McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch Offering Brochure

McCARTNEY SPRINGS MOUNTAIN RANCH
LEWISTOWN, MONTANA | FERGUS COUNTY
LISTED EXCLUSIVELY BY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION1
LOCATION & ACCESS 2
PHYSICAL & OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION 3
ELEVATION & CLIMATE 3
AREA RECREATION4
WILDLIFE RESOURCES 5
LIVE WATER 8
STOCK WATER8
WATER RIGHTS 9
MINERAL RIGHTS9
IMPROVEMENTS 11
UTILITIES & SERVICES11
FENCES & BOUNDARY LINES11
REAL ESTATE TAXES11
AREA HISTORY13
SUMMARY STATEMENT 14
OFFERING PRICE & CONDITIONS OF SALE15
CONTACT INFORMATION 16
MAPS17-19

INTRODUCTION
Wildlife, privacy, a crystal-clear spring creek and expansive views – this is McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch.
Nestled in the heart of the tranquil Big Snowy Mountain Range in a prominent location on the Alaska Bench, approximately 26 miles south of
Lewistown in central Montana, the Ranch is comprised of approximately 1,360± deeded contiguous acres of varied topography consisting of healthy
coniferous forests, gently sloping grassy hillsides, lush creek-bottom land, and high-mountain pasture. McCartney Creek cascades through the property
while the elk and deer find cover in the shade of the forest and cattle graze the native pasture under the vast Montana skies. The Ranch offers all the
resources required for personal enjoyment of a safe and quiet lifestyle far from the crowds of metropolitan America. McCartney Springs Mountain
Ranch provides a rare opportunity to own an exceptional recreational ranch in one of the Big Sky State’s most beautiful and pristine settings.
The Ranch is rich in wildlife and recreational resources that make it well suited for a quiet seasonal retreat. Additionally, it is apparent that the current
owners have conservatively managed the Ranch to ensure healthy stands of native forage. The remarkable condition of the range land is the product of
years of careful stewardship from the family who originally homesteaded in the 1920s. McCartney Creek provides consistent year-round water through
the canyon and meadows along the riparian corridor. The pastures above the creek bottom are well watered by a stock tank supplied by a reliable well.
The absence of improvements or conservation easements on the Ranch provides the next owner with a blank canvas to enjoy the Ranch without
unnecessary encumbrances. The Ranch is a must see for buyers who are interested in purchasing a high-quality recreational ranch that provides smallstream
fishing, hunting opportunities and the quiet enjoyment of the serenity of the mountains.
— 1 —

LOCATION & ACCESS
McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch is positioned approximately 26 miles south of Lewistown, the geographic center of Montana, in the heart of the
Big Snowy Mountains. Access is south from Lewistown on State Highway 238/Red Hill Road, to the junction of the Alaska Bench Road. Red Hill
Road is paved from town for approximately 10 miles with the remainder as a gravel road. The Ranch is approximately 8 miles south and east on Alaska
Bench Road with access to the Ranch directly off of the county road. Alaska Bench Road is not maintained in the winter and therefore the Ranch has
seasonal access. The next owner could utilize off-road vehicles and snowmobiles to extend access should they desire.
The county seat of Fergus County – Lewistown, with a population of approximately 5,900, offers all the necessary amenities and services of a small
rural town. Lewistown provides grocery stores, sporting-goods stores, clothing and specialty shops, coffee bars, fine dining, arts and crafts, machinery
dealerships and appliance and furniture stores along the tree-lined streets of the revitalized historic downtown. In close proximity to downtown just off
of Main Street, the Calvert Hotel, built in 1872, provides fine lodging with a historic and elegant ambiance.
Outstanding medical care is available at the Central Montana Medical Center (CMMC)
in Lewistown, which offers a full-expertise range of physicians and consulting
specialty doctors in partnership with the Billings Clinic.
The Lewistown Municipal Airport (LWT) is located two miles southwest of Lewistown
and is served by Newton Aviation, Central Air Service and Gulf Stream International
Airline. The main 6,100' x 100' asphalt runway, which is lighted, is in good condition.
The airport sits at an elevation of 4,170' above sea level and can be contacted on
CTAF frequency 123.0 and WX ASOS 118.375 or by telephone at (406) 538-2653.
The Ranch is approximately a two-hour drive from two commercial airports – Great
Falls and Billings, both which offer good private FBOs. Commercial carriers at the
Great Falls International Airport, including Alaska, Allegiant, Delta and United airlines, offer direct flights to seven destinations. The Billings Logan
International Airport also provides a variety of commercial carriers as well as national and limited international service through Allegiant, Alaska,
Delta, Cape Air, Frontier, American Airlines and United to several major cities including Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Minneapolis as well as
others. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is approximately three hours from the Ranch providing additional opportunity for airline access
through Delta, United, Alaska, Allegiant, America, Frontier, Sun Country Airlines and Jet Blue.
Additionally, the flat topography of the Ranch pasture could potentially suport a small private airstrip for suitable off-airport aircraft should the next
owner desire.
Approximate distances to other Montana cities and points of interest from McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch:
Lewistown
26 miles
Harlowton
82 miles
Great Falls
130 miles
Billings
150 miles
Bozeman
187 miles
Helena
219 miles
— 2 —

PHYSICAL & OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION
McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch consists of approximately 1,360 total acres of which approximately 756± acres are in native and improved
mountain pasture with the remaining 604± acres in timber. The acreage is generally classified as follows:
Deeded Acreage & Creek Frontage:
• 756± Acres of Native Range and Pasture
• 604± Acres of Mountain Timber
• 1.5± miles of McCartney Creek Frontage
The Ranch is well watered with McCartney Creek, numerous springs, a small section of Holt Creek, and a stock tank filled via a well. Good water
is accessible to livestock within a half a mile in any of the pastures. McCartney Creek, which originates just upstream from the Ranch, provides live
water for livestock and wildlife throughout the year.
The improvements on the Ranch are nonexistent – providing the next owner the opportunity to create their own retreat. Reliable power is currently
run to the stock tank to power the well pump. There are several old homestead buildings on the property providing charm and character honoring the
homestead and ranching history.
Currently the Sellers lease the pasture ground for summer and fall grazing to a local area rancher from June through early November for approximately
60-80 cow-calf pairs on a year-to-year lease. For many decades the Sellers ran 100-125 pairs plus bulls on the bench. As the lease is set up on a per-
AUM basis, the potential for additional income may be possible if additional cattle are run. The Sellers have also leased the hunting rights to a local
area outfitter on a year-to-year basis. The leases could be negotiated by the new owners should they desire to keep them in place.
— 3 —
ELEVATION & CLIMATE
McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch ranges in elevation from
approximately 5,560' above sea level along the north boundary
to approximately 5,123' along the creek bottom. The majority of
the mountain pasture sits at approximately 5,360' in elevation.
On average, there are 196 sunny days per year in Lewistown,
Montana. The July high is around 80°F with an average July
low around 48°F. The January high averages 26°F with an
average low of 14°F. The average annual rainfall is 16" with
the majority in June and snowfall of 72" with the majority
falling in March. The Alaska Bench area typically receives
even more moisture and often remains green throughout the
summer season.

AREA RECREATION
The Ranch itself provides multiple options for recreation without ever leaving the property – hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and relaxing. However,
one of the many appeals to living in Montana is its multitude of readily-accessible outdoor recreational opportunities. The Ranch sits in the Big Snowy
Mountains providing easy access to explore more territory. About 112,000 acres of the Big Snowies are roadless, the bulk of this in the Lewis and Clark
National Forest, as well as 6,870 acres in the Twin Coulees Wilderness Study Area on adjacent BLM land. Greathouse Peak is the highest point in the
range at 8,681 feet above sea level. On a clear day the view from the top of the peak extends from Canada to Yellowstone.
World-class fly fishing can be enjoyed from the multitude of spring creeks, rivers and lakes in the region. The blue-ribbon water of Big Spring Creek,
which flows through Lewistown, sustains a strong population of rainbow and brown trout. Big Spring Creek is one of the largest fresh water springs
in the United States. It originates southeast of Lewistown and provides devoted anglers with 26 miles of pristine water to enjoy. Other water-based
recreation is available in the area on Crystal Lake, the Judith River, the Missouri River and Fort Peck Lake.
Hunting opportunities for big game and upland birds abound in the area including elk, mule deer, antelope, bear, mountain lion, turkey, pheasant,
mountain grouse, prairie grouse and Hungarian partridge.
Historically during the summer and fall months, nearby towns celebrate Montana’s culture with fairs, festivals and rodeos. The town of Stanford unites
in mid-July at the Russell County Fairgrounds for the C.M. Russell Stampede, which includes a PRCA rodeo, street-dance entertainment, art auction
and a barbecue. The first Saturday after Labor Day, Lewistown ushers in the fall with the annual Choke Cherry Festival which is attended by over 5,000
from near and far to enjoy live entertainment, food vendors and craft booths.
— 4 —

WILDLIFE RESOURCES
McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch hosts an exceptional variety of wildlife. Elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, antelope and black bear frequent the property
to take advantage of the excellent cover, food and abundant water. The Ranch would make an outstanding hunting retreat especially if managed for this
opportunity. A tree stand is currently in place on the property at an intersection of game trails above the creek meadows speaking to the quantity of the
game in the area. Recently a large winter-kill elk rack was found on the Ranch with a Boone & Crockett score of 377. Additionally, McCartney Creek
sustains a population of brook trout that provide a private mountain-stream fly-fishing experience. Located in hunting district 411, the general elk tag
allows for anterless elk harvest. Hunters may also apply for an optional elk tag draw for bulls and general tags for deer. Elk frequent the Ranch in the
spring during calving season and again in both bow and rifle season affording multiple options for hunter success. According to the Montana Fish, Wildlife
& Parks, the area elk herd is very healthy and currently over objective for wildlife managers as the herd numbers have been increasing.
— 5 —

LIVE WATER
Live water is the lifeblood of a property and there is no shortage of water on McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch. McCartney Creek is the heart of
the Ranch with close to 1.5 miles of meandering creek frontage. The headwaters of McCartney Creek is just upstream of the Ranch on an adjacent
property where springs bubble up from the ground forming the creek. Numerous additional springs on the Ranch add to the water volume of the creek
and provide additional water sources for wildlife and livestock. In addition to McCartney Creek and springs, Holt Creek, a small mountain stream,
crosses a corner of the Ranch as well.
STOCK WATER
A thoughtfully-positioned well and stock tank in the pasture provides additional water for livestock and is accessible by several cross-fenced pasture
areas.
— 8 —

WATER RIGHTS
According to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Water Rights Division, the Ranch owns the following water right:
Claim Number Date Source Use Means
40B 112273 00 2000 Groundwater Stock Well
All water rights in Montana are subject to eventual re-adjudication by the Montana Water Court and, as a result of that process, may be changed as to
validity, amount, priority date, place of use and other such changes as the Court determines. The Seller has made all of the filings currently required
and will transfer the water rights as they currently stand with no warranty of future viability.
All water rights appurtenant to and for the benefit of the Ranch will be conveyed to the Buyer at closing of a sale.
— 9 —

— 10 —

IMPROVEMENTS
With no improvements on the Ranch, the next owner is free to create their own retreat on the open canvas that the Ranch provides.
UTILITIES & SERVICES
Electricity is currently provided on the Ranch by Fergus
Electric Cooperative in Lewistown. Cell service with Verizon
Wireless and Mid-Rivers Communications is available at
many locations throughout the Ranch.
FENCES & BOUNDARY LINES
The Ranch has several perimeter fences and cross fences in
place that appear to be in good condition. The Seller hereby
makes known that there may be variations between the
deeded property lines and the location of the existing fence
boundary lines on McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch. The
Seller makes no warranties with regard to the location of the
fence lines in relationship to the deeded property lines, nor
does the Seller make any warranties or representations with
regard to specific acreage within the fenced property lines.
The Seller is selling McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch
in its “as is-where is” condition which includes the location
of the fences as they now exist. Boundaries shown on any
accompanying maps are approximate. The maps are not to
scale and are for visual aid only. The accuracy of the maps
and information portrayed thereon is not guaranteed nor
warranted.
REAL ESTATE TAXES
The real estate taxes for 2019 were approximately $1,454.49.
— 11 —

— 12 —

AREA HISTORY
Prior to settlement, the area that is now Lewistown was once the territory of the Blackfoot Native Americans and was a crossroad for the Crow, Nez
Perce and Sioux Indians on their hunting and raiding expeditions. The richness of spring creeks, rivers and wild game in the area created an ideal
trading ground. In 1874, Fort Lewis was established there by Company “F” of the 7 th U.S. Infantry to provide military protection for people traveling
on the Carroll Trail, then the shortest route between Carroll, Montana and Helena. Lewistown is named after this fort.
Chief Joseph and his band of Nez Perce Indians traveled through the region in 1877, but the area did not begin to see significant settlement until 1879
when a group of Metis traveling in their “Red River Carts” began to settle the area that came to be known as Lewistown. Francis A. Janeaux, a French
Canadian licensed trader married to a Metis woman, built a trading post at what is today Third Avenue North and Broadway Street in Lewistown. Many
historians credit Janeaux, with being the founder of Lewistown.
Realizing the need to educate the children of the growing community, Janeaux
opened a log schoolhouse in 1881. By 1883, the population had grown to a
point where the school needed to expand and Janeaux donated a parcel of his
own land to construct a framed schoolhouse.
The discovery of gold in the western states had a significant influence on many
of the early settlements and Lewistown was no exception. Gold was discovered
in the nearby Judith Mountains during the early 1880s, bringing throngs of
prospectors and settlers to the Fergus County region. For many years, this area
was known as the best gold country in Montana. With the population growth
of Central Montana and the ongoing Indian conflicts, the U.S. Army established
Fort Maginnis, an Army Cavalry post, in the early 1880s. During the period
around 1883, it was apparent that the ranchers were gaining a foothold with the
Indians on the range. However, the young braves established wealth, prestige
and manhood within their tribe by stealing horses. For the ranchers, this became
a major irritation and financial drain.
According to the journals of James Fergus:
Despite the fact that we had to carry guns on our mowing machines, hay wagons and everywhere we went,
we managed to accomplish the necessary work to keep the ranch going.
Robert M. Horne, “James Fergus – Frontier Businessman – Miner – Rancher – Free Thinker” - page 136.
By 1884 the cattlemen of the region realized that an organization was needed to promote their interests both politically and among ranchers. Fergus
played an instrumental role in the creation of the Montana Stock Growers Association and remained active in the organization until his death.
The cattle industry was becoming a major industry in Central Montana, grass was plentiful and water was abundant – Fergus County was for many
years a leading cattle-producing county in the western United States and continues to hold the reputation of consisting of some of the best agricultural
land in Montana.
— 13 —

SUMMARY STATEMENT
McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch will be an attractive option for the individual desirous of a very private and scenic recreational hunting and fishing
ranch in a mountain setting. The Ranch provides its next owner all of the amenities to create a private retreat in one of Montana’s premier ranching
and recreational areas.
Those who have tracked ranch values in Central Montana for the past several years will find the offering price of the Ranch to be very competitive in
today’s market. Offered at about $2,022 per deeded acre, this is truly a value buy in today’s active recreational real estate market.
McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch truly has it all with exceptional wildlife resources, live water, healthy forest, native pasture and unspoiled
expansive vistas. Offered for sale for the first time since the current family homesteaded the property in the 1920s, the Ranch will provide the next
fortunate owner with a wonderful mountain paradise to enjoy and pass down as a legacy family retreat.
— 14 —

OFFERING PRICE & CONDITIONS OF SALE
McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch, as Previously Described Herein, is offered at $2,750,000. The Conditions of Sale Are as Follows:
1. All offers to purchase must be in writing and accompanied by an earnest money deposit check in the amount of 3.00% of the
Purchaser’s offering price;
2. Each offer must also be accompanied with the name and telephone number of the Purchaser’s private banker to assist the Sellers and
their agents in ascertaining the Purchaser’s financial ability to consummate a purchase;
3. All Purchasers must demonstrate to the Seller’s satisfaction unquestioned financial capability to purchase the Ranch prior to
scheduling an inspection;
4. Earnest money deposits will be placed in escrow with First American Title Company of Lewistown, which will then place the funds
with local banks at nominal rates of interest accruing to the Purchaser’s benefit until Closing;
5. The Sellers will provide and pay for a standard owner’s title insurance policy. Title to the real property will be conveyed by warranty
deed;
6. All of the Ranch’s water rights will be transferred to the Purchaser;
7. Buyers’ Brokers Are Welcome and Cordially Invited to Contact Mike Swan or Steve Leibinger for Information Regarding
Cooperation Policies and Commission Splits.
The Sellers reserve the right to effect a tax-deferred exchange for other real property in accordance with provisions in Section 1031 of the
Internal Revenue Code. The Buyer will not be required to incur any additional expenses nor to step into the chain of title on any property
which the Sellers may acquire.
This entire Offering is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by the Sellers.
Information regarding land classifications, acreages, carrying capacities, crop yields, potential profits, hunting districts and regulations,
etc., are intended only as general guidelines and have been obtained from sources deemed reliable; however, accuracy is not warranted or
guaranteed by the Sellers or Swan Land Company. Prospective Buyers should verify all information to their sole and complete satisfaction.
— 15 —

Swan Land Company has been authorized by the Seller to act as their Exclusive Real Estate Broker on the
sale of McCartney Springs Mountain Ranch. Since 2002, we have focused on the brokerage of significant
ranches, farms and recreational properties throughout the Rocky Mountain West.
This Offering is based on information believed to be correct; however, it is subject to errors, omissions,
prior sale and change or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein has been provided by the
Sellers or obtained from other sources deemed reliable. The Agent does not, however, guarantee accuracy
and recommends that any Prospective Buyer conduct an independent investigation.
For more information or to make an appointment to inspect the Ranch, please call:
Swan Land Company
1185 North 14th Avenue – Suite One
Bozeman, Montana 59715
Office 406.522.7342
Toll Free 866.999.7342
www.swanlandco.com
Mike Swan
Steve Leibinger
Managing Broker/Owner
Sales Associate
Mobile 406.570.4897 Mobile 406.451.1188
mike@swanlandco.com
steve@swanlandco.com
A 48-hour notice is requested to make proper arrangements for an inspection of McCartney Springs Mountain
Ranch.
— 16 —

McCARTNEY SPRINGS MOUNTAIN RANCH

Lewistown

Genuine. Devoted. Proven.
866.999.7342 | WWW.SWANLANDCO.COM | INFO@SWANLANDCO.COM