Marks Ranch

Description

Description

Location: Located 11.5+/- miles northeast of Hamilton, Texas, and 18.5+/- miles south of Hico, Texas, the Marks Ranch is approximately 2 hours southwest of Dallas, 1 hour 45 minutes southwest of Ft. Worth, and 2 hours north of Austin.

Directions: From Dallas or Ft. Worth, take US 67 and TX 220 to TX 6 in Hico. Turn right on TX 6 and continue west to the intersection of US 281. Turn left on US 281 and continue south 0.8 miles to FM 1602 on left. Proceed south on FM 1602, 16 miles to Hamilton County Road 222 on right. Follow CR 222 for approximately 2 miles and the ranch will be on the right.

From Austin, take US 183 and US 281 to the north side of Hamilton and FM 2905 on the right. Proceed northeast on FM 2905, 6 miles to Hamilton County Road 223 on the right. Follow CR 223 for 1.4 miles to its intersection into CR 222. Turn left on CR 222 and continue 3 miles to the ranch on the left.

Description: The Marks Ranch is a highly desirable recreational property that features rolling topography, big views, numerous building sites, multiple named creeks, abundant wildlife, and prime wildlife habitat. Experience the satisfaction of private ranch ownership while you hunt, fish, drive trails, make plans to build your hunting cabin or ranch home, watch the sun set over a distant horizon, or observe a star-filled night in the country. Rounding out the property, you'll appreciate the additional privacy and seclusion provided by large neighboring ranches to the west (850+/- acres) and north (1,992+/- acres).

Terrain: The majority of cedar was cleared just over a year ago, opening the landscape to reveal large groups of oak and elm hardwoods, a surprising and visually engaging amount of roll to the land, and a significant increase to the amount of water that drains through the property in wet conditions. Moreover, these cleared areas were aerially re-seeded with native grasses to promote the desired habitat and prevent soil erosion. Ranging in elevations from approximately 1000' near the bank of the Leon River to 1125' along a ridge that extends into the heart of the property, a total of 125'+/- of elevation change occurs across the ranch. Hilltop building sites with 360 degrees views, those tucked among live oaks, or a combination of the two, are found in numerous locations. Tree cover consists of good stands of live oak and elm hardwoods, numerous scattered oak motts, Spanish oak, mesquite, and hackberry.

Wildlife & Hunting: Located in the middle of the Leon River Wildlife Management Association, an area of 47,000+/- acres with many like-minded land owners working together and in connection with the TPWD to improve the wildlife resources of their properties, the Marks Ranch has not only benefited from the wildlife habitat enhancement efforts of the owner, but from similar efforts of ranch owners in the general area. This area along the Leon River valley is known for producing some real trophies and the property has only been lightly bow hunted in the last 4-5 years. In addition to quality native deer, there is no shortage of Rio Grande turkey, hog, or varmint. As you would expect in the "Dove Capital of Texas," dove hunting on the ranch can be outstanding and a fenced 9+/- acre field has been established in sunflower in past years.

Wildlife Habitat: Numerous perennial tree and shrub forms of woody plant browse are found throughout the ranch and include species such as shin oak, red oak, mesquite, cedar elm, hackberry, bumelia, elbowbush, and sumac, along with vine forms such as greenbriar and Virginia creeper. In addition, there are native sunflower, grasses, and forbs common to the area. The 9+/- acre field would make a great combination wildlife food plot with winter wheat/oats planted in September-October for deer season and sunflower in April-June for dove season. The property's southwest corner is at the bank of the Leon River and while it doesn't supply useable frontage, this river bottom does provide a well used travel corridor and access point for wildlife. Four 300 lb. capacity Sweeney corn feeders are already setup and will convey with the ranch.

Water: The property features approximately 1/2 mile of both sides of Egg Creek as it traverses through the east part of the ranch. This limestone bottom creek is lined with hardwood trees, high rock bluffs, and will run or hold water year round in wet conditions. Little Egg Creek also meanders through the property for approximately 1/2 mile and benefits from 180+/- acres of watershed that feed this wet weather creek prior to it entering the ranch. This drainage offers very good potential for constructing a small lake or large stock tank. Along with the creeks, there are currently 2 stock tanks supplying water for wildlife.

Fencing & Road Frontage: All of the south and east perimeter fence is newly constructed 5-strand barbed wire and t-post fencing, with the older north and west fences ranging in condition from excellent to fair. The property fronts on approximately 1 mile of county road along the south and east boundary.

Easements: There are no large electric transmission line easements, pipeline easements, or access easements providing ingress/egress to neighboring properties.

Minerals: Owner is believed to own 65% of the minerals and all executive leasing rights.

Electricity: Hamilton County Electric Cooperative provides electrical service to the ranch.

School District: Hamilton Independent School District

Taxes: Property is ag-exempt and annual property taxes were $665.81 for 2016.

Contact:

Bret Polk, Agent, 254-965-0349 mobile