River Ranch at Hico

Description

It's a cool early fall morning as you step out to greet the sun. You look west out across the ranch as it glistens under a heavy blanket of dew. Cattle are grazing in the meadow just below the big stock pond while a whitetail doe and her yearling browse along the edge of the coastal field further down in the bottom. A red-tailed hawk breaks from his perch in a tall old cottonwood as a winding trail of steam rises from the river between the trees, resembling the passing train along the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas rail line that crossed through this valley long ago..... Good morning and welcome to the River Ranch. This live water combination ranch is home to this tranquil scene and many more alike. Come enjoy the big views, plentiful water, productive pastures, abundant wildlife, and ideal location that all await here near the charming town of Hico, Texas.

Location: The property is located 4+/- miles north of downtown Hico, Texas, on US-281/TX-6, approximately 1 hour 50 minutes southwest of Dallas and 1 hour 25 minutes southwest of Fort Worth. Physical address is 28900 S US-281, Hico, TX 76457

Directions: From Dallas/Fort Worth take US-67 through Glen Rose to TX-220. Take a slight left turn onto TX-220 and proceed for 13.5 miles to the intersection of TX-220 and TX-6 in Hico. Turn right and continue through Hico on TX-6 toward Stephenville/Dublin for 4.5 miles to the ranch entrance on the left.

Terrain: What a view!! One of the many benefits of owning land along the upper part of the river valley is the significant changes in topography. There's over 100' of elevation change that occurs across the property from east to west, giving roll and character to the landscape while opening up multi-mile views of the surrounding area. The eastern 3/4 of the ranch is primarily rolling native pasture with scattered oak, elm, and pecan hardwoods, along with a small amount of mesquite and cedar. The western 1/4 is a gently sloping coastal bermuda grass hay field with a heavily wooded buffer of oak, elm, pecan, and cottonwood along the river.

Water: Water is in abundant supply here with Bosque River frontage, two stock ponds, and three water wells (1 irrigation well). It's also piped to numerous locations throughout the pastures, pens, and alleys ensuring there's always a readily available source of fresh water for livestock or wildlife. The west property boundary meanders downstream along the center of the Bosque River providing just over 3,200' of live water to enjoy. Deep swimming/fishing holes transition into stretches of shallow flowing rapids while the river banks vary from gently sloping for good access, to high cliffs that overlook the waters below. The avid fisherman will feel right at home with bass, crappie, and catfish all caught from the river and/or 2+/- acre bass pond. In management efforts to increase available forage and grow bigger bass, a variety of baitfish including coppernose bluegill, redear sunfish, and shiner minnows were recently added to the pond. For the bowfisherman, the river also provides endless opportunites for gar, carp, sucker/buffalo, and freshwater drum.

Wildlife & Hunting: The riparian areas found along the Bosque River are natural travel corridors for wildlife and the combination of productive soils and beneficial vegetation create prime habitat that attracts and holds game. The property has not been regularly hunted or leased for hunting in years, and is home to an abundance of wildlife including deer, turkey, hog, varmint, dove, and the largest stock pond is a seasonal stop for migratory duck & geese.

Cattle & Hay Production: The ranch has historically been operated at approximately 1 animal unit per 7 acres and is cross-fenced into 8 separate pastures for rotational grazing. The fertile soils found along the river valley are highly productive and there are 60+/- acres of established coastal bermuda here along with an irrigation well capable of 350 GPM, a small 3 section pivot, and a separate connection in place for operating an additional larger pivot. In a single cutting this spring the field produced 3.5 large round bales per acre without the aid of irrigation.

Ranch Headquarters: Perched on a hilltop overlooking much of the property and river valley to the west is the ranch headquarters. It consists of a 2,500 SF two bay shop with rollup doors, a 2,500 SF equipment barn, 3,750 SF hay barn with enclosed feed room, tack room, and restroom, and 13,700 SF livestock barn with working, sorting, and holding pens, and 4 horse stalls. In addition to the shop and barns, there are two concrete foundations in place measuring 2,700 SF and 1,440 SF in size, offering building sites with big views for your ranch home, cabin, or barndominium.

Fences, Pens, & Roads: Boundary and cross fencing are in excellent condition. A central alley connects all cross-fenced pastures to the barn and covered working pens. In addition to the working pens, the barn includes 9 cattle pens and 4 horse stalls under roof. There's also another set of working pens in the northeast pasture. Approximately 1.1 miles of well maintained all-weather ranch road leads in from the automatic double gated entrance, down through the heart of the property, and up to the headquarters facility. There's also a good network of pasture roads and trails making for easy travel throughout.

Cattle & Equipment: As part of a turn-key sale, the owner would consider selling some cattle and equipment. Contact agent for more details.

Minerals: Minerals are negotiable.

Easement: A short 350' +/- access easement is provided to a neighboring 4 acres and home situated north of the ranch along the highway.

Utilities: United Cooperative Services provides electrical service to the ranch

School District: Hico Independent School District

Taxes: The property is Ag Exempt and the estimated property taxes for 2018 are $3,380.38.

Contacts: Bret Polk, 254-965-0349 mobile