Gurnett Creek Ranch Provides Privacy and Seclusion in an End-Of-The-Road Rural Ranch Setting

GurnettBroadwater Creek County, Montana Ranch

Fly Fishing | Hunting | Ranching | Conservation BroadwaterGurnett CreekCounty, Montana Ranch

Introduction: Situated on the western flank of the Big Belt Mountains, 19 miles northeast of Townsend, Montana, the 820-acre Gurnett Creek Ranch provides privacy and seclusion in an end-of-the-road rural ranch setting. Comprised of dryland hay meadows, grass pasture and stands of fir, pine and aspen trees, the property is home to diverse wildlife including deer, elk and game birds. Gurnett Creek flows through the ranch for more than 1 mile supporting a modest brook trout fishery, and there is also a stocked trout pond. The upper Missouri River and Canyon Ferry Reservoir are within a short driving distance, offering angling opportunities ranging from brown and rainbow trout to yellow perch and record-class walleye. Improvements include a 2,600 sqft log home and several outbuildings historically used in conjunction with a commercial elk farm operation. The Gurnett Creek Ranch corners the Helena National Forest and is in southwest Montana, an area rich with a variety of high-caliber recreational possibilities. Panoramic mountain views from the upper hay meadows are incredible. Numerous choice building sites are open for an additional home. With strong sporting and agricultural Jeff Shouse, Broker • Cell: 406.580.5078 features, the Gurnett Creek Ranch could serve as a year- Craig Janssen, Montana Managing Broker round residence, summer retreat, corporate getaway, small Toll Free: 866.734.6100 Office: 406.586.6010 cattle or horse property or guest ranch operation.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Location: The Gurnett Creek Ranch is nestled in the foothills of the Belt Mountains about 19 road miles northeast of Townsend, Montana. Access is via paved State Highway 284 for approximately 12 miles, and then graveled and dirt county designated road for another seven. The county road ends at the front gate of the ranch, creating a private and secluded setting.

Area: Broadwater County in southwestern Montana spans The region offers premier recreational opportunities, rich a geographic area of 1,240 square miles. The region is history, and a quality and relaxed rural lifestyle. Townsend comprised of highly-productive irrigated and dryland serves as the county seat and provides most small-town farms, sprawling cattle ranches, timbered foothill and services. Helena, Montana’s state capital, lies 32 miles north bench terrain, expanses of prairie and rangeland, and of Townsend, while Bozeman is roughly 60 miles southeast. high-alpine mountainous areas. Many mountain streams Both cities offer shopping and major services, restaurants, feed the upper Missouri River as it winds north from its medical facilities, cultural opportunities and first-class headwaters to Canyon Ferry Reservoir — the first major airports. In addition, Montana State University is located in impoundment on the Missouri system. The mountains Bozeman, and Helena is home to Carroll College. and plains are home to a compelling diversity of wildlife.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Acreage: The Gurnett Creek Ranch comprises approximately 820 a high perimeter fence and limited fee hunting. contiguous deeded acres in an end-of-the-road setting, and the northeast corner of the property abuts the Helena The current owner acquired the ranch as a retreat and National Forest. The property consists has spent time, effort and financial of fir and pine timbered hillsides and resources in converting the property ridges, aspen-filled draws and large from a commercial livestock operation grass hay meadows and pasture. It was back to its more natural state. The tame selectively logged in places, which has elk and high fences are gone, and there resulted in more grass for wildlife. For has been limited cattle grazing on the several years leading up to 2005, the property in recent years, primarily to property was operated as a commercial elk ranch — with properly manage the grass resource while leaving plenty

www.LiveWaterProperties.com of forage for the elk and deer. Elevations on the property range from approximately 5,000ʹ to over 5,800.ʹ Average annual precipitation for the area is estimated at 16 to 18.˝ Year-round Gurnett Creek flows through for more than 1 mile, entering the ranch from the east and exiting by the southwest boundary. Views from the higher ridges are dramatic, because the Big Belt Mountains stand prominently on the eastern horizon while the Elkhorns are visible to the west. In addition to the Gurnett Creek Road, the ranch can be accessed from Duck Creek Road, which runs through the northwest corner of the ranch.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com www.LiveWaterProperties.com Improvements: The residence was built in 1992 with massive 18˝ to 26˝ Tamarack logs. The 2,688 sqft home includes three bedrooms, three baths, a large kitchen, dining area, living room, recreation/family room, office and storage space. Enjoy the large deck outside. The creek is located near the western side of the house, and the trout pond is west of the creek. Power and telephone lines run to the house and domestic water is from a well. The bulk of the outbuildings are located about a half mile south of the log home, on a bench near the ranch’s entrance. Included is an open- sided hay barn that can store an estimated 700 tons, a 154ʹ x 40ʹ metal building with concrete floor, an attached 10ʹ x 60ʹ lean-to and a 40ʹ x 54ʹ attached metal building. There is one other building that measures 64ʹ x 105.ʹ Across the creek and west of the house is a pole barn built in 1940. All of the outbuildings are in fair to good condition.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Live Water: Gurnett Creek flows through the ranch for more than 1 mile and supports a fishable population of brook trout. Holding water is at a premium in the creek and enhancement measures to create more of this type of habitat could substantially increase fish densities. The upper reaches of the drainage also support viable populations of west slope cutthroat trout — a native fish in Montana and also a threatened species of special concern. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has expressed an interest in enhancing this population in Gurnett Creek and has approached the owner of the ranch in this regard.

In addition to Gurnett Creek, the ranch has a small trout pond that has been stocked with fish. The pond is approximately 1/3 of an acre and 12 feet deep. Two hundred brook trout in the four-inch range were stocked in 2008.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Recreation: Montana offers an overwhelming bounty of natural resources. It’s blessed with millions of acres that include snowcapped peaks and pristine forests, river riparian ecosystems with exceptional trout streams, vast expanses of prairie and plains, and a wildlife community that in terms of density and diversity most likely exceeds any other region in the continental United States. Whether the activity is fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, skiing or any number of others, the possibilities are limited only by the imagination.

Hunting: Some of Montana’s best hunting opportunities can be found throughout the southwest area of the state. The mountains and plains comprising the region harbor all the recognized big game species of Montana, including elk, whitetail and mule deer, antelope, black and grizzly bear, mountain lion, moose, Bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goats. Waterfowl and upland wingshooting is superb in this area with the possibility of decoying ducks and geese in the morning, then hunting for Hungarian partridge, pheasant and grouse in the afternoon. Elk and deer are commonly seen on Gurnett Creek Ranch. Not as frequent but possible would be sightings of black bear, antelope and moose. There are also turkey, Hungarian partridge and grouse in the neighborhood. This property lies in elk/deer district 391; it would be realistic to annually harvest elk and deer on the property. The Helena National Forest provides thousands of public acres on which to recreate as well.

Nearby Live Water: Montana’s trout streams are legendary in quantity, Canyon Ferry is also home to large populations of yellow quality and scale, and the state arguably contains more perch and walleye, and these species are avidly pursued premier water than could be fished in a lifetime. Seven in both open water and through the ice. Walleyes over rivers in Montana have the distinction of being labeled 15 pounds have been caught in the reservoir, and it is with “blue ribbon” status — simply the “best of the best.” commonly believed that there are state record fish Five of these waters are within a one to two-hour drive of present. A couple of campgrounds with improved boat Gurnett Creek Ranch and include the Big Hole, Gallatin, ramps are situated on the east side of the lake, close to Madison, Missouri and Upper Yellowstone Rivers. The the ranch. Missouri River enters Canyon Ferry Reservoir a few miles north of Townsend. This part of the river experiences In addition to the larger rivers in the area, several smaller excellent spawning runs of rainbow trout in the spring, mountain streams offer possibilities for the adventurous and fall runs of brown trout from the reservoir, offering angler who seeks the solitude commonly associated with shots at huge fish. In addition to the trout opportunities, spots off the beaten path.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Summary The Gurnett Creek Ranch represents a rare and unique opportunity. Mountain acreages close to National Forest with water amenities and wildlife are becoming difficult to find for purchase in Montana, much less in the highly- desirable southwest portion of the Treasure State. This is a stunning piece of ground located in a wonderful yet sparsely-populated region. The ranch is ideally suited for any number of uses — private or corporate retreat, guest ranch or a working cattle/horse ranch. Considering there are no restrictions where there is development appeal, the ranch could have conservation easement potential. With gorgeous views, excellent water, diverse wildlife, privacy and stewardship potential, Gurnett Creek Ranch is a strong investment opportunity.

PRICE: $1.7M, Was $1.995M TAXES: $3,395 in 2012

CONTACT: Jeff Shouse, Broker • Cell: 406.580.5078 Craig Janssen, Montana Managing Broker Toll Free: 866.734.6100 Office: 406.586.6010

Notes: 1) This is an exclusive listing of Live Water Properties LLC; an agent of Live Water Properties must be present to conduct a showing. The owners respectfully request that other agents and/or prospective buyers contact Live Water Properties in advance to schedule a proper showing and do not attempt to tour or trespass the property on their own. Thank you. 2) Offering subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information provided herein is intended as a general guideline and has been provided by sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy of which we cannot guarantee. 3) Live Water Properties LLC represents the Seller as a Seller’s Agent.

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