Texas estate with its own exotic wildlife lists for $42.5M

An enormous 886-acre ranch in the heart of Texas Hill Country has hit the market with an eye-popping $42.5 million price tag, offering an unparalleled mix of luxury, history — and even wildlife.

Known as 3 Creeks Ranch, this vast estate in Fredericksburg’s picturesque wine region is the latest big-ticket property to capture attention.

Owned by former attorneys Michael and Susan Price, the property has served as both a personal sanctuary and a haven for exotic animals, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The couple, who raised Japanese Akaushi cattle and a variety of rare species including red stag and blackbuck antelope, has now decided to leave the ranch lifestyle behind as they relocate to Austin.

The ranch is a true rarity, even by Texas standards. Boasting more than 2.5 miles of creek frontage, six stocked ponds for fishing, and vast open spaces designed for hay production and grazing, it’s a well-maintained ecosystem.

There’s even a 120-acre pen created specifically for the collection of animals the Prices nurtured on the property.

“It’s like a viewing safari,” Susan Price told the Journal. “You take a Mule [four-wheeler] in there and just enjoy.”

Alongside the exotic animals, native species like white-tailed deer, turkeys and doves call the ranch home.

Five active wells ensure the property remains well-watered, while five dams manage the natural water flow across its six ponds.

Fishing enthusiasts will enjoy the largemouth bass and catfish stocked in these waters, offering year-round recreation.

But beyond the natural beauty, 3 Creeks Ranch is a place of history. The main residence, a stone house originally built in the 1850s, has been meticulously renovated — first in 2007 and then again in 2011 — into a sprawling 5,300-square-foot home that masterfully blends old-world charm with modern luxury.

French doors line the two-story living room, and the open-concept kitchen is outfitted with high-end stainless steel appliances and a massive stone countertop island.

The luxury extends outdoors, where a screened porch includes a built-in grill and pizza oven.

For more active pursuits, there’s a tennis court with basketball hoops, and for wine lovers, a wine cellar awaits to store those local Fredericksburg vintages.

Additional historic homes on the property add even more appeal. The Petsch House, originally built in the 1800s, was completely rebuilt in 2020 with modern amenities while retaining its rustic appeal—think custom wood ceilings and wide-plank floors.

The Jenschke House, dating back to 1874, offers panoramic views of the estate’s ponds and rolling hills.

Gary Dolch with Compass Real Estate Texas holds the listing.