Call Greg in Salida @ 720-441-3131

Working & Recreational Ranches / Water Rights / Hunting and Fishing Properties

Call Now

Email Now

Working & Recreational Ranches / Water Rights /
Hunting and Fishing Properties

Sevilleta Hills Elk Ranch

Posted on: November 2nd, 2023 by

Boasting significant water rights, and surrounded on 3-sides by the 230,000-acre Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, Sevilleta Hills Elk Ranch presents a unique hunting and investment situation. Besides a strong population of 360+ class bulls which I will elaborate on, the ranch’s farming element holds very valuable water. New Mexico’s State Engineer has already recognized 252 diverted acre-feet associated with the 84 acres of irrigated ground, which the seller is confident is pre-1907 water. And seller expects more valuable water rights to be confirmed. Then, there are tangible solar rights to consider here; there is geothermal underground water presenting opportunities; and the mineral rights should also be intact.

230,000 acres is a big piece of open space to adjoin. A survey is underway to determine the exact acreage of the fee simple land, but an NRCS map shows 1074, and that is the reference we are using currently. The 85-acre farm in the middle is irrigated by underground pipe with water from the Alamillo ditch. The fields are currently planted in alfalfa and tall fescue for the elk. The house is supplied by the San Acacia Water Association. The livestock drinkers (six) are fed by a well that feeds to a storage tank at the top of the property and then gravity feeds back to the drinkers. The landscaping at the house is also supplied by the well. Improvements are modest with a 2 bed, 2 bath adobe home that sleeps 6, and a storage barn and equipment carport.

That said, outstanding Mule Deer and Trophy Elk lead the appeal of this property. Located in GMU 13, a mostly “primitive” hunting-only unit, the ranch is in the secondary zone, which allows all weapons (rifles). Landowner tags are unlimited! Last year the owner sold 12 tags securing 12 for 12 bulls with 4 of those bigger than 350. This harvest did not dent the visiting bull population. This year the owner has sold 17 tags for $15K to $17K each. The seller does feed and house the hunters. 5 hunters can easily hunt the ranch at the same time. Archery Hunts are from September 1st through September 24th. Then Any Weapon hunts are from October 1 thru December 31st. An-any-weapons-hunter chooses 5 days for their license. An elk license can coincide with the deer season and a hunter could hunt both at the same time.

Big game hunting is not allowed on the wildlife refuge and will never be. Covenants were established when ownership moved to the Nature Conservancy and on to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. With limited water on the wildlife refuge, the drinkers and farm crops on this ranch are wildlife magnets. The broker assumes that New Mexico Game and Fish appreciates the help controlling the population of this growing elk herd.

Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest wildlife refuges in the lower 48 states, and it is the biggest in New Mexico. Four different biomes intersect here and support a wide array of biological diversity. What a great neighbor!

Sevilleta Hills Elk Ranch is co-listed with Robert Martin of Fay Ranches.

Mountain View Farm

Posted on: August 15th, 2023 by Greg Walker

Distant gentle mountains surround Las Nutrias – the little historic community whose southern edge just touches Mountain View Farm. Nestled in the Rio Grande Valley south of Albuquerque, this place along the river feels timeless. The architecture of the Las Nutrias San Ysidro Catholic Mission church, origin 1860, best represents the character of this charming place. The villages original name was La Vega de Las Nutrias meaning Meadow of the Beavers. The farm’s 320 acres are mainly cultivated ground, with water rights recognized as pre-1907, the oldest designation New Mexico’s State Engineer identifies. In the desert southwest, water is life, and this is the good stuff. Note: Seller Sold Some Water! The block of water associated with offering and the price change now reference 333 annual consumptive acre-feet! Co-listed with Robert Martin of Fay Ranches.

Location. Location. Location. This farm is 50 miles south of Albuquerque via Interstate 25, less than an hour from the Albuquerque Sunport. Moreover, friendly, growing Los Lunas lies between the farm and Albuquerque. To name a few employers, Los Lunas is home to a Facebook Data Center Campus, a Walmart Distribution Center, and a University Workforce Training Center. Then thirty miles south of the farm, you find the charming town of Socorro with its respected college, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and its 18-hole public golf course.

Currently, irrigation water is delivered via Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) ditches, and a dairy, 5 miles away in Vequita, leases the farm for $80,000 a year. Planted in Sorghum Sudangrass, the crop is utilized by the dairy that is milking four-thousand cows. The dairy farmer told the broker that the farm’s water right is interesting to him because it could also be extracted from wells if desired, not just delivered from MRGCD ditches, which could be very advantageous. The seller is also looking into the process of restoring an old irrigation well on the farm.

Lying in New Mexico Game Unit 14, the farm is home to dove, quail, pheasant, and turkey. Waterfowl use the irrigation ditches and flyway heavily including ducks, geese, snow geese, and magnificent sandhill cranes. There is also an annual depredation elk hunt in the Rio Grande Bosque and the farm is awarded tags.

Socorro County living is comfortable thanks to a mild, dry (low humidity), high-elevation (4600 feet) climate. The county boasts the largest wildlife refuge in New Mexico, Sevilleta National, which is immediately south of the farm, and one of the top birding destinations in the country, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, which is just south of Socorro.

Las Nutrias Farm

Posted on: August 14th, 2023 by Greg Walker

Distant gentle mountains surround Las Nutrias the little historic community whose southern edge just touches this farm. Nestled in the Rio Grande Valley south of Albuquerque, this place along the river feels timeless. The architecture of the Las Nutrias San Ysidro Catholic Mission church, origin 1860, best represents the character of this charming place. The villages original name was La Vega de Las Nutrias meaning Meadow of the Beavers. The farms 320 acres are mainly cultivated ground. The seller currently holds some pre-1907 water rights which they could sell along with the farm, or the buyer could lease irrigation water from the seller, other private water sources, or maybe the MRGCD. Co-listed with Robert Martin of Fay Ranches.

Location. Location. Location. This farm is 50 miles south of Albuquerque via Interstate 25, less than an hour from the Albuquerque Sunport. Moreover, friendly, growing Los Lunas lies between the farm and Albuquerque. To name a few employers, Los Lunas is home to a Facebook Data Center Campus, a Walmart Distribution Center, and a University Workforce Training Center. Then thirty miles south of the farm, you find the charming town of Socorro with its respected college, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and its 18-hole public golf course.

Currently, irrigation water is delivered via Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) ditches, and a dairy, 5 miles away in Veguita, leases the farm and water for $80,000 a year. Planted in Sorghum Sudangrass, the crop is utilized by this dairy that is milking four-thousand cows. The seller is also looking into the process of restoring an old irrigation well on the farm.

Lying in New Mexico Game Unit 14, the farm is home to dove, quail, pheasant, and turkey. Waterfowl use the irrigation ditches and flyway heavily including ducks, geese, snow geese, and magnificent sandhill cranes. There is also an annual depredation elk hunt in the Rio Grande Bosque, and the farm is awarded tags.

Socorro County living is comfortable thanks to a mild, dry (low humidity), high-elevation (4,600 feet) climate. The county boasts the largest wildlife refuge in New Mexico, Sevilleta National, which is immediately south of the farm, and one of the top birding destinations in the country, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, which is just south of Socorro.

Joya de Hondo Land – PRICE REDUCED!

Posted on: September 4th, 2022 by Greg Walker

Price Reduced for quick sale! Motivated Seller! Bank owned land five minutes from Santa Fe. Build on and/or develop this large tract just outside city limits in Santa Fe County. Pastoral setting with great mountain views and remarkable convenience to town. Ride your horse and walk your dog along lovely Arroyo Hondo. 43 acres divided in four parcels. Strong domestic well.

Santa Rosa Golf Course Property

Posted on: September 4th, 2022 by Greg Walker

Under Contract! 32 acres with city water and utilities. Divide up some homesites or utilize the entire property as your private ranchette. Great location next to the Santa Rosa golf course. Reduced to $85,000. Call Robert at (505) 603-9140.

El Rito Creek and Route 66

Posted on: September 4th, 2022 by Greg Walker

Under Contract! 3.8 acres on historic Route 66, adjacent to El Rito Creek. A prime location with excellent visibility across from the Santa Rosa city park. An excellent location for restaurant, hotel, or RV park, but could be a charming home site as well. Reduced to $75,000. Call Robert at (505) 603-9140.

Uncle Bill’s Farm & Ranch

Posted on: August 12th, 2022 by Greg Walker

Uncle Bills Farm and Ranch in Socorro County, New Mexico includes 37,941 acres of farming and grazing lands, along with 533 annual consumptive acre-feet of pre-1907 water rights. The 297-acres of farm, mostly cultivated ground, (Mountain View Farm) are located in Las Nutrias off the Rio Grande River and irrigation water is delivered via Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) ditches. The grazing range (Chupadera Ranch) lies 40 minutes to the southeast of the farm and is 54% deeded acreage, 36% state lease, and 10% BLM lease. Not including farm production, the ranch is rated to carry 580 cow-calf pairs, and it also boasts the extra attraction of quality hunting (GMU 18) for Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, and Oryx. The farm is leased by a dairy for $5,000 a month, and the ranch grazing is leased for approximately $10,000 a month. Further, there is a $35,665 annual lease with White Sands Missile Range for fly-over and evacuation which provides additional payments if evacuation is called for.

The farm is planted in Sorghum Sudangrass that is utilized for silage by a dairy milking four thousand cows. The dairy farmer told the broker that the farms water right is interesting to him because it could also be extracted from wells if desired, not just delivered from MRGCD ditches, which could be very advantageous. Dove, Quail, Pheasant, and Turkey call the farm home. Waterfowl use the irrigation ditches and flyway heavily including ducks, geese, and magnificent Sandhill Cranes. There is also an annual depradation Elk hunt in the Rio Grande Bosque and the farm is awarded tags.

Currently the ranch is stocked with 400 pairs and the rangeland is healthy. There are five wells on the property and water is distributed to a variety of drinkers. The drinkers attract wildlife, are thick with dove, hold quail coveys, and anchor big-game-animal movement across the ranch. The owners have kept hunting to a minimum, but can issue Landowner Tags for Elk, Deer, and Oryx at thier discretion. Oryx are visually stunning and good populations like this are rare. Free-ranging African Oryx in the United States are unique to New Mexico and can be hunted year-round. Additionally, the ranch receives four pronghorn tags each year.

Two Rivers Ranch

Posted on: May 2nd, 2021 by Greg Walker

CONTRACT PENDING! Two Rivers Ranch has frontage on the Rio Grande and Conejos rivers. Moreover, the unique Conejos diversion flows through the property, as do irrigation ditches and a special warm spring. All the water creates a wetland environment and makes this ranch a true oasis. Just reduced $100,000 August 2021!

Irrigated hay meadows (water rights) produce 300 tons of native hay and provide fall and winter grazing. Tree-lined riparian areas shelter and protect livestock making good calving ground for cattle and elk. There’s a 15 gpm well so cows can stay off the Rio Grande. Carrying capacity is about 100 pairs. 7.75 shares of the Los Sauces Ditch Company are attached. An adjoining neighbor is currently leasing the ranch.

Hosting populations of Mule Deer and Elk, and lying in the Central Flyway for Waterfowl, hunting is a big attraction to the area. Keep in mind that the Rio Grande is a wildlife corridor that stretches nearly 1900 miles! Located in Colorado Game Unit 81, with Game Unit 83 across the Rio, hunting opportunities are vast. Two of 4 Elk-rifle-seasons are over-the-counter licenses, as are either-sex archery tags. Deer hunting is all draw but with good chances for tags. The Land Owner Preference Program also provides two applications for landowner permits.

The Rio Grande is known to have fish year-round including trout, bass, catfish, carp, and northern pike. When the broker made a recent trip with a local guide to fish the property, they were pleasantly surprised to catch northern pike in the Conejos diversion, as well as in the Rio Grande. Some fishermen enthusiastically pursue Northern Pike, and particularly at the confluence of the Conejos and Rio Grande, but pike can be hard on trout populations. Notwithstanding, Two Rivers Ranch is located in the heart of year-round renowned trout fishing, with New Mexico’s Rio Grande Gorge for spring and winter and the Conejos River Canyon for summer and fall fishing, both a short drive from the property.

This property is surrounded by open space and public lands. Adjoining on the east is the new San Luis Hills State Wildlife Area with 17,000+ acres! On the west, there are 5,000 acres plus of BLM that adjoin. Moreover, conservation groups like Ducks Unlimited and the Rio Grande Headwaters Trust hold significant conservation easements on surrounding private lands that will limit development and subdivision in the area.

The broker (or his game camera) has seen bobcat, porcupine, raccoons, skunk, coyote, elk, and deer. There are beaver dams along the waterways and bird nests in the trees. Bald eagles winter on the property, and one sees golden eagles, hawks, and owls. There are songbirds, snakes, reptiles, and amphibians. Geese and ducks take off and land while celebrated Sandhill Crane fill the skies. Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge is 17 miles to the north with a visitor center sure to stimulate the birdwatcher in anyone.

The ranch is in two separate parcels located a quarter-mile apart. The western parcel is 796 acres of which 200 are irrigable. This west parcel boasts a mile of both sides of the Conejos meandering through a wonderful Cottonwood Bosque. The west parcel also holds the precious warm springs.

The eastern parcel is 372 acres. The productive hay meadows are here and wetlands form around them. The treasured Rio Grande runs along this parcel for 1.25 miles, and both sides of the unique Conejos diversion flow through it for a mile. Willows and cottonwoods line the diversion banks providing cover that animals use to move from the Rio Grande onto the ranch.

Regarding the warm spring (Dexter Springs), temperatures can get cold in the San Luis Valley. However the spring is a constant temperature and doesn’t freeze, keeping the river accessible all winter and concentrating wildlife here. It is a unique micro-environment that expands the biodiversity of the area. There is a perpetual duck hunting lease on 200 acres at the warm springs area.

There is a conservation easement in place on the ranch that is favorable to continued farming and ranching, and opportunities abound to enhance wildlife habitat in cooperation with federal and state wildlife agencies. An owner has a choice of two designated building sites. Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust holds the conservation easement.

This offering is anchored in agriculture production and has clear appreciation opportunities based on fabulous water resources and an unbelievable concentration of wildlife. The ranch is owned by Western Rivers Conservancy and offered at $1,600,000.

Baca Ranch

Posted on: July 11th, 2020 by

Beautiful Northern New Mexico property with plentiful surface water and substantial water rights. Create your own paradise with the natural springs, acequia, and wetlands. 341 deeded acres with 116 ac-feet of water rights on 36 irrigated acres. Lush wetlands and meadows give way to high timber ridges covered with Ponderosa pines, aspens, and spruce. Abundant wildlife including deer, elk, turkey. Borders Carson National Forest with a trail leading to nearby Romero Lake. Private but easily accessible via paved road. 3 Elk permits. Electricity, telephone, and community water on site. Storage building and two small loafing sheds. Over 2000 feet of elevation change from meadows to ridge top. Only one hour to Las Vegas and Taos. Two hours to Santa Fe. Close to Pendaries golf course and the ski areas of Taos, Angel Fire, and Sipapu. Owner financing available to qualified buyers.

Villanueva Riverfront Farm

Posted on: July 11th, 2020 by Greg Walker

Beautiful small farm in historic Villanueva with 550 feet of Pecos River frontage. 9 acres with irrigation to grow crops, plant a vineyard, or orchard. Enjoy fishing your own private stretch of Pecos River. Charming setting for a beautiful custom home. Pastoral meadows dotted with wonderful cottonwoods and oaks. Two acequias running through property. Less than a one-hour drive from Santa Fe down scenic Highway 3.