Lonesome Oak Ranch | 3,185± acres | Zephyr, Tx 2.5 hrs from Dallas, Tx | $13,850,000 | SOLD
At just under 3200 acres, Lonesome Oak Ranch is one of the largest contiguous properties available in this part of the state. This legacy ranch has been owned by the same family for nearly 30 years and rarely does one receive an opportunity to purchase a property such as this. Featuring magnificent water resources for the area and extensive improvements to the land, this property provides good ROI potential coupled with instant usability and enjoyment. Under current management practices Lonesome Oak ranch presents a rare opportunity to own a large cashflow positive operating ranch. True year around live water, unique features of nature, trophy hunting, excellent grazing, accessibility and privacy all define this property located within the Cross Timbers and Prairie Eco Region of Texas.
Location:
This ranch is situated within Mills County near the border of Mills and Brown Counties. Approximately 5.5 miles southeast of Zephyr, Lonesome Oak Ranch is conveniently located along US Highway 183. Brownwood Regional Airport is located less than 20 miles from the ranch and offers fuel and a 5600’ asphalt runway. This property is centrally positioned 105 miles from Waco, 125 miles from Austin, 136 miles from Fort Worth, 92 miles from Abilene and 111 miles from San Angelo, TX. Nearby Brownwood offers a variety of dining, shopping, medical and grocery options.
Elevation, Topography, Soils & Foliage:
Lonesome Oak Ranch is located in the southern portion of the Cross Timbers and Prairie Eco Region of Texas where mature hardwoods meet thick native grasses such as Big Bluestem and Buffalograss. Multiple improved pastures have been added to the property which are lush with Side-Oats, Wilman Lovegrass, WW-B. Dahl, Coastal Bermuda (130-acre pasture that is maintained by the local feed store and generates revenue), Sunflower (10 acre dove field) and cool season perennial, Engelmann Daisy.
The land has been sculpted to highlight its natural beauty through many years of extensive mesquite and cedar removal. This showcases the plentiful large Live Oak, Burr Oak, Spanish Oak, Pecan, Redbud and other hardwoods.
Sloping elevation and rolling topography provide approximately 100’ of variance, ranging from 1400’ to 1500’ above sea level, and create multiple viewpoints overlooking the ranch and surrounding vistas.
The majority of the soils are comprised of Doudle-Real association which is well-drained gravelly Clay Loam, most suitable for native grasses and hardwoods such as live oaks. Bolas-Brackett and various others are also prevalent.
The rich variety of native forest, shrubs and abundant water that envelop this land provide habitat for a wide diversity of songbirds, game and many types of native flora and fauna.
Water:
The ranch boasts superb surface and subsurface water for this geographic area. Significant improvements have been installed to impound water in several places and turn it into one of the defining features of this property. Kelly Branch and Pompey Creek both traverse the land.
Kelly Branch feeds an 18± acre soil conservation lake. This lake was built in 1961 and provides trophy bass fishing for lunkers in the 10 lbs. range. The significant damn includes two 12” draw down pipes that flow into a 36” exit pipe for the spillway. Grass carp and other control methods are utilized to maintain ideal fishing conditions. The lake is approximately 13’ deep and features a boat dock, covered pavilion, concrete boat ramp and two bridges.
Pompey Creek is a strong flowing spring fed creek that holds water all year. Approximately one mile of the creek flows through the ranch. Two significant concrete spillway crossings have been installed and pool up deep-water pockets that hold various types of fish such as crappie. This is a very scenic portion of the ranch and the various tributaries that feed into Pompey Creek offer stunning features of their own such as grottos, sunken boulders and large shaded canopies.
Eleven water wells are located on the property. Most of them are 200’ – 250’ deep and all produce 25+ gallons per minute. 3 are powered by windmills, 1 solar and 7 submersibles. A 20,000-gallon water storage system is piped to various water troughs located within the pastures. The homes operate on well water and three of them have water softener and reverse osmosis filter systems.
Multiple stock tanks and small ponds are located throughout. At least one is believed to be spring fed.
Habitat, Wildlife and Cattle:
Lonesome Oak Ranch offers superb population of improved white-tailed deer genetics, axis, turkey, dove, a limited number of hogs and even the occasional quail. Approximately 1980 acres of the ranch is under high fence.
The axis herd was introduced to the high fenced section 12 years ago and has done very well. Ten years ago, 12 doe, bred by 200”+ deer, were released within the high fenced portion of the ranch. The ranch has operated under a stage 3 MLD Program for 10+ years. 43 doe tags and 45 buck tags were issued for the 2018-2019 season. The ranch has maintained a profitable corporate hunting lease to assist with the management of the deer herd, which is overseen by the ranch manager. Hunters stay in the “Hunter’s Lodge” and long-time local guides, who are familiar with the ranch and its wildlife management goals, are brought in to assist with the hunts. They stay in the nearby “Guide House” and accompany the lease hunters to ensure proper culling of the herd.
There are 40+ acres of food plots positioned throughout. Within the high fence there are 10 protein feeders, 12 corn feeders and 12 blinds. Within the low fence portion there are an additional 2 protein feeders, 7 corn feeders and 7 blinds. On average, 80-100 thousand pounds of protein feed is supplemented to the improve antler growth.
The estimated carrying capacity for cattle is 225 +/- head. There is a grazing lease currently in place. The land is grazed 6 months of the year and the cattle are removed from the property before hunting season begins.
Improvements, Structures & Roads:
The ranch has good perimeter and cross fencing in place. Approximately 1980 acres are under high fence. There are over 20 miles of roads, with most being in excellent shape. The main roads are either paved or caliche and are very well maintained.
The main compound consists of two homes connected by a paved walkway with a firepit and swimming pool situated in the middle. The 3 bed / 3 bath home was built in 1993 and the 3 bed / 2 bath home followed shortly in 1994. There is also a custom wood sculpting shop located within the compound area.
Additional notable homes and structural improvements include:
Ranch Manager’s House - 3 bedrooms / baths built in 2008. This charming home is conveniently located near the electric gated entrance into the ranch as well as the largest equipment barn, office and equestrian stalls. *The ranch manager has worked on the ranch for 26 years and also serves as Chief of the local volunteer fire department.
Hunter’s Lodge – 4 bedroom / 3 baths. Built for entertainment, this lodge can sleep 12 guests and has spacious indoor and outdoor living and dining spaces. It also come outfitted with a walk-in cooler, skinning station and large outdoor fire pit.
Guide House – 4 bedroom / 3 baths. Comfortable and clean accommodations located near the “Hunter’s Lodge”.
Foreman’s House – Tucked into a 200-acre low fenced section of the ranch. *The ranch foreman has worked on the ranch for 19 years.
40’ x 80’ Equipment Barn – There is an additional 20’ x 80’ add-on which includes a 20’ x 20’ office, 20’ x 50’ feed room and a 10’ x 20’ storage room. There is an additional 20’ x 80’ overhang which provides covered parking for equipment.
30’ x 90’ Hay Barn | Feed / Storage Shed |Equestrian Stalls | Large Set of Pens w/ Scale | Smaller Set of Pens | 15 Ton Protein Feed Silo | Covered Parking
Other:
Caliche pit located on the ranch for road material.
Shooting range. Utilized once a year by the Texas Rangers for training purposes on an invitational basis.
There is one buried pipeline easement on the property.
Some furnishings and equipment will convey with an acceptable offer.
Minerals & Production:
A significant portion of the mineral rights and all of the surface and executive rights related to any minerals are owned by the seller. The seller is willing to transfer these with a qualified offer. Please contact broker for additional details. There is currently no production or mineral leases on the ranch. There has never been either of these during their ownership.
Taxes:
The property is under an agricultural tax exemption program.
