining. In more recent times, it has become very popular with recreational enthusiasts. Like most small towns in Montana, White Sulphur Springs has several celebrations throughout the year, including the five-day Red Ants Pants Music Festival in July and a 4th of July parade and rodeo. Western charm gives the town a warm and embracing ambiance. It is not uncommon for residents to walk up to strangers and start a conversation, and if a visitor is in need of assistance, it is given with a smile. It is the seat of Meagher County, and in the 2010 U.S. Census, the population is estimated to be 939 people. White Sulphur Springs is the gateway to the Smith River, which offers fabulous fishing to anglers (floating by permit only.) Home to “the Castle” mansion and the ghost town of Castle, the community has a wonderful, old-world flavor.

White Sulphur Springs is located 1hr and 40 minutes east of Helena, 1hr and 50 minutes southeast of Great Falls, and approximately 2 hours from Bozeman. Thoroughfares to the ranch are kept plowed and provide year-around access. There is fiber optic internet at the ranch headquarters.

The highly recognized medical facility in White Sulphur Springs provides 24/7 patient care.

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Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

GETTING TO THE RANCH From Helena, take Montana Highway 287 to Townsend. Head east on Montana Highway 12 for approximately one hour to the town of White Sulphur Springs. Upon arriving in White Sulphur Springs, head west on Montana Hwy 360 to the junction of Smith River Road. Head north on the Smith River Road for approximately 15 miles to the Little Belt Elk Ranch.

BOZEMAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BZN) The Bozeman/Yellowstone International Airport is served by Alaska, Allegiant, American, Frontier, Delta, JetBlue, and United Airlines, with direct flights to and from Boston, Denver, Detroit, Salt Lake City, New York City, Newark, Chicago, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Nashville, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, Portland, Phoenix, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Minneapolis, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas (www.bozemanairport.com).

HELENA REGIONAL AIRPORT Helena’s regional airport supports Alaska, Delta, and United Airlines. The airlines provide flights to all of the major hubs, where connecting flights are available. The airport is approximately 1hour and 41 minutes from White Sulphur Springs and 2 hours and 15 minutes from the Little Belt Elk Ranch.

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AREA HISTORY Nestled in the embrace of the beautiful Smith River Valley rests the small community of White Sulphur Springs. Known for its rich history, etched in farming, ranching, and mining, this valley has beckoned to people for generations. Native American tribes referred to it as the Valley of Peace. The hot springs are located inside the Spa Hot Springs Motel, but you don’t have to be a guest at the establishment to enjoy a soak. Surrounded by national forests, the area boasts an abundance of wildlife and access to endless choices of outdoor recreation.

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Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

SURROUNDING LOCALE white sulphur springs White Sulphur Springs has a natural mineral hot springs, and visitors can enjoy a soak after a hard day of playing.

showdown ski area Showdown Ski hill provides a true Montana ambiance with dry powder and short lift lines. Skiers who discover this rustic ski area will enjoy great snow and a lack of crowds.

gates of the mountain wilderness One of the more recognized areas on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Gates of the Mountains and the accompanying wilderness offer recreational opportunities by foot and horseback on its 53 miles of trails or by boat as you navigate through towering cliffs on the water’s edge. www.fayranches.com | (800) 238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

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RECREATION H unting & W ildlife The Little Belt Elk Ranch provides a balance of habitats for elk, deer, moose, prong-horned antelope, and other wildlife. Aspen groves, grassy basins, mountain meadows, spring seeps, and timbered ridges provide ample habitat for feeding areas, parks, seclusion, and space. Currently the ranch leases out the hunting rights, but that agreement is year-to-year, so the new owner can decide on whether to continue with the lease or not.

The ranch resides in the 416 hunting district. In the past, it has been common for hunters to harvest 300 to 340 class bulls on the property. For those hoping to enjoy some upland game bird hunting, the ranch provides excellent habitat for healthy populations of ruffled and blue grouse.

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Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

F ishing The Smith River Valley offers a blend of river and lake fishing. Close to the ranch, you have several river-fishing options, which are the Missouri River, the Smith River, and Sheep Creek, a main tributary of the Smith River that runs through the property. Montanans have discovered the five-day camping and fishing float on the Smith River Canyon Corridor, available by permit only, a must-do activity for fly fishermen. Sheep Creek winds from its headwaters through densely forested canyons and offers fast-moving ripples, deep pools, and lazy glides, with good fishing opportunities for rainbow and brown trout. Eagle Creek, which also runs through the ranch, offers approximately four miles of frontage and good brook trout fishing.

Trophy trout fishing can be found at Holter Lake and Canyon Ferry Lake. There are a variety of species in these waters, rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye, Kokanee salmon, brook trout, and northern pike.

Located in the Lewis and Clark and Helena National Forests, there are several mountain lakes to visit.

Smit h River

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Sulfur Springs, Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs,Montana Montana

www.fayranches.com | (800) 238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

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IMPROVEMENTS The ranch is a blank canvas and has minimal improvements. The rustic log cabin, with two bedrooms and two baths, originally built in 1910, has been renovated but still possesses the charm of days gone by, with an inviting front and back porch to enjoy the views. This home provides a place to reside while constructing a more modern residence and the “Ole Barn,” also of log construction, provides a snapshot of yesteryear and the rich history of the ranch. The steel equipment shed provides a place to store equipment and toys. There is a set of horse corrals that are sturdily built and offer a place to keep your horses where they are easily accessible.

Ranch Manager House

Ranch Manager House

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Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

www.fayranches.com | (800) 238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

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ACREAGE The Little Belt Elk Ranch offers so many desirable features that are well-balanced, it is difficult to do it justice with mere words. Feast your eyes on beautiful aspen groves, spring seeps, timbered ridges, expansive grassy basins, Sheep and Eagle Creeks, and incredible wildlife parks. There are ample habitats for wildlife sanctuary, feeding, and seclusion.

• 6,210± deeded acres • 7,540± leased acres • 13,822± total acres This ranch has been expertly managed and has maintained protein-rich grassland, minimal weeds, and sagebrush. It is fenced and cross-fenced for ease of intensive grazing programs, allowing relocation of cattle onto leased forestland without trailering. The extensive, gravity-fed water system pipes water underground to multiple watering stations for both cattle and wildlife. In addition to the expansive 6,210± deeded acres, this property sports 7,540± acres of leased national forestland, plus access to other national forestland, offering a sense of absolute seclusion and an unparalleled back-to-nature experience for residents and visitors—definitely a ranch with wow factor and a rare find for the discerning buyer.

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Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

www.fayranches.com | (800) 238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

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TIMBERLAND The timber stands appear to be in healthy condition, providing beautiful vistas, seclusion, shade, and resting areas for cattle and wildlife.

SCENIC VISTAS The Little Belt Elk Ranch is an incredibly beautiful place with scenic vistas at every turn and a propensity to be both a productive income property and an outdoor recreational mecca.

The Little Belt Mountain Range is an incredible ecosystem. The forest is comprised of mountain peaks, grassy ridges, timber, cold mountain lakes and streams, and is well-known for abundant wildlife.

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Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

www.fayranches.com | (800) 238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

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INCOME | RETURN OPPORTUNITY The ranch produces multiple revenue streams. The ranch currently has 7,540± acres of leased ground for cattle grazing. USFS allotments are the Chapman, 170 AUMs, and the Eagle Creek allotments, 445 AUMs, that provide substantial summer grazing. The ranch itself provides enormous amounts of grass for summer grazing as well. The USFS allotments are adjacent to the ranch, making moving cattle on and off the allotments easier. The extensive water-trough system provides gravity feed to multiple watering stations throughout the ranch via 11,000 feet of underground pipes. Currently, the ranch runs 350 to 400 pairs.

The irrigated hay ground, approximately 280 acres, produces around 300 tons of hay annually. In the past, the ranch has also leased out the hunting rights. All three revenue streams, cattle, hay, and hunting rights, provide a modest income for the ranch.

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Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

Cabin

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CLIMATE

Courtesy of city-data.com/White-Syulfur-Springs-Montana.htmlt

The climate at the Little Belt Elk Ranch brings snow during the winter and wonderful, mild summers for luxurious outdoor lounging, picnics along one of the creeks, and refreshing breezes.

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Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

www.fayranches.com | (800) 238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

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SUMMARY W here

recreation becomes a lifestyle

The Little Belt Elk Ranch offers a balance of seclusion, scenic vistas, open spaces, timbered ridges, mountain meadows, green basins, springs seeps, and Aspen groves.

For those interested in operating a working cattle ranch, the property is set up to accommodate a largescale enterprise. It is fenced and cross-fenced for an intensive grazing program. There are 11,000 feet of underground pipe that gravity feeds multiple watering troughs. The forest service allotments are adjacent and contiguous to the ranch. For those uninterested in working the land, the new owner has the option to lease out the agricultural or hunting rights while enjoying all manner of outdoor activities, such as horseback riding, fishing, hiking, wildlife watching, and hunting.

Call John Anderson (406) 750-0820 if you have any additional questions.

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Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP 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.

The Little Belt Elk Ranch is a blank canvas and is not encumbered with any conservation easements.

WATER RIGHTS The Little Belt Elk Ranch boasts 910± acres of senior water rights and 300± hundred acres of productive hay ground. The ranch is primarily irrigated by using “flood irrigation” practices. Currently the ranch produces 300 tons of hay annually, but that production could be substantially increased with some cultivation and fertilizer.

All water rights owned by the Little Belt Elk Ranch shall transfer to the new owners.

www.fayranches.com | (800) 238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

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PRICE $14,995,000

TERMS Cash, Conventional Financing, 1031 Tax Exchange

CONTACT Please contact John Anderson at (406) 750-0820 | janderson@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.

NOTICE 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.

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Little Belt Elk Ranch | White Sulphur Springs, Montana

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.

www.fayranches.com | (800) 238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

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JOHN ANDERSON Broker Associate Licensed in: MT, ID c. 406-750-0820 janderson@fayranches.com

FAY RANCHES INC. (800) 238.8616 info@fayranches.com www.fayranches.com