The Stenger Ranch

The Stenger Ranch is a 4,480± acre cattle and hunting ranch located southeast of North Platte, Nebraska. Historically operated as a working cattle ranch, the property features extensive water development, quality improvements, and excellent access. Bordering Wapiti Wildlife Management Area, the ranch offers outstanding elk hunting with proven trophy potential, along with strong populations of mule deer, whitetail deer, and turkey. Land The Stenger Ranch encompasses 4,480± contiguous acres of productive Nebraska rangeland in Lincoln County, just 20 miles southeast of North Platte. The ranch offers a diverse landscape that differs significantly from the flat terrain often associated with Nebraska. Deep canyons, cedar-covered draws, native grass-covered ridges, and rolling topography create a scenic and highly functional ranch environment. The property has historically operated as a cattle ranch and features excellent county road access throughout the area.

The ranch’s diverse terrain provides both livestock and wildlife with excellent habitat while offering numerous elevated viewpoints overlooking the surrounding landscape. The contiguous nature of the property enhances operational efficiency and creates a rare large-acreage ownership opportunity in one of western Nebraska’s most desirable ranching and hunting regions.

Improvements The headquarters features a well-maintained ranch-style home containing approximately 3,904 total square feet, including a 1,640-square-foot main level, 1,640-square-foot basement, and a 624-square-foot attached garage. The residence includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms and serves as a comfortable base for year-round ranch operations or recreational use.

Additional improvements include a 30′ x 90′ shop with approximately half of the floor finished in concrete, providing ample space for equipment storage, maintenance, and ranch operations. Two horse barns with stalls are located at or near the headquarters, including one barn with a dedicated tack room. Functional working pens and livestock handling facilities support cattle operations.

Water infrastructure is a significant asset of the ranch, with solar wells, numerous windmills with stock tanks, and an abundance of stock ponds strategically located throughout the property. This extensive water system provides reliable water sources for both livestock and wildlife across the ranch and further enhances the property’s agricultural and recreational appeal.

Recreation Located within one of Nebraska’s most recognized elk-producing regions, the Stenger Ranch benefits from a healthy resident elk herd that inhabits the canyon systems, cedar breaks, and agricultural lands surrounding Wapiti Wildlife Management Area, which borders the property. Large bulls have been harvested on the ranch. The ranch also supports healthy populations of mule deer, whitetail deer and an abundant turkey population.

Nebraska Landowner Elk Hunting Opportunities

One of the most attractive recreational features of Stenger Ranch is the opportunity for qualifying landowners and their immediate family members to participate in Nebraska’s landowner elk permit program. With approximately 4,480 deeded acres and an established elk population, the ranch offers both resident and nonresident buyers the potential to pursue bull elk through Nebraska’s limited landowner permit drawing.

Unlike Nebraska’s general elk drawing, which is available only to residents, the landowner elk program provides qualifying nonresident property owners with an opportunity to apply for bull elk permits. Landowner bull permits are not subject to the once-in-a-lifetime bull harvest restriction associated with general elk permits.

Resident Landowner Elk Permits

Nebraska residents who own at least 320 acres of qualifying agricultural land within a designated landowner elk zone may apply for landowner elk permits. Qualifying immediate family members may also be eligible.

With 4,480± acres, Stenger Ranch has sufficient acreage to potentially support up to 14 resident landowner elk applications, subject to qualifying acreage, ownership structure, and eligible applicants.

Resident landowner benefits include:

Minimum ownership requirement of 320 qualifying acres.

Access to the resident landowner bull elk drawing.

Preference points accumulated through unsuccessful applications.

Eligibility for a landowner bull permit no more than once every three years.

No once-in-a-lifetime bull harvest restriction on landowner permits.

Opportunities for qualifying immediate family members to apply.

Nonresident Landowner Elk Permits

Nebraska also provides landowner elk hunting opportunities to qualifying nonresident property owners. Nonresident landowners must own at least 1,280 acres of qualifying agricultural land within the designated landowner elk zone.

With 4,480± acres, Stenger Ranch has sufficient acreage to potentially support up to three nonresident landowner elk applications, subject to qualifying acreage, ownership structure, and eligible applicants.

Nonresident landowner benefits include:

Minimum ownership requirement of 1,280 qualifying acres.

Access to Nebraska’s landowner bull elk drawing, which is otherwise unavailable to nonresidents through the general elk drawing.

Preference points accumulated through unsuccessful applications at 0.9 points per year.

Eligibility for a landowner bull permit no more than once every three years.

No once-in-a-lifetime bull harvest restriction on landowner permits.

Opportunities for qualifying immediate family members to apply.

Additional Elk Hunting Opportunity — Free-Earned Landowner Permits

Nebraska offers an additional incentive for landowners who support elk populations and facilitate antlerless elk harvest.

Under the state’s free-earned landowner elk permit program, a qualifying landowner may receive an either-sex elk permit after 10 qualifying antlerless elk are harvested on the property during the applicable seasons and the harvests are verified by Nebraska Game and Parks.

Both resident and nonresident landowners may qualify for this program. The permit can be designated to the qualifying landowner or an eligible immediate family member and is valid on the qualifying property.

For a ranch with an established elk population like Stenger Ranch, this program presents another potential avenue for obtaining bull elk hunting opportunities beyond the traditional landowner drawing.

Agriculture Operated as a working cattle ranch, the Stenger Ranch possesses the characteristics sought by livestock producers throughout the region. Extensive native rangeland, reliable water distribution, and functional livestock improvements create an operation capable of supporting cattle while maintaining excellent wildlife habitat.

The ranch’s extensive water infrastructure, including solar wells, windmills, stock tanks, and numerous stock ponds, provides dependable water distribution across the property. The combination of productive grasslands, varied topography, and established livestock facilities allows the ranch to continue serving as a productive agricultural asset while offering significant recreational value.

Region & Climate

Located in western Nebraska approximately 20 miles southeast of North Platte.

Elevation ranges from approximately 2,700 to 3,200 feet.

Average annual precipitation of approximately 20 inches.

Majority of precipitation occurs during the spring and summer growing season.

North Platte serves as the regional hub for agriculture, healthcare, retail, and transportation.

Area is known for cattle ranching, irrigated farming, and recreational hunting.

Location The Stenger Ranch is located in Lincoln County, Nebraska, approximately 20 miles southeast of North Platte. The property has good county road access and benefits from its proximity to one of western Nebraska’s primary service and transportation hubs.

North Platte offers commercial air service, healthcare facilities, agricultural services, equipment dealers, restaurants, lodging, and retail amenities, providing convenient access to the necessities of ranch ownership while maintaining the privacy and seclusion of a large working ranch.