Walnut Ridge Ranch

Description

PROPERTY OVERVIEW: 

Walnut Ridge Ranch is an 868 +/- acre high fenced, recreational ranch found in the northeastern portion of highly sought-after Cooke County in North Texas. The property is 17+/- miles by way of paved FM 371 and graveled County Road 115 from downtown Gainesville, TX. This impressive property offers scenic terrain with dramatic topography and big views, numerous potential building sites, managed whitetail, food plots, County Road frontage, hardwood forests, and 2.01 +/- miles of both sides of the perennial Hickory Creek. This quintessential Cooke County landscape has superior whitetail genetics, 3+/- miles of game fence (with another 2.25 +/- to be surveyed, cleared and built), multiple smaller ponds, several potential lake site(s), 20 +/- acres of wildlife food plots, outstanding native wildlife habitat and expansive hardwood timber.

It is especially rare in this area to find a ranch of this size and quality with limited improvements. We are honored to offer the Walnut Ridge Ranch to the market. This offering represents a unique opportunity to own a sprawling, trophy hunting ranch within 80 miles of the DFW-metroplex in an exceptional location.

TERRAIN: The Walnut Ridge Ranch ranges in elevations from a high of 865’ +/- near the south-eastern corner to a low of 652’ +/- in the Hickory Creek channel for a total elevation change of 203' +/-. The land is marked by a scenic transition from an eastern ridge to the western valley throughout the property. Picturesque points, hilltops and oak covered hills provide views across the ranch and into Oklahoma. Deep drainages provide potential lake sites and make the property feel even larger than it already is. Hickory Creek is a key feature with long stretches of clear water and diverse riparian areas extending for miles.

WATER FEATURES & FISHING: Hickory Creek is a live-water and perennial creek that runs through south-to-north through the ranch for approximately 2.01+/- miles with long stretches of clear water. There are numerous seasonal/wet-weather creek drainages that run water throughout the property, all flowing into the impressive Hickory Creek valley. Five smaller ponds were built and stocked with fish; these bodies of water measure approximately 0.5-2.5+/- acres in size. The stocked ponds/ small lakes provide fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. In the winter months, migrating waterfowl use the bodies of water frequently as well.

The north-eastern area of the property includes several drainages which appear to be prime sites for several small lakes, and one large drainage appears to be an ideal location for a bigger lake site. There is also a potential location for a waterfowl area with flooded timber. Determining the viability of these lake sites and wetland area is the responsibility of the Buyer, but both scenarios appear feasible.

WILDLIFE: The abundance and quality of wildlife on the Hickory Valley Ranch is impressive. The subject 868+/- 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 that could be included with the sale, with an acceptable offer.

TREE COVER & WILDLIFE HABITAT: Approx. 75% of the property is wooded with a strong collection of mature post oak, red oak, blackjack oak, plum, pecan trees, sycamore, hickory, walnut, elm, cottonwood, and other trees common to this area. Brush and beneficial browse for wildlife include greenbrier, blackberries, redbud, sand plum and other native species. The diversity of vegetation, density of cover, reliable water sources, and natural travel corridors created by the landscape all combine to provide top-tier wildlife habitat. Typical of Cooke County and the greater Red River Valley, the vegetation found on the ranch is dominated by native bluestem grasses. Approx. 20% of the ranch consists of open to semi-open grasslands dominated by strong bluestem grasses. The remaining 5% of the ranch has been worked into cultivated wildlife food plots for hunting, game management, and wildlife ag exemption. There haven’t been any cattle on the ranch in years so the grasslands are in phenomenal condition.

GAME FENCE: Currently 19,500’ +/- of game fence is currently in place on the west and sides of the property. There is 3,150’ +/- gap game fence to be built on the north boundary, and 9’150’ +/- of game fence that will likely need to be built on the southern boundary; as this is the middle portion of a larger 1,906+/- acre ranch. Fencing is in good condition.

ROAD FRONTAGE & INTERIOR ROADS: The eastern side of the ranch fronts on CR 115 for approx 0.75+/- miles and the main ranch entrance is found here. Several locked gates with cattle guards provide secure entries.

The interior roads are superior which is a positive impact of the six pumpjacks found on the southern portion of the ranch. Over 4.64 +/- miles of all-weather rock roads provide access throughout the ranch, including one concrete crossing over Hickory Creek. Several trails provide access to more remote areas with little to no O&G production. Additionally, almost the entirety of the 5.25 +/- miles of game-fenced perimeter will be drivable, furthering the already excellent access throughout the ranch and allowing for fence maintenance and inspection.

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 70+/- miles south of Walnut Ridge Ranch. 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, 20-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, then go 5 miles before turning right on FM 2383. There is an entrance along this paved road, but it is best to continue for 1 mile before turning left on CR 115. The entrance gate to the ranch will be 0.75+/- miles to the north and on your left.

O&G MINERALS: Surface only. O&G production is owned by Sydri Energy Group. There is minimal oil and gas activity on this property with 5 pumpjacks inside the game fence & one outside - all of these wells sit south of the main road and away from the potential lakesite and homesites. There are a small number of older pipelines crossing the creek. Activity and existing infrastructure 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 $1,072.47.

PRICE: $8,246,000 ($9,500 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.