Swift County Century Farm Acreage Hunting Base Camp

Located in Section 34 of West Bank Township, right on the Swift and Chippewa County line, this 4.85 surveyed acre property offers a unique opportunity for those seeking a hunting base camp, recreational retreat, or potential country home site. With existing improvements already in place and strong surrounding habitat, this property offers both immediate usability and long-term potential. This property has deep roots as part of a Century farm previously owned by the seller's family and now by him. After selling the original farmhouse, the seller retained this portion of the property and thoughtfully converted the former chicken coop/granary into a functional hunting cabin. The cabin features a newer steel roof, power, newer windows, reclaimed wood finishes, and electric heat. The interior is divided between a living and lounging area on one side and sleeping quarters on the other, creating a practical setup for overnight stays or extended hunting trips. Upon stepping inside, it is easy to imagine the stories shared around the table after a long day outdoors. The improvements extend well beyond the cabin. A historic barn built in 1929 by the seller's grandfather and father stands as a centerpiece of the property. The barn was constructed using hand-sawn beams harvested from the Lac qui Parle River Watson SAG area, adding both character and historical significance. Approximately 12 years ago, the seller installed a steel roof on the barn at a cost of approximately $30,000 to help preserve the structure. The lower level of the barn remains in its original stanchion barn layout, including the historic manual slide manure dump box (minus the manure). Yes, it’s work, but the possibilities of converting this to multiple options are there. The upper level is largely open and provides flexible space that could be utilized for storage, recreation, or potential lodging conversion. The adjacent milk house could serve nicely as a game cleaning and processing area, additional storage space, or dog kennel area. Additional improvements include a steel lean-to, and while the seats may not be the most luxurious, the existing outhouse does serve its purpose. A separate power meter is already installed and attached to the barn, offering convenience for future use or expansion. An outdoor hydrant is currently connected to the former farmhouse with an agreement allowing continued use unless someone builds a home or larger cabin with running water, which then a private will would have to be installed. Access to the property has recently been improved. The seller invested just over $15,000 to install a new driveway, providing direct access separate from the previously used farmyard. There will be an easement allowing the tenant farmer to utilize the first portion of the driveway for access to the adjacent field. From a habitat standpoint, this property offers more than its size might suggest. Upon stepping out of the truck, deer sign was immediately noticeable, including tracks and droppings scattered throughout the yard and grove. The grove is comprised primarily of Hackberry, Green Ash, Silver Maple, and Spruce trees. A defined north-south deer trail runs through the western portion of the grove, providing a natural travel corridor. While the property itself is modest in size, the seller owns the surrounding cropland and has indicated a willingness to allow the future owner to hunt into the adjacent field as long as it doesn’t disturb any cropping activity. This field has two CRP corners on its west side, totaling approximately 5 to 6 acres. The seller indicated that deer stands could be placed in these areas by agreement as well. Pheasant activity in the area was also more than notable. They were everywhere. During the property visit, multiple pheasants were observed, including birds that flushed from the seller's southwest CRP corner. The number of birds seen in a short period of time was significant and reinforces the strength of the surrounding habitat. While the CRP areas themselves are relatively small, they function as part of a much larger landscape of habitat. When reviewing aerial imagery and rough measurements, the habitat blocks to the north, west, and south total roughly just under 900 acres of surrounding cover. This larger landscape supports both upland bird populations and deer movement throughout the area, and even though I didn’t see any, it wouldn’t surprise me if turkeys frequented the area. The property sits between the Chippewa River and Cottonwood Creek, further enhancing wildlife travel corridors and habitat diversity. These natural features contribute to consistent wildlife activity across the surrounding landscape. In addition to the immediate hunting opportunities, the property is located approximately 10 miles west of the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area, which encompasses over 24,000 acres of public land and is known as one of the largest contiguous blocks of public land in west central Minnesota. This and additional and numerous other state and federal lands provide additional hunting and recreational opportunities within a short drive.