Welcome to our Meet the Team Series, where we delve into the stories and expertise of our exceptional M4 Ranch Group team members.
In this Meet the Team spotlight, we interview Butch Porter who shares his deep commitment to stewardship and his expertise in finding exceptional ranch properties for his clients. His skill, commitment and dedication has earned him respect and recognition as an award-winning ranch professional within the industry.
Read on to learn more…
Growing up on a Working Cattle Ranch in New Mexico, what’s one lesson from Ranch Life that you still rely on today?
The biggest lesson from ranch life is adaptability, you learn to overcome whatever the ranch throws at you.
Every day brings a different problem, and you figure out how to fix it. When you pull up to a ranch with a client, you immediately see what needs to be done, upgrading fences, adding a pond, food plots, blinds, or elk crossings.
Every ranch has its own set of challenges, and you learn to adapt and create solutions. It’s also a great sales pitch: helping buyers turn a property into what they need and advising sellers on making their ranch turnkey.
As a Professional Hunter and Outfitter, how do you incorporate your vast Hunting and Ranch Management experience into your Ranch Brokerage work?
Game management is key, we constantly assess what needs to be done to attract and sustain more wildlife. This includes food plots, elk management, and monitoring game with cameras to track population health.
If we have too many young bulls, we let them mature to ensure a strong herd. From August 1 to December 31, we see firsthand what it takes to keep elk on the ranch.
The goal is to create a better “buffet” than the neighbors, minimizing pressure and ensuring elk have secure bedding and feeding areas.
A key rule is: “never disturb bedding areas, or you’ll push them off the ranch”
Your motto is “we are to be good stewards of the land”, How do you Guide your Clients towards Sustainable Land Management Practices?
My number one rule is: “Always leave the land better than you found it”
Good stewardship means improving the ranch, reducing overgrazing, managing hunting responsibly, and cleaning up the land. No matter the condition when you buy it, your goal should always be to make it better.
Can you share a memorable moment or a particularly rewarding experience from your career as an Outfitter?
I once had the privilege of hunting with a world-famous hunter. He showed up in our antelope camp near the end of his life, and it was an unforgettable experience. Listening to him share his stories around the campfire was heartwarming for everyone there. He arrived almost bound to a walker, but despite his physical limitations, he still had that unmistakable spark of passion for hunting
On the last day, all of our guides pitched in to help him get his last antelope… it was such a memorable experience to be able to help someone fulfill that moment. I wouldn’t say it was his dying wish, but he clearly never wanted to give up on hunting. It was simple, just an antelope hunt but it meant so much more because it was about helping a true sportsman achieve something special.
Moments like that remind me why I love outfitting so much. Sure, hunting is fun, but often the biggest joy comes from giving back. It’s not about the money—it’s about going out to a ranch, managing it properly, doing all the right things for the land, and then coming back during hunting season to see the rewards: healthy animals and happy hunters.
Seeing their faces light up after a successful hunt makes it all worthwhile.
Of course, just because you book a hunt doesn’t mean you’ll harvest an animal. That’s why having a well-managed ranch makes all the difference. There are three key things every ranch needs:
- No pressure on the animals
- Plenty of water
- And—most importantly—a better buffet than your neighbor’s ranch!
What is the most common misconception that people have about Owning and Managing a Ranch?
The amount of work it takes to get your ranch to a “turn-key” state is often underestimated. I think the biggest misconception is just how much effort is involved in transforming a property into a super successful game ranch or cattle ranch.
The term “turn-key” encompasses so much more than people realize. It means everything is ready, completely done… so someone can walk in, buy the ranch, and enjoy it immediately without needing to do anything else.
“We always emphasize that achieving turn-key status is no small feat”
What many don’t see is the years of hard work it takes to get there. Sure, money can buy a lot and speed up the process, but it still requires an incredible amount of dedication and effort to turn a property into a truly successful operation.
The greatest gratification comes when you finally reach that point, when your ranch is turn-key, and you can go out and enjoy it while reaping the rewards of all your hard work. That feeling of managing the land in the best way possible and seeing it thrive is unmatched.
Of course, part of that success involves making sure your ranch attracts wildlife like Elk instead of pushing them onto your neighbor’s property. If you don’t put in the effort to manage your land properly, the animals won’t want to stay on your ranch… It’s as simple as that.
If your neighboring land has a really great Elk herd, can you lure them onto your ranch? Do you just have to “lay out the buffet” better than your neighbors?
Yeah, definitely. There are two key things that really make a difference on a game ranch:
- Pressure
- Pressure is absolutely critical, whether you’re managing elk, deer, or any type of game. You cannot overpressure the animals; they simply won’t tolerate it… if they feel too much pressure, they’ll leave.
- Food
- The second key is having a great “buffet.” If your neighbor has a successful ranch where all the elk want to be, you need to create an environment that lures them off his property and makes them want to stay on yours.
- This usually means planting more food plots, minimizing pressure, and ensuring there’s plenty of water. Water is a huge part of the “buffet.” Your ranch needs clean drinking water, wallows for elk to play in, and consistent water sources year-round.
- We often use solar wells for this purpose—they pump water into a storage tank with an overflow that creates a small pond or wallow for the elk.
- For storage tanks, you can use steel or concrete ones… either works fine, as long as they have an overflow system that feeds into a wallow or small pond. Elk love these areas for both drinking and playing.
Another crucial factor is ensuring the Elk are bedding and feeding on your property. You don’t want them leaving to bed elsewhere; your ranch needs to be large enough to provide both bedding areas and feeding areas so they have everything they need without leaving.
Age is also key, you need to give the animals time to mature. That’s how you get those trophy animals: by allowing them to grow old in a well-managed environment.
“Ultimately, water is the most important factor”
- You can have the best food plots in the world, but if there’s no water nearby, the elk won’t stay
- Man-made water sources are essential, you don’t want to rely on Mother Nature alone
- Wells, solar wells, and windmills can help ensure your ranch has consistent water even during dry seasons
That’s what sets you apart from your neighbor… If your neighbor is relying on rainfall or snowpack for groundwater while you’ve invested in man-made water systems, you’re going to attract all the elk.
Final Thoughts
As we conclude our spotlight on Butch Porter, it’s clear that his dedication to ranch brokerage is more than just a job, it’s a passion that drives him to deliver exceptional results for his clients.
At M4 Ranch Group, we pride ourselves on being more than just brokers; we’re partners in your ranching journey. Our team’s collective expertise, combined with Butch’s unique approach and experience, ensures that every client receives a personalized service tailored to their needs.
If you’re considering purchasing or selling a ranch, or simply want to explore the possibilities of ranch ownership, we invite you to reach out to Butch and M4 Ranch Group.
Let us help you find your perfect piece of property and turn your ranch dreams into reality.
View our Colorado Ranches For Sale, New Mexico Ranches For Sale and Wyoming Ranches For Sale
And Contact Us to Learn More
Bio: Butch Porter
Butch Porter is an associate broker with M4 Ranch Group. Born and raised on a working cattle ranch in New Mexico he learned early the value and appreciation of the land around him, horsemanship and the operations necessary to make a cattle ranch successful. As a teen his passion for hunting and the outdoors began and initiated the next 20 years in developing the experience to become a professional hunter.
Hunting all over the southwest has given him the opportunity to harvest many trophy big game animals in the best elk and deer country God put on this earth. His vast hunting experience led Butch to become an Outfitter in New Mexico and Colorado which allowed him to work with other sportsman that share a passion for hunting big game in the southwest.
Combining his experience with ranch life, hunting and a true passion for the outdoors, He then put this his knowledge and experience to work in applying himself to Ranch Management, successfully building and managing some of the best big game hunting ranches in New Mexico.
Through his dedication he has earned the respect and friendships of many clients and peers as well as being an award winning ranch broker. He continues to excel and strives to be one of the best in the industry.
A Sample of Ranches For Sale
Cottonwood Gulch Ranch
$28,554,000
Cottonwood Gulch Ranch spans 8,158.29± deeded acres in Grants, New Mexico, offering a well-established third generation working cattle ranch with exceptional wildlife habitat and abundant water resources. The ranch has three wells, multiple developed springs, and 12 stock ponds that sustain both livestock and wildlife year-round. Cottonwood Creek flows along the east side, while Rio Nutria, with its 75-acre feet of adjudicated water rights, enhances the west side.
Rancho Vista Del Valle
$26,500,000
Located in the heart of New Mexico’s ranching and hunting heritage, Rancho Vista Del Valle is an exceptional property encompassing 18,024± deeded acres. With a blend of unmatched scale, high-quality improvements, and diverse opportunities, the ranch is a true legacy holding. Its proximity to natural landmarks, extensive infrastructure, and income-generating potential makes it a standout offering in the Southwest.
Brazos Vista Ranch
$8,200,000
Brazos Vista Ranch, 2,171± acres of hunting territory in the heart of Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico. This land is more than just real estate—it’s a destination for those who crave the thrill of the hunt and the raw beauty of the Southwest. Brazos Vista Ranch offers the ideal combination of isolation and convenience. A 6,000± square foot barndominium is already in the works, complete with permits for septic and wells, laying the groundwork for your ultimate hunting lodge or backcountry escape. For fifteen years, this land has been carefully managed, letting the mule deer population grow and the bucks reach their full potential.
