Judith Headwaters Ranch · The Judith’s best fishing is located in the Hobson/Utica area,...

Judith Headwaters RanchU T I C A , M O N T A N A

H u n t i n g | R a n c h i n g | F l y F i s h i n g | C o n s e r v a t i o n

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Introduction:The Judith Headwaters Ranch, located outside of Utica

in Judith Basin County, encompasses nearly 520 acres of

rolling hills, wildflower-filled meadows, scenic vistas and

timbered ridges. The property is adjacent to state lands

and is within close proximity to the Lewis and Clark

National Forest and state elk refuge, providing the ranch

thousands of additional acres for recreation and wildlife

sightings. With approximately one mile of Judith River

meandering through the property, the angler will find

exciting opportunities for rainbow, cutthroat, brook and

brown trout. Mule deer and whitetail deer graze on the

hills and ranch grounds. Upland birds are also a common

sight. The extensive improvements, including cabins, barns

and the main lodge, create the ideal personal or corporate

retreat set in Montana’s unsurpassed beauty.

Judith Headwaters RanchU T I C A , M O N T A N A

Craig Janssen, Associate Broker

Jack McInnerney, Sales Associate

Toll Free: 866.734.6100

Office: 406.586.6010


Location:The Judith Headwaters Ranch, formerly known as the Circle Bar Ranch, is located thirteen miles southwest of Utica in

Judith Basin County, Montana. The area has a variety of different landscapes including wildflower-filled meadows and

heavily timbered slopes that form the Little Belt Mountain Range. The communities of Utica, Hobson and Stanford offer

small town amenities as well as the Judith Basin Museum and Utica Museum, which feature artifacts from the Homestead

Era. Fine dining, commercial air service, state parks, golfing and shopping can be found 90 miles away in Great Falls.

Lewistown is located 45 miles to the northeast and offers shopping, a public airport with a 6,100-foot asphalt runway, as

well as a movie theatre, two golf courses and full service hospital. The area surrounding the ranch is rich in recreational

opportunities with Lewis and Clark National Forest, Judith River Wildlife Management Area and Ackley Lake State Park

nearby. In the fall and winter months large elk herds can be viewed on the edge of the Little Belt Mountains near the Judith

River Wildlife Management Area.

Acreage:The Judith Headwaters Ranch encompasses 478 acres of pasture and river bottom as well as approximately 40 acres of irrigated

land for a total of nearly 520 acres. The Lewis and Clark National Forest’s 1.8 million acres are in close proximity to the ranch,

and the state elk refuge is located nearby. There is direct access to hundreds of thousands of acres of spectacular untouched

beauty through the adjacent state land. The terrain includes meadows, rolling hills, scenic vistas and timbered slopes that rise

behind the ranch headquarters to form the Little Belt Mountain range. The Judith River starts on the ranch from “her” two

tributaries, the South Fork and the Middle Fork. The river meanders through the ranch for approximately one mile, offering

excellent fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, brook and brown trout. The terrain on the ranch is conducive to developing a landing

strip in the meadows, and the ranch is accessible year-round by improved county gravel road.



Improvements:The Judith Headwaters Ranch offers a number of extensive improvements including 9 cabins, 2 barns, a recreation hall, pool

house, shop, reception hall, main lodge, 4 hotel-style rooms, a suite and a residence. The suite features a large living area and

private bathrooms and accommodates up to 6 people. The cabins come in a variety of sizes and are wonderful for housing

guests or use in a corporate retreat. These cabins boast spectacular views, fireplaces, wet bars, living areas and kitchenettes,

depending on the customized cabin. The horse barn, built before 1902, once displayed the “S Lazy 4 Bar” brand and is now

the center for riding activities. It is complete with tack storage and foaling stalls to truly make it a blend of form and function.

Originally built as a quarter horse breeding facility, the new barn and arena house seven oversized stalls and an exercise area.

The barn offers equine safety with its iron and wood stall partitions and functionality with its removable walls for cleaning and

stall-size options. Propane heat, a freeze proof hydrant, outdoor water troughs, rodeo-size arena, and space for team penning

and riding lessons make this a versatile facility.


Improvements: (Continued)The recreation/meeting hall on the Judith Headwaters Ranch

is complete with a carport, porch, river rock fireplace and 2

bathrooms creating a great place to view the pasture to the

west. Whether relaxing with friends or family, shooting a

game of pool or holding an important gathering, this is the

ideal place. The main lodge is a log structure that includes a

full-sized commercial kitchen, dining room, bar, 3-bedroom

suite, 4 hotel-style rooms and large living room complete with

high ceilings, panoramic picture windows and native stone

fireplace. The residence is a remodeled 4-bedroom, 3-bath

home with fireplace, jetted hot tub and a large extra space ideal

for an office. The ranch also features a heated swimming pool

and glass-enclosed hot tub.

In the early 1880s, Utica was a lively town and the headquarters for the Judith Basin Cattle Pool. Around this time, a young

man from Missouri named Charlie Russell came to Judith Basin and began painting canvases inspired by the area and its

people. His paintings told stories of Indians, buffalo, cowboys, mining, wolves and the open range. The “cowboy artist”, as

Charlie is now called, witnessed the transformation of the country with herds of cattle replacing buffalo and Native Americans

no longer free to live as they once did. His art depicted the changes in the West and also gave a look at how the West used to

be. These paintings can be seen in the many museums across the nation that celebrate the art and history of Charlie Russell.

The Judith Headwaters Ranch was originally inhabited by the Blackfeet Indians who used it as a hunting ground. By the

late 1800s, the United States of America claimed primary ownership of the area, and men began staking out their claim on

the land. The ranch assumed the name “S Lazy 4 Bar” in 1890, which was one of the earliest brands in Montana. The land

later became the Middle Fork Cattle Company and was used to buy, sell and raise cattle and horses. The business eventually

developed into a hunting and recreation business and in 1904, the owners procured a hotel license, as they planned to serve

meals and become a guest facility. In 1920, the ranch took on the new brand and name of Circle Bar Ranch. The ranch was

bought and sold twice more before the current owners purchased it in 1982.

History:



Live Water:The Judith River, a freestone tributary of the Missouri, runs for approximately 124 miles through central Montana and features

white cliffs, deep coulees and rock formations. The river experiences little pressure from anglers due to its secluded location

and is a great fishery for rainbow and brown trout, which occasionally reach 20 inches or more. Native cutthroat and brook

trout are abundant upstream from the property. Early spring offers decent mayfly and caddis hatches that bring trout to

the surface. During the summer months, hatches of PMDs, caddis and yellow Sallies are expected, however due to major

grasslands that the river runs through, grasshopper activity is predominant.

The Judith’s best fishing is located in the Hobson/Utica area, including the approximately one mile on the Judith Headwaters

Ranch. The river is a seasonal fishery beginning in early spring and running until fall and boasts four species of trout. The

Judith River offers great fishing as well as spectacular beauty and is a true asset to the ranch.


Nearby Live Water:Excellent small mountain stream fishing in this area of Montana is a short hike or drive from the ranch. The Middle

Fork and South Fork of the Judith River can be accessed from the property, and both offer miles of fishing along national

forest land. These streams get little fishing pressure, and trout are generally active and willing. Small attractor flies like a

Royal Wulff, trude or stimulator are great dry fly choices, and a small bugger can be effective in the deeper holes.

Big Spring Creek originates 6 miles south of Lewistown and runs nearly 26 miles until it joins the Judith River. It is a

stream of extraordinary beauty and is a superb fishery. Lewistown is one of the few towns that one can often catch trout

within the city limits. Big Spring Creek is a wade fishery, not a float-and-fish stream. It is open to year-round fishing and

is fishable when many other streams are blown out from runoff. Big Spring Creek is a great nymph and dry fly stream,

however wet flies also work well.

Another nearby fishing area is the Ackley Lake State Park, which is surrounded by stunning views of the Little Belt

and Snowy Mountains with rich agricultural land. The 160-acre Montana state park located 6 miles southwest of the

community of Hobson. The park offers picnicking and camping facilities as well as opportunities for fishing and boating

on Ackley Lake.


Wildlife & Hunting:With the close proximity of the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the state elk refuge, it is not unlikely to see large elk

herds. Mule deer and whitetail deer graze on the hills and ranch grounds. The onsite Judith River meandering behind the

barn also lures several species of upland birds and the occasional moose to the property. Bird watching is outstanding with

eagles, peregrine falcons, hawks, bluebirds, hummingbirds, ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, goldfinches, great horned owls, as

well as many other diverse species present on the ranch. Big game wildlife viewing is also outstanding on the nearby 7,745-

acre Judith River Wildlife Management Area with its abundant vegetation for wintering elk and other species such as deer and

antelope. Black bear, mountain lions and bobcats are also native to the area.

Recreation: Recreational opportunities abound on the Judith Headwaters Ranch. With miles of trails in the nearby Lewis and Clark

National Forest as well as the ranch terrain of rolling hills, meadows and timbered slopes, the incoming owner has the

choice of horseback riding, hiking, hunting, pack trips and wildlife viewing. The location of the ranch is ideal for hunting

since it borders state land and has national forest access ½ mile away. The opportunities for elk, bear, deer and antelope

are incredible as well as ample fishing on the approximately one mile long stretch of Judith River. Winter activities also

exist near the ranch with hundreds of thousands of acres of National Forest for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and

snowshoeing. Downhill skiing is also possible as Showdown Ski Area is within an hour and a half drive, offering runs for

all skill levels.


Summary

• Nearly 520 deeded acres are a mix of river bottom,

irrigated hay and native pasture

• One mile of Judith River

• Improvements include cabins, barns and the main lodge

• Proximity to the Lewis and Clark National Forest

• Adjacent to Montana state lands

• Abundant area wildlife and hunting

• Ideal dude ranch, personal or corporate retreat

PRICE: $1,950,000TAXES: $8,826 in 2015

Notes:1) This is an exclusive listing of Live Water Properties LLC; an agent of Live Water Properties must be present to conduct a showing. The owners

respectfully request that other agents and/or prospective buyers contact Live Water Properties in advance to schedule a proper showing and do not attempt to tour or trespass the property on their own. Thank you.

2) Offering subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information provided herein is intended as a general guideline and has been provided by sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy of which we cannot guarantee.

3) Live Water Properties LLC represents the Seller as a Seller’s Agent.

CONTACT: Craig Janssen, Associate BrokerCell: 406.580.5830

Jack McInnerney, Sales AssociateCell: 406.220.1696

Toll Free: 866.734.6100 | Office: 406.586.6010


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Judith Headwaters Ranch · The Judith’s best fishing is located in the Hobson/Utica area,...

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