Elk Basin Ranch, Catron County, NM, New Mexico
Property Types: Vacant Land, Ranches for Sale, Cabin, Recreational

If ever there was 10 out of 10 ranch that was managed with the discriminating trophy Elk & Mule Deer sportsman in mind, the +/- 3200 contiguous acres (+/- 2640 deeded and +/- 560 landlocked BLM) of Elk Basin Ranch, Catron County, NM is the one.  Elk Basin is located approximately halfway between Pie Town and Quemado NM, bordering the 10,000 acre BLM Mariano Natural Elk Habitat in the heart of Unit 12.  Nearby Fence Lake, in this Unit 12, was where the New Mexico State Record 442 bull was taken but a couple years back. 

Water

With 3 wells (2 electric & 1 solar) servicing waterlines with 6 drinkers across the ranch, holding one to two hundred elk is a given at anytime.  The drought has no effect on Elk Basin, with the ranch located where the elk calve and breed. Water drinkers are float managed to feed overflow ponds/wallows, keeping the herd bulls staked out and numerous satellite bulls running between the ponds like nervous teenagers.  

Habitat, Game & Tags

An almost perfect blend of 65% timber, 35% mixed meadows, with food plots and miles of edge allowing it to be the ideal habitat. There’s plenty of gramma grass and water capable of supporting +/- 50 AUM’s cattle grazing,  keeping an agricultural status on taxes.  The ranch elevation ranges from 6900 ft. to the higher 7000’s on the mountain tops, where the post-rut bulls herd up to heal, rest and recover from the rut.  Water is operated 24/7, 365 days a year to make sure the game never have a need to leave the Elk Basin Ranch.  The ranch is managed to the new Elk Contribution Standard.  For the 2020 season, the Elk Basin Ranch received 7 landowner tags (3 mature bull, 3 cow, 1 either sex) and the ranch has documented 375 bulls. The quality of mule deer the ranch carries is a wonderful surprise, with 190+ class deer documented on the ranch.  Mule deer tags are unlimited for the landowner.  (With an expedited close, tags may be available for 2020 season.)  Although known for its trophy elk and mule deer, Elk Basin Ranch also carries pronghorn antelope and predators, and the water holes make for a great dove shoot!  There’s an excellent trail system in place servicing the remote corners and that crisscross the ranch for family side-by-side rides and getting the game out.  

Improvements. 

The ranch carries what some would consider the ideal, but not overdone, headquarters.  Specially located with great game views, the headquarters is close to the ranch entrance, hidden from public view and doesn’t interfere with the ranches best hunting.  There’s a 2019 modular with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, fully furnished with power, gas, a back up generator and an end-to-end back porch to die for.  In the spirit of John Chisum, the porch is your heaven on earth, overlooking meadows, drinker, pond wallows and planted food plots so you better keep that spotting scope handy.  Perfect, but not overbuilt!   Keep your Polaris Ranger and tractor in the 40 ft. Zircon with custom doors and housing a special treat unique to Elk Basin, your very own Hydraulic High Lift which takes you up 30+ feet with the touch of a button. Incredible for game viewing and catching those unparalleled Southwest New Mexico sunsets. 

Location 

The ranch hosts incredible views of the Sawtooth Mountains to the east and Mariano Mesa to the west.  It’s a quick 20 minutes to dinner, groceries and gas at  Quemado.  It’s approximately 1 hour to Springerville, Arizona with jet capable air, 24-hour fuel  and courtesy cars.  Albuquerque International is 3 hours and Phoenix is 5 hours. 

Elk Basin is the consummate turnkey recreational ranch you’ve looked for your whole life. Call or email today for more information and a qualified showing. Co brokers welcome.