Hickory Valley Ranch

Description

PROPERTY OVERVIEW: 

Hickory Valley Ranch is a 301+/- acre, high-fenced recreational property found in the northeastern portion of highly sought-after Cooke County in North Texas. The property is 16+/- miles by way of US Highway 82, paved FM 371 and County Road 127 from downtown Gainesville, TX. This impressive property offers scenic terrain with dramatic topography and big views, numerous potential building sites, expansive hardwood forests, native bluestem pastureland, 40+/- acres of tillable acreage, 1.55+/- miles of both sides of perennial Hickory Creek, superior whitetail genetics, 2.09+/- miles of game fence, multiple homesites, several potential pond/ lake/ waterfowl impoundment sites and outstanding wildlife habitat. It is especially rare in this area to find a ranch of this size and quality with limited improvements. Hickory Valley represents a unique opportunity to own a trophy recreational ranch within 80 miles of the DFW-metroplex in an exceptional location.

TERRAIN: The land is marked by a scenic transition from east to west going through the Hickory Creek valley. Elevations range from 757’ on the NE side of the property to 641’ where Hickory Creek exits the property. Total elevation change is 116 feet. Picturesque points and oak covered hills provide scenic views and deep drainages provide potential pond/ small lake sites making the property feel larger than it is. Hickory Creek is a key feature with long stretches of clear water and diverse riparian areas extending for well over a mile.

TREE COVER & WILDLIFE HABITAT: Approximately 30% of the ranch is in native grass with an abundance of little bluestem. 55% of the property is scattered to heavily wooded. 15% is in cultivation/ wildlife food plots. Trees include red oak, blackjack oak, post oak, pecan, sycamore, hickory, walnut, elm, cottonwood and redbud. Brush and beneficial browse for wildlife include sand plum, greenbrier, and blackberries. The diversity of vegetation provides a pleasant landscape for wildlife. Cattle have not grazed on this property for years, allowing for an abundance of grass.

WATER FEATURES: Hickory Creek is a live-water and perennial creek that runs through the middle of the ranch for approximately 1.55+/- miles with long stretches of clear water. There are numerous seasonal/wet-weather creek drainages that run water into Hickory Creek and ultimately the Red River. A 1+/- acre, centrally located pond is complemented by two smaller ponds providing water for wildlife and livestock. These ponds provide fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. Several drainages appear to be prime sites for potential ponds/ small lakes. Additionally, there are locations for to create waterfowl habitat, both flooded timber and also in the cultivated field.

WILDLIFE: The abundance and quality of wildlife on the Hickory Valley Ranch is impressive. The subject 301+/- acres is a portion of a 1,716+/- acre game-fenced ranch. Deer, turkey, hogs, dove ducks, geese, predators, songbirds are plentiful. Hunting pressure has been light. Several of the harvested deer shown in the photos speak to the quality of the deer herd. Rio Grande turkeys can be numerous in this part of Cooke County. Waterfowl populations are typically very good on the ponds and geese visit the wheat field. Bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, owls, hawks, dove, bats, bald eagles, woodpeckers, falcons and over 315 different vertebrate species are native to the Red River Valley and may be seen on Hickory Valley.

WHITETAIL DEER HERD: Some deer genetics were brought in years ago to enhance the high-quality native genetics. Property is in the Managed Lands Deer Program through the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. There are typically 10-14 buck permits and 10-14 doe permits issued annually based on spotlight deer counts. Buck: doe ratio is believed to be close to 1 buck: 1 doe. High-quality bucks in the 180+ B&C class have been recently seen on the ranch. The largest buck harvested on the ranch scored 232 B&C in the winter of 2018.

There are several Texas Hunter Products protein feeders, corn feeders and hunting blinds included with the sale.

GAME FENCE: A little over 2 miles of game fence is currently in place on the north, east and west sides of the property. There is .64 miles of game fence that will likely need to be built on the south boundary, as this is the northern portion of a larger 1716+/- acre ranch. Fencing is in good condition with a substantial water gap.

ROAD FRONTAGE & INTERIOR ROADS: The ranch fronts on quiet FM 371 for approximately 0.34+/- miles. The entrance currently utilized is on the neighbor’s property so a new entrance needs to be built. A concrete, low-water crossing provides access across Hickory Creek with a good system of interior roads.

AREA HISTORY: 200 years ago, the line between eastern, agrarian Caddo tribes and the violent, nomadic Comanche’s of the west was a stark boundary found in Cooke County. Heavily timbered forests lay to the East, with ample rainfall to support agricultural efforts. To the west, seemingly infinite open, grass prairies were home to enormous populations of bison, deer and elk. Wars were waged along this line, in hopes of asserting claim to the boundless game, the deep canyons, elevated camp sites and opportunity found here. Incorporated in 1848, the county was named after a hero of the Texas Revolution, William McKinley Cooke, who fought at the Battle of San Jacinto and served as Chief Clerk of War for the Republic of Texas. Later, the Butterfield Overland Mail Route would cross this part of North Texas, carrying mail and wealthy passengers from St. Louis, Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee along some 2,800 miles to San Francisco. Today, the countryside still exudes the same wild nature that appealed to past civilizations.

AIRPORTS: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is a full-service international airport located 7 +/- miles south of Hickory Valley. Gainesville Municipal Airport (GLE) is only 19+/- miles southeast of the ranch. This public airport averages 67+/- aircrafts per day with two (2) runways measuring 6,000’ X 100’ and 4,307’ X 75’.

DIRECTIONS FROM DALLAS CITY (1-hour, 15-minute drive): Take I-35 north to Exit 498 going east on Highway 82 toward Sherman, TX. After 4 miles on Hwy 82, turn left (north) on FM 371. The entrance gate to the ranch will be 8+/- miles to the north and on your right.

O&G MINERALS: Surface only. O&G production is owned by Sydri Energy Group. There is little production activity on this property with a couple old pipelines crossing the creek and one inoperative pumpjack. Activity is minor and not believed to have a substantial impact on the quality of the property.

ELECTRICITY: Pentex Energy is the primary electric provider in the area. Brazos Electric built a private grid for the Walnut Bend Unit to the south which is owned and controlled by the O&G Operator. There are no provisions for the surface owner to tap into this infrastructure.

GROUND WATER: Water wells are common in this area and ground water is believed to be high quality. Most wells appear to be 800-1000 feet in the Trinity Aquifer.

SCHOOL DISTRICT: Callisburg School District.

PROPERTY TAXES: The property taxes for 2024 were estimated to be approximately $347.64.

PRICE: $3,278,750 ($10,750 per acre)

CONTACT:

Blake Hortenstine – Partner/Broker, 214-616-1305 mobile, blake@hrcranch.com

Chris Wengierski  – Agent, 214-707-3474 mobile, chrisw@hrcranch.com

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.

All information is deemed reliable, but is not warranted by Hortenstine Ranch Company, LLC. All information is subject to change without prior notice.