Property Description

Black Peak Shadow Ranch is a premiere Elk and Antelope hunting property with income producing opportunities.  For over a decade the property has been managed for quality Elk, and the property is located in game management unit 15, which is known as one of New Mexico's premiere Elk units.  Elk herds of 30-150 aren’t uncommon on the property with high quality bulls present.  There are specific Elk tags issued for the ranch, and a variety of future Elk tag options available.  The area is also known to produce world class Antelope, with several B&C bucks taken on and around the ranch in recent years.  Antelope tags are Over-The-Counter (OTC) for Private-Land-Only, however the public land tags in the unit must be obtained through the draw system.  There is also hunting for Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Turkey, and Javelina, (all with OTC tags), which can also be hunted on the thousands of acres of Apache National Forest and BLM property that surround the property.

The mild terrain of open meadows filled with native grasses has multiple water sources that attract the wildlife and offer grazing for cattle.  A 1,220± acres BLM lease expands the ground that the cattle can move to.  A combination of 4 wells and 7 dirt tanks provide water needed to run cattle, which has historically been used to pasture yearlings from early summer until late fall.  Future owners could run their own cattle, lease grass or contract out other operators' cattle.   The property is fenced and divided into 3 pastures, and includes a barn and modest bunkhouse.  Located next to the barn and bunkhouse is a 6 bed / 6 bath ranch house run on a newer solar system, and with a backup generator. 

The property is quiet and secluded, with amenities 40-50 minutes away.  There is fishing for warm water and cold water species in the nearby lakes and reservoirs.  Hiking, horseback riding, ATV trails are all popular activities in the area, and even a ski resort is located about 70 miles away.  The nearby towns of Quemado, NM and Springerville, AZ offer most of the needed supplies, food and a hospital.  Albuquerque and Phoenix International Airports are roughly 3.5-4 hours away.

PROPERTY ATTRIBUTES

• 1,737± Deeded Acres
• 1,220± BLM lease (Cattle grazing)
• Trophy caliber Elk and Antelope in premiere hunting unit
• Property receives highly coveted Elk tags
• OTC Private-Land-Only Antelope tags (public land tags must go through draw)
• Bear, Mountain Lion, Turkey and Javelina hunting
• House: 3,200 sq. ft. (6 bed / 6 bath)
• Mild terrain with lots of water and grasses for feed
• Borders 1,000’s of acres of public land

HUNTING

Elk and Antelope frequent the property to feed and water, and the property is in Unit 15 which has been managed for high quality bulls and bucks.  There are trophy caliber Elk and Antelope in the area, and several B&C class bucks have been taken on the property in recent years.  The area also holds Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Turkey and Javelina which can be hunted on the bordering public land, and tags are Over-The-Counter (OTC).                                          

ELK

• The property is Enrolled in the New Mexico E-Plus system and receives Elk tags (either Ranch-Only Tags or Unit-Wide Tags (*contact agent for more details about the E-Plus tag allocations)  In 2023 the property received:
• one (1) Unit-Wide muzzleloader bull tag 
• one (1) Either-Sex unit wide archery tag
• one (1) cow tag.  
• Additional Elk tag allocations could be a possibility with improved habitat and water (*contact agent for more information on the E-Plus system

Season Dates:

• Archery: September 1-14, 2024 & September 15-24, 2024
• Muzzleloader Youth: October 5-9, 2024
• Muzzleloader Adult: October 12-16, 2024 October 19-23, 2024 & November 16-20, 2024

ANTELOPE

Antelope tags are OTC and valid on private land only (hunting Antelope on public land requires tags issued through the draw).

• Season Dates:
• Archery: August 10-18, 2024                                                                                                                                                                              
• Any legal weapon: August 24-26, 2024 & October, 5-7, 2024

BLACK BEAR

• Achery: September 1-24, 2024
• Any legal weaspon: September 25- December 15, 2024 (or until the quota is met)

MOUNTAIN LION

• April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025 (open until quotas are met)

TURKEY

• April 15 - May 15, 2024
• September 1-30, 2024 (archery only)
• November 1-30, 2024 (shotgun, bow or crossbow)

JAVELINA

• January 1 - March 31, 2024 OTC tags (any legal weapon)

AREA RECREATION

• Hiking
• Biking
• ATV trails
• Jeep trails
• Horseback Riding
• Fishing at area lakes

  • Quemado Lake is a popular destination for Rainbow Trout, Channel catfish, Smallmouth Bass and Tiger Musky.  
  • Luna lake is a 75 acre fishing lake stocked with Rainbow Trout.  
  • Nelson's Reservoir is a great fishing destination for a scenic mountain lake catching trout from a troll boat or the shoreline.

• Skiing (Sunrise Skiing Resort)

LAND

• Mild rolling terrain with large open meadows
• 8,000-8,200’ elevations
• Mostly Bluestem Grama grass
• Pinon/Juniper, Pines, Gamble Oaks

ACCESS

• Direct access of Bill Knight Gap Road
• Year-round maintained access

INCOME

• Cattle grazing (on deeded acreage and BLM lease)

  • Historically used to run yearlings

• House/Bunkhouse rental opportunities

WATER

• 4 Wells
• 7 Dirt tanks

IMPROVEMENTS

• Fence and cross fenced for cattle
• House-3,200 sq. ft.  (6 bed / 6 bath) off-grid

  • Backup generator and solar panels

• Bunkhouse (4 rooms with shared bathroom and laundry)
• Barn (75’ x 90’)
• Corrals
• Wells and dirt tanks

The perimeter is fenced and the ranch is divided into three pastures.  The 3,200 sq. ft. home is completely off grid and functions off of a solar system that has recently been maintained and updated.  With 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, there is ample room for family and guests.  The headquarters is a perfect outpost to explore the nearby lakes, creeks and mountains.  A 4-room rustic bunkhouse with shared bathroom/laundry historically was utilized to house hunters, staff and groups of visitors, and could be leased for guests, rented, or leased to an outfitter.  A simple 75' x 90' barn works well to keep equipment out of the elements.  Next to the barn there is a wooden corral to process cattle or to keep horses.

LOCATION 

• 40 minutes: Quemado, NM (small village)                                                                                                                                         
• 50 minutes: Springerville, Arizona- hospital, restaurants, hardware store, and a private airport.
• 75 minutes: Showlow, Arizona:  Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, Larger Medical facilities, and a small commercial airport              
• 45-60 minutes from many fishing lakes                                                                                                                                                             
• 70 miles from Sunrise Ski Resort
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is roughly 4 hours 
• Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ) is roughly 3.5 hours