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. For more information on the City of Mason or for information on Mason County, please go to their official websites.

Fredericksburg (high end shops, restaurants, jet airport, hospital) is located 45 miles SE, 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 2 hours SE, and the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex is about 4 hours north.

The ranch and area have some interesting history, once being a major part of the legendary Kothmann family holdings, then hosting Presidents and foreign leaders during the ownership tenure of the Tom Loeffler family.

Property Address: 918 W Bear Springs Road, Mason, TX 76856.

ECOREGION: EORR 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. For more information, visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) official website.

WATER: Featured is 1,762 frontage on the most spectacular stretch of Llano River known, with awesome limestone shelves broken up into shallow holes and riffles. Mysterious islands serve as kingdoms for herds of wild hogs, and witnessing animal crossings of the river in this area is an awesome experience.

The stretch of Llano River between the James River and Yates Crossing is known for the towering, multi-colored limestone cliffs, offering some of the most stunning scenery in all of Texas. This ranch sits smack dab in the middle of it, with easily accessible, drive-to shreddable frontage that is exceptionally rare and valuable. Fishing, floating, tubing, kayaking and other water activities are rated as top shelf in the teal green river, and the spring-fed water is often almost perfectly clear.

An exquisite, private creek flows down to the river through the center of the ranch, featuring falls, exotic holes lined with ferns & elephant ears and monster hardwoods. This is one of the sweetest, small creeks weve seen, and water flow appears to be fairly permanent.

Excellent groundwater is known in this area, and there are 4 working water wells on the ranch, tied to a functional distribution system. Two stock ponds hold water seasonally, and there appears to be a site for a significant impoundment at the confluence of two drainages closer to the river. A large spring originates on the ranch near the river, before sluicing over to the neighboring ranch, which has created an interesting water feature around it just above the river. Average annual rainfall is 26 inches. For more information on area groundwater, contact the Hickory Underground Water Conservation District.

LAND: El Oso falls from a rolling plateau of oak/mesquite/limestone outcrops with a peak of 1,808 down to dramatic river breaks and lush, flat floodplain at 1,392. This land includes oak parks, mesquite/pear flats, rocky draws and gentle peaks with distant vistas. Woody shrubs include bee brush, agarita, persimmon and oak brush, while primary hardwoods are liveoak, post oak, Spanish oak, mesquite, elm and hackberry. Tree cover is fairly uniform, not too dense, providing just the right combo of cover and visibility for the serious hunter.

Soils are primarily Eckert and Hensley clay-loamy type with limestone outcrops, which support ample stands of native turfs and tall grasses. This country will support about one AU per 25 acres, and is known to assist considerable bovine weight gain in years with adequate rainfall. All in all, the agriculture capability of this ranch is above average for the area.

This zone is well known locally for the quality of free ranging whitetail deer, with B&C scores of 140+ routinely recorded. A sustainable population of axis deer roam the river and side drainages, and aoudad sheep have been observed amongst the limestone crags along and near the Llano River. Formerly regularly stocked with quail for the aforementioned dignitary hunts, the ranch still boasts huntable numbers of birds in favorable years, and dove are spotty and seasonal in this area. Feral hogs are also on the menu in this part of the world, though not in nuisance-type numbers found in some other parts of the State.

IMPROVEMENTS: A well-organized and attractive headquarters provides central focus, lodging and storage, and includes a nice, restored stone ranch house of 3/1.5 with fireplace. This was said to be famed rancher E. P. Wagonners poker house, when he had the ranch leased for hunting in the mid 1900s, and was host to many spirited occasions back in the day.

A high fenced, acre holding pen allows soft release of imported animals of all species, and a covered set of 8 pen dog kennels includes water system, lights and concrete floor. Nearby is a pole shed of about 40 X 50 with concrete floor, as well as an excellent set of welded pipe and wire working pens.

Adjoining the working pens is a multi-purpose barn that includes a walk-in cooler and game processing area, storage areas and concrete floor throughout. Part of the exterior is native stone an awesome look.

A newer lodge of 2/2 is perched atop a magnificent vista point, with inspiring views to the south of 30+ miles. This home has newer fixtures, finishes and accessories, and is quite comfortable and attractive. The ranch is fenced and cross fenced into several pastures, and fencing is in mostly fair condition. Ranch roads are adequate, and the water system provides solid distribution to all pastures.

SUMMARY: El Oso River Ranch provides a rare opportunity to purchase sizable acreage on this prized stretch of Llano River. Variety, usable improvements, scenery, exotic creek and the prettiest river in Texas combine to make EORR a unique offering in Mason County. If you or your client can handle the bottom line, and desire a significant Mason holding, this is a must-see, and we welcome and appreciate your interest.

FINANCIAL/TITLE: Listing Price is $3,950/acre = $6,758,450. Sellers will provide basic survey acceptable to title company, mineral interest is negotiable. A private easement road passes thru the ranch serving neighbors to the west, but it is not heavily traveled. There are no other known easements besides utility services. The ranch lies in the Mason ISD, is served by Central Texas Electric Coop, and 2014 ag-exempt taxes were $3624. A light-stocking grazing tenant can be terminated with adequate prior notice, and the ranch has only been lightly hunted by friends and family of the present owners in recent years.

The information contained herein has been diligently assembled and is deemed reliable, but is not warranted by Broker or Seller, express or implied, and is subject to change, prior sale, errors and/or omissions and withdrawal from market. Buyers must verify accuracy of representations on their own, as well as investigate potentially pertinent natural attributes, laws and regulations, and draw their own conclusions regarding the usefulness and value of the property for a given purpose. Viewing appointments scheduled with LANDTX staff only. SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY DO NOT TRESPASS.

Buyers brokers must be identified on first contact, and must accompany buying prospect on first showing to be allowed full fee participation. If this condition is not met, fee participation will be at sole discretion of LANDTX, David E. Culver, Broker.