Saint Francis River Hunting Property by Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Property Description

This 50.84 +/- acre premier hunting property near Santiago, Minnesota, and in the Becker School District, is the kind of turnkey whitetail parcel that takes years of planning and habitat work to create. The Saint Francis River meanders through the length of the property, providing classic river-bottom habitat, natural travel corridors, security cover, and additional pinch points for cruising bucks. The property also supports a strong turkey population, with abundant signs and very frequent sightings. The property was professionally planned and improved with immaculate food plots, an established trail system, two water ponds, light-duty bridges, strategically opened canopy, and selective tree removal designed to create funnels, bottlenecks, and predictable deer movement. A diverse mix of mature hardwoods, brush, river bottom, openings, and food creates outstanding habitat in a relatively compact footprint. Multiple access points and carefully selected stand locations allow hunters to adjust their approach based on wind direction, while bridges across the Saint Francis River provide convenient access throughout the property. Three professionally installed 12 Point deer stands are already in place, making this an exceptionally well-prepared hunting setup.

The property's location adds another dimension. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is within walking distance, placing the property alongside a roughly 30,700-acre refuge with a diverse mix of forest, oak savanna, prairie, wetlands, and Saint Francis River habitat. The refuge itself offers public deer hunting in designated areas during applicable seasons, providing substantial additional hunting opportunities nearby. The reputation of this area for quality whitetails is backed by the Boone and Crockett record books. With a strong history of both deer and turkey already documented on the property, this is an area with legitimate trophy potential.

Despite its secluded hunting feel, the property is conveniently located near the heart of Santiago and within the desirable corridor between Saint Cloud and the northwestern Twin Cities metro. Santiago is approximately 16 miles from Saint Cloud, 18 miles from Elk River, and 12 miles north of Becker, while Sherburne County offers convenient connections to U.S. Highway 10 and I-94. For the serious whitetail hunter, this property combines professionally designed habitat, river-bottom hunting, proven wildlife use, turnkey infrastructure, and immediate proximity to one of central Minnesota's largest blocks of protected wildlife habitat. This property is the full package and a combination that is increasingly difficult to find. The property is believed to be buildable as well (buyer to verify to meet their own goals).