Holmes Ranch

Premier Montana Grazing & Hunting Ranch

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. We are also bringing to market, as a separate listing, the section south of Otter Road, referred to as South Deer Creek Cattle & Hunting Ranch.

Holmes Ranch Highlights

Holmes Ranch Mountain Views

• Acreage
  • 23,665± Total
  • 13,800± Deeded
  • 4,688± BLM
  • 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

Holmes Ranch is currently owner-rated to conservatively run 600-700 cows annually or the equivalent number of 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 is comprised of great grazing land, excellent grass, natural and developed water, and fencing infrastructure, which provides numerous and diverse enterprise opportunities for return on investment (ROI). A ranch like this can be operated without a lot of overhead and labor.

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 high-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 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 high-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 in water and fencing to create 37 paddocks for intensive mob grazing practices, the health of the ranch’s soils is excellent, as demonstrated by the abundance of grass. This excellent rangeland health reflects the significant amount of stored soil carbon, which has potential marketable value.

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. The carefully managed grazing supports better deer, elk, and pronghorn populations, and improves cover and vegetation for upland bird hunting and other recreation amenities. 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, often filled with spectacular sunrises and sunsets, uninterrupted views of the Milky Way Galaxy, and occasionally northern lights. The views of the surrounding landscapes and the Bighorn Mountains are also captivating. Plus, watching wildlife is always entertaining. Watch elk bathe in reservoirs, listen to them bugling, or watch hawks and eagles soar and hunt.

Located in Elk and Deer Hunt area 704, which is well known for having 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.

Download the Holmes Ranch area hunting reg’s:

• Elk, deer, antelope
• Black bear
• Upland game

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. This solid and reliable investment opportunity is located in one of the most sought-after real estate markets in the West, and ranches of its size and scale don’t come on the market very often. The beautiful Holmes Ranch should be considered if you’re in the market for a legacy ranch in Montana.

Chase Brothers knows of no better or purer form of wealth creation than what can be derived from land. The Holmes Ranch is no exception, currently offering diverse income opportunities, including enterprises like livestock grazing, recreational use, trophy hunting, and the sale of carbon credits, as well as the potential for other opportunities that only the land can provide. Coupled with the annual land appreciation rates we have seen for this area over the last 30 years, the ranch is positioned to support itself operationally and serve as a reliable store for wealth and wealth creation.