Hico, TX 76457(Erath County)

Description: Camp Branch is a solid all-around recreational ranch that provides plentiful wildlife, outstanding habitat, Duffau Creek frontage, a seasonal branch, multiple stock tanks, and rolling elevation change. Combined with a good cattle component, the property offers a diverse range of use, appealing location near the town of Hico, and numerous potential building sites for your country retreat or full time ranch home.

Terrain: The land characteristics are typical of the Cross Timbers region with areas of heavily wooded forest, rolling prairie, and seasonal flowing streams. Elevations range from 1,040' to 1,160' for approximately 120' of total elevation change. A ridge runs through the northwest portion of the ranch separating the Duffau Creek watershed to the west and Camp Branch tributaries to the east. These higher elevated portions of the property provide scenic distant views of the surrounding countryside. Beautiful live oak, post oak, Spanish oak, and elm hardwoods can be found throughout in addition to a generous amount of mesquite and cedar that provide brush cover for wildlife. Soils are predominately Windthorst fine sandy loam, with a mix of Purves clay, Houston Black clay, and Frio clay loam. There are also areas of weathered, gullied land, that are very unique and lead to locations known to produce arrowheads.

Wildlife & Hunting: The property has not been leased for hunting in over 20 years and only lightly hunted by the owner and family during that time. Offering prime wildlife habitat, the ranch is home to an abundance of whitetail deer and Rio Grande turkey along with dove, hog, coyote, fox, and bobcat. Whether it's with a bow, rifle, or shotgun, hunters will find exciting opportunities in the hardwood forests and tree lined fields.

Water: The ranch is well watered and features a little over 1/2 mile of Duffau Creek frontage along the northwest border. Duffau Creek is a major limestone bottom creek in the area and a tributary of the Bosque River with portions of its banks lined by scenic rock bluffs. The creek will run year round during wet conditions and generally hold good pools of water through the driest of Texas summers. There are believed to be adjudicated water rights on the creek allowing the owner to pump 11 acre feet per year (over 3.5 million gallons). It can also provide some great fishing for bass and catfish. Approximately 1-1/4 miles of a seasonal branch winds its way through the ranch from north to south. The property also has 6 stock tanks, one of which has produced largemouth bass over 6 lbs. and excellent channel cat fishing. Additionally, there are two good second trinity water wells (505' and 495' deep respectively) providing water to 5 concrete fresh water troughs for livestock and wildlife.

Improved Pasture and Grazing: At its height the ranch boasted approximately 235+/- acres of productive Coastal Bermuda improved pasture, produced 1,000 round bales of hay per year, and supported as high as 90 cow/calf pairs. Mesquite has since come up in a large amount of this pasture land and is currently only grazed.

Fencing and Roads: The majority of the perimeter fencing is in good condition with some newly constructed fence along the north boundary. There's also a great set of pipe working pens near the ranch entrance. The property provides numerous pasture roads and trails for interior travel, and fronts on approximately 1.5 miles of county road along the south and east boundary.

Barns: There is a 1,200 sq ft rock barn with a 1,200 sq ft hay loft located near the ranch entrance and a 2,584 sq ft barn in the northwest portion of the ranch near Duffau Creek.

(Note: Square footages obtained from Erath County Appraisal District.)

Minerals: Owner is believed to own 100% of the minerals and executive leasing rights. The minerals are not currently leased and there is no active O&G production on the ranch.

Right-Of-Ways: A large overhead electric transmission line runs across the east side of the ranch along CR 215.

Electricity: United Cooperative Services provides electrical service to the ranch.

School District: Iredell Independent School District

Taxes: Property is ag-exempt and annual property taxes were $1,018.41 for 2015.

Contact:

Bret Polk, Agent

254-965-0349 mobile

Hortenstine Ranch Company, LLC (Broker)