White Ranch

The 4,805 acre White Ranch boasts pivot irrigated farm ground, high-quality grazing, and terrific hunting along 3.5 miles of the Cimarron River in southeast Colorado. The 320 acres of irrigated corn lie next to the heavy cottonwood/tamarisk cover of the river bottom, providing ideal habitat for good numbers of elk, whitetail deer, and mule deer. Bobwhite quail are abundant in normal moisture years. There are 15 water wells on the property, with capacity and permits for irrigation of 740 acres, presenting an incredible opportunity for further wildlife habitat enhancement and production capacity.

White Ranch is approximately 12 miles northwest of Elkhart, Kansas and 52 miles southeast of Springfield, Colorado in Baca County, Colorado. The property is composed of 320 acres of center pivot irrigated farm ground (traditionally corn), approximately 1,700 acres of wooded river bottomland, and approximately 2,365 acres of pasture. The ranch is rated for 300 cow/calf pairs or 600 yearlings year-round, and includes a 300 head capacity feed lot.

Wildlife is abundant at White Ranch. This property benefits from the ideal (and unusual for this area) combination of irrigated corn circles lying directly adjacent to the wooded Cimarron River bottomland, creating ideal bedding and feeding habitat for trophy whitetail deer, mule deer, and elk. During normal moisture years, bobwhite quail densities along and adjacent to the river are as high as anywhere in North America.

Improvements

The property is perimeter and pasture fenced, and there are also improved and two-track roads all over the ranch. There is a 300 head cattle facility, including four sets of pipe constructed pens, concrete feed bunk and alleyway, a 36 x 36 covered working area, a metal 36 x 56 cattle shed, and water tanks.

Climate

• Average annual precipitation: 18.26 inches
• Average annual snowfall: 16 inches
• January temperature: High: 47° F Low: 22° F
• July temperature: High: 93° F Low 66° F
• Days of sunshine per year: 300+

Locale

White Ranch is in extreme southeastern Colorado. The Oklahoma border is a mile south, and the Kansas border is the eastern boundary of the ranch. Along the eastern boundary of the ranch is the 108,000 acre Cimarron National Grasslands, providing additional hunting opportunities in Kansas. Elkhart, Kansas is 12 miles southeast of the property.  Elkhart is a small farming/ranching community with a hospital, groceries, co-op, restaurants and lodging.

Hunting

Wildlife is abundant at White Ranch. This property benefits from the ideal (and unusual for this area) combination of irrigated corn circles lying directly adjacent to the wooded Cimarron River bottomland, creating ideal bedding and feeding habitat for whitetail deer, mule deer, and elk. 160+ whitetails and 180+ muleys are common at White Ranch. Landowner tags are available for whitetail and mule deer, and elk rifle tags are unlimited and available over-the-counter. The elk rifle season spans from September 1st through January 31st.

During normal moisture years there are lots of bobwhite quail at White Ranch, and 15+ coveys per day can be expected during good moisture years.

Ranch Operations

There are currently 3 pivot irrigated corn circles (120, 120, and 80) on the ranch, and a 4th (80) is under development. There are 16 wells permitted for irrigation on the property of which five are equipped with pumps and the remaining are capped. The wells have a collective rating of 4,430 gallons per minute and are permitted for irrigation of a total of 1,060 acres, though practical applications indicate an additional 420 acres of development is most appropriate.

The ranch is rated for 300 mother cows or 600 yearlings year-round. There is a 300 head cattle facility, including four sets of pipe constructed pens, concrete feed bunk and alleyway, a 36 x 36 covered working area, a metal 36 x 56 cattle shed, and water tanks.