Dry Creek Ranch

DESCRIPTION: Located approximately 25 miles northeast of Pawhuska, is the 436± acre Dry Creek Ranch, a hunter’s paradise connected to the infamous Western Wall of Osage County. The ranch’s south boundary borders the Western Wall’s primitive hunting unit, well known for trophy white-tailed deer and excellent quail habitat. Atop the premium wildlife opportunities, this property also offers excellent grazing and is comprised with both native and introduced forages. Dry Creek merges with Pond Creek on the ranch creating almost 2 miles of unparalleled riparian wildlife habitat. Historically, the property has been managed for both grazing and trophy whitetail hunting with very selective harvest rates. The topography provides approximately 150’ of elevation changes ranging from mature hardwoods found in the riparian areas to an upland mosaic of Cross Timbers native vegetation. The diversity of this ranch is ideal for someone interested in both livestock production and outstanding hunting opportunities. Acreage: The 436 acres +/- located in Osage County Oklahoma and therefore sells as surface only. Location: • 7 mi from historic Elgin, KS • 22 miles from Sedan, KS • 25 miles from Pawhuska, OK • 35 miles from Bartlesville, OK • 80 miles from Tulsa, OK IMPROVEMENTS: The 3500 sq ft custom modular home includes 4 bedrooms, an open kitchen, 2 living areas, 3 full baths (including handicap accessible), walk-in closets and office. Additionally, the original 3 bed, 1.5 bath farm home is ideally suited for guests and additional hunters. The permanent whole home dual fuel generator provides power in the event of outages. The headquarters area includes a shop with concrete floor, storage containers and steel pens. There are multiple pastures and traps connecting to the main set of pens suitable for processing cattle and ease of handling. All perimeter fencing is 5-wire with steel corners in good repair. Most of the internal cross fencing has been built within the last 5 years. SOILS AND FORAGE CAPABILITY: The predominate Verdigris, Bates and Braman silt loam soils, which are generally capability I, II & III, provide the base for many high yielding introduced forages such as Bermudagrass, fescue, crabgrass, numerous clovers, and annual ryegrass. Many of the pastures were formerly cultivated and will support no-till wheat, rye or other forage annuals. Multiple locations are quite suitable for food plot establishment. The mature timber located in the Pond Creek bottom include red oak, bur oak, chinquapin oak, pecan, black walnut, sycamore, red bud and river birch. These species provide a variety of preferred white-tailed deer feed including both hard and soft mast with numerous understory browse species. The various soil types between the 230 acres of bottom land and upland Cross Timbers produces the edge and diversity creating premium wildlife habitat. The upland shallow savannah soils support hickory, red oak, post oak and blackjack oaks. The native forages are represented by big bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass and little bluestem to name just a few of the major tallgrass species. Prairie Acacia, Leadplant, Showy partridge pea, Roundhead and Slender lespedeza are just a few of the represented legumes. Maximilian and Ashy sunflower, Prairie coneflower, Pitcher sage, and several Gayfeather varieties are representative of the native forbs. These plant communities define the diverse ecological balance of the Cross Timbers ecoregion and what the Osage Hills are known for. They contribute to the livestock grazing and wildlife habitat of this area of Oklahoma and southern Kansas. GRAZING/ FORAGE MANAGEMENT: The ranch is currently utilized as a cow-calf operation and rated at approximately 60 AU. There is approximately 230 total acres of bottom ground and 130 acres of open improved forage pastures. An experienced forage manager will quickly see the upside with a moderately aggressive forage management program including soil amendments. The favorable climate of the area is ideal for implementing additional cover crop/overseeding mixtures to both enhance soil health and diversify the forage base of the ranch. Stockpiling forage and winter grazing should be easily accomplished on the bottomland soils with the multiple pastures and suitability for cool season forages. There are approximately 6 pastures and traps which allow for rotational grazing throughout the ranch. Typically, the most limiting factor developing rotational grazing plans is the distribution of stock water. The ranch was thoughtfully designed to provide permanent pond water in all pastures. Additionally, many of the pastures could be further divided into grazing cells utilizing temporary electric fencing and further water development. WATER: It is always beneficial when one of the strongest values of a property is the availability of water. The home is served by a domestic water well and numerous old cisterns can be found throughout the property. Osage County has an annual rainfall of approximately 38”. Statistically, November through February is the driest period of the year. Pond Creek, and its tributaries, are spring fed and has traditionally provided much of the stock water for the ranch. Several ponds also provide water for the livestock and wildlife. There are numerous locations for additional water impoundments. RECREATION / WILDLIFE: Numerous ponds and creeks on the ranch provide endless opportunities for fishing and waterfowl hunting. The riparian areas serve as excellent travel corridors for deer and other wildlife species. The upland hardwoods provide areas of browse as well as opportunities for bedding and cover. The ranch also provides numerous locations for the development of food plots and/or feeding areas. This area of northern Osage County, near the Kansas border, has consistently produced outstanding white-tailed deer and turkey hunting. Whether you're interested in trophy hunting with your family or would like to establish a hunting lodge utilizing the current structures, this ranch offers excellent opportunities with the potential for grazing income as well. Additional Information: The ranch is currently under a NRCS EQUIP conservation program and is set to be completed in 2025. Practices include prescribed fire, mechanical understory brush removal and chemical application on the upland areas to reduce the 100% tree canopy. As previously mentioned, the ranch’s southern boundary directly borders the Western Wall Primitive Hunting Unit. This unit covers over 7000 acres of some of the most remote and diverse habitat in northern Oklahoma. This is an archery only unit and provides draw opportunities for special muzzloader hunts. With no centerfire weapons allowed, this unit’s management has created some of the best trophy Whitetail hunting in Oklahoma. The entire unit is foot access only limiting hunter access and success further. More information can be found at: Osage WMA – Western Wall Unit | Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (wildlifedepartment.com) Multiple implements, equipment, tools & deer blinds/ stands are available for purchase. MINERALS: Surface Only. TAXES: $2960 per annum PRICE: $1,675,000