Executive Summary
Located approximately 10 miles east of Weiser and 70 minutes from Boise, the Cove Road Ranch is a top flight hunting property offering excellent wing-shooting and big-game hunting for elk and mule deer. This 4,084± acre sporting ranch has been managed for nearly 40 years as a wildlife sanctuary with limited disturbance and extensive habitat improvements. Wild pheasants, quail, and partridge can found throughout the property utilizing springs, riparian areas, and extensive upland cover, while deer and elk take advantage of the draws and canyons comprising the south end of the ranch. Improvements are located in a secluded setting with excellent views of the mountains to the north and include a 1,800 sq. ft. owner’s residence and a large shop/storage building.
General Description
The Cove Road Ranch consists of two parcels of deeded land separated by approximately 840 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land under grazing permit to the ranch. The main deeded parcel encompasses 3,684± acres, while the second tract comprises 400± acres. The property is approximately four miles in length from north to south and three miles in width east to west. Elevation ranges from 2,300 feet at the north end of the property to 3,300 feet in the highlands at the ranch’s south end. The ranch is bordered by ranching operations and large private tracts to the north, east and west and BLM lands to the south. The property encompasses diverse topography and habitat features, including rolling grasslands, brushy draws, springs, riparian areas, wildlife ponds, and rugged foothills. Cove Creek, a slow moving, warm water tributary to the Weiser River, flows along the north end of the ranch for approximately a half-mile providing riparian habitat along its reach. Half a dozen ponds catch spring water and runoff and provide additional wildlife habitat.Improvements include a 2,385 square-foot, single-story home completed in 2005 with three bedrooms and two and one-half baths. Adjacent to the residence is a 3,200 square-foot, enclosed, insulated shop building with an adjoining 2,800 square foot machine shed. These buildings are located in a secluded setting in the heart of the property offering excellent views of the mountains to the north. The property is perimeter-fenced, and an interior road network links various portions of the property.
Broker's Comments
The Weiser area is one of the region’s top locations for wingshooting and big game hunting, and large ranches with intact habitat rarely come up for sale here. The Cove Road Ranch represents the opportunity to acquire a property that has been managed exclusively for wildlife and is large enough and diverse enough to accommodate a variety of species and hunting opportunities from abundant wild pheasants and quail to elk and deer.
Learn about the locale
Location
The Cove Road Ranch is located approximately 10 miles east of Weiser, Idaho and accessed year-round via paved county roads. Weiser offers a general aviation airport with a 4,000-foot runway. The city of Boise, Idaho is approximately 70 minutes east of the ranch via Interstate 84 and is home to the state’s largest airport, which offers a full range of commercial air and FBO services.
Locale
Located at the confluence of the Weiser and Snake Rivers, the town of Weiser (population 5,400) is one of western Idaho’s most charming agricultural communities with tree-lined streets and turn-of-the-century architecture. As the county seat for Washington County, Weiser serves as the local service and social center, and all general amenities can be found there, including groceries, lodging, restaurants, fuel and sporting goods. Settled in1863, the town is thought to be named for Jacob Weiser, a trapper-turned-miner who made a rich strike in western Idaho’s Florence Basin. Agriculture is the backbone of the local economy, and with a mild, four-season climate, the area supports a variety of farming, orchard and livestock endeavors. Among the liveliest times of year is the third week of June when Weiser hosts the National Old-Time Fiddler’s Contest and Festival, which began in 1963. The state capitol of Boise (population 200,000), about 70 minutes east of the property along Interstate 84, is Idaho’s largest city and the fourth largest in the Northwest. Boise is a vibrant western city and home to high-tech industry, a regional commercial airport, excellent hospitals, educational institutions including Boise State University, and the Bogus Basin Ski Resort.
Climate
The climate is best described as semi-arid with total annual precipitation of approximately 10 inches. This part of western Idaho generally enjoys four distinct seasons with mild, open winters. The average daytime high from November through February (the coldest months of the year) is 46 degrees. The average winter low is 24 degrees. Summers are warm with temperatures consistently reaching the low 90s during July and August and cooling to the mid-50s at night.
Learn more about the property
Acreage (Deeded & Leased)
Deeded Acres: 4,085±
Total Leased Acres: 0±
Total Acres: 4,085±
Mineral Rights
All mineral rights owned by the seller will be conveyed to the buyer at closing.
Taxes
Annual Washington County property taxes are approximately $4,400.
Learn about the recreational amenities
Wildlife Resources
Located in one of Idaho’s “birdiest” areas, the ranch offers excellent populations of upland game, including pheasants, valley quail, Hungarian partridge, and chukar partridge. Cove Creek along with wildlife ponds across the ranch attract a variety of waterfowl throughout the year. The ranch is also home to a strong population of mule deer, including large bucks in the 30-inch class. A multitude of other non-game birds and mammals are found on the property as well. Because the ranch consists of at least 640 acres, the owner of Cove Road is eligible for a landowner appreciation permit for controlled big game hunts within Hunt Unit 32. Approximately 80 head of elk make the ranch home year-round, while a herd of several hundred regularly move through the property during the season.
Learn about the general operations
General Operations
Historically, the Cove Road Ranch was managed for dryland crop production and livestock grazing. However, the current owner has forgone farming and ranching activities and kept human disturbance to a minimum for the sole purpose of enhancing wildlife populations on the ranch. There are three stock water rights and a single domestic right appurtenant to the ranch. In addition, the ranch holds a right to divert and store water from Cove Creek on a year-round basis for wildlife purposes. There are no irrigation rights associated with the property. The ranch also holds a BLM grazing permit to graze 30 cow/calf pairs on the contiguous Baker Individual Allotment for one month.
Back to Overview
