Trophy Ranch on the Teton River

Location:

This Ranch is located just southeast of Choteau, Montana, along the Teton River. Choteau is located on US Highway 89 about 20 miles east of the Rocky Mountains in a region called the Rocky Mountain Front. The population of Choteau is 1,781, just 52 miles southeast lies Great Falls with a population of 56,690. Great Falls International Airport is served by United, Delta, Horizon, Northwest, and Allegiant Air.

Ranch Size:

The Department of Revenue indicates the ranch consists of 6,260 deeded acres, more or less. The Main Unit contains 4,484.80 acres and is just south and east of the Choteau city limits. The Summer Unit contains 1,775 acres and is located west of Choteau about 7 miles close to the Rocky Mountain Front.

Rocky Mountain Front:

Along the Rocky Mountain Front there are wildlife viewing sites that give a glimpse of Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Whitetail Deer, and Mule Deer. Quiet hiking trials offer the chance to hear the sounds of chattering squirrels, wind whispering in the aspen trees, and water rolling through river beds. Area rivers and streams, along with access to a fishing pole may lead to a "big catch" of Rainbow, Cut Throat, and Brook Trout. On the other hand, reservoirs and lakes are home to many walleye and pike.

Flathead National Forest:

The Flathead National Forest to the west of Choteau covers 2.3 million acres of which 1 million acres are designated wilderness. The forest is located in the Rocky Mountains with elevations ranging from less than 4,500 feet to over 8,500 feet. The Forest provides habitat for approximately 250 species of wildlife and 22 species of fish. This includes the threatened Grizzly Bear, Lynx, Bald Eagle, Bull Trout, a rare plant named water Howellia, and the endangered Gray Wolf.

Wildlife:

This Ranch has a tremendous Wildlife Resource. The number of Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Pheasants, Grouse, Ducks and Geese are very high, due to the combination of Grains, CRP, and Alfalfa Hay located on the property. With the help and management from a wildlife biologist the quality and number of wildlife could be enhanced.

Fishing:

The five miles of Teton River frontage provide an excellent resource for Brown and Rainbow Trout fishing. The Ranch is situated where natural springs rise in and along the Teton River providing a good year round source of water. The owners have vast knowledge of the most desierable fishing areas, along the five miles of bordering Teton River and one mile of Spring Creek.

Operation:

In the past, the property's main focus has been the operation of Cow Calf pairs, production of Alfalfa Hay, utilization of CRP, and production of small grains such as Wheat, Barley, and Oats. Most years the Alfalfa Hay crops have had two cuttings producing a 4 ton / acre crop, with the use of the Center Pivot Irrigation Systems.

CRP Lands:

There are 867.1 acres enrolled into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The purpose of CRP is twofold: one is the CRP provides a steady income because a payment is received annually from the Department of Agriculture for setting aside the land and managing it for conservation which is for both the soil and the forage. The other benefit is that CRP lands provide an excellent habitat for wildlife. Upland game birds and deer numbers increase with CRP lands.

Jet Airstrip:

There is a public airport just a mile northeast of Choteau that has recently been updated. There are two runways: one is a 75' x 5000' paved runway for private jets and other aircraft. The other is a 60' x 3700' paved runway. The ID is Choteau CII and the contact telephone number is 406-466-3337.

Comments:

This is truly a Trophy Property. The Ranch is beautiful with five miles of river frontage plus one mile of a live creek. The views are spectacular which include productive irrigated fields, Cottonwood trees, wildlife, and the backdrop of the Rocky Mountain Front. The wildlife numbers are high as they have a perfect home with an abundance of water, food, and cover. The open parks look like a golf course was carved within the Cottonwood Forest. The Ranch is both a quality agricultural operation and a tremendous recreational resource within minutes of a Jet Airstrip.