Executive Summary
This is truly a rare offering for a connoisseur of great waterfowl, whitetail deer, and wild turkey hunting! Conveniently located 30 minutes from North Platte, Nebraska and a little more than three hours to Denver, Colorado. North Platte’s airport runway is 8,000 feet and will handle almost any private plane. The Hanging H Ranch totals 3,651± acres, which includes 3,011± acres deeded and 640± acres of Nebraska State Lease. This incredible hunting property boasts prime stretches of both the South Platte River and the North Platte River. It can’t be replicated and there isn’t another property like it on the market today! Almost four miles of the South Platte River and over one mile of the North Platte run through property. Ducks Unlimited completed an extensive waterfowl habitat project on the South Platte River portion of the ranch in 2009. The ranch has varied topography that ranges from grass-covered hillsides, pastures, and irrigated pivots to tree-covered river bottom, food plots, quail and pheasant buffer habitat, warm water sloughs, and hay meadows. The main improvements on the ranch are impeccable and feature a seven bedroom, five bathroom lodge with a beautiful game room and outdoor entertainment area, a historic barn, a new barn, indoor workout arena, large shop, enclosed equipment storage, and a ranch manager’s home with shop and outdoor arena. The Hanging H Ranch also has a diverse agricultural component. The ranch was historically utilized as a high-end performance quarter horse breeding operation and it still has all of the facilities in place. In addition, the owner has continuously run a purebred Angus cow/calf operation. The farming, which has also served as a tremendous food source and habitat for all of the wildlife, features three full pivots of various sizes and five wiper pivots also of various sizes, which have been planted in corn, alfalfa, beans, and cane. With all that the Hanging H has to offer, it also would make for a great family retreat or corporate entertainment property. This is a must see for the discerning high-end recreational buyer that wants an agricultural investment asset!
Just the Facts
- 3,651± acres total with 3,011± acres deeded
- Almost four miles of the South Platte River
- Over one mile of the North Platte River
- Numerous side channels and sloughs
- Great waterfowl, whitetail deer, wild turkey hunting, as well as mule deer, quail, and pheasant hunting
- Extensive wildlife habitat enhancement and improvements throughout
- Very nice seven-bedroom main home/lodge, two barns, indoor workout arena, two shops, and separate ranch manager’s home
- Horse and cattle working facilities
- 616± acres pivot irrigated plus flood irrigated and sub-irrigated ground
- 25 miles from Lake McConaughy, Nebraska’s largest reservoir
General Description
This ranch is incredibly diverse providing some of the best hunting opportunities in the surrounding area, income producing crops, and pasture grass for grazing. The main entrance to the ranch leads to the main lodge/residence, a seven bedroom five bathroom that includes a spectacular game room and bar. The home has been updated throughout and is certainly a showpiece. There is also a historic barn and a new barn that offer everything for the discerning equestrian. The diverse terrain varies from irrigated farm ground, tree-covered river bottoms, large grass-covered pastures, and warm water sloughs.
Broker's Comments
The Hanging H Ranch is truly one of the rarest and most exceptional recreational ranches that we have had the pleasure of bringing to the market. The seller has been able to combine the incredible raw resources of the North Platte and South Platte Rivers with strategic planning and management to create a unicorn in the recreational land field. For the most discriminating duck hunter, you will be hard-pressed to find a property that has this much to offer, from river hunting to extreme cold weather hunting on warm water sloughs. The deer and turkey hunting is also tremendous due to strategically located food sources and tremendous cover nearby. In addition, the opportunity for quail and pheasant hunting has continued to improve over time as a result of careful management and stewardship. But don’t forget this ranch also doubles as a great production farm, cattle ranch, and horse breeding facility. This diverse agricultural component is also very valuable to the investment asset buyer. With all that the Hanging H has to offer, it also would make for a great family retreat or corporate entertainment property. This is a must-see for the discerning high-end recreational buyer that wants an agricultural investment asset!
Learn about the locale
Location
Hanging H Ranch is located near the quaint community of Sutherland, Nebraska. The ranch is conveniently located near Interstate 80. Ogallala, Nebraska, and beautiful Lake McConaughy are only 30 minutes from the ranch. North Platte, which will accommodate almost any private aircraft, is only 25 minutes from the property, and Denver, Colorado is only three and a half hours from the ranch.
Locale
Sutherland is known as the Biggest Little Village in Nebraska! Sutherland citizens are very community oriented dedicated to church and civic organizations. Sutherland was one of the stops on the historic Oregon Trail. Every July 4th , the town hosts a rodeo and has a parade to celebrate the rich history. Sutherland’s population is about 1,300.
North Platte is a bustling hub of western Nebraska with all of the amenities needed for shopping, restaurants, goods, and services. It is the county seat of Lincoln County and is the location of the confluence of the North Platte and South Platte Rivers to form the Platte River. The home of the famous Buffalo Bill Cody and numerous attractions, activities, and events throughout the year. Approximately 24,000 people live in North Platte.
Climate
Sutherland gets an average of 20 inches of rainfall and 25 inches of snow annually. On average, there are 224 sunny days per year. The July high average is around 88 degrees and the winter low is around 14 degrees.
History
The ranch sits amongst the historical crossings of the American Frontier, including the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express route, and the Northern Cattle Trail and the Lincoln Highway. Historically the ranch was known as a high-end quarter horse breeding operation and purebred Angus cattle operation focused on limited numbers and the best genetics while being interested in conservation of natural resources and the preservation of the Nebraska way of life.
THE CATTLEMEN’S BALL
In 2013, the ranch was host to 4,000 people from all over the country for the prestigious Cattlemen’s Ball. The event was held to benefit the University of Nebraska Cancer Center. A steam locomotive and antique cars brought people from North Platte and Omaha to the ranch. It was the first ball in Nebraska to feature a ranch rodeo as entertainment. The event raised more than $2,500,000 for the charity.
Learn more about the property
Acreage (Deeded & Leased)
Deeded Acres: 3,011±
State Leased Acres: 640±
Total Leased Acres: 640±
Total Acres: 3,651±
Additional Information
ACCRETIONS
All accretions owned by the Seller and all rights, privileges, appurtenances, easements, and improvements on or pertaining to the real estate described in the legal description will transfer with the sale.
CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
Part of the ranch that is located on the South Platte River is encumbered by a conservation easement held by Ducks Unlimited. The property located on the North Platte River is unencumbered.
Improvements
The Hanging H is very nicely improved but not overdone! The primary improvements are located off of Highway 30.
MAIN IMPROVEMENTS
- Main House is a seven bedroom five bathroom residence with a partially finished basement. Main floor master bedroom, west facing patio, and east facing porch. The game room consists of a fireplace, custom mantle, custom-built bar, commercial pool table, and great room. All of the kitchen appliances, A/C and washer/dryer are less than ten years old.
- Large Shop is 40’x80’ and is used for equipment repair and tools.
- Hay Shed is 60’x100’ with cement floor and full doors and was built to store equipment and small squares for horses.
- Calving Shed is 32’x48’.
- Backup generators.
EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES
- New Barn is 60’x72’ and consists of eight regular stalls and two double foaling stalls, one of which is heated. Six of the stalls have automatic waterers. There are also two large tack rooms, two wash bays, AI station, office, full bathroom and sink, toilet, shower, and storage room.
- Old Barn is 40’x72’ and has four stalls with a covered shelter on each side with large pens and an alleyway that leads to a small show pasture. This barn was moved to the ranch and was the historic Livery Stable in Sutherland.
- Outdoor Arena is 150’x250’ with return alley and roping chute.
- Indoor Exercise Riding Arena 60’x120’ fully insulated and 60’ round pen. Attached dog kennel with pens and exercise area.
RANCH MANAGER IMPROVEMENTS
- House is a stick built 4 bedroom 2 ¾ bathroom residence.
- Shop 40’x50’ built in 2003. Two-10’Wx9’H doors and one-12’W x 11’H door.
- Open Big Shed 15’x30’.
- Open Shed with Tack Room 12’x21’ and 8’x12’ tack room.
- Block Building 12’x16’.
Water Rights
All water rights owned by the Seller pertaining to the real estate described in the legal description will transfer with the sale.
Mineral Rights
All mineral rights owned by the Seller pertaining to the real estate described in the legal description will transfer with the sale.
Learn about the recreational amenities
Wildlife Resources
In 2009 the ranch completed a significant project with Ducks Unlimited involving the cleanup and restoration of three miles of the South Platte River. They also restored abused pastureland and turned marginal cropland into first-class upland game habitat. It was a labor of love to transform this resource back to an area that supports abundant wildlife and thousands of migrating waterfowl, as well as effective farming and ranching operations. Overall, this is one of the finest waterfowl and deer hunting properties on the market today. The ranch is identified by separate parcels, each with its own unique habitat and wildlife attractants. The rarity of owning significant stretches of both the North Platte River and the South Platte River cannot be emphasized enough!
EAST RIVER PARCEL
Simply the best duck hunting around! When discussed, this parcel is referred to as the “Legendary East River.” Located on the South Platte just southeast of Sutherland, this is the most coveted and privileged place to hunt in the surrounding area. This property was featured on Ducks Unlimited TV. With one mile of the South Platte River, the ranch owns both sides of the river. The Sutherland Reservoir has always leaked from the bottom towards the river and has created resulting warm water sloughs and springs. Historically this area of the South Platte stays open even in the coldest freezing temperatures, which really draws in the waterfowl. The east river parcel currently also features three deer stands and a six-man goose pit blind. The thick tree-covered river bottom is heaven to trophy whitetail deer as well. Wild turkey, quail, and pheasant can also be hunted on the east river. Ducks Unlimited did significant habitat enhancement on this piece and it is under a conservation easement held by DU. Finally, this parcel features an adjacent pivot planted in corn that is a great food source for deer, ducks, geese, and turkeys!
WEST RIVER PARCEL
The west river ground contains two miles of the South Platte River. This parcel is equally coveted for some of the best whitetail deer hunting around! The dense tree cover on the river is the perfect location for strategically placed archery stands. Currently, there are eight strategically placed tree stands allowing a hunter the flexibility to choose a stand based on wind and deer movement. Several of the stands are double sets and one is a box stand. The habitat and food sources allow deer to comfortably travel from cover to corn. Detailed information on each stand location is available to interested buyers.
This parcel also has excellent waterfowl and turkey hunting all along the river. There are also 4-5 coveys of quail and other game. Several wiper pivots provide a great food source and attractant for the wildlife. This parcel also features improved habitat from the Ducks Unlimited project as well as a conservation easement.
The Quail Buffer is approximately 78 acres north of Highway 30 that the owner took out of production and seeded to native grasses, plum thickets, and a cedar windbreak on the north. All of this habitat is now very well established. A recently installed bull tank with an oversized solar pump creates a constant overflow that flows into a channel and a small pond created to enhance the quail habitat. The result has been tremendous and has caused the quail population to grow substantially. It has also helped the pheasants, is excellent dove hunting in the fall, some wood ducks have started calling it home, and the deer use it extensively.
The Hills and the West Pasture are home to the best mule deer hunting on the ranch . They are generally hunted using a spot and stock method or setting up a blind.
NORTH PLATTE RIVER PARCEL
Truly a great whitetail deer and duck hunting property. With one mile of the North Platte River that is owned to the center line, this parcel is unencumbered by any conservation easements. A significant grove of trees and the tree-covered river bottom provide great cover for whitetail deer and turkey. A full irrigated pivot to the south also provides a great food source. There are currently two 2-man tree stands and a new box blind on this parcel. This parcel also features multiple warm water sloughs, some of which have been cleaned out to create great duck spots. The main slough, which is known as Bull Ditch, has several locations that were recently built-up to provide great blind locations. Other extensive sloughs are located along the north pasture fence and south of the river. This area is prime for additional hunting development and food plots if desired. This would also improve the quail and pheasant habitat on this parcel.
The pivot on the North Parcel also attracts the geese and cranes. Pheasants like the area south of the railroad tracks and grouse are often seen as well. There is a good location to put a food plot on the northeast corner. Mule deer will also come to this parcel from the northwest corner by the irrigation ditch.
Recreational Considerations
In addition to all of the recreation on the ranch, this area of Nebraska seems to have endless opportunities. Some of the best fishing in the state and surrounding areas can be found on Lake McConaughy, only 25 miles from the ranch. This is listed on the Top 100 Family Places to Fish and Boat in the U.S.! Known as Nebraska’s biggest lake, it is twenty miles long and four miles wide. It offers white sand beaches, excellent fishing, boating, and camping. Game fish vary from walleye and rainbow trout to crappie and bass.
The ranch is also not far from some of Nebraska’s famous sandhills golf courses. The Sand Hills Golf Club in Mullen is 90 minutes from the ranch and has been ranked as high as #9 in the country according to Golf Digest. The Dismal River Club is also located about 90 minutes from the ranch, which features two courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Doak.
Learn about the general operations
General Operations
CATTLE OPERATION
The ranch currently runs 300 head of registered Angus cattle. The main improvements consist of calving sheds and livestock working facilities. In addition, other sets of working facilities are strategically located throughout the ranch. Stock tanks are partially constant flow and partially electric. There are also 640± acres under a Lease from the State of Nebraska for the next seven years.
FARMING OPERATION
In addition to providing a great wildlife food source, the agricultural component of the Hanging H Ranch is very productive. The majority of the crops have been planted in corn historically, but rotational crops have also been used. The ranch has more than 600 acres under pivot irrigation as well as flood and sub-irrigation. The ranch also raises hay under pivot and on flood irrigated hay meadows.
Currently, the portion of the irrigated farmland not being used for hay production is leased out and provides a steady income. Due to the location of the farmland on the Platte River Valley, rental rates are strong, and production can exceed the 250BU per acre of corn with proper farming practices. Traditionally Corn and Soybeans have been planted, but other crops would include small grains, edible beans, and potatoes. The operation comes with 445± base acres of corn also.
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