The Parker

Details & Features

Located 15 minutes west of Fossil, Oregon, The Parker encompasses 8,072 acres of creeks, springs, draws, basalt cliffs and juniper on the flanks of the John Day River. The Parker is a portion of the vast, famed Stanley Ranch, known for its large 350”+ class bulls and heavy-horned mule deer bucks that migrate along the ranch and adjacent private lands. With a resident area herd estimated at 600 elk, the Parker is situated in the middle of these private ranches and considered a hunter’s haven. The ranch enjoys all of the components needed to sustain and hold big game. In addition to the deer and elk, The Parker is home to chukar, grey partridge and California quail, as well as the occasional pheasant. Other big game animals that can be seen occasionally on the ranch include pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, bison and barbary sheep.

The hunting season is one of the longest in the state at five weeks and is entirely located in the Biggs Big Game Unit. While landowner preference tags are available (four elk and four deer tags), because there is so little public ground in this unit, over-the-counter tags are also plentiful.

The Parker is currently leased for cattle grazing on an annual basis and can support approximately 92 Animal Unit Months (AUMs) from April through July. It is completely undeveloped except for perimeter fencing. Minimum lot sizes are 160 acres and property can be divided up to three times annually. The ranch holds the headwaters of the West Fork of Butte Creek, the headwaters of Cripple Creek, and the headwaters of Cove Creek. In addition, there are 6 identified springs that serve as water sources and wallows for big game and other wildlife.

The Parker is an end-of-the-road sporting paradise with expansive views of the Cascades and east to the Strawberry Mountains, yet close to amenities. The ranch is located 15 minutes from groceries and supplies, 20 minutes to the Condon State Airport and 70 miles to the commercial airport in Redmond/Bend, Oregon. For a buyer looking for additional acreage, parcels that are already developed in the multiple adjacent lands may be available for purchase, improving the hunting, caretaking and living opportunities.

Location
The Parker is located just outside of Fossil in Wheeler County, eastern Oregon. The Wheeler County area in general is a blend of high desert landscapes, basalt cliffs, tall timber, agriculture, cattle operations, and recreation. The property is about a two hour drive from downtown Bend and 70 miles from the commercial airport in Redmond. The Redmond Airport has multiple daily flights from Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Salt Lake City, and Denver. Carriers include Alaska Airlines, Delta, American, and United. Bend, with a population of over 90,000, is the cultural hub of Central Oregon. With award-winning restaurants, night life, microbreweries, and cultural events throughout the year, even the most seasoned socialites can be entertained. The ranch is also 15 minutes from the town of Fossil, the Wheeler county seat and location for groceries and restaurants.

Improvements
The Parker is completely undeveloped except for perimeter fencing. Minimum lot sizes are 160 acres and can be divided up to three times annually.
There May be a possibility to purchase the adjacent 2,780 acre ranch, which would increase the recreational opportunities and income potential.
There is also an adjacent 198-acre ranch for sale that is developed with a home, barn, and outbuildings. The property sits at the end of the county road just before the main gate of The Parker and would be an immediate opportunity to create both value and utility.

Farming & Income
The Parker is leased for cattle grazing on an annual basis and can support 92 Animal Unit Months from April through July. The property is uniquely rich with springs (rare for this area), which makes for excellent grazing land as well as incredibly rich habitat for wildlife.

Hunting
Big Game:
The Parker is home to healthy populations of Rocky Mountain Elk and Mule Deer, as well as Pronghorn Antelope, Bighorn Sheep and Barbary Sheep. It is known for it’s large 350+ class bulls and heavy horned mule deer bucks. The resident elk herd is estimated at 600 head. The elk hunting season is one of the longest in the state at five weeks, and is entirely located in the Biggs Big Game Unit. While landowner preference (LOP) tags are available (4 elk and 4 deer tags), because there is so little public ground in this unit, over-the-counter tags are also plentiful. Pronghorn antelope tags are also available in subunits of the Biggs Unit, however getting a tag outside of the LOP system can take many years. The ranch enjoys all of the components needed to sustain and hold big game including springs, seeps, intermittent streams, small ponds, and wallows.
Upland Birds:
There are excellent numbers of Chukar, Hungarian (Grey) Partridge, Mountain Quail and California Quail on the ranch with a tremendous variety of habitat. Bird hunting seasons are quite long, spanning from early to mid October through January depending on the species.

Summary
The Parker is an end-of-the-road sporting paradise with expansive views of the Cascades and John Day River Canyon to the west to the Strawberry Mountains in the east, yet close to amenities. It also offers a unique opportunity to build value through an adjacent ranch consisting of 2,800 acres may also be available for purchase, collectively creating a private 6,080 acre hunting mecca for big game and upland birds. The 198-acre ranch for sale, which is next door to the main gate of The Parker could also make tremendous sense for the owner that wants modest improvements, making it turn key to hunt the property in comfort.

• 15 minutes west of Fossil, Oregon
• 8,072 acres of creeks, springs draws, basalt cliff and juniper on the John Day River
• Great access to big game and upland birds
• Seller is willing to negotiate a long-term hunting lease on the adjacent 30,800-acre Stanley Ranch with the future buyer of The Parker