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I may have missed it but what is your end desire?
Southern Elk beat me to it.
To acquire a property very close or directly connected to large tracts of public land that have good elk and deer hunting. It would be seasonal, so used for a couple of weeks in summer for fishing and scouting, and then again throughout hunting season. Wouldn't need to be a large piece as long as it's close to a lot of accessible public.
It would be great to be able to search for available properties based on their proximity to USFS or BLM. But I haven't found anything out there that can do this. Would make the search a lot easier.
Not always so prevalent ... but that darn weed is now everywhere you look in Montana!No knapweed was a large part of our requirements
Wow, lots of good info to think about here, thanks guys. I never would have realized the degree to which water seems to be a priority. Although I'm not sure if it would be as big a hunting consideration for smaller 20 acre lots as I'd most likely be hunting outside of that 20 acres anyway. But would definitely keep in mind to look for water sources in the hunting area nearby.
As far as your processes for narrowing down properties that fit your criteria, what resources did you use to get the information needed? I was thinking of reaching out to local realtors in the areas I was most interested in and letting them know my requirements. And outside of checking the listings on property sites, any other resources for this type of thing you'd recommend?
Nice cabin and I really believe in micro-piles!! You are in a great location in southern WY.
For the OP's question, most states have a state operated website that shows well depths, total depth, gpm, and hydrostatic water levels. Numerous areas in the west are noted for poor wells and tight sand formations (bracca) that do not produce high volumes of groundwater. Septic permits, which are normally issued at the county level can determine where you can build on the property. Most areas in Montana require one spring season (high-runoff period) to determine the percolation rates for your area. Most areas in the west the perc test needs to be completed early spring, if not you will be waiting until the next year. Like other said talk with the Electric Co-op and determine the cost of electric hook-ups, the Co-op engineers mostly want all new utilities buried underground (>3').
So if you have rocky areas, you can easily double or triple the utility cost in excavation alone. Excavation cost can exceed the total building cost if the site requires blasting, hammering, or located in steep sloped areas. You can burn through 6K-10K a day for excavation costs. So in saying this verify with the Electric Co-Op Engineers, check with the County on Septic Permits, and research well depths. Once you find an area, go meet the neighbors, and they can provide a good deal of information about the area. And always bring a 6 pack! Best wishes and you will find the right area that suits your family.
Neighbors. Is the land next to public or private? I have a piece that is surrounded by private. Most of us agreed to share each others and work together. in costs or work. We pick different hunting times. For instance, I do not bow hunt and one of the landowners does not rifle hunt. Works perfect, for us. He can hunt mine during bow season giving him more opportunity and I hunt his during rifle. One of the larger landowners does not hunt but runs cattle. He runs cattle on mine during spring and summer, and I can hunt his during winter. Again, all about working together. If we are having guests or allowing public hunters we all talk about it and agree on terms. Even though we all have different size parcels, and we find something for each other. One neighbor has 240 acres and a great cabin. I do not have a structure but have 640 acres. I use his cabin when I hunt , and he can hunt my land when he hunts.