Dancing Duck Ranch On The Coeur d’Alene River

The Dancing Duck Ranch was designed, managed, and maintained to protect North American Waterfowl. Engineered to provide exceptional habitat, this property is a critical component to the abundance of migratory birds in the region. For the last sixteen years, the owners have worked diligently alongside Ducks Unlimited to establish an oasis for migrating and nesting waterfowl along this portion of the inland Pacific Flyway. The ranch comprises six parcels totaling +/- 548 acres with +/- 400 acres of controlled wetland protected by a conservation easement. Facilities include a +/- 2,876 square foot ranch home (club headquarters), +/-1,200 square foot guest home, a three-bay shop, two barns, and +/- 100 acres of fenced pasture for grazing and hay production. Infrastructure includes two pumps to regulate water levels in the wetlands, an internal road network providing vehicle and equipment access throughout the ranch, and twelve carefully located hunting blinds. Two large fields are used for goose hunting during the season - but are also utilized for farming. Boasting approximately one mile (+/- 5,000’) of river frontage on the Coeur d’Alene River, this is an excellent piece of real estate and a critical component to waterfowl abundance in the region. Three deeded WATER RIGHTS are included in the sale.

The Dancing Duck Ranch is known for hosting diverse species of migratory birds. Most of the ducks that fly the central and inland pacific flyways can be found on the property at some point throughout the year. These include greater Canada geese, mallards, wood ducks, teal (green-winged, blue-winged, and cinnamon), wigeon, pintail, gadwall, redheads, canvasbacks, goldeneye, and more. In the spring, the property most commonly hosts colonies of nesting cinnamon teal, wood ducks, mallards, Canada geese, and black tern.

Two drainage pumps and several water control structures regulate the wetland water levels to maintain ideal ecosystem conditions. One pump is used for the east field, and the other for the west field. Water levels can be dropped to control unwanted vegetation (like excessive cattails) or plant new vegetation and improve habitat. Wild rice has historically been grown as a supplemental food source in the west field. The Dancing Duck Ranch is designed for all-around waterfowl conservation/proliferation.

Herds of elk frequent the property regularly throughout the fall – often during the rut. It is not common to hear bulls bugling across the marsh or to watch them challenge each other over cows. Moose are commonly spotted grazing the wetland vegetation. Whitetails flourish in the diverse wetland habitat and can be abundant in the fields and marsh. Turkey hunting is excellent in both the spring and summer here. Take your pick of big-game hunting opportunities on this ranch – in addition to world-class waterfowl hunting.

Pike and bass also call this property home – an Idaho Fish and Game Private Pond permit allow guests to fish the ponds and channels within the easement without an Idaho fishing license. A small boat dock provides boating access out into the Coeur d’Alene River. Turkey hunting is excellent in both the spring and summer here. The Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s is a bike trail that runs along the river and through the property – currently providing access to over 73 miles of riverside paved biking trail. When finished, the Great American Rail Trail will be the longest bike trail in the U.S.A. The Dancing Duck Ranch truly offers year-round recreation.

There are currently three sources of supplemental income for the property. The sellers own and operate the North Idaho Sports Club L.L.C. on the property. Its members enjoy a well-managed, meticulously maintained, conservation-minded waterfowl hunting operation – and there is a waiting list for new members. The sellers rent camping spots for R.V.s or campers along the Coeur d’Alene River in the summertime. Guests can dry camp, view wildlife, and fish using the Idaho Fish and Game Private Pond permit and ride or walk the “Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes” using the property's private access.

The third source of supplemental income is the 100 acres +/- of pasture/hay fields fenced with barbed wire and can typically support 40 cow/calf pairs.

Owned by the same family since 1979, this legacy property has had a rich history since the early days of development in the lower Coeur d’Alene River drainage. Family owned and operated as the Schlepp Seed Ranch for decades, this farmland was home to herds of grazing livestock and fields of oats, red top, hay, and grass seed. In 2007, a conservation easement of approximately +/- 400 acres of wetland habitat was conveyed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (purchased by the E.P.A.) to protect riparian wetland habitat in the area. The farm was identified as one of the cleanest/healthiest ecosystems in the area – and, therefore, a perfect candidate for the project. With help from Ducks Unlimited to design, implement, and manage the project, efforts from all parties culminated in the healthy watershed featured today. The easement will last perpetually – forever protecting this sanctuary from threats against this critical and fragile ecosystem. Restrictions within the easement boundaries include the number of hunting blind areas, equipment, or vehicles outside the existing road infrastructure, the development of permanent structures, the timeframe for hunting blind installation, etc. Hunting blinds must be removed two weeks after the season ends and can’t be re-installed until two weeks before the hunting season. The E.P.A. is responsible for permanently maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem and the supporting infrastructure. If acts of God damage the wetlands, berms, roads, pumps, etc., the E.P.A. is solely responsible for making necessary repairs.

The main ranch home, guest home, and other outbuildings are located down a private driveway with excellent access off Highway 3. They are located in one of the pastures outside the easement – and are not subject to easement restrictions. The +/- 2,876 sq ft main ranch home is currently a permanent residence and the headquarters for all hunting operations. The house has electricity, a water well, a septic system, oil heating, and a two-car attached garage. It received a new roof in 2021 and has been well-maintained. The living room features views across the vast wetlands. The landscaping is irrigated by water from one of the nearby creeks. The guest house is approximately 1,200 square feet and is perfect for housing guests or a ranch manager. The large, heated shop features three 12’ oversized garage doors, insulated walls, and finished concrete floors. One of the barns is used for hay storage and livestock. The old barn (needing a new roof) is currently used for off-season waterfowl blinds and equipment storage. Remnants of the legacy ranching operations can be found in the corrals, sheds, and open-sided outbuildings used to house farming equipment. All farming equipment and implements are subject to negotiation.

There are many reasons North Idaho has become a popular tourist destination. There is an immense amount of wild country surrounding this property – with endless hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Between the Coeur d’Alene National Forest, Idaho Panhandle National Forest, and Saint Joe National Forest – there is no shortage of places that can take you as far from civilization as you would like. Located in Idaho’s unit 3 hunting district, whitetail deer, black bear, and turkey populations provide excellent hunting opportunities in this area. Populations of elk, mule deer, and upland game birds also call this area home. This part of Idaho is a boater’s paradise with lakes, rivers, and potholes scattered throughout the region. Coeur d’Alene Lake is home to smallmouth bass, walleye, whitefish, lake trout, kokanee, and northern pike. Brown trout, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout can be chased locally by wading or drifting the shallow rivers and streams. No matter the time of year, this area has 365 days’ worth of fishing.

Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint are the main population centers in the region – both of which offer all the restaurants, shopping, and amenities one could need. There are three world-class ski areas within 90 miles of the ranch, including Silver Mountain, Lookout Pass, and Schweitzer Ski Area. The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course is rated in the top 100 in the nation and is 30 minutes away. Spokane International airport is a 56-minute drive from the CAD Wildlife Sanctuary. The Coeur d'Alene Airport is a county-owned public-use airport located 36 minutes from the property.

Three water rights are being conveyed with the property. One is used to flood the easement, the second is used to provide water for the two homes, shop, and bars (via water well), and the third is currently being utilized for irrigating the lawn/pasture around the home. The river basin from approximately Mullen, Idaho, to Lake Coeur d’Alene is a historical superfund site due to historical mining in the Silver Valley. The sellers have disclosed that after certain landmark flood events, soil testing in the fields adjacent to the river had heavy metal tolerances that exceeded E.P.A. tolerances typical for properties adjacent to the lower Coeur d’Alene River. A significant portion of the property is located within a 100-year FEMA floodplain – except for both homes, all the outbuildings, and certain pastures. The sellers have never experienced flooding in any of the structures – nor on the roadways to the extent that ingress/egress from the property was limited. The easement area was surveyed around 2007, but the remaining acreage has not been recently surveyed. The listing package and additional documentation are attached on the M.L.S. link and in the Mapright Interactive Web Map. Buyers are responsible for performing their due diligence and verifying information. Lines on pictures, maps, and aerials are approximated. No one is permitted on the property without scheduling an appointment with the listing agent. A 48-hour notice is required for meetings, and all showings must be performed by a real estate professional.

Contact the listing agent for the property BROCHURE, additional property videos, disclosures, and questions.