STRUCK CREEK RANCH
Rapelje, Montana
$8,840,000 | 7,923± Acres
Struck Creek Ranch | Rapelje, Montana
INTRODUCTION
Nestled within the majestic plains of Central Montana, the Stuck Creek Ranch stands as a testament to the timeless beauty and robust spirit of the American West. Spanning over 7,920± acres of pristine land, the ranch is a sanctuary for the cattle and wildlife that call the ranch home.
At the break of dawn, the golden hues of the rising sun dance across the vast expanse, illuminating the rolling pastures where the deer, antelope, and cattle graze. Each day begins with a symphony of activity, as the ranch comes alive with the rustle of livestock and songs that the songbirds sing. The ranch provides a harmonious blend of tradition and modern practices, where time-honored techniques meet cutting-edge innovation to ensure the cattle’s well-being and the land’s sustainability.
The tenants carefully maintain the symbiotic relationship between the land and the livestock, as seen by the implementation of rotational grazing techniques and conservation measures to preserve the natural beauty of the terrain. Miles of free-flowing creeks, along with miles of pipeline and water tanks, ensure that the cows have plenty of water to help utilize all the grass that the ranch has to offer. With 1,400± acres of dryland alfalfa, the hay base is in place to have a self-sustaining, well-balanced ranch.
In the heart of Montana, the Struck Creek Ranch stands as a testament to the enduring allure of the American West, where the spirit of the land and the legacy of cattle ranching intertwine to create an experience that is as enriching as it is authentic.
QUICK FACTS
• 7,923± deeded acres
• 1,400± dry land alfalfa hay
• Miles of live water and pipelines
• 3 homes, numerous outbuildings, great working corrals
• 5± miles to Rapelje, 20± miles to Columbus, 1± hour to Billings
• Like-new fences
• Support 350± head of mother cows
• Great mountain views
• Deer, antelope, upland game birds
• Currently leased to a local ranching family and generating income
• Wind and solar income potential
• 1,200± acre solar farm in process:
• Birch Creek Development - design work in process
• Conditional Use Permit approved by Stillwater County
• Agreement in place to interconnect to the Northwestern Energy 230 kV Substation, located on property
• Once completed, $720k annual income to ranch owners
• 2% annual increase in income built into agreement
ACREAGE
• 7,923± deeded acres
• 1,280± nearby public land
Nestled in the vast expanse of Montana’s rolling plains, the Struck Creek Ranch sprawls across thousands of acres of pristine land. Spanning over a landscape characterized by sweeping valleys, gently undulating hills, and the distant silhouette of rugged mountain ranges, the ranch provides an idyllic backdrop for the practice of time-honored ranching traditions.
The ranch offers ample space for your cattle to roam and graze freely. The sprawling pastures, rich with a variety of native grasses, provide a nourishing environment for the livestock, ensuring their well-being and promoting the production of high-quality, grass-fed beef.
The expanse of our ranch is not merely a canvas for the cattle; it’s a haven for wildlife and a sanctuary for the natural ecosystem. Amidst the acres of grazing land, you’ll find pockets of diverse flora and fauna, from native wildflowers to meandering streams that provide a lifeline for the resident wildlife.
Struck Creek Ranch | Rapelje, Montana
SCENIC VISTAS
Picture this: a panorama that stretches endlessly, a breathtaking mosaic of nature’s grandeur. The Struck Creek Ranch offers an awe-inspiring scenic vista that captures the essence of the untamed West. As far as the eye can wander, there’s an expanse of rolling hills adorned with the golden hues of sun-kissed grasses and patches of wildflowers that paint the landscape in a vibrant array of colors.
There are many vantage points for nature’s finest display throughout the Struck Creek Ranch. From this elevated terrain, one can behold the captivating beauty of the rugged mountains in the distance, their snow-capped peaks standing in stark contrast to the azure sky. These majestic giants stand sentinel over the vastness, creating a backdrop that exudes both strength and serenity.
6 Struck Creek Ranch | Rapelje, Montana
IMPROVEMENTS
With three homes on the ranch, extensive working corrals, a calving/maternity barn, a heated shop, and numerous other outbuildings, the ranch is ready for the new owners from day one.
8 Struck Creek Ranch | Rapelje, Montana
RECREATION
Located in south-central Montana, the Struck Creek Ranch is a great jumping-off point for all the different types of recreation one can expect to find in Montana. Located within five miles of both Big Lake Wildlife Management Area and Halfbreed Lake National Wildlife Refuge, one can spend countless hours birdwatching or chasing upland game and waterfowl. The Yellowstone and Stillwater Rivers meet 20± miles south of the ranch in Columbus, Montana, and provide countless fishing opportunities. Additionally, Red Lodge Mountain is an excellent family-orientated ski hill located just 75 miles south of the ranch for all your ski and snowboarding adventures.
H unting & W ildlife
The ranch lies in Montana Hunting District 515, a general unit for both deer and elk. Mule deer, whitetail deer, antelope, and several species of upland game birds all call the ranch home. A great mix of alfalfa hay fields, creek bottoms, and rolling hills, the terrain and habitat make the Struck Creek Ranch a special place to spend your days afield chasing different big and small game species.
f is H ing
Located 20 miles north of the longest-flowing freestone river in the United States, the Yellowstone River, the ranch is close to some of the finest fishing the country has to offer. The Yellowstone River is known worldwide for its wild native trout and prolific insect hatches, originating in Yellowstone National Park and running east-northeast through Montana until it meets the Missouri River just west of Williston, North Dakota. You will find more trout the closer to Yellowstone Park you get, and the river turns into an outstanding smallmouth and sauger fishery the further downstream you make it.
AREA HISTORY
Rapelje, a small community in Montana, has a rich history woven into the fabric of the American West. Originally established as a station along the Northern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s, the town was named after J. M. Rapelje, an official of the railroad company. Its early days were heavily influenced by the expansion of the railway system, which facilitated the transport of goods and people, thereby contributing to the town’s growth and development.
The town thrived as a hub for agricultural activities, particularly in wheat farming, owing to the fertile lands of the surrounding region. The introduction of dryland farming techniques further bolstered the town’s prosperity, as settlers and farmers cultivated the vast prairies to yield successful harvests.
Rapelje became a tight-knit community, with a school, churches, and businesses catering to the needs of its residents. While it remained a small town, its significance in the local agricultural landscape was notable. The spirit of hard work and resilience was ingrained in the town’s identity as the locals weathered economic challenges and changes in agricultural practices over the years.
As with many towns in the West, the ebb and flow of economic fortunes shaped Rapelje’s trajectory. The evolution of agricultural methods and the impact of larger economic trends influenced the town’s vitality. Nevertheless, the community retained its strong bonds and continued to cherish its heritage.
Today, Rapelje remains a testament to the enduring spirit of the American frontier. Its history is reflected in the stories of its people, the legacy of its early settlers, and the echoes of an era shaped by the perseverance and dedication of those who called it home. While the landscape and activities may have evolved, the essence of resilience and community remains a defining feature of this small town in Montana.
Bighorn Canyon
Struck Creek Ranch | Rapelje, Montana
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES
Rapelje, while a small town, is surrounded by the natural beauty of Montana and is within a reasonable distance of several attractions worth exploring. Here are a few notable nearby places:
• Yellowstone River: The Yellowstone River flows not too far from Rapelje and offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and scenic riverside picnics.
• Pictograph Cave State Park: Located near Billings, this park showcases ancient rock paintings, providing a glimpse into the history of the region’s indigenous people.
• Pompeys Pillar National Monument: A bit further away but worth the visit, this site bears the signature of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition carved into the sandstone.
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument: Commemorating the Battle of Little Bighorn, this historic site offers a chance to delve into the history of the area and the clash between Native American tribes and the US Army.
• Billings: A larger city nearby, offering a range of attractions, including museums, galleries, parks, and entertainment venues. Notable places in Billings include the Western Heritage Center, Moss Mansion Historic House Museum, and ZooMontana.
• Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area: Although a bit of a drive, this stunning area offers breathtaking canyon views, water-based recreational activities, and hiking trails.
While Rapelje might be a quieter town, it’s surrounded by a diverse array of natural and historical sites, offering visitors a chance to explore the beauty and history of Montana.
Billings, Montana, photo credit: David Michael Pennington
INCOME OPPORTUNITY
The ranch is leased out to a local rancher on a straight cash lease that runs year to year. There is also potential for the new owner to enjoy income from solar and wind leases that are currently in place but have not been executed yet.
Struck Creek Ranch | Rapelje, Montana
CLIMATE
Climate charts for nearby Broadview, Montana, courtesy of https://www.city-data.com/city/Broadview-Montana.html
On average, the ranch gets 14 inches of rain per year, and the temperatures range from the 90s in the summertime to lows below zero in the winter months.
WATER SOURCES | WATER RIGHTS
Montana waters, in all their varied forms and locations, belong to the State for the benefit of its people. A water right is the right to use the water within state-established guidelines, and not any ownership of the water itself. Since water rights in Montana are guided by the prior appropriation doctrine, a person’s right to use a specific quantity of water depends on when the use of water began, establishing the relative priority date of use on the water source. The first person to use water from a source established the first right, the second person could establish a right to the water that was left, and so on. Additionally, water users are limited to the amount of water that can be beneficially used. Beneficial use includes, but is not limited to, agricultural, recreational, fish, wildlife and domestic purposes.
Montana is currently conducting a statewide adjudication of all water rights with priority dates prior to July 1, 1973. The statewide adjudication is a court process that prioritizes and quantifies all existing water rights in each Montana drainage basin. With 85 basins in Montana, and over 219,000 water right claims, the statewide adjudication is a massive undertaking that is expected to stretch well into the future. Until the adjudication process is complete, the status of any particular water right claim cannot be guaranteed. Fay Ranches, Inc., its brokers and salespersons do not warrant or make any representation concerning the quantity or quality of any water rights, nor any legal entitlement to use of water rights, permits to appropriate water, exempt existing rights, determination of existing water rights, nor any ditches, ditch rights, or ditch easements appurtenant to or constituting a burden on the property. Water rights claims appurtenant to the property may or may not have been fully or finally adjudicated, and any buyer is advised to make any offer to purchase contingent upon and subject to such independent inspections, evaluations, and advice concerning the water rights and adjudication process as a buyer might deem prudent. All buyers should be aware that Fay Ranches, Inc., its brokers and salespersons involved in this offering have not conducted an expert inspection or analysis of the water rights for this property.
MINERAL RIGHTS
All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will convey to the buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company. The wind and solar rights are being kept by the seller at this time.
CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP
Each of us at Fay Ranches loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay Ranches has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay Ranches is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.
GETTING THERE
From Billings, head west on Interstate 90 and exit in Columbus, Montana. From Columbus, head north on MT Highway 306 for 13± miles, and you will be at the ranch.
20 Struck Creek Ranch | Rapelje, Montana
AIRPORT SERVICES
Billings-Logan International Airport is less than 1.5 hours southeast of the ranch. It is served by Alaska, Delta, Cape Air, United, Allegiant, and American Airlines, with direct flights to towns and cities nationwide.
Struck Creek Ranch | Rapelje, Montana
SUMMARY
Located amidst the rolling hills and open plains of Rapelje, Montana, Struck Creek Ranch stands as a testament to tradition, stewardship, and the spirit of the American West. When you step onto the ranch, you will experience the rustic charm and rich heritage of ranch life. The ranch, steeped in history and nestled within the vast expanse of Montana, is a testament to the enduring legacy of cattle ranching. Spanning acres of pristine land, the commitment to sustainable practices and ethical husbandry resonates through every aspect of the current operations. An abundance of water and hay ground make this one of the best cattle ranches on the market today.
24 Struck Creek Ranch | Rapelje, Montana
$8,840,000
Cash, Conventional Financing, 1031 Tax Exchange
Please contact RJ Patterson at (406) 544-6007 | rpatterson@fayranches.com to schedule a showing. This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Fay Ranches must be present at all showings, unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com .
PRICE TERMS CONTACT NOTICE
Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.
RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE
As required by Montana law, a broker or salesperson shall disclose the existence and nature of relevant agency or other relationships to the parties to a real estate transaction. The various relationships and description of duties are as follows:
1. SELLER AGENT
A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:
Act solely in the best interests of the seller; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the seller; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the seller agent and not known or discoverable by the seller unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the seller agent; Safeguard the seller’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the seller’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the seller for any funds or property of the seller that comes into the seller agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a seller and obtaining a seller’s written consent, to represent multiple sellers of property and to list properties for sale that may compete with the seller’s property, without breaching any obligation to the seller.
A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to:
Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the seller agent, except that the seller agent is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent when the seller agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a buyer and a buyer agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
2. BUYER AGENT
(cont)
A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:
Disclose any adverse material facts that are known to the buyer agent and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Disclose to the seller or the seller agent when the buyer agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a seller and a seller agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
3. DUAL AGENCY If a seller agent is also representing a buyer, or a buyer agent is also representing a seller with regard to a property, then a dual agency relationship may be established. In a dual agency relationship, the dual agent is equally obligated to both the seller and the buyer. These obligations may prohibit the dual agent from advocating exclusively on behalf of the seller or buyer and may limit the depth and degree of representation that you receive. A broker or a salesperson may not act as a dual agent without the signed, written consent of both the seller and the buyer.
A “Dual Agent” is obligated to a Seller in the same manner as a seller agent and is obligated to a Buyer in the same manner as a buyer agent, except
a dual agent:
Has a duty to disclose to a buyer or seller any adverse material facts that are known to the dual agent regardless of any confidentiality considerations; and May not disclose the following information without the written consent of the person to whom the information is confidential; The fact that the buyer is willing to pay more than the offered purchase price; The fact that the seller is willing to accept less than the purchase price that the seller is asking for the property; Factors motivating either party to buy or sell; and Any information that a party indicates in writing to the dual agent is to be kept confidential.
4. STATUTORY BROKER
A “Statutory Broker” is not the agent of the Buyer or Seller but nevertheless is obligated to them to:
Disclose to: i. a buyer or buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the statutory broker, except that the statutory broker is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; and ii. a seller or a seller agent any adverse material facts that are known to the statutory broker and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in putting together a real estate transaction, and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
5. IN-HOUSE SELLER AGENT DESIGNATE
Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house seller agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a seller for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the seller with respect to the designated transaction.
6. IN-HOUSE BUYER AGENT DESIGNATE
Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house buyer agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a buyer for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the buyer with respect to the designated transaction.
BUYER AGENT
A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to: Act solely in the best interests of the buyer; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the buyer; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the buyer agent and not known or discoverable by the buyer, unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the buyer agent; Safeguard the buyer’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the buyer’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the buyer for any funds or property of the buyer that comes into the buyer agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a buyer and obtaining a buyer’s written consent, to represent multiple buyers interested in buying the same property or similar properties to properties in which a buyer is interested and to show properties in which a buyer is interested to other prospective buyers, without breaching any obligation to the buyer.
