SECLUSION, PRIVACY, SECURITY and SELF-SUSTAINING, this turn-key cattle ranch located in Eastern Arizona offers the perfect opportunity to live a self-sufficient lifestyle removed from the rigors, pressures and concerns associated with the expanding urbanization of the west. The 56+/- acre deeded inholding is completely surrounded by the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest. Located at the end of a dirt road, accessibility by the general public is restricted.
The headquarters are well improved with two nice homes, bunk house, two barns, tack room, shop, outbuildings, hen house, dog kennels, root cellar and meat locker/butcher cool box. A modern 7,000 watt solar power system provides sufficient power for water supply, refrigerators, computers, freezers, subterranean meat locker, and residential lighting. The cattle improvements include a squeeze chute, calf table, corrals and sweep to facilitate the working of cattle. The ranch contains two high volume springs providing ample water for the 60+ tree irrigated orchard, three productive gardens, an irrigated pasture, livestock and domestic uses with 80,000 gallons of water storage. The gardens and orchards provide sufficient produce allowing the owners to meet their personal needs while generating additional income from local farmers markets.
The USFS grazing allotment of 14,330 acres is contiguous to the headquarters and runs up to 117 head year-long. Sale of the ranch includes 50 head of quality angus/brangus cattle located on the allotment. The allotment is watered by 30+/- springs; 50+/- dirt tanks; and creeks. Also, there is approximately 20,000 gallons of water storage with pipelines to 9 drinkers fed from a solar pumping water supply system. The ranch contains four fenced interior pastures with three traps. Tule Trap centrally located at the headquarters, water locations and good fences provide for a convenient cattle rotation assisting in the management of the ranch. The set-up of this allotment allows for a family-run operation.
The grazing permit includes possession of a remote cow camp/hunting cabin with corrals located on USFS land legally accessible only by a road through the deeded acreage. The ranch contains a trap, corral and loading chute located on Highway 191 to easily facilitate the shipping of cattle.
This working cattle ranch is located in Arizona game management hunt unit 27. On the southern end of the Blue Primitive Area, this hunt unit offers excellent Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Turkey, Lion, and Bear hunting with record-book animals recently taken on the surrounding USFS land. Motorized access of Unit 27 is extremely limited and accessible only by foot or horseback making Tule Springs Ranch an excellent location for a hunting/outfitting operation. In addition, the allotment touches Eagle Creek which provides good fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass and other warm water species after a short horseback ride from the headquarters.
Location: | The 56+ acre deeded inholding is completely surrounded by the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest and located at the end of a dirt road where accessibility by the general public is restricted. The closest services are approximately 25 miles north of the ranch in the small town of Morenci, Arizona. Safford, Arizona offers more services and is 75 miles from the ranch. The nearest large city is Tucson at 200 miles southwest of the ranch. |
Land Tenure: | 56.6 +/- Deeded Acres 14,330 +/- Acres USFS “Tule Allotment” |
Carrying Capacity: | The Tule Springs Ranch is authorized to run 117 CYL. The USFS allows the permittee to take a voluntary non-use to as low as 50 head dependent on the ranchers assessment of feed, water and management objectives. |
Precipitation: | Average annual precipitation is 17 inches per year. Occasional snows occur during the winter. |
Improvements: | There are two well maintained, adorable homes at the headquarters. The main home is a three bedroom one bath with a wood burning stove, formal dining room, large kitchen, living room and laundry/mud room. The second home is a one bedroom, one bath home with a nice size kitchen, cozy living room, office/library area and a mud room. The bunk house is a small cabin with six single bunks and eating area. There is a common Laundry Room/Mud Room separate from both homes. Additional improvements include: Barn, Corrals, Squeeze Chute, Calf Table, Shop, Outbuildings, Irrigation System, Solar System, Orchard, Hen House, Dog Kennels, Gardens, Wells, 80,00 gallons water storage, and Subterranean Cool Box/Meat Locker. |
Water: | The ranch is well watered. Ash Spring and Tule Spring are certificated waters located on the deeded acres. Ash Spring provides water to the homes and some of the livestock waters at the headquarters. Tule Spring irrigates a pasture at the headquarters along with three gardens and livestock water. There is storage at the headquarters with 80,000 gallons of spring-fed water. Additional water sources of the allotment include several creeks, approximately 30 springs of which 15 have been developed and approximately 50 dirt tanks of which half have been cleaned and repaired. There is 20,000 gallons of storage for livestock water located on the allotment. |
Management/Range Improvements: | The owners currently conduct their own range monitoring program. While working closely with local agencies, improvements have not only maintained but increased the rangeland health. Current projects relating to fence and water improvements are currently being completed. |
Forage: | A variety of seasonal grasses including Sideoats Grama, Black Grama, Hairy Grama, Curly Grama, Blue Grama, Tabossa, Vine Mesquite, Sprangletop, Sand Dropseed and Vine Mesquite. Browse throughout the ranch includes Mesquite, Scrub Oak, Cliff Rose and Mountain Mahogany. Many forbs including Globe Mallow, Indian Wheat and Shrubby Buck Wheat. |
Wildlife: |
Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Bear, Turkey, Mountain Lion, White-nosed Coati, Coyote, Quail and Javelina. |
Utilities: |
Completely off grid, the ranch is powered by two 3.5 KW inverters and 52 six volt batteries. The solar system can be managed remotely by smartphone app. Internet and phone services are available by satellite. Propane gas serves appliances and Rinnai hot water heaters. A septic system services the two homes. |
Grazing Fees: |
$1.41/ AUM (2020) ** The allotment permit is not due for renewal until 2030. |
Property Taxes: | $128.00 (2020) |
Equipment: |
Appliance / Household: Refrigerators, Gas stoves, Washer, Dryer Meat Room: Freezer, Meat saw / Grinder combo, Hot water heater, Wash tubs Bunk House: All furniture included Misc: Camper, Porch swing, All furniture in large home, *Except for upright freezer |
Additional information: | A 56 acre thinning project around headquarters was completed in 2019 creating defensible space. The thinning project coupled with the 80,000 gallons of water storage safeguards the ranch headquarters from the threat of wildfire. This is a well maintained, beautiful and unique property allowing various opportunities for self sustaining lifestyles, hunting, outfitting, guest ranch, private retreat or turn-key cattle ranch. The ranch has been owned by the same family for over 30 years. Its diversity and natural resources make this property a good value for anyone looking for a highly improved one of a kind property. |
Price: |
$995,000 |
For More Information
Tamra Kelly
Cell: (928) 830-9127
E-mail: tamra@aglandssw.com
*This information was obtained from sources deemed to be reliable but is not guaranteed by the broker. Prospective buyers should check all the facts to their satisfaction. The property is subject to prior sale, price change, or withdraw.