Payette, ID 83661 - Payette County

Spanning 12,900 deeded, contiguous acres in the foothills of western Idaho, Little Willow Creek Ranch is the headquarters and winter base for a longstanding and locally owned yearround ranching operation. In addition to its deeded acreage, the ranch controls a 640 acre state grazing lease, which the property surrounds, and an adjoining 2,000 acre Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grazing allotment. Little Willow Creek, a yearround tributary to the Payette River, flows for over three miles through the heart of the ranch and supports a vibrant riparian zone loaded with pheasant, quail, waterfowl, and mule deer. The ranch raises hay on approximately 500 acres using decreed water rights and water shares in the Little Willow Irrigation District. Soils on the ranch are deep, sandy and welldrained, and suited to most of the cash crops grown in the area. Irrigation water is delivered by a 100acre center pivot, wheel lines, hand lines, gated pipe, and concrete ditches with siphon tubes. Large blocks of rangeland flank the ranchs irrigated land and are used for spring and fall grazing. Developed springs and stock tanks are scattered throughout these portions of the ranch and provide water for cattle and wildlife, including a growing elk herd that makes the property home. Wet Gulch is one of the propertys main features originating in the hills on the north end of the ranch and descending south toward Little Willow Creek. This lengthy draw features springfed irrigation ponds and riparian areas which provide terrific pheasant hunting. Large coveys of chukar partridge are found on the nearby hillsides flanking Wet Gulch. The ranch is practically improved with employee housing, equipment and hay storage, shop buildings, wellplaced sets of corrals and cattlehandling facilities, and several backgrounding lots. The property is located 15 miles east of the county seat of Payette and 65 miles northwest of the capital city of Boise and its commercial airport. Ontario, Oregon, which is the main service center for the area, is 20 miles west of the ranch and offers a jetcapable general aviation airport.

The Facts

-Headquarters ranch traditionally wintering 700 cows

-12,900 deeded, contiguous acres plus a 640 acre state lease and a 2,000 acre BLM allotment

-Producing hay and winter feed crops on 500 acres under sprinkler and surface irrigation

-Spring and fall grazing on extensive rangeland pastures

-Three miles of Little Willow Creek plus other yearround creeks and springs

-Practical, functional livestock and ranch facilities

-Outstanding upland hunting for pheasant, quail and chukar with excellent elk and mule deer populations

-Located in an established farming and ranching community with yearround access on maintained county roads

-Annual property taxes are approximately $7,600

-All mineral rights owned by seller will be conveyed at closing

-Personal property including cattle, hay, and machinery are not included in the offering price but are available for purchase

-Numerous options exist for operating the ranch based on a combination of size, grazing resources, irrigation water, and wildlife habitat