Welch Ranch - Sterling County, Sterling City, TX
Welch Ranch - Sterling County, Sterling City, TX
Welch Ranch is a high-fenced, recreational hunting property with an original stone/stucco residence located approximately 1.5 hours southeast of Midland in Sterling County, Texas. Owned by the same family for decades – highlights include an excellent water distribution system, mature whitetail deer herd, supplemental pellet feeding program, comfortable lodge, MLD3 conservation option deer management status, approximately 50 acres in clean cultivated farm fields, and approximately $30,000 in annual income from wind turbines located on the south end of the property.
Key Attributes
Location
Sterling County, Texas
Topography, Rangeland & Habitat
Welch ranch is comprised of a combination of rugged canyons and rolling upland plains. The sellers have completed an extensive brush control program to remove excess juniper and promote the native prairie grass production in upland areas. Woody vegetation includes primarily juniper, mesquite, and shin oak. Native grasses including hairy grama, green sprangletop, side oats grama, hooded windmill grass, purple three awn, and many others that provide excellent habitat for bobwhite quail. Approximately 50 acres of cultivated farm fields in 3 locations provide excellent wildlife food plots – or can be used for a dryland farming operation as well.
Wildlife
Whitetail deer, bobwhite quail, rio grande turkeys, mourning dove, coyotes, bobcats, and the occasional javelina dominate the game animal selection on the property. Some modest surface water development could produce waterfowl habitat and hunting opportunities as well. No animals of any kind have been introduced to the property, only native wildlife that was enclosed when the fence was built about 20 years ago.
Agriculture
Three farm fields encompassing about 50 acres total could be planted to crops or wildlife food plots or both.
Improvements
A comfortable old stone and stucco home has been remodeled to include 6 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room. There is also a large metal storage barn. The 8-foot game fence around the property is in excellent condition. The northwest corner of the ranch (across Knight Canyon Road) is low fenced. The water distribution system is impressive – over 10 concrete water storage tanks are scattered throughout the ranch to provide water for livestock and wildlife. There is an excellent set of cattle working pens on the southeast corner of the ranch.
Water
An excellent water well at the lodge is adequate to serve the house and all water troughs around the property without the need for an above-ground storage tank.
Minerals
No minerals will convey with the sale, but the wind rights that convey provide approximately $30,000 in annual revenue from turbines located on the south end of the property.
Area History
Large neighbors and great access to Midland, San Angelo, and Abilene make this historic ranching area highly desirable for recreational purposes.
