Stonington Ridge Ranch

This beautiful 344 acre property offers year round living in a 3200 sq. ft. barndominium built in 2020. The Stonington Ridge Ranch has been groomed by the owners since 2017 for hunting. The entire ranch has incredible deer habitat with live water, food sources and bedding areas. Delta County is known for deer, turkey, grouse hunting and fishing. Truly a Four Season UP Wilderness Recreation property located in the desirable Stonington Peninsula. Land The Ranch is located on the Stonington Peninsula between Big Bay De Noc and Little Bay De Noc, This area in Delta County is known for its beauty as well as the quiet, friendly peacefulness enjoyed by property owners Bay De Noc Township. The ranch has great year-round access via paved roads for this  wilderness experience.  Located in the UP’s “Banana Belt” where Lake Michigan provides cooling summer breezes, with the warmer temperatures in the winter with less snowfall, making this a natural migration area for deer. This area has an abundant wildlife population and access to tremendous fishing in the Bay’s and the many inland lakes in the National Forest Land. This area is also an annual gathering location for the monarch butterflies before heading south over Lake Michigan. This exceptional 344 acres  is in the Qualified Forest Program so the taxes are reduced and will not uncap upon property transfer. The ranch has one mile of National Forest Land frontage with virtually no hunting activity. The ranch has miles of groomed trails to explore and enjoy this special property. The varied terrain consists of ridges, heavy dense Aspen regrowth, mature hard and soft wood trees, food plots, bottom land areas, two ponds and other live seasonal water areas provide and offer the ideal habitat for the deer, turkey and grouse. The two cedar areas are designated as winter deer habitat by the Qualified Forest Program. The blocks of Aspen regrowth provide food for deer and grouse as well as  dense bedding areas. The owners have planted 17,000 trees and shrubs for additional cover, wind breaks and for a food source for the deer and game birds.  Strategically placed “Rabbitats” large brush piles built to NRCS specifications have increased the rabbit population and other small animals and birds. The owners have been actively feeding the deer and wildlife since 2017.  The healthy deer population has thrived on the native clover, supplemental feeding and mineral program. The native grasses, flowering plants, native blackberry and raspberry patches along with the cedar browse provide additional forage for the deer and turkeys in the winter season. The owners witness a high number of fawns born here with many sets of twins and a few instances of triplets every year with their favorite spot being right close to the house and cabin. Eastern wild turkey raise their brood on the ranch every year. Improvements Comfortable Year Round Living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The main house is a 3200 sq. ft. barndominium including the garage and two work rooms. Built in 2020 as maintenance free inside and outside. The exterior walls are 8 inches and heavily insulated. The owners rave about the In-Floor electric radiant heat that has been a very comfortable, quiet and energy efficient heating system for their year round living. The living area is 1164 sq. ft. features a master suite, a second bedroom and guest bathroom, open great room kitchen and living area. Beautiful tongue and groove white cedar throughout. The great room features the kitchen with knotty Alder soft close cabinets, high resolution laminate countertops and Maytag appliances.  Ceiling fans in living room and the two bedrooms. Large walk-in showers in each bathroom. Raised 6 panel solid knotty Alder interior doors and 6 panel raised metal access doors. The utility room with washer and dryer has outlets for three freezers. All interior wood came from a local sawmill. The garage is 40 ft. deep to accommodate vehicles, atv’s and boats.  Maintenance free metal walls. The insulated garage door is 20 ft. wide by 8 ft. height. A 24 x 12 work/storage room next to the garage, has a hot & cold water utility sink and a LP gas propane heater. A 24 x 12 work/storage room has a built in work bench with cabinets, LP gas propane heater and has the Energy efficient hybrid electric water heater. Great lighting in the garage, storage rooms and outside floodlights. The State of the Art Rainwater Harvesting System for the living quarters is housed in the 28 x 20 heavily insulated, very clean, well lit building with three 2276 gallon water tanks. * one inch of rainfall on this roof provides approximately 2400 gallons of pure clean water. *Please see the detailed feature info in attached documents. The cozy cabin was there on the original 160 acres when the owners purchased it in 2017, they purchased the neighboring property to make the current 344 acre ranch. Cabin features are tongue and groove white cedar paneling, kitchen sink, water heater, stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave and kitchen table. A walk-in shower, baseboard heat, sleeping loft and ceiling fan. Maintenance free exterior and features a small covered porch to enjoy the wildlife and awesome sunsets. The gated main driveway accents the ranch along with the east gate driveway with access from the county maintained paved roads from highway U.S. Route 2.     Recreation Four Season Recreation opportunities. “Pure Michigan Upper Peninsula” Delta County and the surrounding Bay De Noc area provide a wonderful and diverse habitat for some of Michigan’s most exciting game species. Delta County has some of the highest deer density per square mile in the U.P., giving you high odds of a successful hunt. The buck poles at many deer camps can attest that Delta County produces some monster bucks every year. Little Bay De Noc offers some of the best Fresh Water fishing in the Midwest! Small Mouth Bass and Walleye are the most sought after! Salmon fishing in both Bay’s is world class along with the river tributaries for Fall fishing. Little Bay Campground and Hunters Point Boat Launch are 5 miles away to launch your boat for the day or enjoy the beautiful beach. Big Bay De Noc opens into Lake Michigan’s Green Bay, is enclosed by Delta County. The Garden Peninsula is on the east side of the bay and the Stonington Peninsula is on the west side. Great fishing and boating opportunities. The Sturgeon River, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has outstanding wildlife, early summer and late fall are the best times to canoe the Sturgeon River. Two main rapids challenge canoeists, while elusive brown trout, steelhead, and salmon challenge anglers. This area has an abundant wildlife population and access to tremendous fishing in the Bay’s and the many inland lakes in the National Forest Land. With more than 200 miles of shoreline, Delta County gives water sport enthusiasts plenty to enjoy, from fishing to boating and water skiing or just soaking up the sun on white-sand beaches. There’s also plenty of fun inland, with golfing, shopping, forest hiking, historical sightseeing and enough events to excite everyone. The Escanaba to Hermansville Rail-Trail runs 25 miles in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula following the former Soo Line Railroad built in 1901. The multi-purpose trail can be used by hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.  The Bay de Noc/Grand Island Trail parallels the Whitefish River, starting from 1/2 to 2 miles east of the river. The trail follows the approximate location of an ancient Chippewa Indian portage route used to carry canoes and supplies between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Following the river bluff for a considerable distance, it offers hikers, bikers and horse riders many extended views to the west across the Whitefish River Valley. Please note that this trail is designated “non-motorized.” In keeping with agency interim direction, non-motorized trails are not open to eBikes. The Top Waterfalls to visit in Delta County are the Rose Falls West- Chandler Falls-Rapid River Falls and the Haymeadows Falls.            Region & Climate Delta, MI County has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Average temperatures range from -2°F in January to 72°F in July. Precipitation in the county is moderate, averaging about 32 inches per year. Delta also receives an average of 71 days of precipitation each year, making it a great place for outdoor activities like camping, fishing, and hiking. The area also boasts several parks, forests, and wetlands perfect for exploring nature. Delta County, Michigan gets 30 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year. Delta County averages 62 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year. On average, there are 186 sunny days per year in Delta County. The US average is 205 sunny days. Location Rapid River is 18 miles.   Manistique is 46 miles.   Escanaba is 33.6 miles. Mackinaw Bridge is 170 miles.