Oasis Fish and Fowl

Land Description

This 400 acre property is a Sportsman’s Paradise.  Where else in Nebraska can you enjoy exceptional waterfowl hunting, deer hunting, wild Turkey Hunting, AND exceptional fishing for Trout, Steelhead, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, and panfish? This property genuinely has it all. In the midst of a seemingly endless expanse of native high rolling plains, an Ogallala aquifer spring creates the “Deep Hole Spring Creek”. This water flows year round at a rate of 400 GPM, and maintains a steady 54 degrees F. The current Owner saw this running water as an opportunity to create an Oasis of lakes and wetlands visible for miles to any waterfowl migrating through the region. This property lies in the heart of the Central Flyway, with ducks and geese pouring into open water at night on their way north. The Owner created four lakes along the north flowing water way. According to Jack Doyle the consulting engineer who installed the water measuring station (Parshall Flume) below the main springs and above the “Crazy Horse” Lake, “the average flow of water through the creek is 400-450 GPM.” The first lake is 2 1/2 acre “Crazy Horse” Lake. The home and other building improvements are nestled in a grove of trees adjacent to the lake. A fishing bridge, a fishing island, and a dock provide excellent casting points. Aerators keep the water healthy, oxygenated, and open all year round. (Though the warm water spring would likely keep the water open in the winter by itself) This fishery has been stocked with Rainbow Trout and Donaldson Steelhead.  Numerous mature indigenous trees and a grove of Chinese Elms planted in the 1930’s create a cool, shady park-like atmosphere. The home overlooking Crazy Horse Lake is a beautifully renovated 1,755 Sq Ft ranch-style two bedroom brick home. Other buildings includes a 1,280 sq. ft. red barn and a 1,092 sq. ft. storage shed.  There are  RV hookups plumbed in at the improvement site as well. The next lake heading northward is the recently constructed “Red Cloud” Lake. The 1 1/2 acre lake is stocked with smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie and fathead minnows. This lake has been outfitted with aerators as well. Immediately down the channel is the older but re-constructed and enlarged 3 acre “Sitting Bull” Lake. Aerators, and floating dock and fish habitat structures have been completed. This lake is stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie and minnows. Furthest north on the creek’s path is the smaller 1/3 acre “Medicine Arrow” Lake which is home to grass carp, hybrid bluegills and yellow perch. All combined, these state of the art fishing lakes and surrounding wetlands provide significant habitat for an outstanding fishery and wildlife sanctuary. The northern-most 80 acres of the property is currently in dry crop land and may qualify for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) designation. The opportunity for upland bird habitat enhancement is good, while the natural sand sage and native grass prairie uplands provide excellent habitat for dove, grouse, pheasant and turkey. Mule deer and whitetail deer are plentiful on this ranch. This property has great historical significance as well. The Oregon Trail passed by the ranch just 7 miles to the north.  Historic landmarks Courthouse and Jailhouse Rocks can be seen from the ranch. Higher in the drainage along the southern property fence line are the remnants of a large stone foundation, which was an old cavalry remount station. The Sidney to Deadwood Trail, used by thousands of prospectors during the 1870’s gold rush, passes just west of the property. This route was also used by the Pony Express.  Numerous U.S. Army and Native American artifacts have been found on the property. Several pioneer dugouts, stone building foundations, and wagon trail ruts are also evident. The ranch elevation is between 3790 and 4000 feet above sea level. These high plains receive on average 15” to 18” of rainfall annually. The town of Sidney which is headquarters for Cabela’s The World’s Foremost Outfitter is just 25 miles southwest of this property.  Scottsbluff/Gering, Nebraska with a population of approximately 22,000 is the largest city in the Western Panhandle and it is just 35 miles northwest of the ranch.  Scottsbluff/Gering has excellent medical facilities as well as a trade center for all of Western Nebraska.?? Legal Description Township 18 North, Range 49 West of the 6th P.M., Morrill County, Nebraska Section 21: E1/2SE1/4 Section 28: NE1/4, SE1/4