Judith River Ranch

Location:

The Judith River Ranch is located in Fergus County, Montana 12± miles southwest of Winifred, Montana. The ranch is 17± miles south of the confluence of the Judith and Missouri Rivers, near the historic site of Fort Clagget. The property is best reached from Suffolk, 11± miles to the east, on state highway 236.

Commercial air service can be found in Great Falls, Billings, and Lewistown, and passenger rail service is available at Havre and Malta.

The area is steeped in history, well known for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and Nez Perce Historic Trail. The Charles M. Russell National Wildlife refuge as well as the National Wild and Scenic River Areas straddle the nearby Missouri River.

To the south is the ghost town of Kendall, a major thriving gold mining center of the past. Lewistown, the geographical center of the state, is often the host for many statewide events due to its locale. Fergus County is a leading agricultural producer for the state of Montana and offers a full range of services.

Property Description:

The ranch is comprised of 3,000± deeded and 760± leased BLM acres which sit astride the beautiful Judith River. The river is rumored to have gotten its name from a lady friend of William Clark and one of the prettiest tributaries they found of the Missouri River. There is approximately 2± miles of frontage on the river which is deeded and another 1± mile on the BLM land.

The ranch is situated in the Missouri River Breaks and is covered in a mixture of intermingling streamside pasture, grazing land, wheat fields and timberlands. The Judith River can reach widths of 100± feet yet can be crossed on horseback or waded across in numerous places. The property ranges in elevation on the plateau portion of the ranch at 3,500± feet to a 2,800± foot elevation along the river.

Improvements:

The property contains a circa 1911 log cabin and has a good cattle watering and grazing system with strategically located water troughs. Electrical power and telephone are found on the property at the old home-site. The internal road system is suitable to access the majority of the ranch.

Recreation & Wildlife:

The Missouri River Breaks is a sportsman’s paradise, where Mule Deer legends are born and every year the biggest bucks in Montana are harvested. This is the prime destination for any hunter in Montana with a deer tag seeking a true 30 inch deer. Whitetail Deer also flourish in the breaks especially in the river bottoms. Bucks scoring 150± and up are harvested every year.

The most talked about topic in hunting in recent years has been the giant Missouri River Breaks bull elk. The breaks are on a draw system and if you’re one of the lucky hunters with a tag in your hand after the drawing, you have just received a chance at a 400± class bull. It seems one or two are taken every year. Turkeys, upland birds, and varmints round out this hunting sanctuary.

Fishermen will find a wide variety of cold and warm water fish throughout the Judith River, which runs through the property. The ranch is located near numerous other fishing opportunities including Spring Creek and Fort Peck Lake. The recreational opportunities combined with the beauty of the landscape make this a trophy holding for sure.

Broker's Comments:

"The Judith River Ranch prepresents what people come to Montana for; beauty and recreation combined in a private area of Montana that's still untouched and very affordable." --Tom Bramlette