ShieldsLIVINGSTON, River Ranch

Hunting | Ranching | Fly Fishing | Conservation LIVINGSTON,Shields River MONTANA Ranch

Introduction: Situated 20 minutes from Livingston and 45 minutes from Bozeman, Montana, in the scenic Shields Valley, the Shields River Ranch offers 894± acres of prime production and recreational property in a serene setting. Excellent water rights and pivot and flood irrigation facilitate good hay and grain crops, attracting a variety of wildlife to the property including partridge, pheasant, ducks, geese, deer and antelope. Fronting nearly 2 miles of the meandering Shields River, this ranch offers unpressured fishing for brown and rainbow trout. Improvements are minimal, creating an open canvas with choice building sites scattered throughout the ranch. The Shields River Ranch is platted into eight parcels suggesting the possibility of conservation easement options. In addition, the famous fisheries of Yellowstone National Park are located 45 miles from the ranch via the north entrance of the Park at Gardiner. The surrounding area is one of the most sporting-oriented locations in Montana, renowned for a number of legendary fisheries and world- class hunting options for birds and big game. The Shields River Ranch has spectacular views of three mountain ranges, a large stretch of frontage on a trout stream, varied Jeff Shouse, Broker • Cell: 406.580.5078 hunting opportunities and strong agricultural features — Craig Janssen, Broker including an income-producing lease in place. The ranch Toll Free: 866.734.6100 Office: 406.586.6010 is a gem situated in one of the most desirable valleys in southwest Montana.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Location: The Shields River Ranch is located a convenient five miles fringe of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and running south of Clyde Park and 15 miles northeast of Livingston, south from Livingston, the Paradise Valley is framed by Montana. The property is accessed via Fiddle Creek Road, two prominent mountain ranges — the Absarokas to 1/2 mile west of State Highway 89, which runs north and the east, and the Gallatin range to the west — with the south through the Shields Valley. The property has year- snowcapped summits of certain peaks exceeding 10,000 round access off a graveled county road. feet in elevation. The bisects the valley floor and is fed by numerous freestone streams and spring Southwest Montana, and particularly the area around creeks, the majority of which originate from the high, Livingston, is considered by many to be one of the most forested slopes of the surrounding mountains. Populations desirable addresses in the Treasure State. This region is of elk, deer and moose are frequently seen in the foothills characterized by varying geography; productive irrigated and hayfields around the perimeter of the valley, and river valleys, timbered foothill and bench country, large grizzlies can still be found roaming the forests and peaks expanses of rolling prairie and rangeland, and high-alpine of the Absaroka and Gallatin Ranges. mountainous terrain. The area is touted for its recreational opportunities, cultural variety, historical richness, and To the northeast of Livingston lies the Shields Valley, cradled distinctive “Western” feel. Situated on the northern by the Gallatin Range to the west and the

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Location: (Continued) to the east. Tributaries from both mountain ranges feed the galleries, museums, historic buildings and famous fly shops Shields River, which meanders 65 miles from its origins in including the renowned Dan Bailey’s, as well as George the north Crazies to its confluence with the Yellowstone Anderson’s Yellowstone Angler. Bozeman, the largest River, roughly eight miles south of the ranch and six miles community in the area with a population of some 38,000 downstream from Livingston. Unlike the Paradise Valley, is located approximately 23 miles to the west on Interstate the Shields Valley remains largely 90 and is the major trade center rural. Agriculture is still the primary of southwest Montana as well as economic activity, centered around home to Montana State University. both purebred and commercial Bozeman provides major shopping cattle ranches, as well as large and service-related opportunities, farming operations. The towns of many specialty shops and fine Clyde Park and Wilsall provide basic dining establishments, and cultural services, however Livingston offers much more variety. amenities including the Bozeman Symphony, dinosaur exhibits at the Museum of the Rockies and the Taylor Livingston was established in the 1880s as a major hub for Planetarium. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport the Northern Pacific Railroad, and today has a population at Gallatin Field provides jet service facilitated by six of 7,000. The town offers a mix of fine restaurants, art commercial airlines.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com www.LiveWaterProperties.com www.LiveWaterProperties.com Property & Improvements: The Shields River Ranch consists of approximately 894 winter wheat, and does some limited aftermath grazing. contiguous deeded acres, and is platted into eight separate Both pivot and flood irrigation are utilized on the cultivated parcels, suggesting the possibility of ground east of the Shields River conservation easement options. Four Road. In two cuttings off the pivot, of the parcels directly border the irrigated hay will yield approximately river. The property is also bordered 3 to 3.5 tons, and 2012 yields on the on three sides by county road, and the grain ran from 40 to 70 bushels per Shields River Road runs north and acre. The flood-irrigated ground has south through the western quarter historically yielded 2.5 to 3 tons per of the ranch. The Shields River flows acre on one cutting. The west side of along the western edge and Fiddle the road comprises 60 acres of hay in Creek runs through the property, as does the Lower Shields two fields that are flood irrigated but not fertilized. These Valley Ditch. The topography is rolling and slopes from are older stands of hay that need reseeding, but historically north to south. The river is lined with cottonwoods, as is have produced 3 tons per acre on one cutting. In 2012 much of Fiddle Creek, and the views of the Mountains — approximately 127 acres were flood-irrigated grass/alfalfa, the Crazies to the east, the Absarokas to the south and the 247 acres were pivot-irrigated alfalfa, and 126 acres were Bridgers to the northwest — are dramatic. seeded to grain under pivot-irrigation. The balance of the ranch is pasture ground, including 70+/- acres of crested The house on the property is modest and currently leased on wheat. Aftermath grazing begins in October on the grain a month-to-month basis. Built in 1929, it is approximately and hay ground east of the road, and then in December on 1,200 sqft with two bedrooms and one bath. the west pastures. The cattle are removed in January.

The agricultural component of the ranch is currently being The general condition of the perimeter and cross-fences leased to a neighbor who grows alfalfa, both spring and range from fair to excellent.

Water Rights & Irrigation: The Shields Valley Ranch has excellent water rights, both in terms of volume and priority date, and is the largest water user in Lower Shields Valley Ditch Company with 450 shares/724 miners inches. Decreed water rights include 375 miners inches for irrigation, plus stock water. Water cost for 2013 is estimated to be $635.00. There are three Valley center pivots to irrigate the majority of cropland. All three are electric and in good condition. Water is pumped from the Shields Valley Ditch via Cornell centrifuge electric pumps — a 20hp for the north pivot and 2-40hp for the middle pivot. The south pivot is mainly gravity fed, however it does utilize a small electric booster pump as needed. Total 2012 electric cost for the irrigation system was $7,542.95. The ditch water runs from May 15 to September 15.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Live Water — The Shields River: The Shields River is relatively unknown by the majority of until its confluence with the Yellowstone River, the Shields anglers who frequent this trout-rich part of Montana. One of has more meanders, less velocity, and deeper pools. This the primary reasons for this is that it simply doesn’t receive portion of the river runs through pasture and cropland and fishing pressure — principally due to access complications. tends to be more productive from a fisheries standpoint Much of the river flows through private deeded land, and despite increased sedimentation from agriculture and while it can be legally accessed at county road and state elevated summer water temperatures. Although the highway bridge crossings, or by landowner permission, volume of the river is augmented by numerous tributaries many people elect to avoid the hassle. as it runs south through the Shields Valley, dewatering becomes more of an issue on the lower river, and some Considered a small- to medium-sized river by Montana sections experience less flow and increased moss growth standards, the Shields originates high in the Crazy during the irrigation season. Despite these conditions, the Mountains, where the upper drainage catches water from quality of the fishery has remained good over the years. several mountain creeks. Once the stream reaches the Run-off with typical snow pack starts in April and winds valley floor near Wilsall, and for the remainder of its course down by mid to late July.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com www.LiveWaterProperties.com Live Water — The Shields River: (Continued) The three main trout species in the round; mayfly and caddis larval Shields are the native Yellowstone imitations work well in the riffles, cutthroat, brown trout and rainbow while sculpin patterns and general trout — all naturally reproducing, attractor streamers such as wooly wild fish. Additionally, brook buggers, will take the larger trout trout can be found in a few places in the deeper pools and holding lies — generally near feeder creeks along undercut banks. The largest that support the species — as can fish from the river are caught on mountain whitefish. The farther downstream, the more streamers in the fall. Current regulations allow year-round browns make up the population due to habitat conditions. fishing on the river, with catch and release mandatory for Consistent insect hatches begin in late May and usually cutthroat all season and all other trout from December 1 to run through mid-September. For the bulk of late spring, the third Saturday in May. summer and early autumn, excellent dry fly fishing can be experienced using a variety of adult-phase, imitative and The ranch fronts on approximately 2 miles of meandering attractor patterns for hatches that include midges, blue- water with an interesting mix of shallow riffles, undercut winged olive, baetis, trico and pale morning mayfly duns, banks, deep pools and runs, offering a variety of fishing and several genus of caddis. Mid-summer through early water. Brown trout are most common, but rainbow and fall is terrestrial time, with grasshopper, ant and beetle mountain whitefish are also available. Fish up to 18˝ are patterns taking many fish on the surface. Nymph and typical, and several dozen trout in a morning’s outing would streamer presentations are particularly effective all year- be possible on the river portion bordering the ranch.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Nearby Live Water: Montana’s trout streams are legendary in quantity, quality and scale, and the state arguably contains more premier water than could be fished in a lifetime. Seven rivers in Montana have the distinction of “blue ribbon” status — simply the “best of the best.” In addition to the fishing possibilities in the Shields River, the ranch is within 90 minutes of four Blue Ribbon designated trout streams — the Yellowstone, Gallatin, Madison and Missouri Rivers, as well as fabled trout waters such as the Stillwater, the Boulder and the enormous diversity of Yellowstone National Park’s waters. The O’Hair and Depuy sections of Armstrong Spring Creek, and Nelson Spring Creek — both world-renowned trout fisheries — are within 30 minutes of the property, and there are several private fee-fishing lakes and ponds located in the area that offer the chance to cast to eight to ten pound trout. As well, the 921,000-acre Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area south of the ranch, and the lands in the Bridger and Crazy Mountains are teeming with high alpine lakes and crystal clear mountain streams.

Wildlife Resources: Shields River Ranch is home to diverse wildlife. Whitetail deer are thick on the ranch, and it is not uncommon to see hundreds on the hay and grain fields on a summer evening. Herds of mule deer and antelope are also seen with regularity, along with an occasional elk and moose along the river. Ducks and geese are commonly seen on the river and adjacent beaver ponds. The ranch also supports several coveys of Hungarian partridge and a number of pheasants. The occasional Ruffed grouse can be flushed in the brush along the river. Pheasants could do very well on the ranch with proper management. The food and water is in place; a reduction in grazing would enhance native grass cover increasing the number of birds.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Hunting: Excellent hunting opportunities are found in southwestern Montana. The mountains and plains comprising the region harbor all the recognized big game species, 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 also superb in this area with the possibility of decoying ducks and geese in the morning, and then hunting for Hungarian partridge, pheasant and grouse in the afternoon.

Recreation: Montana offers an overwhelming bounty of natural resources. It’s blessed with millions of acres of snowcapped peaks and pristine forests, river riparian ecosystems cradling some fine trout streams, vast expanses of prairie and plains, and a wildlife community that in terms of density and variety most likely exceeds any other region in the continental . Whether the activity is fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, skiing or any number of others, the possibilities are limited only by the imagination. People flock to Big Sky Country every year to experience outdoor pursuits amid the most magnificent scenery found anywhere in the world.

Skiing options include Bridger Bowl, only 16 miles northeast of Bozeman, offering 60 runs and covering 2,000 acres on the Gallatin National Forest; the Bohart Ranch, which is located adjacent to Bridger Bowl and has 30 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails; and Big Sky Ski and Summer Resort, which is 43 miles south of Bozeman and contains over 3,600 acres that include 122 trails on three mountains.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Summary The Shields River Ranch represents a fantastic opportunity to acquire a recreational property of the highest caliber, in one of the most revered areas of southwest Montana. This is one of the largest stretches of Shields River frontage that has come on the market in several years, and this particular piece is unique. With a wonderful location, a substantial agricultural component, spectacular setting and views, conservation easement possibilities, prime frontage on a quality trout stream, and varied hunting amenities, this ranch offers something for everyone.

PRICE: $3,800,000, Was $4,995,000 TAXES: $4,046 in 2014

CONTACT: Jeff Shouse,Associate Broker • Cell: 406.580.5078 Craig Janssen, Associate 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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