Oso Creek Ranch , Ramah, NM 87321(McKinley County)

Native Americans have made the area around Oso Creek Ranch their home for literally thousands of years, testified by the Zuni and Navajo Reservations still located nearby. Only a few miles south of the ranch lies the El Morro National Monument, featuring ancient pueblo ruins, and Inscription Rock, with Spanish inscriptions dating as far back as 1605.

The ranch itself lies at elevations from 7100 to 7500 feet, making for cooler summers and relatively mild winters. The lower ranch is composed of grasslands ideal for cattle grazing, and the upper ranch is covered with a mix of ponderosa pines, pion pines, and junipers, which are favored cover for elk and mule deer. Water sources include wells and several catchments and natural ponds. The Cibola National Forest, which borders the north side of the ranch, includes the Zuni Mountains that rise to over 9000 feet and provide additional refuge for big game.

World class elk and mule deer hunting dominates this portion of New Mexico, including Oso Creek Ranch. The ranch usually receives 5-6 elk permits per year, and bull elk measured at 400+ inches are regularly taken in the vicinity. Some spectacular mule deer bucks are found here, too, and even more hunting opportunities can be found for coyotes, bobcat, and turkeys.

The lower 1700 acres of Oso Creek Ranch have been managed for cattle grazing, supporting 40-50 head year-round. This section is fully fenced and includes a hay barn to support the ranch operation.

The ranch house is a stunning Santa Fe style home of 3100 square feet, and features an open floorpan and an interior courtyard. Granite and marble countertops, tiled floors, and a kiva fireplace give this home an authentic Southwest flavor, and it includes three bedrooms and two baths. In addition, two nearby guest cabins ensure space and comfort for visitors.

Ramah is a small community with basic supplies that is located just a few miles to the west, and Grants is the nearest larger community, about 60 miles away. Albuquerque and its international airport is only about two hours away.

Whether your passion is for big game hunting, Southwest prehistory and history, or simply the solitude of an unspoiled corner of New Mexico, Oso Creek Ranch has a rich supply of all of the above. Add in its two luxurious homes, and this property is a place that will capture you by the irresistible lure of the Southwest.