Battle RidBOZEMAN, ge Mountain Retreat

Hunting | Ranching | Fly Fishing | Conservation BOZEMAN,Battle MONTANA Rid ge Mountain Retreat

Introduction: Situated on the east flank of the north Bridger Mountains in southwest Montana, the Battle Ridge Mountain Retreat is a rare offering in a neighborhood where property seldom becomes available for purchase. Consisting of 302 deeded acres, this scenic foothill property enjoys spectacular views in a private and secluded alpine setting. The terrain varies from riparian habitat along approximately 1/2 mile of Cache Creek, to lush aspen and fir-covered hillsides to high, timbered ridges. The acreage is home to mule deer, elk, moose, black bear and both blue and ruffed grouse. The property is unimproved, however there is buried power and phone available, a limited trail system, and numerous choice building sites that would offer spectacular views of the Bridger and Crazy Mountain Ranges. Trailheads that access National Forest lands are located a few miles away, skiing at Bridger Bowl is 10 minutes south of the property, and Bozeman, Montana, is a 25-minute drive. The retreat is surrounded by ranchland. The immediate area is one of the most sporting-oriented locations in Montana, renowned for a number of legendary fisheries and world- class hunting options for upland birds, waterfowl and big game. The Battle Ridge Mountain Retreat is a beautiful property located in a mountainous, rural setting that Jeff Shouse, Associate Broker should satisfy all the purchase criteria of any outdoor Cell: 406.580.5078 enthusiast. Offering price is $1,599,000. Toll Free: 866.734.6100 Office: 406.586.6010

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Location: The Battle Ridge Mountain Retreat is located in the Sedan area of the western Shields Valley, approximately 20 miles north of Bozeman, 11 miles west of Wilsall, and 30 miles north of Livingston Montana. Year-round access to the property is by paved State Highway 86, which runs north from Bozeman through Bridger Canyon and into the Upper Shields Valley.

Southwest Montana is considered by many to be one of the most desirable areas in the Treasure State - particularly the region around Bozeman and Livingston. The landscape is characterized by varying geography; lush and productive river valleys, timbered foothill and bench country, large expanses of rolling farm ground, prairie and rangeland, and high-alpine mountainous terrain. The area is touted for its premier recreational opportunities, cultural variety, historical richness, and distinctive western “feel”.

Lying on the northern fringe of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Shields Valley is framed by several prominent mountain ranges. The Bridger Mountains are to the west, the Absaroka Range to the south, and the to the east, with the snowcapped summits of some peaks exceeding 11,000 feet in elevation. The bisects the valley floor and is fed by numerous freestone streams and spring creeks, the majority of which originate from the high-forested slopes of the surrounding mountains. Populations of elk, deer, and moose are frequently seen in the foothills and hayfields around the perimeter of the valley, and the grizzly bear can still be found roaming the forests and peaks of the Absaroka and Crazy Ranges. The Shields Valley is largely rural, having escaped subdivision and urban sprawl. Agriculture is the primary economic activity, centered around both purebred and commercial cattle ranches, as well as large-scale feed crop and grain farming operations.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com www.LiveWaterProperties.com www.LiveWaterProperties.com www.LiveWaterProperties.com Acreage: At an elevation ranging from approximately 5,800’ to 6,600’, the Battle Ridge Mountain Retreat consists of 302.497+ deeded acres. State Highway 86 borders the majority of the property on the east. Running westerly, the acreage quickly gains elevation, with the highest points of the ranch being the western border where the boundary cuts across a high ridge. Willow-lined Cache Creek runs north through the property for an estimated 1/2 mile. The acreage features a diverse mix of small grass meadows, high ridges, heavy conifer forest and scattered stands of aspen trees.

The property has been leased for the last several years to a neighbor for the summer grazing of cow/calf pairs. Average annual precipitation for the general area is estimated at 18-20 inches. There are no existing improvements on the ranch including no perimeter fencing, however there are numerous choice building sites for a residential retreat or a prime hunting cabin. The property also has access to buried power lines and telephone service. Additionally, a limited trail system exists, which could be expanded to provide road access to potential building sites. Expansive panoramic views of the Crazy Mountains to the east, the Bridger Range to the west, and portions of the Shields Valley, are very impressive from the property. Battle Ridge Mountain Retreat also corners on a section of the to the south, providing selective access to additional acres for recreation.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Area: Southwest Montana offers an overwhelming bounty of natural resources. The area is blessed with millions of acres of snowcapped peaks and pristine forests, river riparian ecosystems that include some of the finest wild trout streams on the planet, 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 pursuit is fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, skiing, or any number of other similar activities, the possibilities are limited only by the imagination, and thousands of people flock to Big Sky Country every year to experience outdoor pursuits amidst some of the most magnificent scenery found anywhere in the world.

Bozeman, the largest community in the region with a population of some 40,000 people, is considered the major trade center for all of southwest Montana, serving as county seat for Gallatin County, as well as home to Montana State University with over 15,000 students enrolled. Bozeman offers all major shopping and service related opportunities, many small specialty businesses, art galleries, historic buildings, sporting goods and fly shops, fine restaurants, and a myriad of cultural amenities including the Bozeman Symphony, dinosaur exhibits at the Museum of the Rockies, and the Taylor Planetarium on the campus of MSU. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport at Gallatin Field provides jet service to the area with numerous arrivals and departures daily, facilitated by five commercial airlines, and the adjacent Yellowstone JetCenter is a full service FBO catering to private aircraft.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Area (Continued): With a population of some 7,000 people, Livingston, Montana was established in the 1880s as a major hub for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Today, the community is home to artists, authors, musicians, celebrities, ranchers and fly fishing guides, and largely caters to a tourism-based industry that centers around outdoor recreational pursuits. The town offers a variety of fine restaurants, art galleries, museums, historic buildings and famous fly shops including the renowned Dan Bailey’s, and George Anderson’s Yellowstone Angler. Livingston also has FBO facilities.

The small Shields Valley towns of Clyde Park and Wilsall provide other options to get a good burger or steak. They also offer residents of the Shields Valley with basic services - gas, groceries, post office, elementary and high school, and a few local “watering holes”. Livingston and Bozeman offer more variety if one desires, and they are still an easy driving distance from Battle Ridge Mountain Retreat.

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 probably ever be fished in a lifetime. Seven rivers in Montana have the distinction of being considered the best of the best; designated “blue ribbon” status, and five of these - the West Gallatin, Big Hole, Madison, Missouri and Yellowstone are all within an hour and a half drive of Bozeman. Other notable fisheries in this area include the Stillwater, Boulder, Shields, Ruby, and Beaverhead Rivers, as well as the enormous diversity of Yellowstone National Park waters. The world-class O’Hair and Depuy sections of Armstrong Spring Creek, and Nelson’s Spring Creek in the Paradise Valley, the lesser known but fabulous spring creek fisheries in the Gallatin Valley, and several high-mountain lakes and streams are all located within an hour and a half drive from the Battle Ridge Mountain Retreat.

Cache Creek supports a population of small rainbow/cutthroat hybrids as well as a few brook trout. Nearby Brackett, Carrol and Flathead Creeks also support small trout fisheries. The upper Shields River is a 20-minute drive east of the property, meandering 65 miles from its origins in the north Crazies, to its confluence with the Yellowstone River east of Livingston. The river offers a compelling mix of prime trout habitat - braided channels, enticing riffles, undercut banks, deep pools and tapering runs - and supports a mixed fishery consisting of cutthroat, rainbow, brook and brown trout. The river is lightly fished, and the resident trout are generally very opportunistic and receptive to eating a variety of imitative and attractor dry, emerger, nymph and streamer fly patterns.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Wildlife & Hunting: Some of Montana’s best hunting opportunities are found in the southwest portion of the state. The mountains and plains comprising the region harbor all the recognized big game species in Montana, including elk, white-tailed and mule deer, antelope, black and grizzly bear, mountain lion, moose, bighorn sheep and rocky mountain goats. Waterfowl and upland wing shooting is also 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 of the same day.

The Battle Ridge Mountain Retreat supports a varied wildlife community that includes mule deer, elk, moose, black bear and two species of mountain grouse. The property enjoys good water distribution and offers the right mixes of habitat regimes preferred by game - west and south-facing hillside for forage, heavily timbered north slopes for bedding and security cover. Numerous deer and elk have been harvested on the property over the last several years, and any number of potential building sites would allow an owner to walk out the front door to hunt. The ranch lies in Montana deer and elk Hunting District 393, which allows for harvest of either brow-tined bull or antlerless elk. An unlimited number of “B” licenses for antlerless elk are also available through a special drawing in this district, allowing the possibility of harvesting two elk per season. The big game early archery season generally runs from the first week of September until the middle of October, and the general season typically runs from the third week of October through the end of November.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com www.LiveWaterProperties.com www.LiveWaterProperties.com www.LiveWaterProperties.com Recreation: Skiing opportunities are only a few minutes from the Battle Ridge Mountain Retreat. is located just 5 miles south of the property, offering 75 runs and covering 2,000 acres on the Gallatin National Forest. The Bohart Ranch, which is adjacent to Bridger Bowl, has 30 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails. Big Sky Ski and Summer Resort is situated south of Bozeman in the Gallatin Canyon, and it comprises over 5,800 acres that includes 300 runs on four mountains. The region also offers millions of acres of public lands in the form of National Forest, Designated Wilderness, State of Montana and Bureau of Land Management that are easily accessible to hikers, campers, horse enthusiasts, and other outdoor adventurers.

Water & Mineral Rights: The seller will convey/transfer all appurtenant water and mineral rights, if any, at closing, however the seller makes no representations or warranties concerning current status or validity of any of these rights. Independent investigation of both items is recommended to any prospective purchaser.

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Summary The Battle Ridge Mountain Retreat combines solitude and privacy, tremendous views, a healthy wildlife community, quality hunting, grazing options, and reasonable proximity to several southwest Montana communities. The ranch corners on the Gallatin National Forest and is close to several trailheads that access the backcountry. As an unimproved property this offering is an open canvas for a new owner wishing to create a special Montana retreat. Conservation easement potential is also a possibility. The Battle Ridge Mountain Retreat represents a unique property located in a spectacularly beautiful southwest Montana setting. PRICE: $1,599,000 TAXES: $313 in 2015

CONTACT: Jeff Shouse, Associate Broker Cell: 406.580.5078 Toll Free: 866.734.6100 | Office: 406.586.6010 This is an exclusive co-listing with Joel Shouse at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Ranch Properties

www.LiveWaterProperties.com Battle Rid geMaps Mountain are for visual aid only ~ accuracy Retreat is not guaranteed. Location Map

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. Battle RidMaps ge areMountain for visual aid only ~ accuracy Retreat is not guaranteed. Aerial Map Battle Rid geMaps Mountainare for visual aid only ~ accuracy Retreat is not guaranteed. Terrain Map Battle Rid geMaps Mountain are for visual aid only ~ accuracy Retreat is not guaranteed. Location Map Battle Rid geMaps Mountainare for visual aid only ~ accuracy Retreat is not guaranteed. Terrain Map