General Information About Alamo Canyon Ranch

Address: E024 Alamo Canyon Road  
County: Lincoln
City: Hondo  
State:New Mexico
GPS:  33.353050, -105.298722 and 33.353109, -105.299084

When you step foot onto the Alamo Canyon Ranch, you are literally walking into history, on land that has been used by humans for at least 13,000 years! Alamo Canyon Ranch is a 2,200 deeded acre mountain foothills ranch located outside Ruidoso near Tinnie, priced at $595,000.

History

If you know anything about the history of the Hondo Valley and San Patricio, you know that the valley has been chronicled must magnificently through the historic and landmark art of the legendary Peter Hurd. 

The portion of Alamo Canyon Ranch, that overlooks Highway 70, has visual access to the landscapes made famous by both Peter Hurd, and his son, Michael. Michael Hurd is one of the finest water color artists in the country.

With a portion of the Alamo Canyon Ranch so near to what is now Highway 70, and so close to the river, it is not within the realm of possibility that the property has played host, not only to representatives of the Clovis Culture, but additional First Nation's hunters. Without even looking, we have found a fascinating Clovis tool on Alamo Canyon Ranch, near the drainage run-off quite close to the entry of the property.  Several weeks ago, while a friend and I were checking out storm damage, I picked up several interesting Clovis artifacts.  I left one in place.  The other is in my purse.

The Hondo Valley has traces of human occupation which go back thousands of years. Recent archaeological excavations have showed us that the ancients used the valley for hunting. The late Peter Hurd once found a conquistador's helmet in the Hondo River a scant stone's throw from the property lines of the ranch.

Barbary Sheep

No, I'm not going to provide the location on a map where the sheep have a tendency to frequent.  What I can tell you is that we are currently allowing one or two hunts a year, for sheep, according to what is allowable by NM Game and Fish.

Barbary Sheep are a big game trophy hunt, with a tremendous amount of value.  They can bring big money for a land-owner, once a reputation is created about the size of the sheep.  I've been told that we have 'trophy' size sheep on the property.  What I do know is we are careful about who hunts the sheep, controlling the number killed.  The object is to keep the herd, which I have also been told is of a decent size, sustainable.

They are a spectacular creature for photographers.  Finding them is touch and go.  Their special little part of Alamo Canyon Ranch is extremely rugged, with difficult topography. According to a friend, who rents the property for about twenty head of cattle, they are almost impossible to find, they hide so well. He does not like to go into the canyon where they hide, it is so rugged and so dangerous.  Locating them, even for photography or inventory is not for the faint of heart.

Infrastructure

Alamo Canyon Ranch has never been used as residential property. There are no structures on Alamo County Ranch.  It has, over the years, been used, primarily for cattle and hunting.  The infrastructure is minimal.  There has been no need to exploit the property, no mar it with a network of roads.  The idea has been to maintain the feel of remote, off the grid, Wild West, frontier, and in a natural or uncultivated condition. Everything necessary for off the grid and sustainable living is there. 

Power - Otero County Electric
Water - Well
Phone - (available) PVT Networks
Cellular - Verizon 4G - line of sight, tower less than a half mile from portions of the ranch
WiFi - Verizon 4G - line of sight
Road - Passable with 4WD, ATVs are recommended

The entry to Alamo Canyon Ranch is approximately 5.7 miles from the nearest local convenience store which is currently open on a 25/7 basis for gas and ice, as well as other basics.  The nearest pharmacy is Walgreens, which is 30 miles, or about 40 minutes from the entry of the ranch.  (I do not recommend the local Walmart).

Law enforcement is provided by the Lincoln County Sheriff.

The nearest emergency services are available at the Lincoln County Medical Center ER - located a few blocks from Walgreens.  I do not recommend emergency services in Roswell.  The ER in Ruidoso is an excellent for emergency cardiac, having saved my mother's life.  They have a very small and personal ICU, which I also highly recommend.

Always remember while on Alamo Canyon Ranch that it is dangerous, wild, and you are basically an hour from emergency help.  A person should always be heavily armed, have water with them, a personal GPS, and a well-charged cell phone. 

The beauty of Alamo Canyon Ranch is that, even though it is so remote, all you need is a solar power charger, or to tap into the power at the entry of the ranch, and be within line of sight of the cell tower and you are connected with the world any way you wish to be.

Recreation

Alamo Canyon Ranch was made for recreation.  At one time, our family considered turning it into a park and developing it, but we realized we were in over our heads with it.  During the process, though we studied what could be done with the location, in relation to outdoor activities.  Fortunately, the list is a long one.

• Hunting
• ATVs
• Off Roading
• Dirt Bikes
• Mountain Bikes
• Hiking
• Trail Rides
• Horseback Riding
• Camping
• Rock Climbing
• Extreme Hiking
• Base Jumping (?)
• Firearms
• Survival Training
• Scouts
• Family Recreation
• Long-Term Camping
• Sustainable Camping
• Exploring
• Rock Hunting
• Searching for Caves
• Bigfoot (seriously)

Anything extreme nature based is available, just with the use of a person's imagination.

Hunting

Let's face it, Alamo Canyon Ranch is about hunting.  A friend of the family is running a few head of cattle on it, but it isn't for cattle.  There isn't enough grass for sheep.  But, it can sustain wildlife.  New Mexico Game and Fish has proposed setting up remote game cams to do a wildlife inventory.  They've also offered several ideas about land management, wildlife sustainability, and sustainable hunting.  One of the programs I like is offering hunts to underprivileged youth.  Game and Fish, out of Roswell sponsor a program where the kids are taken out to hunt, primarily a cull hunt for deer.  The deer is then taken to a butcher, processed and wrapped, then given to the family for food.  There is also a program where they will bring in people who need fire wood, who will help clear the land, in exchange for wood.

There are so many different big game animals in the area and on the ranch that is almost an embarrassment of riches.  As with other states, there is a strict schedule for hunting.  There are also fees for various tags.  Naturally, instate residents get a better price. 

MOUNTAIN LION:  Cougars or mountain lions are managed by each 'region'.  There is a quota for that area.  Currently, in our location, we have an exploding population for mountain lions to the point where it is not as difficult to obtain licenses. 

ANTELOPE:  There are antelope in the lower elevations and several large herds within 25 miles of Alamo Canyon Ranch.

BEAR:  There are bear in them there hills, I know that much.

BARBARY SHEEP:  Alamo Canyon Ranch has an excellent herd of sheep.

COYOTE: Everywhere

BOBCAT:  On the ranch.

WOLF:  There are wolves in the area, but they cannot be hunted.

JAVALINA:  They have been seen in Lincoln County, but I don't know of them being on the ranch.

MULE DEER:  I don't like the idea of killing anything, but there are so many deer in the area, they are becoming dangerous.  Where my parents live, in San Patricio, the deer were so abundant, they attracted predators like mountain lions.  Now the deer have moved up into the mountains, and the mountain lions prowl the property.  It is quite terrifying.

ELK:  We do not qualify for Elk tags, though there are many in the area.

ORYX:  There are oryx at White Stands and some in Lincoln County, though not on the ranch.