Eagle Nest Ranch

5,134 Total Acres

3,854 Deeded

1,281 State Leased Acres

The ranch has a total of 1,281 State leased acres.

The Eagle Nest Ranch has a modest set of improvements, yet extremely well maintained. The main residence sits on an immaculate yard overlooking the Yellowstone valley. This 3 bedroom/3 bath house has been remodeled and updated including all new siding, roof, and an attached two car garage. Upon entering the residence, you will be greatly surprised to see some of the log interior of the older log house, remains in tact. An open floor plan, hardwood floors throughout, a rock fireplace and quaint sitting areas, provides that log home charm, while enjoying updated amenities.

The main residence is conveniently located to the remaining improvements. Those improvements include what could be utilized as guest living quarters or a dog kennel for the avid hunter, a second home which is ideal for a ranch manager or mother in law suite, a Quonset with concrete floors, a large barn with multiple tack rooms, a vet room, hay loft, multiple horse stalls with hardwood floors, and a number of other stalls, perfect for calving or a 4H project. An approximate 85×130 foot white metal framed building sitting near the banks of the Yellowstone River with “Eagle Nest Ranch” facing Interstate 90, makes this one of the most noticeable buildings along the Yellowstone River.

Currently the Eagle Nest Ranch is split in to four different pastures. Each pasture was greatly improved after the 2011 fire, including all new fencing, identifying and improving multiple springs, and the reseeding of the entire ranch to natives grasses.

After the fire, the current owners had a logging company remove a large percentage of the downed timber, improving the rangeland, water sources, and overall carrying capacity to up to 250 pairs. Each of the four pastures are well watered with multiple improved springs with water tanks, and other unimproved water sources including just under one mile of Berry Creek on the ranch’s eastern boundary.

The lower elevations of the Eagle Nest Ranch sits along the banks of the Yellowstone River providing an excellent feed-base. Four Zimmatic pivots ranging in age from 2003 for the larger ten tower pivot, to the three smaller pivots installed in 2008 are all actively serviced by Big Sky Irrigation and in excellent condition! The ranch has approximately 240 acres under pivot irrigation and is the largest share holder on the Merrill Ditch Company with 32.5% of the water shares. An additional irrigation system was installed in 2008 and covers the ground from the headquarters towards the Yellowstone River. Utilizing the pump for the twin pivots and five hookup towers, the ranch easily irrigates more ground with a big winch gun or hand-lines.

In 2014, the owners built all new corrals. Each of the eight pens was well thought out including frost free waterers in each, lean to’s for multiple pens, and an ideal location for the Certified Livestock Scale and loading chute for Semi’s.

The diversified layout and topography of the Eagle Nest Ranch, provides an ideal environment for the new owners to enjoy excellent fishing and hunting of all species. The rivers in Southern Montana are perhaps the most famous among Montana Rivers. The Yellowstone River is internationally known as premiere trout fishing waters. With just under 2.6 miles of Yellowstone River frontage, the Eagle Nest Ranch provides a private setting to access some of Montana’s most famous waters! The Yellowstone River, between its fast current and mountainous origin, tends to run cool all year long, allowing healthy trout populations to exist in places where many anglers would dismiss at first sight. Healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout are found along this stretch. Additionally, the fish in this section of the Yellowstone River tend to be larger than further upstream. The larger fish, combined with reduced fishing pressure, can make for some wonderful fly fishing possibilities.

The combination of Yellowstone River frontage, heavily timbered Cottonwood River bottoms, back waters, multiple reservoirs, and irrigated food sources, leads to an ideal setting to harvest giant whitetail, water fowl, or pheasant hunting. Set up on side channels or reservoirs in the early morning with decoys just upwind, and enjoy some of the best Goose or Duck hunting in the general area. Walk the banks of the Yellowstone River and limit out on Pheasants, or head up to the higher elevations of the ranch where the current owners have successfully harvested both large mule deer and elk. Growing populations of elk throughout Stillwater County, have continued to put Columbus on the map for harvesting trophy Montana bulls. The Eagle Nest Ranch continues to see their numbers of elk also increase, resulting in the owners harvesting elk on an annual basis.

Being able to split the ranch into a riverfront water fowl or upland bird hunting property, to the higher elevations of the ranch where one can harvest huge mule deer or elk, is an uncommon trait we see on the current market.

$7,523

Water Rights

Briefly described in the General Operations, the current landowners are the largest private share holder on Merrill Ditch Company with 32.5% of the shares.

Mineral Rights

All minerals currently owned by the sellers will transfer at closing.