Whitetail Haven Ranch

Ovando, Montana
$1,950,000

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This ranch is an excellent offering for buyers interested in a perfect mix of accessibility, wild lands, a good fishery and a luxury home. The acreage fronts on the famed Blackfoot River for over 1.5 miles of both sides and most of the acreage is heavily timbered. The land is situated in such a way that it serves as a funnel for large numbers of wild animals that move between the agricultural ground in the valley and the timbered mountains to the east. Elk, bear, moose and huge numbers of whitetail deer are regulars on the ranch. The home is a large, luxury home featuring oak floors, high ceilings, large decks and a massive kitchen. The Nature Conservancy currently holds a conservation easement protecting the property from development. The home is located one-half mile off the pavement of State Highway 141.

The Whitetail Haven Ranch is located in Powell County, Montana in the Blackfoot River Valley. The property is accessed directly off Highway 200 about an hour’s drive northeast of Missoula, Montana. Delta and Northwest Airlines serve the Missoula airport from their respective hubs in Salt Lake City and Minneapolis with several arrivals and departures each day. Missoula is also served by Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, providing in-state service and non-stop service to the west coast.

The Blackfoot Valley is truly one of the most highly sought-after locations in the Northern Rockies. The valley is in the hands of some of the most prominent conservationists in the world and, as a result, it has maintained its integrity and rural character. Countless ranches in the valley have been placed under conservation easement, forever protecting them from development.

The valley sits at the southern edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, which gives back-country enthusiasts access to over 1.5 million acres of wilderness.
Ovando, located just minutes from the ranch, is a delightfully sleepy town with a post office, general store and the locally famous Trixi’s Antler Saloon. Missoula is about 60 miles away and is the quintessential “college town,” home to the University of Montana. One will find everything imaginable in the way of services there. With over 150 restaurants, numerous theaters and community programs, Missoula is truly a multicultural experience. Snowbowl Ski Area, located about 15 minutes north of Missoula, offers great skiing without overbearing crowds.

Summer is mild with temperatures only occasionally reaching into the 90’s. Spring is variable with rains providing needed moisture for the native range. Fall is arguably the most beautiful time of year with cold nights (20s and 30s) and cool days in the 50s and 60s. The tamaracks, quaking aspens and cottonwoods are vibrant with color in September and October. Winter snow depths average 12-18 inches with temperatures falling below zero at times.


Precipitation Zone

14-16 inches

Whitetail Haven Ranch sits at the mouth of a narrow canyon through which the Blackfoot River flows on its descent from the Continental Divide. The property is accessed from the west via a graveled county road off State Highway 141 (runs north/south). The home sits on a level bench near the tree line north of the county road. The county road follows the south boundary of the property for a short distance past the home where it turns northeast and drops off the bench. This is where two small cabins, owned by others, are located on 1 and 1.5 acres, respectively. At this point, the county road terminates and continues as a private road allowing the Whitetail Haven Ranch owners access to other parts of the property.

The property slopes toward the river and pond north of the house. There are two parcels of State of Montana land in this area within the boundaries of the ranch that are landlocked with no state or public access. An eight-acre pond straddles the west boundary. The river flows in a westerly direction through the property for approximately two miles. The river corridor is heavily vegetated and timbered with cottonwoods and conifers. The southeastern portion of the property slopes up and away from the river to an elevation of just over 5,000 feet above sea level. The lowest elevation of the property is about 4,300 feet near the west boundary where the river exits the property. Some of the property extends north of Highway 200 onto a steep grassy hillside (see map).

The Whitetail Haven Ranch home is a custom designed home. The property surrounding the main residence has mature landscaping and lawns with an underground sprinkler system. The home has three levels totaling 8,900 square feet and is heated by two propane furnaces. There is also a wood stove in the basement and a fireplace on the main level for auxiliary heat.

Main Level:
Oak floors and tongue-and-groove paneling on many walls and ceilings
Formal dining room with recessed accent lighting
Large, open kitchen and family room
Great room with rock fireplace and two-story ceilings
Billiard room with doors to adjacent screened porch
Large deck that spans the back length of the home
Large sun room/living room
Study/exercise room
Laundry room
Half bath

Upper Level:
Sitting/reading area overlooking great room
Two guest bedrooms with shared full bath
Master suite with his and hers walk-in closets, adjoining bath, jacuzzi tub, shower and double vanity

Lower Level:
Large, partial daylight, unfinished basement
Wood stove
Shop
Three-car garage
Carport area

The current owner has used the property as a private residence and hunting and fishing paradise for approximately 10 years.

The property is strategically situated in a migration corridor for a diverse array of wildlife including whitetail deer, mule deer, bears (grizzly and black), mountain lions and elk. Huge numbers of whitetail can be seen daily and bears, in particular, frequent the property.

The Blackfoot River can provide excellent fishing for rainbows, browns and cutthroat trout. The Blackfoot is also one of the last strongholds of the endangered bull trout which can grow upwards of 35 inches. There are also a multitude of fishable small streams and creeks in the area. The pond on the property appears to have excellent fishery enhancement potential.

CONSERVATION EASEMENT

There is a conservation easement in place held by The Nature Conservancy. The easement allows for the construction of one additional residence within a 10-acre radius of the existing home. Full documentation is available upon request.

361±

The sellers may require that a buyer accommodate their need to conduct an I.R.C. Section 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange upon sale.

There are no irrigation or stock water rights associated with the property.

Approximately $3,500 annually.

MANAGEMENT SERVICES – Hall and Hall’s Management Division has a very clear mission – To represent the owner and to ensure that his or her experience is a positive one. Services are customized to suit the owner’s needs. They often begin with the recruiting and hiring of a suitable ranch manager or caretaker and are followed by the development of a management or operating plan along with appropriate budgets. Ongoing services include bill paying, ranch oversight, and consulting services as needed. Even the most sophisticated and experienced ranch owners appreciate the value of a management firm representing them and providing advice on local area practices and costs. Wes Oja and Jerome Chvilicek at (406) 656-7500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (406) 656-7500      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (406) 656-7500      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (406) 656-7500      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (406) 656-7500      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or Randy Clavel at (303) 861-8282 are available to describe and discuss these services in detail and welcome your call.

RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT SERVICES – Increasingly the value of a ranch is measured by the quality of each and every one of its resources. Coincidentally the enhancement of a ranch’s resources also increases the pleasure that one derives from the ownership of a ranch. Our management services have included the assessment of everything from wildlife habitat to bird habitat to water resources and fisheries and the subsequent oversight of the process involved with the enhancement of these resources. Wes Oja or Jerome Chvilicek at (406) 656-7500 are available to describe and discuss these services in detail and welcome your call.

SPECIALIZED LENDING - Over the past 59 years Hall and Hall has created a legacy by efficiently providing capital to the intermountain west. In addition to traditional farm and ranch loans, we specialize in understanding the unique aspects of placing loans on ranches where value may be influenced by recreational features, location and improvements and repayment may come from outside sources. Our extensive experience and strong relationships with our lenders allows us to quickly tell you whether we can provide the required financing.

Competitive Pricing ● Flexible Terms ● Efficient Processing
In-House Appraisals ● Common Sense Underwriting
Dave Roddy ● (406) 656-7500
Mike Hall, Judy Chirila, or Randy Clavel ● (303) 861-8282
Monte Lyons ● (806) 698-6882