Buck Creek Ranch

Description

Overview: Buck Creek Ranch is an exceptionally structured and well-watered recreational hunting ranch, located in the piney woods of NE Texas. The Cass County property has incredible history of pioneering from the family that has owned it for over 100 years. The 580+/- acres boasts crystal clear springs, most of which, feed a 29+/- acre lake, a wide variety of mature hardwoods, managed plantation pine, diverse plant life and strategically located food plots providing exceptional hunting opportunities for deer, hogs, waterfowl and turkey optimal.

Tucked away in the towering pines of Northeast Texas, is an excellent, historic ranch perfectly setup for hunting, fishing, and recreation. There's something for everyone at Buck Creek Ranch, whether you're into deer and turkey hunting, waterfowl, bass fishing, mountain biking or hiking on nearly 7 miles of trails, or just exploring in the woods, you'll never run out of activities for you and the family. For day trips, one could tour Caddo State Park (only 35 min from ranch) or for some good dining enjoy some BBQ at Joseph's Riverport BBQ in Jefferson, 5-D Cattle Co. Steakhouse in Avinger, or enjoy a nice evening out at Enoch's Stomp Winery in Harleton, TX (45 min from ranch).

Location: Buck Creek Ranch is located at 945 FM 130, ~5 miles west of the quaint town of Linden, Texas, home of Don Henley and only 19 miles SW of Atlanta, TX. From Dallas, the drive is ~ 150 +/- miles (2 hr. 30 min); from Shreveport, the drive is ~64 miles (1 hr and 5 min.).

Airports: Atlanta NDB ATA 347: 18 miles from ranch. Mt. Pleasant Regional Airport KOSA: 39.5 miles from ranch.

History: Buck Creek Ranch is rich with history. The owner's family settled and homesteaded the property back in 1919 and their parents acquired their first tract from her in the early 1930's. They then built a 2-room log cabin overlooking the spring-fed lake. The cabin was built with timbers harvested from the lake site, hewn and milled right there on the property. The family lived here and worked the land through the mid-century years and eventually built the main house out near FM 130. During those years the land took on many different uses from harvesting timber, to sharecropping, then to raising cattle, and eventually planted in pine timber. Along with the original cabin, which has been updated and added onto throughout the years, the original "potato shed" can still be found near the shop SW of the lake. This shed was built to store potatoes, corn, and used as a smokehouse as well. Like most centennial ranches, this one has a unique fingerprint of its predecessors, but plenty of room for new memories for years to come.

Directions: From Dallas- take I-30 east for 114 miles then take exit 160 for US-271/TX 49 toward Mt. Pleasant. Turn south onto US-271 for 0.4 mi then bear left on TX-49 E/W Ferguson Rd. Continue on TX-49 for ~19 mi into Daingerfield. Then left a left on TX-11 E and continue east for 18.5 mi. then take a left onto FM 130. Follow FM 130 to the north for ~1.1 mi., the entrance to the ranch is on the right.

Improvements: Buck Creek Ranch is a turnkey property with 3 homes spread out on the property. The main home is located on the west side of the ranch along FM 130.

Main House- The main home is a 2,500+/- SF (3 BR, 1.5BA) with propane stove and hot water heater, electric HVAC and updated throughout. Along with the main home there is a 46'x16' RV cover and a 30'x20' outbuilding for convenience.

Log Cabin- This was the original homestead of the property, built in 1933 on Skelton Lake, which has been added onto and updated several times since construction. The cabin is ~900+/- SF (1BR, 1BA) and sleep up to 4. It has modern conveniences such as electric stove and water heater, screened in porch, propane heat and wood burning stove. Along with the cabin there is a storage building and fishing pier as well.

Cottage- The cottage (1BR, 1.5 BR) is another home that was added in the 90's overlooking the southcentral portion of Skelton Lake and sleeps 4. It has a full kitchen, screened in porch, new septic system, all electric and also has its own storage building and fishing pier as well.

Shop- 64'x45' Shop on a concrete slab with 64'x22' lean too.

Pole Barn- 64'x60' wood frame

Surface Water: The ranch features exceptional recreational surface water with a 29+ac lake as the centerpiece of the property. Skelton Lake was built in 1929 with mules pulling timber out on sleds and dug with an old dragline. Its builders even had the forethought of putting in a well-built concrete spillway. The lake is stocked with Black Bass, Crappie, Coppernose Bluegill, various other panfish and baitfish and provides an incredible ~1.7 miles of shoreline. The lake also doubles as an excellent resource for waterfowl both in the fall and the spring. Nearly 1,800' of Buck Creek runs through the ranch to feed the lake, then run off on the Northeast boundary. Buck Creek is a substantial, year-round creek that is lined with century old hardwoods, Cypress and Birch trees. An additional 4,000' of spring-fed creeks can be found traversing the ranch providing reliable water for wildlife and recreation.

Wildlife & Fisheries: In terms of wildlife, Buck Creek Ranch has it all. The topography, diverse, and thick cover provides an excellent habitat for deer growth. Native forbs such as beautyberry, green briar, pokeweed, Chickasaw plum, goldenrod, muscadine, and other prime forage can be found across the ranch, mostly in the successional regrowth along the abundant edge and amongst the mature pine. In addition to forbs, soft mast such as wild plum and persimmon are also common. The phenomenal cover also provides habitat for Eastern Turkeys and other animals. There are several prepared food plot areas, and many more that can be easily developed to supplement the native habitat the ranch provides. The property's water assets provide waterfowl hunting opportunities as well.

Along with duck hunting, the 29+/- acre lake also provides incredible bass fishing. Cypress trees were brought in from Caddo decades ago and added around the lake which gives it the unique feel that can only be found in this part of East Texas.

Timber: The ranch not only features incredible recreational attributes, but also income producing ones as well. Buck Creek's ~266+/- acres of 21-year-old plantation Loblolly Pine will be ready for thinning again soon and can potentially provide a new owner with future income for the next ~10-12 years. With ~80 acres in Loblolly Pine that was planted in ~2016, this will be available for supplemental income within the next ~7-9 years as well. The ranch also has near ~185 acres of native hardwood and mixed pine stands which boasts abundant White Oak and Red Oak varieties, Black walnut, Hickory, Dogwood, maple, elm, and some sweet gum. The amount of acorn mast provided by the native oaks on this property is astounding and certainly play a strong role in how wildlife uses this property.

Topography: The topography is undulating throughout the ranch with significant elevation changes surrounding the creeks and ridges on the property. The ranch has a high point of ~390 feet above sea level and a low of ~255 feet above sea level.

Easements: Two main electrical easements: one runs along the north portion of the property and the second through the middle portion of the ranch. There are also two shorter easements for service lines to cabins, shop and main house.

Utilities: Electricity is provided by Bowie Cass Electric Cooperative, and water provided by Western Cass WS and a deep water well.

Taxes: $3,837.33 per the Cass CAD. The ranch has a timber management plan in place and has a timber Ag exemption.

Minerals: Ask Broker for details.

Contact: Stephen Schwartz - Agent, 903-738-7882

Broker & Commission Disclosure: Buyer's Agent/ Broker must be identified upon first contact with Listing Broker/ Listing Agent and Buyer's Agent/ Broker must be present at the initial property tour in order to participate in the real estate commission. Commission splits will be at the sole discretion of Hortenstine Ranch Company, LLC.