Llano, TX 78643 - Llano County

The 2,728-acre Sandstone Mountain Ranch near Llano is one of Texas elite ranches thanks to five years of concerted improvements, repairs and upgrades.

The best of Texas ranch living can be found within the game fences of this easily accessible destination for a weekendor a lifetime. Natural beauty. Abundant, well-managed wildlife. Plentiful water. Expansive living spaces. Immaculate infrastructure including more than 130 miles of granite gravel ranch roads.

Depending on your goals, the Sandstone Mountain Ranch can be an all-inclusive private retreat or residence, a corporate getaway, an income-generating commercial hunting operation or some combination thereof. Its big enough to accommodate any dream.

THE LAND

The landscape is dominated by Sandstone Mountain. It is the largest of the many sandstone and granite outcrops that give the ranchand Llano Countyits unique character.

All exterior and cross fences, totaling more than 15 miles, have been replaced with new 8-foot game fencing.

The habitat is a mix of majestic live oaks and other hardwoods. The pastures, all of which have been cleared of cedar, are native.

Llano County's unique sandstone-enriched sandy loam soil is strong and supports 250 acres of seasonal food plots. In the spring, the landscape is dotted with huge patches of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and firewheels.

Many globe-trotting hunters, including Mr. Whitetail Larry Weishuhn, who has also served as an invaluable consultant on the Sandstone Mountain Ranch, have favorably compared the ranchs terrain and landscape to that of Africa.

THE WATER

The ranch has the most water of any ranch in Llano County, and with about 80 acres of surface water is one of the wettest ranches in the entire Hill Country. The Sandstone Mountain Ranch is home to a half-mile of the highly prized Llano River. Within the ranchs boundaries, the clear, rock-bottomed river is deep enough for tubing and has plenty of holes for catfishing.

The presence of 6 lakes, ranging in size from 5 acres 30 acres is one of the ranchs most desirable features. Large enough to accommodate small boats, the lakes, some of which have been improved with added structure, provide dream-like fishing on fly rods, spinning reels or trot lines. The lake inventory includes: Big Lake ( 30 acres), Island Lake, ( 20 acres), House Lake ( 20 acres), Pier Lake ( 5 acres), NE Lake ( 5 acres) and SE Lake ( 5 acres).

Through the years, they have been stocked with Florida black bass, hybrid blue gill and several species of catfish.

With the addition of at least 20 stock ponds throughout the ranch, wildlife never has to travel far to get a drink.

The Sandstone Mountain Ranch is outfitted with 16 wells, a combination of electric and solar pumps as well as a windmill, located throughout the property so each pasture can support wildlife or livestock.

THE WILDLIFE

For more than 30 years, the Sandstone Mountain Ranch has been managed for trophy whitetails and exotics. Over the past five years, the management has been fine-tuned and intensified, so the ranch team could offer hunters an unsurpassed opportunity to take exceptional pasture-raised game.

Today, the Sandstone Mountain Ranch operates under an unrestricted MLD-3 level permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and participates in the agencys DMP Program. The latter allows 20 does and a single buck to be darted off the ranch, confined in a pen for a brief breeding period and then released back onto the land. A new DMP/soft release pen is in place.

The deliberate, conscientious management program has yielded bucks ranging from 150 inches 210 inches. (See sandstonemountainranch dot com for game photos.)

In addition to white-tailed deer, the ranch is home to Grants zebra, scimitar-horned oryx, axis, blackbuck antelope and fallow deer. Fallow bucks roam the pasture, while fallow does are held in breeding pens with a single buck.

Of course, the combination of water and well-managed habitat means other wildlife roam the property as well. In the winter, the lakes are covered by a variety of ducks. A flock of Canadian snow geese have taken up year-round residence. A pair of bald eagles fish the lakes. Dove and turkey are abundant and the quail population is growing. Varmints and small game of all types add more diversity and hunting opportunities.

To support the wildlife enterprise, the ranch is outfitted with 23 top-of-the-line MB Ranch King Blinds including 2 trailers, 30 2,000-lb. corn feeders, 20 2,000-lb. All-Season Protein Feeders and 3 28-ton feed silos.

All successful hunts culminate in the new covered game processing facility. It is built on a slab with the convenience of drain system, electric winches as well as an expansive new walk-in cooler.

THE LIVING

Hill Country style, equal parts comfort and luxury, defines the ranchs living quarters. They have been designed in complementary style using similar materials such as native stone, log veneer and copper-colored metal roofing so there is a feel of elegant cohesiveness throughout. The time-tested combination of wood and stone provide a sense of permanence and security, while the large windows, soaring ceilings and open floor plans keep the space light and livable. The air-conditioning systems in all lodges, houses and outbuildings have been recently replaced.

The New Hunters Lodge

The New Hunters Lodge, currently used to house hunting guests, is located about a half mile away from the private residential compound. Completed in 2013, the 4,000 sq. foot New Hunters Lodge features 4 bedrooms (one of which is ADA-handicap accessible) with 8 Queen-sized beds, 4.5 baths and a huge great room that does triple duty as a trophy room and game room. It has a pool table as well as a poker table to encourage after-hunt fun. The fun can continue outside with washer pitching, corn hole boards or a nearby fire pit.

The Old Lodge

The 3,570 sq. foot Old Lodge, which is historic to the ranch, has 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, an expansive family room as well as an enormous combination game and trophy room. In the trophy room, the history of the ranchs whitetail deer management program is displayed on the walls. A large and intricate stained glass bar adds a touch of functional beauty and fun to the space. A stacked rock fireplace built from native sandstone, quartz and granite from the ranch rises to the ceiling staking a solid claim in the room as do several throughout the house.

The Main House

The 2,650 sq. foot Main House provides a more intimate living experience that delivers every creature comfort and doesnt cut corners on livable style. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, an office and a 2-car garage. Like the other buildings in the residential compound, the Main Houses back wall is floor-to-ceiling glass, which frames the breathtaking view of Sandstone Mountain with 20-acre House Lake shimmering at its base.

The Cabin

The 850 sq. foot cabin features all of the fine finishes of every other living space on the ranch including custom woodwork and cabinetry and highly polished wood floors. With 1 bedroom, 2.5 baths, a large living room that is set up to sleep 4 guests, a kitchenette and a wine cellar, it provides a comfortable destination for overflow sleeping.

The Man Cave

The 1,600 sq. foot Man Cave is a destination for indoor entertaining. With 1 bath, a kitchenette and a 2-car garage, it set up for parties. The main room is anchored by a huge table and the glass-wall view of Sandstone Mountain and House Lake. The Man Cave also includes a secure, concrete gun vault that can also be used as a storm cellar.

OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING

Of course, the beauty of life on a ranch is getting outside. All living quarters sport decks perfect for relaxing after a day afield.

Nothing is as refreshing as a dip in a pool. Located next to the Old Lodge, the completely renovated pool features blue glass and pebble finish, a two-tier waterfall and a huge surround made of the native stone.

Guests can gather under the Party Pavilion. The covered area includes an outdoor fireplace, a built-in gas grill and extensive native stonework, but the focal point may be the 8-tier waterfall that is bedecked with blooming lily pads and stocked with goldfish. A custom 2017 Marquise Spa/Hot Tub is positioned on the far edge of the stone courtyard to take advantage of the view of the mountain and lake.

THE WORKING

A concrete driveway, 6 thick and 18 wide, runs for approximately 2 miles from the rock entrance on Highway 71 to the main compound. All bridges along the driveway feature custom stonework that subtly accentuate the crossings.

The Big Barn

The 90 x 100 Big Barn, which was completely refurbished, includes a foreman's office, break room, ranch offices, feed room, air-conditioned mechanics/storage bay. Deer stalls and working pens adjoin the main barn.

The Big Shop

The Big Shop is 60 x 150 with 8 bay doors, plywood-lined walls, a concrete drive and parking as well as a storm drain, a sandstone retaining wall and a bathroom. To increase the working area, it is outfitted with 20 x 30 overhangs; one over concrete and the other over dirt to accommodate heavy equipment with tracks.

The Mechanics Shop

The 3-bay mechanics shop, with plywood-lined walls and built on concrete, is 40 x 50 and features a walk-down pit for oil changes.

The RV/Bus Barn

The fully insulated 20 x 65 RV/Bus Barn with a concrete drive is climate-controlled. There are water and sewer hook ups inside.

Ranch equipment, including Rangers, an air-conditioned cab tractor and other tractors, an air-conditioned cab bulldozer, an air-conditioned cab motor grader, a dump truck, a ranch truck, backhoe, a feed trailer/blower and assorted attachments and implements are available subject to agreement between the buyer and seller.

The Sandstone Mountain Ranch is the pinnacle of ranch living situated in the striking sandstone and granite outcrops that make Llano County unlike any other place in Texas. Investing time and energy, the current owners restored the ranch to its former glory, so you dont have to do anything but enjoy its magnificence.

To experience the Sandstone Mountain Ranch for yourself, call Howard W. Hood at (830) 739-3815. Available for $29.5 million.