We can’t say enough about the contribution the Spear O Ranch, the Spear and Johnson families have made to their community and the ranching industry here in Montana. This is one of Montana’s Historic centennial ranches. It is well known throughout Montana and Wyoming as one of the very best in Western America. The Wolf Mountains lie in a high rainfall area. That combined with deep fertile soil produces grass and feed that can only be imagined in most of the mountain west. You would be hard pressed to find a ranch on the market today, or in recent times for that matter, that has the production and history of the Spear O. Five generations of Spears and Johnsons have lived and worked on this ranch for nearly 120 years. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a historic Montana ranch that needs no introduction to the ranching community.
Deeded Acres…………………………….6,786.25 +
Undivided Partial Interest Acres……2,430.58 +
Leased Acres…………………………..14,219.79 +
Leased acres include some undivided partial interest parcels
Resources:
Property Details
Deeded Acres……………………………6,786.25 +
Undivided Partial Interest Acres…..2,430.58 +
Leased Acres…………………………..14,219.79 +
Leased acres include some undivided partial interest parcels
As you drive into the Spear O, you are greeted by a complete set of improvements that lie at the confluence of Corral Creek and Dry Creek. The two bedroom two bath manager’s home, which was recently remodeled, is located here in a large grove of trees surrounded by a well landscaped yard. Across the yard from the house is an old red horse barn with the original wooden stalls still intact. It and the calving barn are connected by a new set of pipe corrals. An exceptionally well built ranch shop is used for servicing vehicles and working on ranch equipment regardless of the temperature outside. It is well insulated and built with an extra thick concrete floor which allows you to work on any kind of heavy equipment. The balance of the improvements at the headquarters includes a machine storage shed, several grain bins and the landing strip.
The main family home lies in an upper meadow at the confluence of Corral Creek and Little Corral Creek and is shaded by large trees in a pristine and beautiful setting. This large expansive ranch home is where Torrey and Adrienne Johnson raised their five children, now are the present day owners of the Spear O. As you stroll through the living room, dining room and large kitchen you can easily imagine the hustle and bustle of this energetic and hard working family as they were growing up.
The Spear O Ranch has traditionally been operated as a cow calf operation. The present owners winter the majority of the cowherd on the north end of the ranch at lower elevations, where you can normally winter out on the range until January before starting supplemental feeding. This part of the ranch contains several deeded parcels and a combination of tribal, competent and office leases that have been part of the Spear O for 100 plus years. The cow herd stays on this part of the ranch through calving season before returning to Corral Creek and Dry Creek in late spring, where they graze the higher elevations of the ranch until weaning and shipping in October or November.
Water Resources
The Spear O Ranch is blessed with nearly 15 miles of mountain streams flowing through its three main drainages. These streams are Corral Creek, Little Corral Creek and Dry Creek. Free flowing clear mountain water, along with numerous developed springs and reservoirs, provide excellent stock water for the ranch’s cow herd. These drainages are lined with choke cherry, wild plum and service berry, providing food and habitat for many species of wildlife. There are scattered patches of quaking aspens, while the ridges and peaks are covered with scattered to dense pine.
The lower reaches of these streams open into wide valleys and are lined with productive hay meadows. The meadows are planted to alfalfa or forage crops to supply the winter’s feed supply. Most of the ranch receives over 20 inches of precipitation on a normal year. Two crops of alfalfa are normally produced with the third crop used for fall grazing. The owners share that “We’re Always Green”.
$7,091
Mineral Rights
Not available and deeded away many years ago.
Location Details
The Spear O Ranch is located near Kirby, Montana and is 45 miles north of the ranching community of Sheridan, Wyoming. Billings, Montana’s largest city lies 90 miles to the northwest and has all the attractions and conveniences of a large city including many fine restaurants, shopping, banking, two hospitals and commercial air service.
The Spear O Ranch lies in a pristine and beautiful setting in the heart of the Wolf Mountains, which is considered one of the most desirable ranching areas of Montana. The elevation ranges from 3,800 to 5,200 feet. This high rainfall area,with its long summer days and cool nights, is well known within the ranching industry for its ideal growing conditions and extremely high production.
