Angler's Retreat on the Shields

The ranch is located approximately 15 minutes northeast of the lively western town of Livingston. The vibrant community of Bozeman lies approximately 45 minutes southwest of the ranch, with Bridger Bowl Ski Area located along the way, just 35 minutes from the ranch gate. For the more adventurous, Yellowstone National Park is 90 minutes to the south. There is a jet-capable airstrip near Livingston with commercial air services at Bozeman. 

The greater area surrounding the ranch includes some larger private holdings owned by a combination of old-line ranching families and more recent owners who desire to maintain the integrity and privacy of this region. This area remains devoid of small tract development, and the consensus has been to generally protect against such an occurrence, particularly along the mountain front, by way of open-space conservation easements such as the one on this ranch. At the same time, this property sits on the threshold of larger communities with a full line of amenities and services, allowing someone to have one leg in an intimate private landscape and the other in a thriving community. Livingston, gateway to the Paradise Valley and Yellowstone National Park, supports numerous art galleries, a wine cellar, a bookstore, a restored McKim, Mead and White railroad depot, gourmet restaurants, theaters, fly shops, and a variety of antique stores. The world-famous Yellowstone River rushes through town and represents the spirit of this exciting small community. Livingston has a rich history among the fly fishing community and is home to the International Federation of Fly Fishers. The Livingston headquarters hosts educational programs and has an extensive history of fly fishing in its museum and library.

Immediately to the east of the ranch are the Crazy Mountains, locally referred to as the “Crazies.” This “island” mountain range spans roughly 40 miles between the Musselshell and Yellowstone River valleys to the north and south. With peaks rising to over 11,000 feet, this is a truly spectacular range, which includes a considerable amount of above tree line country dotted with high mountain lakes located in cirques amongst the peaks. This range lies on the far eastern flank of the Rocky Mountains, with the Great Plains spreading to the east. From the ranch, one can access the national forest at numerous trailheads, the closest being Rock Creek 15 miles from the property.   

The average elevation of the ranch is 4,700 feet above sea level. The total average annual precipitation is estimated to be 14 inches. There is a robust wildflower bloom through the summer. Without a doubt, the months spanning from late May through October are nothing short of spectacular. Generally, the heat of the summer rarely rises above the 80s and the cool summer nights and low humidity create a near-perfect outdoor living climate. 

Winter generally arrives in the late fall, sometime around Thanksgiving. From that period through Christmas, the short days usually combine with cold temperatures and the onset of snow in the lower elevations. January, February, and March will find a full mix of winter weather, including the occasional major winter storm with low temperatures that will drop below zero. While the night-time average in the coldest months is in the single digits, the daytime highs average in the mid-thirties. Standing snow levels at the ranch amount to only four to five inches, while in the nearby mountains it measures in feet. 

The classic style 2,800± square foot farmhouse was one of the first ranch headquarters in the Shields River Valley and originally constructed in 1904. Over the past four years, the home has been fully renovated. Renovations include a newly roofed, wrap-around porch, new HVAC system, new plumbing, electrical, and custom cabinetry throughout. The primary bath has Carrera marble floors and counter, a clawfoot tub, and a steam shower. The new powder room and second floor bath include walk-in showers and luxury finishes. The new kitchen includes French limestone flooring, Carrera marble and walnut butcher block countertops, and an eat-in nook. Appliances include a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Café range, Wolf microwave, and ASKO dishwasher. The built-in bar in the dining room includes Carrera marble countertops, Sub-Zero ice maker, beverage drawers, and wine refrigerator. An old grain building has been converted into an insulated guest cabin with an intricate cedar ceiling. It can be heated year-round. The rear addition to the home has been clad with unique Bark House siding, which boasts very low maintenance. The home completes one’s relaxed experience with a new rear porch and Hot Springs hot tub. Heirloom gardens surround the home with thousands of perennials, multiple apple trees, and a raspberry patch. A newly installed sprinkler system keeps the yard and gardens irrigated with low maintenance.

Shop: Located adjacent to the main house is a freestanding fully improved wood and glass greenhouse with concrete floor and louvered windows. It is insulated and heated, with its own propane tank and 220V electrical.

Barn and Loafing Sheds: There is an old barn originally constructed in 1895 and still used for storage. There are multiple loafing sheds and a hay barn. The property is fully fenced for horses with a central groundwater pond for watering animals.

The Angler's Retreat on the Shields has over three-quarters of a mile of Shields River frontage. There is a year-round lagoon/spring that freezes solid in winter for ice skating recreation. 

Any and all minerals owned or controlled by the seller and appurtenant to these described lands will transfer to a new owner at closing. 

The annual property taxes are approximately $3,498.00. 

Fishing and horseback riding are the main attractions of the property for the current owners. The Shields River flows approximately 60 miles from its origin in the Crazy Mountains to its confluence with the Yellowstone River east of Livingston. Brown trout are the predominant species found in this stretch of the Shields River, but both cutthroat and rainbow trout can tighten the line as well. For much of the summer and fall, the river produces excellent dry fly fishing with a variety of attractor patterns as well as more hatch-specific mayfly, stonefly, and caddis patterns. In addition to fishing ,the Shields River is ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and float tubing. The large deep pools in the river make for some tremendous swimming holes. 

Ever-present whitetail deer, waterfowl, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, occasional moose, and a myriad of other fauna offer abundant wildlife viewing as well as hunting. 

Summer trekking or horseback riding into the backcountry of the Crazies offers great adventure. There are approximately 40 alpine lakes throughout the range, many of which support trout. Several of these lakes are headwaters of smaller streams in high elevation cirques above the tree line in incredibly scenic and rugged country. The lakes make for great summer explorations.

Fall offers a wide variety of big game hunting opportunities, with elk, mule and whitetail deer, moose, and mountain goats populating the Crazies. Winter attracts cross-country skiers and snowmobilers to those areas designated for winter motorized travel.

Yellowstone National Park is roughly a 90-minute drive south of the ranch, through the north entrance at Gardiner. The north entrance has the only road maintained within the park year-round, allowing winter trips into the park for wildlife viewing.

The ranch also enjoys the benefit of being within approximately 35 minutes of Bridger Bowl Ski Area. Bridger Bowl is often the destination of choice for skiers in the Bozeman area. It offers exceptional expert and intermediate level skiing and a variety of terrain suitable for beginners in a low-key, family-oriented environment.