Decker Montana Cattle and Hunting Ranch

Holmes Premier Grazing & Recreation Ranch

Holmes Ranch Highlights

Holmes Ranch Mountain Views

• Acreage
  • 23,665± Total
  • 13,800± deeded
  • 4,688± BLM (MT Allotment 00085 – 695 AUMs)
  • 1,305± State (#2545, #6844, #8060)
  • 3,875± Private Lease
• Features
  • Premier grazing land
  • All contiguous
  • Extremely limited public access
  • Hunting, wildlife viewing, photography
  • Soil carbon capture/sequestration
  • Water sport recreation
  • Stargazing
  • Year-round indoor arena (37,500 total sq ft)
  • 30 minutes to Sheridan, WY

Grass, Water & Regenerative Management

Holmes Ranch Cattle Grazing

Regionally known as Holmes Ranch, this large cattle ranch is comprised of 23,665± total acres of grazing land, situated in the Tongue River Valley less than 30 miles from Sheridan, Wyoming. It is currently owner-rated to conservatively run 600 cows annually and very realistically 1000 cow/calf pairs, or 3,000 to 3,500 yearlings for the grazing season. The ranch is currently running both pairs and stockers. It operates with limited labor requirements and is perfect for the investor who wants a productive, low-overhead working ranch. The ranch has a thriving mixture of hardy native grasses and a mosaic of sagebrush, juniper, ponderosa pine, and other deciduous trees native to the area. It lies within the Deer Creek and Badger Hills watershed areas, each with seasonal flowing water, plus numerous springs and reservoirs.

The large contiguous land mass comprising great grazing land, excellent grass, natural and developed water, and fencing infrastructure, provides numerous and diverse enterprise opportunities for return on investment (ROI). Ranches like this used to be marketed as “chaps and spur” ranches, ” meaning all you needed to operate them was good horses and cowboys. And while it is still a place to ride and be a cowboy, new in-place management systems focus more on improving the landscape and soil.

Water Resources and Infrastructure

Water and Paddock Setup

The ranch has over 48 recorded water rights, some of which are surface rights on Deer Creek. The ranch’s extensive hi-producing wells with buried 3” HDPE primary water pipeline and 2” HDPE secondary lines provide a more than dependable and abundant source of water to nearly every pasture on the ranch on an on-demand basis, and most can be used year on a year-round basis. This ranch is as well watered as any you will find. Six of the wells produce about 50 gpm, with more being added. Nearly all the water tanks use 12½’ diameter tire tanks set up to function through the winter. With all the water and abundance of grass, the ranch can support the grazing demands of its cattle operations in the hottest weather conditions.

Regenerative Grazing

MIG Grazing Fenceline

The ranch utilizes a regenerative grazing program, which includes 37 permanently fenced pastures with wildlife-friendly hi-tensile wire. Temporary electric fencing further divides the larger pastures. The well-managed grazing system promotes management-intensive grazing (MIG) and allows an owner/manager to move livestock to promote regenerative agriculture practices. Such practices build soil structure through better root systems and soil cover, which helps improve water and carbon cycles, creating a better environment for all systems and enterprises above the soil.

For the past 5 years, livestock have been used to build soil and store soil carbon (soil carbon sequestration). When a systems approach to land and ranch management is used, as it is on Holmes Ranch, all things work together for good. As the soil health improves, the grazing enterprises and wildlife resources also improve. Since the most important elements for livestock grazing are already in place, one can get right to it by hauling in truckloads of yearling stockers, pairs, or even sheep.

Carbon Sequestration

Through extensive improvements of over $1,500,000 spent on water and fencing the last 4 years that form 37 paddocks added for intensive mob grazing practices, the health of the ranch’s soils is excellent as demonstrated by the abundance of grass. Its excellent rangeland health reflects the abundance of stored soil carbon with potential real marketable value.

In a deal signed with the company, GrassRoots Carbon, the Holmes Ranch is expected to receive roughly $730,000 in landowner payments for the first 5 years. The 30-year forecast projects a cumulative amount of nearly $10,000,000 in landowner payments with the potential for more than that if the ranch meets or exceeds the program model of 0.56 tons/acre/year. The deal is based on the current inventory of measured soil carbon reserves and assumes carbon sequestration of ±0.56 tons/acre/year. This is a conservative amount as it is an assumed, or average rate for the U.S. lower 48 state program. Ranches, like the Holmes Ranch, should be one of the overachievers. Details of the program and payment schedules will be available to qualified buyers upon approved request.

Hunting and Outdoor Recreation

Hunting opportunities include elk, mule deer, black bear, dove and sharp-tailed grouse. The Holmes Ranch is a fantastic wildlife and Montana recreation ranch. Not only is it a premier big game hunting ranch, due to the thoughtfully managed grazing that supports better deer, elk, and pronghorn populations, but it also improves cover and vegetation for upland bird hunting and other recreation amenities. Aside from the grazing and wildlife, just the pure scenic qualities and location of the ranch provide more non-consumptive enterprises. For instance, with little to no light pollution, the stargazing is unbelievable under these big Montana skies. These vast skies are often filled with spectacular sunrises and sunsets, uninterrupted views of the Milky Way Galaxy, and occasionally northern lights. Not only are the views of the heavens spectacular, but even the views of the landscape, and Bighorn Mountains are truly captivating. Plus, watching wildlife is always entertaining. On this ranch, you will find new opportunities to witness activities that most people never see. Watch elk bathe in reservoirs and listen to them bugling, or watch in amazement as hawks and eagles soar and hunt. The photography that awaits your camera will always amaze you.

Located in Elk and Deer Hunt area 704, which is well known for having monster, record-setting, bull elk and trophy mule deer. The ranch’s large size, good grass and water, abundance of deeded land, great cover, and lack of public access to the leased ground make it an ideal habitat and refuge for wildlife. Visit the Downloads tab for elk, deer, antelope, black bear and upland game regional hunting regulations.

Broker’s Comments

Holmes Ranch Beautiful Views

Chase Brothers is pleased to present the Holmes Ranch for sale for only the second time in its history. A solid and reliable investment opportunity in one of the most sought-after real estate markets in the West, the offering represents the same qualities and attributes apparent to George Bernard Holmes, who arrived in the Tongue River Basin of south-central Montana in the early 1930s. Mr. Holmes was the very first land patent holder for the ranch and wisely recognized the strength of the grass, the mild climate, the abundance of water, and the easy commute to Sheridan, WY. In this area, it’s not often that ranches of its size and scale come on the market, especially with its carrying capacity and wildlife operation. The beautiful Holmes Ranch reflects the best attributes of a Montana legacy ranch. The views of the landscape formed by the Tongue River Reservoir and the Badger Creek divide on its western side to the Hanging Woman Creek divide on its east side, are incredible. The Bighorn Mountains and the peaks of Blacktooth and Cloud Peak frame the southern views, and to the west lie the Wolf Mountains and the beautiful Tongue River Valley as it continues making its way to the north and the Yellowstone River.