This solid, attractive unit is located in northwest Mason County, in the northwest section of the famed Texas Hill Country, at the end of an all-weather, gravel county road and easement two miles north of TX Highway 29. Mason is becoming a prized address, and this land is above average quality for the area. Oak Hills is a combination ranching/recreational unit boasting 85% clay or loamy soils in oak/mesquite country known for producing large deer and flocks of turkey. The land is level to gently rolling, with a total elevation change of 150 feet, and has a nearly level field of 45± acres in the northwest corner. The ranch is bisected by a major drainage, Spring Branch, which flows large amounts of water in wet years, and is lined with heritage live oaks and elms. The property rises gently from the drainage on both sides, to brushy, low hills, some affording long distance views in all directions. Much of the ranch has been in various types of brush control programs for many years, and the thickness of the turf and grass is solid evidence of those techniques. The property is fenced into four pastures, and there is a centrally located set of pipe working pens. A solar powered well serves a network of troughs, and two stock tanks located on Spring Branch could definitely be enhanced, as both hold water months after rains. Hunting on this ranch can be accurately described as excellent for both whitetail deer and turkey, and there are also huntable numbers of blackbuck in the area. Axis are seen occasionally in the area, and the dove component could be upgraded with water development and seed crop plantings. If one seeks a solid combination of value, production ability and recreational potential with a Mason address, then Oak Hills Ranch should be on their short list.
The ranch has a clean, rectangle shape to it, and basically self-creates a “bowl” consisting of Spring Branch Creek bisecting two low ranges of hills as it drains to the north. The gently rolling terrain has an elevation change of 140’, with several spots affording distant views of the Hill Country.
The countryside has been managed and burned over the years resulting in beautiful open meadows of thick grasses and forbs amongst scattered monster oaks and thickets. Heavier oak/mesquite rules about half of the ranch, with the balance being about half oak/ mesquite regrowth, and half being oak mott/open country. The excellent variety of shrubs, trees, and grasses supports and provides cover for excellent populations of whitetail deer, turkey, antelope and varmints. Large-bodied deer are observed on every visit, and the ranch has not been hunted or grazed recently.
Surprisingly, this ranch consists of about 80% clay or loam soils, which may explain the large-bodied deer, as the native range has flourished with burns and the forbs are still colorful into June 2017. Hardwoods consist of live oak, mesquite, elm, shinoak with a few post oaks, and primary shrubs are persimmon, agarita, prickly pear and bee brush, and there are some of the prettiest live oak trees and motts in Mason County on this ranch. The ranch appears to be capable of supporting about 1 animal unit/25 acres.
If you seek a high-value investment in prized Mason County, this is a must-see. This is mostly very attractive land with an oak-laden creek bottom teeming with wildlife and flanked by oak-covered hills with distant views. A blank canvas at lowest area price...don’t wait!
This nicely shaped ranch lies at the end of Ten Mile Road about one mile north of TX 29 and 12 miles northwest of Mason. Access is all-weather via 1.5± miles of Ten Mile Road then a short distance on an easement road (abandoned county road). Mason is less than a 15-minute drive from the front gate. Neighbors are larger, and there are no subdivisions in the immediate area and no easements through the ranch.
Nearby Mason is a prized Hill Country destination known for its unique population of hard-working and creative folks and stunningly beautiful Courthouse Square. Good restaurants, banks, medical services, supplies, and groceries are readily available in this uber-cool community known as “Tennis Town Texas.”
Fredericksburg (high-end shops, restaurants, jet airport, hospital) is located 55 miles southeast, and Brady (jet strip, Wal Mart) is located 30 miles north. Austin and San Antonio (international airports, major medical centers, universities, box stores) are both about two hours southeast, and the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex is about four hours north.
Oak Hills Ranch is located in the ecoregion of the Llano Uplift. The Llano Uplift is also known as the central mineral region. Although surrounded by the Edwards Plateau region, the Llano Uplift is distinguished by its unique geology. Home to some of the oldest rocks in Texas, the central mineral region contains unique minerals and rock formations. The region is characterized by large granite domes, such as Enchanted Rock near Fredericksburg. Rainfall averages about 24 to 32 inches per year, peaking in May or June and September. The landscape is rolling to hilly and elevation range from 825 to 2,250 feet above sea level. Soils are predominantly coarse textured sands produced from weathered granite over thousands of years. Native vegetation consists of oak-hickory or oak-juniper woodlands, mesquite-mixed brush savannah, and grasslands. The woody vegetation may consists of plateau live oak, honey mesquite, post oak, blackjack oak, cedar elm, and some black hickory present depending on aspect and habitat. Flora normally found in the deserts of West Texas, such as catclaw mimosa and soaptree yucca, also occur on dry sites. Ashe juniper and Texas oak are generally absent from the Llano Uplift. Grasses include little bluestem, switchgrass, yellow Indiangrass, and silver bluestem. Dome-like granite hills and outcrops contain unusual plant communities. Although ranching is the major land use, level areas of sandy loam produce wheat, sorghum, and peaches.
Perimeter fencing and cross-fencing is new to mediocre, and the water well serves a system which pipes to tanks and troughs. Pasture roads are adequate to access most of the ranch, and an electric line bisects the property.
The ranch is bisected by a scenic, seasonal creek that has waterholes that hold for a month or two after rains, named Spring Branch Creek. Two stock ponds have been located, one still holding water on June 1, 2017, and a solar-powered water well waters the ranch through a pipe system to several troughs.
Average annual rainfall in this area is about 24 inches and there is good proven deep water in the area capable of high volume yields.
Property taxes are approximately $800 based upon past years.
