11076 Turkey Barn Rd , Menard, TX 76859(Menard County)

The location is about two miles off of paved FM 2092 to the SW, and Turkey Barn Lane is a hard pack, all-weather road accessing the N side of the San Saba River, just N of TX Hwy. 29. Access to the NE is via private easement and CR 110 on a caliche road that is 3.4 miles from paved FM 1311, a connector between Brady and TX 29.

All amenities and international airports are available two hours away in either Austin or San Antonio, and area hub San Angelo, 80 miles NW, is home to a regional airport and most amenities. This is one of the largest ranch offerings ever within this close proximity to these major growth centers.

WATER: This supremely-watered ranch contains 3.2 miles of show-stopping frontage on the pristine and beautiful San Saba River, high up in the drainage near the headwater springs, where the deeper water is solid and reliable. The river in this area is fabulous, and the string of jewels, a series of seven deep blue, wide holes constitutes the southern boundary of the ranch. These holes are connected by rock and gravel bottom shoals, some of which are noisy, and offer the finest in fishing, floating, boating and all fun things water. Per owners, the holes maintained their levels 80% or better during the recent Great Drought, and are full of big bass, catfish and perch. The fishing in this area is unsurpassed!

There are several named features on USGS maps located on this ranch, including Gobal Hole, Billy Hole and Picnic Bend. The permanence of the water in this area was doubtlessly a draw for ancient settlers and tribes, and Indian occupation sites are known in this part of the country, though nothing specific on the property has been identified. One of the holes is over 2,000 long, and reaches a width exceeding 150. A unique aspect of the San Saba River on this ranch is its accessibility and visibility, due to a scenic and interesting road that follows its entire length. This road carves through immense forests of towering pecan, elm and burr oaks, sometimes beneath towering, multi-hued sandstone/limestone cliffs, always on or near the shimmering river. In places it abuts rock ledges, where one can walk to the edge and be looming 30 above the deep water (up to 20 in places). Elsewhere, it is found creeping along a thin peninsula, overlooking a ribbon of hard flowing water beneath, in a shady bottomland setting that rivals anything in the Deep South.

In addition to the river, the ranch offers an extensive well and water system tapped into the abundant Hickory Aquifer, including 9 wells, 22 troughs and 15 miles of fast lines to move it efficiently. One well is 1,850 deep and is capable of producing 850 gpm, per owners, and drives a center pivot that can water about 90 acres of improved grass. The water system on this ranch can be accurately described as superior, and also includes 20 stock tanks, which are magnets for waterfowl in winter months, and a spring. Several of these tanks cover 2 3 acres when full. Average annual rainfall in this area is about 25. For more info on area groundwater, please contact the Hickory Underground Water Conservation District.

LAND: River Cliffs Ranch consists of a 6,250 acre, high fenced and managed deer and cattle operation to the north, and about 1,600 acres of low fenced riverfront and bottomland to the south. Most of the land is gently rolling, native rangeland, featuring excellent mixed cover of hardwoods and shrubs, with flats, hills, draws and canyons mixed in. The flats contain silty clay loams, which support liveoak, mesquite, persimmon, agarita and prickly pear. The sometimes-broken top country includes shinoak thickets and scattered large liveoaks, with abundant thick cover for all types of wildlife. A large range of hills dominates the western portion of the ranch, and there are scenic, distant vistas abound from many lookout points, and occasional limestone outcrops and cliffs as well.

Overall, the land rolls down about 280 from N to S, and includes up to 8 wildlife food plots, and supports a fantastic herd of managed whitetail deer which began to be introduced in 2009. This deer herd recently had 4 year old bucks averaging 185 B&C scores, and is managed under a Texas Managed Lands Permit, allowing for hunting from October 1 February 28. The ranch also offers excellent hunting for dove, turkey, waterfowl and varmints, and the canyons and river bottom offer the finest in songbird viewing/hearing in the spring.

The ranch has been historically well-managed, and has received the prestigious Lone Star Steward Award and Aldo Leopold Conservation Award in 2006. Other land features include a couple of dramatic, cliff-lined canyons near the river, 5,000 airstrip site, immense pecan bottoms totaling hundreds of trees and numerous interesting rock formations. The overall variety is remarkable, and contributes to the beauty and utility of this versatile giant.

IMPROVEMENTS: The property is well improved, including the aforementioned superior water system. The primary structure is a nice frame lodge of 9 BR, 6 BA, with commercial kitchen, large Great Room, fireplace, metal roof and long porches, near the NE corner of the ranch. This is perfect for hosting groups, and is laid out in two wings like a classic hunting lodge. A game cleaning building with walk-in cooler is nearby, and the HQs compound is functional, manicured and landscaped. A 2BR river cabin sits atop a bluff, overlooking bottomland to the river behind.

The ranch has 6,250 acres under game proof fencing, with some low cross fencing, and ten breeder pens (for deer) and one holding pen for yearling and fawn bucks. Detailed info on this extensive whitetail breeding and management program is available upon request. An extensive, smooth road system accesses all areas of the ranch, and there are several fields that have been seeded in grasses previously. An extensive collection of blinds and feeders is included with the sale, and other accessories, manufactured homes and equipment owned by the ranch are negotiable.

FINANCIAL/TITLE: Listing Price is $3,450/acre, with owners to provide basic survey and title insurance. Mineral conveyance is negotiable. It is believed that Sellers own 100% Executive Rights and at least 50% minerals on 6,250 acres, and 100% Executive Rights and minerals on 1,600 acres, subject to insignificant royalty reservations. There are apparent electric utility easements, but no large transmission lines on the ranch. The property is located in the Menard ISD, is served by Sharyland Utilities and current ag-exempt property taxes are about $19,500 per year. This is a co-listing with David Faust, KW Farm & Ranch, 512.940.3300, diamondfranch[at]hotmail.

SUMMARY: Rare is the opportunity to acquire such a significant offering tied to so much spectacular water and scenery, yet is only 2 hours from Austin or San Antonio! This is a true legacy ranch with all the trimmings, but without gaudy and overdone improvements, retaining utility and function at justifiable value. Only 25 minutes from prized Mason, the location could not be more pristine yet accessible, and the stellar deer herd and infrastructure kick it up a notch. Thanks for your consideration, and we hope to hear from you or your broker for a site tour soon.

The information contained herein has been diligently assembled and is deemed reliable, but is not warranted by Broker or Seller, express or implied, and is subject to change, prior sale, errors and/or omissions and withdrawal from market. Buyers must verify accuracy of representations on their own, as well as investigate potentially pertinent natural attributes, laws and regulations, and draw their own conclusions regarding the usefulness and value of the property for a given purpose. Viewing appointments scheduled with LANDTX or KW staff only. SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY DO NOT TRESPASS.

Buyers brokers must be identified on first contact, and must accompany buying prospect on first showing to be allowed full fee participation. If this condition is not met, fee participation will be at sole discretion of LANDTX, David E. Culver, Broker.