Ryegate, Montana
$5,999,000
1,544± Acres
PINE BUTTE RANCH
INTRODUCTION
Nestled in the heart of central Montana, just seven miles from the charming town of Ryegate lies the breathtaking Pine Butte Ranch. This 1,544± acre property offers a rare combination of natural beauty, diverse wildlife habitat, and agricultural potential. This expansive ranch is graced by over two miles of year-round flowing water from Custer Creek and Big Coulee Creek, which feed two large reservoirs, further enhancing the land’s rich ecosystem. The property boasts a variety of landscapes, from timbered draws and creek bottoms to unique rock formations and productive farm ground, making it a haven for both wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts.
Pine Butte Ranch is home to a wide array of wildlife, including elk, deer, antelope, and upland game birds, creating an unparalleled opportunity for hunting, wildlife observation, and nature immersion. The ranch also features 650± acres of tillable land with valuable irrigation rights on 230± acres, offering significant agricultural potential for farming or ranching ventures.Along with its ecological and agricultural attributes, the property is complemented by a newly constructed 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home that overlooks vast hay meadows, timbered ridges, and a large, fish-filled reservoir.
Whether you seek to expand your farming and ranching operations or simply revel in the serenity and splendor of Montana’s wilderness, Pine Butte Ranch provides the perfect balance of productivity and picturesque landscapes. This extraordinary property represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of Montana’s captivating heartland.
Pine Butte Ranch | Ryegate, Montana
QUICK FACTS
• 1,544± deeded acres in 7 parcels
• 2+ miles of live running water from 2 small streams
• Very secluded, end-of-the-road privacy, with diverse landscapes, including very unique rock formations and cliffs
• Excellent hunting, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, wildlife viewing
• Exceptional habitat for elk, deer, antelope, and upland birds
• Newly constructed 4-bedroom 3-bath home with amazing Big Sky views
• Multiple outbuildings, barn, shop, lean-to, small bunk house
• Great water rights with irrigation and stock water use
• 7± miles to Ryegate, MT; 37± miles to Harlowtown, MT; 70± miles to Billings, MT
• 650± acres of productive tillable ground
• Previous owner ran 120± pairs of cows year-round
• 550± acre Pine Butte creates many scenic vistas and dramatic views
ACREAGE
Pine Butte Ranch is comprised of 1,544± acres in seven parcels. The property features rolling creek bottoms that provide rich, fertile ground, ideal for both agricultural use and wildlife habitat. Deep, rugged draws weave through the ranch, offering excellent cover for wildlife such as elk, deer, and other species. Expansive hay fields blanket parts of the ranch, providing valuable agricultural income or feed for livestock. Towering cliffs rise dramatically in certain areas, offering breathtaking views and creating a striking contrast with the surrounding terrain. This varied topography enhances the ranch’s aesthetic appeal and contributes to its rich ecological diversity, making it an ideal setting for recreational pursuits and land stewardship. The unique combination of creek bottoms, open fields, and rugged cliffs creates an extraordinary environment perfect for those seeking a multifaceted ranching experience.
3 Pine Butte Ranch | Ryegate, Montana
SCENIC VISTAS
From the top of Pine Butte, you can see for miles in every direction with dramatic views of both the Crazy and Snowy Mountains. Anyone lucky enough to spend time on Pine Butte Ranch can easily see why they call Montana the “Big Sky State.” Dramatic cliffs and rock ledges surround much of the 550± acre Pine Butte and provide unique and extreme vistas that would be hard to find anywhere else.
IMPROVEMENTS
Constructed in 2024, the 4,160± square foot, four-bedroom, three-bathroom home overlooks one of the two large reservoirs and provides excellent views of Pine Butte. The home features a very open kitchen and living area that your family will enjoy for generations.
In the main ranch yard, you will find several outbuildings, including a 70’ x 40’ red iron shop built in 2016, an 80’ x 40’ pole barn shop built in 1977, and a small two-bedroom, one-bathroom home built in 1916. The house is currently being used as a guest house and is very clean and livable.
5 Pine Butte Ranch | Ryegate, Montana
RECREATION
Pine Butte Ranch is the perfect place to enjoy Montana’s many recreation opportunities. Bring your horses, ATVs, bikes, and hiking boots because you will spend hours enjoying the splendor of Pine Butte Ranch.
HUNTING | WILDLIFE
Located in Hunting District 515, this ranch offers the opportunity to hunt elk and deer on a general license—no special permit required for elk, unlike many central Montana hunting districts. The property is home to a large population of mule deer and an expanding elk herd, providing a new owner with the chance to hunt big game annually. Additionally, Pine Butte Ranch boasts a thriving upland game bird population, including sharp-tailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, ring-necked pheasant, and Merriam’s turkey.
FISHING
The ranch offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, with 2± miles of live water flowing through the property and feeding into two large, recently stocked reservoirs. The reservoirs are teeming with fish, making this an ideal location for anglers of all skill levels. Whether casting from the shore or boat, you could spend hours enjoying the tranquility of nature while chasing your fishing dreams. The abundance of fresh, clear water creates an ideal environment for various fish species, ensuring a rewarding experience each time you visit. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful day of fishing or a more active adventure, this property offers the perfect setting to make your angling dreams a reality.
7 Pine Butte Ranch | Ryegate, Montana
AREA HISTORY
Ryegate, Montana, was established in the late 1800s and is in the heart of the state in the fertile Musselshell Valley. The town was founded along the Northern Pacific Railway, which played a significant role in its growth as a transportation hub for settlers and farmers in the region. Ryegate’s name is believed to be derived from “Rye Gate,” a reference to a local grain milling operation that processed rye and other crops. In its early years, Ryegate thrived as a farming and ranching community, with agriculture being the backbone of its economy. Ryegate remains a small, tight-knit community with a rich history rooted in agriculture and the railway. While the town has experienced periods of economic change, it remains a quiet, picturesque spot in central Montana.
LOCATION
The ranch is 7± miles south of Ryegate, Montana, via a paved and gravel road. Ryegate is a small agriculture town located between Harlowton and Roundup, Montana, along the banks of the Musselshell River on Highway 12. The small town includes a grocery store, post office, gas station, school, and a couple of watering holes/restaurants. Harlowton (30± miles west) and Roundup (40± miles east) have bigger grocery stores, more restaurants, and a hospital. Montana’s largest city, Billings, is located within a one-hour drive from the ranch and has everything you would expect from a metropolitan area with a population of 185,000±.
GETTING THERE
Billings Logan International Airport is 70± miles from the ranch. This airport is a major hub for air travel in Montana and the surrounding region. Several airlines operate in Billings, providing flights to various domestic destinations such as Denver, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Dallas/Fort Worth.
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 not under conservation easement.
Each of us at Fay loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
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.
Pine Butte Ranch | Ryegate, Montana
Pine Butte Ranch, about seven miles from Ryegate, Montana, spans 1,544± acres of diverse landscapes, including timbered draws, creek bottoms, and productive farmland. The property features over two miles of year-round water from Custer and Big Coulee Creeks, feeding two large reservoirs. Home to a wide range of wildlife, including elk, deer, and upland game birds, the ranch offers exceptional hunting and outdoor activities. With 650± acres of farmland with 230 acres of irrigation rights and a newly built 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home, Pine Butte Ranch offers a rare blend of agricultural potential and natural beauty, ideal for farming and recreation.
Pine Butte Ranch | Ryegate, Montana
Please contact RJ Patterson at (406) 544-6007 | rpatterson@fayranches.com to schedule a showing. This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Fay Ranches, Inc. must be present at all showings, unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties we have listed, please visit our web page at www. fayranches.com.
$5,999,000 Cash
Conventional Financing 1031 Exchange
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.
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