Ross Hammock Ranch

Nestled in the heart of Florida's Nature Coast, Ross Hammock offers a rare opportunity to own one of Florida’s most iconic high fenced properties. The property bestows everything that is so great about North Florida’s hunting culture and the Nature Coast itself. Spread across 1,223 acres, this turn-key operation is renowned for its combination of premier hunting experiences, accommodations, and natural beauty. The wildlife and hunting program that has been perfected here over the last 30+ years is bar none.

"This property is Old Florida. It reminds me of everything that is right about these lands that I love." - Jon Kohler

"The vision behind Ross Hammock Ranch was to make this a family operation so that when people come here, they enjoy the hospitality, and the nature found on Florida's Nature coast. It's all pristine shoreline here in this area because there's no beach, there's no condos, there's no high rises, there's no big development on the water. Once you go out the river here, it's just like the Indians left it. It's pristine. That's why we call this area the Nature coast, and as a result, we've had sportsmen from all over the world come here to hunt." - Harold Ross, Landowner, Ross Hammock Ranch

A Hunter’s Paradise:

With diverse habitats including uplands, food plots, cypress hammocks, and hardwood forests, the ranch is home to a rich variety of native and exotic game species. Enthusiasts can pursue Whitetail deer, Osceola turkey, wild hogs, and alligators, along with unique year-round exotics like axis deer, red stag, and blackbuck antelope.

“I spent about three years traveling around the world, mainly bow hunting everywhere from Africa and all across the United States and visiting ranches and outfitters and all of those places. And I saw many, many things that they were doing right, and I also saw many, many things that they weren't doing so right. And from that I put together a checklist of what I wanted to accomplish here at Ross Hammock Ranch and that was my blueprint for building this operation with wonderful lodging, welcoming archery hunters and rifle hunters with rifle ranges, archery ranges, cleaning rooms, walk-in coolers, taxidermy butcher services to make it a one-stop shopping, basically to have a world-class outdoor experience.” - Harold Ross, Landowner, Ross Hammock Ranch

“The one thing that I really like about this ranch is the diversity of its habitat. And there's so many things to do in this area. The ranch is approximately 1,225 acres, but you feel like it's a lot bigger because of the diversity of habitat. The old Florida woods here of all the hardwood hammocks and the pine forest are just incredible. There are over 20 miles of logging roads here, so the diversity is just incredible. But then you can venture off the ranch a very short distance and fish the 5,000-acre freshwater lake of Lake Rousseau, or you can cruise down the Withlacoochee River or go out to the saltwater flats of the Gulf of Mexico. And all of those things are just minutes away from where I'm sitting right now.” - Harold Ross, Landowner, Ross Hammock Ranch

“This property has tremendous diversity. It's like a big video game here. It's unbelievable. It has this network of cypress ponds all through it. It's probably 30-40% hardwood hammock. We've put in a lot of fields. We've taken out some of the planted ponds just to create more pasture-type fields. So, there's diversity of habitat here, which creates a tremendous amount of edge where one type of habitat borders the other. And man, that's what animals love.” - Harold Ross, Landowner, Ross Hammock Ranch

“The secret that few talk about is that, particularly on places where you can add exotics with a high fence, the edge allows you to double stack animals because different animals like different habitats. You'll actually get a higher density of animals without overlapping. Whether its fallow, axis or blackbuck they all utilize a different habitat than whitetails.” - Jon Kohler

"St Marks Pool" by famed wildlife artist, Dean Gioia

"This place is 100% “Old Florida!” One of my personal favorite hunts is still hunting cabbage hammocks like these after a December cold front. About half the property is a mosaic of palm hammocks and cypress ponds. This place is huge. It would take years to hunt through them all, but I would try. When it comes to Florida hunting, it simply doesn't get any better than this." - Jon Kohler

"Like most people, I'm all about hunting trophy whitetails. I enjoy the exotics, particularly axis, blackbuck, and fallow deer, but I was raised dreaming about big whitetails, so I don't have the same burning passion for them. That being said, it’s my own perspective that’s off. These exotics are great. My clients who have them love them! Particularly the axis, which is some of the best wild game there is. I am adding all of them to my place this winter." - Jon Kohler

Old Florida Luxury Accommodations:

Ross Hammock Ranch is as much about hospitality and sharing God’s great outdoors with others as it is about hunting. The ranch features two distinct lodging options: the two story, real log cypress cabin is famous in hunting circles. The setting is 100% Florida and backs up to a blackwater creek and cabbage palm hammock. It’s a hunting “camp” on steroids. The five-bedroom, thirteen-bed, three-and-a-half-bathroom lodge built for comfort, fellowship with others and entertaining friends. With a sports bar, media room, and billiards, the lodge can easily host large groups, making it perfect for corporate retreats or family getaways.

“One of the things I will miss the most is probably Thanksgiving night. We always have a Thanksgiving dinner here with a turkey cooking contest and there'll be a table on the front porch, sometimes overflow down here with maybe 50 people at it and 50 family members or friends, maybe more. That would probably be the number one memory.” - Harold Ross, Landowner, Ross Hammock Ranch

The original three-bedroom, two-bathroom rustic cypress log cabin built in the 1990s, offering a cozy, yet more rustic atmosphere.

“We get some of the richest families literally in the world.  Sheika Byron comes! I'm so proud of that lodge. They walk in there and they're not happy. What's up? They go, ‘it’s too nice, I want something rustic.’ And they come over here and see this and then they're happy.” - Harold Ross, Landowner, Ross Hammock Ranch

"A Land Remembered" by Patrick D. Smith

"The cypress lodge alongside the cabbage palm creek could very well be the setting from my second favorite book "A Land Remembered." While enjoying a sunrise tour, I took advice from my favorite book and prayed to God thanking him for allowing me to be a part of this great property." - Jon Kohler

One of the things that separates this property from others is the “utility” or usability. People often forget the importance of preparing wild game meat and the process that goes alongside it. Ross Hammock has this perfected.

“I mentioned the quality of the table fare. A lot of that is what happens after the shot. It’s not only the animal, but how you treat it to maximize the nutritional value. The first thing we do, of course, is get some great Kodak moments, which is just an awesome memory for life. Father-daughter moments, father-son moments, it's great. But then we've got a screened in cleaning room with a central drain, three electric lift stations. And then from there, on the ranch we have two big walk-in coolers. Now we keep those intentionally about 35 degrees. You want to get the meat as cool as possible without it crystallizing. So, we keep 'em right above freezing at about 35 degrees and we'll age 'em in there from 7, 10, 14 days. Then we have a complete butcher shop where everything gets de-boned. We make sausage, cube steak, whatever you want. And then we have a vacuum wrap machine where everything gets vacuum wrapped and then deep freezers. So, we process it, we vacuum wrap it, we label it, stamp it, date it, freeze it, and so it's just as good as it gets in terms of it. We also have a relationship with a local taxidermy company to where they come right to our site here and work with our team to get it caped out properly to get a mount done if you want to have a mount on the animal. And all that equipment and everything goes with the ranch if the new owners want to continue that.” - Harold Ross, Landowner, Ross Hammock Ranch

Endless Recreation & Future Potential:

"From wonderful lodging, welcoming archery hunters and rifle hunters with rifle ranges, archery ranges, to cleaning rooms, walk-in coolers, taxidermy, and butcher services - I wanted to make this a one-stop shop outdoor experience... and it's just an outdoorsman's dream here. You come here and there's nothing to worry about. Everything is just right here, and you can just enjoy the woods with your friends and family." - Harold Ross, Landowner, Ross Hammock Ranch

On site, the ranch touts a 200-yard rifle range, an elevated archery practice range, year-round recreational experiences, and an extensive trail system for hiking, hunting, biking, or riding.

“The nearby Withlacoochee River flows into that Lake Rousseau and then that river flows on out to the Gulf of Mexico and we're just about three or four miles inland from the Gulf here. So, we have some of the best saltwater flats fishing in the whole state. Again, that’s why they call this area the nature coast. You want to go scalloping in May or June. You want to catch a 200-pound tarpon in late April. You want to catch a snook in December year-round. We have some of the best saltwater flats fishing. The waterfowl hunting on the Gulf is exceptional too. So, there's something to do for the sportsmen here year-round on the freshwater and the saltwater side of it.” - Harold Ross, Landowner, Ross Hammock Ranch

"Ross Hammock is the ultimate in "cast and blast." One can hunt big game in the morning and catch the afternoon tide on the nearby flats for redfish or snook.” - Jon Kohler

The ranch is also conveniently located near major urban centers, with access to Crystal River’s private airport just 15 minutes away. The gulf is just 10 minutes away and Crystal River's boutique shops and cafes are 25 minutes away. It's 30 minutes to Cedar Key's fishing guides. Gainesville is just over an hour away, and Ocala is just 58 minutes away. As the surrounding area continues to develop, including potential future toll road extensions, the property offers significant long-term investment potential.

"This area has a lot to offer. If you don't want to go out bow hunting, you can hop in your car and ride over to Cedar Key, which is about a 30-minute drive, 10 minutes from here, you go out to the saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico. Crystal River is only 12 miles to the south with all its shopping and restaurants and diversity there. And then also it's important that Seven Rivers Hospital is only about five minutes away from here and that's a good feeling. That's now owned by Tampa General, one of the best medical operations in the state of Florida and all of that's right here. So again, it's a rural setup, but with all the comforts of home and all the amenities that you'd want to find." - Harold Ross, Landowner, Ross Hammock Ranch

"If I had my way "Old Florida" would stay "Old Florida" but then again one of the great things about Florida is the massive wealth appreciation of our lands. Ross Hammock is now only a few miles from the most recent planned terminus of the Suncoast Turnpike which quickly and easily connects Inglis to the wealth centers of Central Florida. While I don't know if Duke Energy's plans will ever come to fruition, if they do this once sleepy town's financial prospects will change forever." - Jon Kohler

Ross Hammock Ranch is the ultimate high fence shooting preserve and a unique opportunity to steward a unique piece of Florida’s wilderness that has been managed for wildlife for 26 years. This property has entertained guests from around the world, creating lasting memories through its exceptional blend of hunting and hospitality.

"There are currently no conservation easements on Ross Hammock. This would be a great opportunity to monetize the development rights. That being said, part of this property is technically in the city limits and there is considerable upside one would be giving up." - Jon Kohler

"This is the ideal property for someone who wants to enjoy world-class hunting on their own place. The client list and repeat customers here are phenomenal if they wished to offer hunts to pay for annual operating costs, or more. Someone could certainly keep that going with the seasoned staff or minimize the paid hunts to suit their own level of privacy. I know a lot of landowners would love to have that option." - Jon Kohler