Hailstone Basin Land & Livestock
an Efficient Grazing & Agricultural Property
Stillwater County
Rapelje, MT
DESCRIPTION:
Hailstone Basin Land & Livestock is an Efficient and Flexible Agricultural Property located near Rapelje, Montana. This Ranch offers a Practical and Productive mix of Native Grass Grazing and 88 +/- acres of Roundup Ready Alfalfa, supporting both strong weight gains and a dependable winter feed base. The Property is divided into (3) Well-Watered Pastures, served by (2) Reliable Wells, and features recently updated Working Corrals for ease of Livestock Handling. Surrounded by Tall Sandstone Bluffs and Sweeping Views of the Beartooth and Crazy Mountains, the Ranch combines Functionality with Scenic Beauty. Upland Game Birds, Pronghorn Antelope, and Mule Deer frequent the area, offering Recreational and Hunting opportunities. Whether you're looking to establish a Home Base for a Mid-Sized Herd, expand Summer Grazing, or run a Yearling Operation, this property presents a Solid Foundation for Building or Growing your Montana Legacy.
ACREAGE:
Hailstone Basin Land & Livestock is comprised of a total of approximately, 1,637.8 +/- Total Deeded Acres (per Montana Cadastral) featuring Native Grass Grazing and a 88 +/- acre stand of Roundup Ready Alfalfa.
LOCATION:
The entirety of Hailstone Basin Land & Livestock lies within Stillwater County, located approximately 32-miles Northeast of Columbus, Montana, easily accessible by MT Hwy-306 (Rapelje Rd.), Molt-Rapelje Rd. & Hailstone Basin Rd (only 4-Miles of well-maintained graveled county road. The Ranch also is just 39-miles Northeast of Billings, Montanas largest city, via, Interstate 90, MT Hwy-306 (Rapelje Rd.), Molt-Rapelje Rd. & Hailstone Basin Rd. (67-Miles) with only 4-miles of well cared for -or- via Molt Rd., Molt-Rapelje Rd. and Hailstone Basin Rd. (39-miles) this route offering only 22-miles of well cared for graveled county road.
With an abundance of Farms / Ranches in the area it retains a rich Western Heritage and Privacy that rolls through the perfect blend of Grasslands, Rolling Cropland and Beautiful Sandstone Bluffs, yet offers convenient access to Supplies and Entertainment.
PRODUCTION:
Hailstone Basin Land & Livestock had been historically utilized as a Base for an Aviation Ag Spraying Company (Crop Dusting), Pasture and Crop. In recent years it has nicely facilitated as Summer Grazing and additional Hay for an established operation in the area. It has stocked between 45-70 Animal Units of Pairs and/or Heifers for 4-6 months dependent on moisture and grazing practices, usually conservatively grazing the grass and leaving forage for the coming year. With having multiple pastures of Native Grass and having No Pine Trees, this would make a great addition for Summer Grazing for a Larger Cow/Calf Operation or Standalone for a Smaller Operation. It could also make an excellent Yearling outfit with a little additional fencing. Supplemental feeding requirements vary on the winter conditions and Hay is typically fed in the area from Dec to the end of April.
Historically, the Roundup Ready Graze On Variety - Alfalfa produces between .75-1.75 tons per acre, usually seeing 1 cutting but sometimes getting 2 cutting, being moisture dependent in the later summer months.
A Local Agronomist has provided the best reasonable Crop Yields using Continuous Crop Rotation and 10-year-average Estimates for the following crops. These production numbers will vary with Moisture / Farming Practices used but offer a reasonable look at the Production Potential.
Grass Hay (Species Dependent) .75 - 1.5 Ton(s)per Acre on years with Decent Moisture (per Local Agronomists Estimate)
Alfalfa 1 - 2 Ton(s)per Acre (per Local Agronomists Estimate)
Hay Barley 1 - 2 Ton(s) per Acre (per Local Agronomists Estimate)
Winter Wheat 35 - 40 Bushels per Acre (per Local Agronomists Estimate)
Barley Grain 45 - 50 Bushels per Acre (per Local Agronomists Estimates)
Per the FSA-156EZ, the Farm/Ranch has 88.29 +/- deeded acres of Farmable ground and a total of 87.80 Base Acres.
IMPROVEMENTS:
House (1934) approx. ~1,310 sqft. 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath
Uninhabited 2016 Settling Foundation
Detached Garage 40 x 28
Bunk House 20 x 16
Calving Barn 30 x 40 Concrete Floor
Tool Shed 12 x 12 (Near Calving Barn)
Old Storage Shed 12 x 30 Outbuilding N.W. of House
Airplane Hangar 40 x 30 (3) Sided
Corrals Updated Pipe / RR Tie / Continuous Fence
(3) Grain Bins w/o aerators approx. 6,105 +/- total bushels of grain storage
(1) Grain Bins Missing Roof
Fiber Optic Cable (Internet) is being Installed in Roadway Summer/Fall 2025
Cell Phone Service - available on most portions of the ranch especially on the higher elevations
The Hailstone Basin Land & Livestock Headquarters is positioned, just off Hailstone Basin Rd., offering reliable access off a well-maintained County Road. The Home has seen some substantial foundation settling and has been uninhabited for many years. However, this leaves a perfect area for a Future Modular, Shop/House or Home with Water, Power & Possible potential to utilize the old Septic System. A 28 x 40 Garage allows for storage of Vehicles / ATV/UTVs / Tools, while the 30x 40 Calving Barn with a Concrete Floor, provides ample cover and options within the working corrals. A nice set of corrals provides a great foundation to the working facilities of your dreams. These facilities are very functional and add Value to the property but keeps your investment focused on the Land and its Production, while also offering a Blank Canvas for Homesites and addition Facilities that could be built to meet your specific needs.
WATER:
Hailstone Basin Land & Livestock has a total of (3) Water Rights associated with the Parcels deeded acres. (1) Water Right for Domestic Use and (2) Water Rights for Livestock, Water is provided by (2) Active Wells. The Well in Section 19 feeds a 5x12x2 Rectangular Fiberglass Tank for the South Pasture. The Well in Section 18 provides water through a water line to (2) Thermo-Sink Double Bowl, Energy-Free, Buried Livestock Watering Systems, (1) Located at the Corrals in Section 18 and (1) Located in the S.E. corner of Section 7. Seasonal Tributaries run through Sections 6, 7 and 18 to the Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge & Waterfowl Production Area, Bordering the Ranch to the West. The current Facilities for Livestock/Wildlife Water provide a base supply of water for the needs of the Ranch as it is operated, but additional water can be developed to further the efficiency.
Domestic Water is provided by the Well Located in Section 18.
(3) Filed Water Rights
Water Right # Source Use
43Q 36545-00 Well Livestock
43Q 36547-00 Well Domestic
43Q 36647-00 Well Livestock
Water & Improvements
(2) Total Wells
(1) Electric Well feeding (1) Tank - Located on Section 19
(1) Electric Well feeding (2) Buried Thermo-Sink Waterers in Sec. Section 7 & 18
- This Well also feeds the Homesite
Multiple Tributaries of Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge / WPA Seasonal / Run-off
WILDLIFE / HUNTING / RECREATION:
Hailstone Basin Land & Livestock offers some of quality habitat and terrain which provides exceptional viewing/hunting of Mule Deer and Pronghorn Antelope. All portions of the Ranch lie within the Elk/Deer/Lion District 515 and Antelope District 576, known to hold qulality caliber animals for all species of Elk, Mule Deer and Pronghorn Antelope. This transition area between Native Grasslands and Cropland, provides a unique balance to attract Sharp-tailed Grouse, Hungarian Partridge and Doves to favorable Upland Gamebird Hunting. If Prairie Dog Shooting is your Hobby of Choice, there are a couple of Prairie Dog Towns on the property to offer plenty of Fun and shouldnt have much trouble gaining permission from some of the Farmers and Ranchers in the area to help thin a few out within their fences as well.
The Deeded Acres of Farm/Ranch offer some dedicated Hunting and Recreational opportunities within its Borders, but also has Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge & Waterfowl Production Area, Bordering the Ranch on the West, providing an additional 1,828-acres of offers important Habitat for Waterfowl, Marsh Birds and Wading Birds during the Spring as well as providing additional habitat and opportunity for the Upland Hunter.
Also, the Ranch has approximately 20,000 +/- additional acres of other State Lands, Wildlife Management Areas and Block Management Access, within 15-20 miles, providing additional Hunting/Recreational access and opportunity.
~ Notable Recreation Opportunities within the General Area ~
FISHING:
The focus on the Ranch is Production with some Big Game Hunting and Wing Shooting, but if you enjoy chasing Trout or Warm Water Species, then youre in for a treat filled with Tight Lines and Burning Drag. Located at the heart of prime trout fishing destinations of Central and Eastern Montana, this Ranch enjoys a Central position within a 2-2.5 hour radius of multiple Premium Rivers, including the Bighorn, Musselshell, Yellowstone, Boulder, and Stillwater Rivers. These scenic waterways offer abundant fishing opportunities, with various trout species such as rainbow, brown, and cutthroat Trout. Anglers can also explore nearby gems like Big Spring Creek near Lewistown and Rock Creek near Red Lodge, known for their thriving populations of brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. With a multitude of options just a short drive away, this ranch provides easy access to exceptional fishing experiences for enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Being the nearest and possibly the most unique, the Mussels