Chama, NM 87520(Rio Arriba County)

GENERAL: El Vado Ranch is possibly one of the best mule deer and elk ranches in New Mexico serving as a wintering location for large herds of game. The ranch has consistently produced bucks over 200B&C for the last 5 years. With heavy wildlife enhancement practices in place, the quality of the trophy wildlife continues to increase every year. The ranch is bordered by the Rio Chama Wildlife Management Area providing a refuge for trophy game animals. Within one mile of the ranch, you will find blue ribbon trout fishing in the Chama River and El Vado Lake. The property is very scenic and averages around 6,000 in elevation. There are several springs and 15 ponds on the property with plenty of room for more water development. The property has paved road access and great development potential.

IMPROVEMENTS: The ranch does not have any building improvements. The owner has taken great care to preserve the property in its native condition. There is a good internal road system and multiple building sites with panoramic views of the rocky mountains. The ranch has paved road frontage and electricity is readily available at multiple areas on the property.

WATER: The ranch is well watered with over 15 ponds. There are several springs that could also be developed to feed lakes on the ranch. In addition there are two new water wells on the ranch equipped with Solar Pumps. Additional ground water is readily available on the ranch at an average depth of 300 feet.

WILDLIFE: For the past 10 years, the ranch has been heavily managed for trophy mule deer and elk. Rio Arriba County is the top area in the United States for producing trophy mule deer with more B&C entrees in the record books than any other county in the U.S. El Vado Ranch produced one of the largest bucks in the 2006 season scoring over 211 B&C. The owner has also collected multiple sets of matching sheds scoring up to 240 B&C. The ranch borders the Rio Chama Wildlife Management Area providing a refuge for big bull elk and mule deer. The ranch receives an average of 30-40 For the 2007 season, the ranch received an allotment of 75 elk tags which are transferable to the new owner. During a game survey in December of 2012, the ranch held over 800 head of elk and 500 head of mule deer.

In addition to the deer and elk, the ranch also supports a strong turkey population. There are also lots of ducks and geese in the fall. Occasional bears and mountain lions will be seen also.

PRICE: $1,250 per acre or $5,253,750.

COMMENTS: This ranch has outstanding potential for hunting big mule deer and elk which will be hard to match anywhere in the Rocky Mountains. The property also has great development potential. There is also great fishing in the Chama River and El Vado Lake only 1 mile from the ranch! Owner will sell the ranch in two tracts of 1,813 acres and 2,389 acres.