FARGO -- It's easy to understand why Theodore Roosevelt and many others love the North Dakota Badlands. It is even easier to appreciate why Roosevelt bought two spectacular ranches in the sprawling, savagely beautiful landscape.
The Badlands are beautiful and stunning. They are rich in wildlife. The rugged, spectacular landscape is dominated by exaggerated buttes, valleys and meadows. M
uch of it is untouched, whether owned by the government or privately.
Later in October, a sizeable Badlands ranch, the Myers Southern Cross Ranch, will be sold at a public auction in Medora, N.D. This ranch, only 30 miles north of Medora and a few miles from Roosevelt's beloved Elkhorn Ranch, is an expansive 4,665 acres.
The steep and rugged buttes, tree-lined ravines, native grasses and flowers, expansive meadows and valleys and Little Missouri River dominate the ranch's landscape there.
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A recent Herald editorial described the ranch ("A Badlands conservancy for N.D.," Page A4, Sept. 14).
The editorial endorsed the option of the ranch selling in one parcel rather than in multiple parcels, keeping it intact with one owner.
It's hard to argue with the editorial's point. But it's also hard to argue the fact that land ownership in America is as old as America itself.
Property ownership has been an American pursuit long before Roosevelt ventured west. Individuals and families are enchanted with land ownership.
If the Myers Southern Cross Ranch is sold in multiple parcels, it will not mean the landscape of the Badlands will be dotted with small ranchettes. Most of the individuals and families who buy land of this profile do it for other reasons than building a home and a barn.
They buy it to hunt on. They buy it so they can look at it, hike, camp or ride horses, or just for the pure enjoyment of owning land. It is the dream of the American West.
It has been my experience as a land auctioneer and Realtor that many of the potential buyers of this type of land likely will never even use the land for their own purposes.
They may occasionally hunt on it or take a four wheeler across it; but it's highly unlikely any will build on it.
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Instead, they likely will preserve it with as much or more passion as would an owner of much more land.
The ranch is being offered in 19 parcels or as an entire unit. It may be sold to one buyer. But why not provide 19 dads the chance to own land so they can take their sons hunting or hiking on land they own? Why not give 19 families the chance to see nature changing seasons in a beautiful part of our country?
Some of my most memorable moments have been hunting with my son in western North Dakota. He is intrigued not only by the wildlife, but also by the landscape and its diversity of plants, grasses and other habitat. He has taught me to appreciate these things, too.
These experiences shape the lives of all of us, not just our children.
As Americans, we have grown comfortable with big things, whether they are businesses or ranches. Maybe it's time for us to do big things with a lot less.
Owning 80, 160 or 320 acres in the Badlands of the old Dakota Territory and preserving it or renting it to a local rancher would be a great investment. It would be an even better investment if it was used to teach a child how to hunt, respect the land and appreciate the miracles of nature.
Pifer is president of Pifer's Auction & Realty. He is a former North Dakota deputy commissioner of agriculture.
