395 Gull Road, Yates Center, KS 66783 - Woodson County

THE CONCEPT

With the inception of more prolific wildlife and habitat management over the last few decades, the process of purchasing, managing, and effectively hunting land has greatly evolved in recent times. Over that period, many educated and thoughtful managers or researchers have developed new strategies and concepts in how to best grow and control your wildlife populations. The goal is to create a self-sustaining system that produces results of healthy and relaxed wildlife consistently over long periods of time. Giving back to the land and the wildlife on a consistent basis has proven to be the key ingredient for many places, but especially here at The Oaks.

BUILDING A HAVEN

In most cases, the building and maintaining of a wildlife herd seems difficult and many times fall short because, as we all know, Mother Nature has its ways of correcting itself and being unpredictable, so there are always hurdles. When the plan all comes together, it can be beautiful. In the case of The Oaks, it has all come together. The culmination of research, steady implementation, strict evaluations, and simply a lot of time has yielded strong results. It all started with the acquisition of a property with a much larger than average timber habitat mass, and that was not by accident. As viewed from an aerial perspective, this property is a sizeable portion of what is likely the largest block of timber in the county and certainly in the immediate area. Taking that habitat and then structuring the management plan around what the land provides, all the while learning through implementation and adjustments, has been no small undertaking for the current owners. It has been years worth of studying the deer and their habits, where they are traveling and why, how they are using the land, and then laying the management plan over the top of that landscape. There are 17 regenerative no-till food plots here. A number of those plots are large and are utilized as sanctuary feeder plots, some are used for observation, and some are used for hunting. The largest and most centrally located food plots are never hunted; they are simply left for the deer and other wildlife to forage undisturbed. In addition, there are also 14 mini plots or constructed openings that are utilized for staging activity sites which have been thoughtfully placed and lay on the outskirts of the feeder plots or along travel corridors. To accommodate access to these areas while trying to leave the wildlife comfortably undisturbed, the approximate 14 miles of trails include main trails but also entry and exit sneak routes for the best possible undisturbed access to hunt locations. And the list of detailed hunting and management improvements goes on and on, from hand planted fruit and nut orchards in most all food plots, to major predator control, to population study analysis. Upon scrolling through the specific bullet points contained within this profile below, you will see more details of the additional practices that have been religiously maintained here.

EXTENSIVE INVENTORY

There are many good hunting properties, but there are very few strong producers. The research and development are obviously the key additions on top of the right mix of Mother Nature. To track the benefits over time takes a tenacious commitment to learn your deer and follow them as they grow. Through the extensive trail camera history at The Oaks, it is easy to see that many of the deer that current ownership has grown on the property were harvested here. But considering the location just off of the major river bottoms of the Verdigris River and the exceptional habitat along Sandy Creek, this property also is prolific in the travel and migrating deer realm. Extensive numbers of mature bucks per year venture onto and through this property as crop harvest and fall pressure prove to be a major benefit in helping moved deer find sanctuary here. Through intricate trail camera surveying, it has been realized that the goals of growing, attracting, and sustaining a large number of mature bucks have been realized year over year. The number of bucks here, both mature and younger age brackets, is the number one key feature. It is common to have multiple deer, multiple bucks, and a wide array of wildlife on every sit. The long-term goal and strategy in the management plan here were to establish maximum wildlife growth and replacement. That is what is here now, with quality age structure, high deer density, herd health, and an everyday sanctuary locale. Not by just one simple step but lots of steps over time has this occurred, steps like fruit and nut orchards at every turn, by ample food, by entrance and exit trails, by strong predator control, by inventory of animals, and by maintaining sanctuary level operations. This property is simply a smooth running wildlife machine.

COMFORT FOR EVERYONE

Not only has The Oaks been built for complete comfort for the wildlife, it has also been built for the stewards comfort right in along with them, literally cohabiting. It is a daily event to have the turkeys and large numbers of deer or other wildlife standing right outside the lodge windows in full viewing pleasure. The deer have become accustomed to the relaxed atmosphere that is found throughout the property, and although the lodge and structures within the homestead area are large, the animals seem to pay them no attention. The construction of this timber frame style lodge was no small undertaking, and it took several months of driveway and pad preparation to even accommodate and access the building site, which just happens to be one of the highest points in the entire county. There is approximately of a mile of 12 wide rocked driveway and rural water lines that were buried over 1 mile to supply the lodge with rural water and numerous other dedicated features. The design of the lodge was developed with the idea of not having to go in and out of the homestead area very often since it is a reasonable distance from the nearest town and the drive to local establishments is venturesome. The seclusion of the lodge headquarters was built to have privacy and everything you might need right there. This custom built one of a kind lodge boasts enough fine details and upscale amenities that it is difficult to list them here. Through the pictures and feature highlights below, you can just start to get a feel for the work that has gone into this property and lodge setting. From the complex water system to the convenient fuel storage, from the expansive kitchen to the theatre room popcorn maker, from the roomy bedrooms to the sky-high ceilings, this lodge was made for staying comfortable, and that comfort is side by side with the wildlife.

HISTORICAL VALUE

This area of Kansas has long been the focus of stories related to the past and the famous people that made those stories. Jesse James is just one, but the stories of Jesse James and the relation to this particular area are likely related to the unique habitats and expansive timbered hills that have always drawn people to this place. This property is littered with early 1900s historical carvings and rock outcroppings that tell parts of those stories. Native American artifacts that have been found here would certainly predate that activity. There is a cave on the property that bears proof that people stayed there and used it for anything from a home to a hideout. It is easy to see why throughout the past, people have found solace in this property and the surrounding area. It simply stands out when you view it on a map, and when you stand over rocks where people of the past have told their stories, it stands out in person as well.

FAMILY FUN

Managing deer and wildlife is serious business, but that should always take a back seat to a good family adventure. Even though the policies and procedures of this highly productive property have been followed to the highest degree, the goal has still always been enjoyment. The time is sometimes right to walk down to the pond that was specifically constructed for fishing and let the kids be kids. Even though the entire fall hunting season is dedicated to using only electric UTVs for minimal disturbance, sometimes it's okay to take a ride down to the creek and look for arrowheads. And even as the evening deer families pour into the yard, they will certainly welcome you to use your porch to enjoy the sunset. This property is not only the middle of the wagon wheel for the wildlife, it is also a world-class memory maker. It is not only a primetime setup for the serious deer manager, it is also perfect for a recreational family estate. It will accommodate corporate outings or team building at its best. With approximately 14 miles of trails, it is easy to get lost in the beauty and the personality of this property, that is for certain.

BEHIND THE GATES

All perimeters fenced, rolling elevation changes, springs, creeks, strictly managed wildlife, premier accommodations, privacy, seclusion, virtually no road frontage, trail system, and the list just goes on and onall behind the locked gates. For those who have searched for the one property that can fulfill the recreational dreams, The Oaks has been being prepared for almost a decade to meet those expectations. It is a personal and private wildlife estate. Co-broking agents are welcome, but listing agent must be present at all showings. Buyer credentials and financials will be required.

LOCATION

Located just 17 miles SW of Yates Center, KS

127 miles SW of Overland Park, KS

155 miles S of KC International Airport

90 miles ENE of Wichita, KS

243 miles NNE of Oklahoma City, OK

380 miles N of Dallas, TX

MAIN HIGHLIGHTS

5,067 +/- square foot Timber Frame style upscale lodge

Approximately 4,668 of finished living space

960 square feet of porch area surrounding much of the lodge

960 square foot attached garage

3,200 square foot Timber Frame style barn

1,920 square feet of overhang style lean-to on barn

2X6 exterior walls construction

68 Pella Windows

Spray foam Insulation all exterior walls and roofing

All interior walls soundproofed

Building made of Douglas Fur hand cut and delivered from Oregon

On-Demand water heater

2 Train heat pump furnaces with A/C. Five zones for independent temperature control

4 full bathrooms, one per each main bedroom with custom tile showers and flooring. Each includes custom knotty alder cabinets, mirror and stone sink. Showers all have 12-inch rain heads with extender arms

1 full guest bathroom with custom tile shower and flooring. Custom knotty alder cabinets and mirror with stone sink

6 bedrooms upstairs includes the cabin in a cabin guest rooms

Library 2nd level

Office 2nd level

Dedicated 2nd level full laundry room

1 half bath down stairs

Propane powered generac backup generator

Beautiful custom-built knotty alder grand staircase

(3) 50 Inch 4K flat screens with cable access and Bose sound bars

(1) 65 Inch 4K flat screen in primary bedroom, Bose sound bar with cable access

Adjustable ceiling fans in each bedroom

Full walking-in closet in each main bedroom

Wi-Fi throughout entire building

Wi-Fi booster

Security system

Connected to power grid

Rural water

1000 gallon propane tank (rented)

3 500 gallon fuel tanks (gas, diesel, off-road diesel) (rented)

4 outdoor water spickets one per side of building

Outdoor power all sides of the building

HEOS sound system with ceiling speakers in most rooms including kitchen and great room (blue tooth accessible)

Aviator ceiling fans in great room and library

6-inch seamless gutters

Anaerobic lagoon

Underground piping from roof to remove water runoff from roof

KITCHEN

Dedicated coffee / tea station

10 x 7 foot custom granite Brazilian counter top over knotty alder cabinet Island. Seating for custom 4 leather bar stools

48 Inch stainless steel Capital Culinarian Series professional range (flat top, grill, and 4 propane burners, two convection ovens with rotisserie attachments)

State of the art custom built hood 1,400 CFM

2 hand pinged copper sinks from Mexico (self-healing) located in island and other on west wall

2 stainless steel microwaves

LG side by side stainless steel refrigerator with water and ice on demand

Bosch stainless steel quiet touch dishwasher

Kraftmaid knotty alder cabinets with custom inlays

Under counter ambiance LED lighting all counters and island

Acacia wood floor

BREAKFAST NOOK

Custom knotty alder breakfast nook with booth seating and an open bench

DINING ROOM

Private dining room with wrap around windows and custom-built Amish kitchen table

GREAT ROOM

Acacia wood floor

Free standing Blaze King wood burning stove

Hand cut custom natural rock wall for wood burning stove

PANTRY ROOM

Full size room with shelving

Floor level mop sink

MOVIE THEATER

State of the art 30 x 20 theater dedicated room

Theater has a 7.1 top end professionally designed surround sound system

130-inch Screen, 4K Sony projector, Sony 4k blu-ray player

Custom knotty alder wet bar with granite counter tops and copper pinged sink

Bar has a custom knotty alder 6 x 4 mirror with side shelving for glasses and your favorite beverage

Reclining leather three level stadium seating, including (tray table, USB plug-ins) under chair led lighting

Walls, floor and ceiling are triple layered sound proofed, with sound absorbing features in the room for maximum viewing pleasure

Carpet is theater grade and floor located in back of theater is wood acacia flooring

Windows are shielded by custom sliding wood barn door shutters for maximum sound refraction and light blocking capabilities

Recessed lighting in ceiling with 4 accent dimmable sconce lights

Knotty alder theater door with sound lock drop bar

MUDROOM

4 custom full-size closets for hunting gear with lights and outlets

1 half closet

Plenty of storage

Full wall of coat hook hangers

Pressurized for scent control

Sink and counter top area

Complete laundry station

Additional cabinets for storage

GARAGE

2 stall garage doors with electric openers

Extra deep and wide bays

Gradual sloped concrete with drains in floor

Stainless steel double sink with full sprayer arm

Storage racks and recessed ceiling lighting

Two (2) dedicated utility rooms

BASEMENT

Full basement with dedicated E-5 rated storm safe room

Made of steel I-beams and concrete

Large storage area with shelving

LIGHTING

Track lighting throughout lodge with dimmable switches

Recessed ceiling lighting in in all rooms with dimmable switches for easy control

Highlight sconces in all rooms

Pedestal lights above island and breakfast nook

Chandelier above dining table

OUTSIDE AMENITIES

Full wrap around concrete sidewalk for easy mobility

Large concrete porch area overlooking the valley out back

54 feet of three-sided wrap around concrete porch

With 12-foot-wide overhangs

Outside perimeter has three mounted flood lights

Entire lodge has outside ascent lighting

BARN

40 x 80 storage barn with 12-foot lean-to on both sides

South lean-two is poured concrete with water and electric accommodations

Two horse stalls with water and electric with poured concrete pad in middle

Outside lighting including flood light for horse pasture lighting

Underground drain system

6 inch seamless gutters

Large loft inside for off ground storage and potential recreation room

Roughed in bathroom

Roughed in walk-in cooler

Two oversized garage doors and one regular with openers and keypads

Two interior floor drains

2 exterior water tap and 1 interior of barn

3 high bay LED Lights

Fully wired for outlet access throughout inside and out

RED STEEL STORAGE SHED

30 x 20 steel shed with graveled parking area in front

Steel grain storage bin

LAND HIGHLIGHTS

Fully fenced perimeter

Gated and locked access points

Security cameras on road access points

Full 12-foot-wide graveled mile long driveway with terrace for water flow management

Circle drive in front of lodge

Full graveled U drive approach to back of lodge

Large work and turn around area graveled between lodge and barn fuel area

Interior road and trail access system 14 +/- miles

Outside implement storage area

Walking and horseback riding trails

ORCHARDS

208 fruit and nut trees * See orchard chart

LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Controlled burns

TSI application

Established tree stands and blind locations

Extensive trail camera history since 2014

Major predator control though trapping and calling with increased population growth on fawn recruitment, turkey and quail populations

Whitetail population study analysis

Managed buck to doe ratios

Established mature buck age class

11 species nutritional based food plot blend practices

11 established mineral stations

3 species screening cover

Fertilization of persimmon patches oaks ridges flats

WATER

8-year-round ponds with fish (bluegill, catfish, bass)

Dozens of freshwater springs

Multiple seasonal creek bottoms (10-11 months active water)

Multiple freestanding water stations (85 gallon)

FISHING

2.5 acres pond located in the center of property (Construction finished in 2021)

Estimated 10 million gallons of fresh water

Dam is 450 feet long

With a maximum depth 19.5 feet and a average depth 12 feet

Massive underwater rock formation structures including large rocks up to 20 feet long, rock piles, sunken logs, submerged tree stumps, rock reefs, underwater islands, drop shelfs

3-1 slope inclines

Four spawning areas

10-inch over flow seep pipe with 2-inch drain let out valve for maintenance and a 30-foot graded spillway

Stocked in 2021 with 10,000 fathead minnows and let them reproduce for three months, then added three sunfish species and Florida strain largemouth bass fry

PONDS

1 Red Barn

2 Heart Pond

3 Oasis

4 Duck Weed

5 Golden

6 Pit

7 Slip Rock

8 Shady

FOOD PLOTS

40 +/- Food plot acres

17 Regenerative farmed no-till food plots

1 Lodge

2 Home field

3 Runway

4 Flats North and South

5 11 acres

6 Monument

7 Crossing

8 Rabbit

9 Triangle

10 Bottoms

11 Marys field

12 U-field

13 Yard

14 Meadow

15 The YARD

16 Foundation 1

16 Foundation 2

STAGING KILL SITE AREAS

1 Marys place

2 Bobcat

3 Meadows staging area

4 Switch back off back road to meadows

5 Circle

6 Fence line

7 Clover crossing

8 Bottoms staging

9 Monument

10 Pipeline

11 Red Gate

12 Hill Top

13 Long field

14 Big pond Look Out Point East side

FEEDERS

4 Outback steel 3-ton feeders

HISTORICAL DATA

Workers stayed on property while building Lake Fagen (Woodson County State Fishing Lake) in the 1930s

Famous Overhang Cave where people stayed

Rock outcrop gorge with many historical carvings on rocks from as early as late 1800s

Locals and local historians claim Jesse James stashed caches around the area

Historical stacked rock fences throughout the property

Several native artifacts have been found here

Many early settlement rock house foundations on property