Dakotas Ranch Owned by Florida Man Fails to Sell at Auction

MOBRIDGE, S.D. (AP) — A ranch in the Dakotas that has been a source of frustration for area ranchers failed to sell at auction over the weekend.

The Bismarck Tribune reports the Saturday auction of the 20,000-acre ranch owned by Florida real estate tycoon Maurice Wilder drew a total of about $17 million in bids from two buyers. But Wilder nixed the deals, saying the amounts weren't high enough.

Wilder had told the Capital Journal last month he wouldn't sell the ranch if it didn't bring what he wanted, though he didn't give a figure.

The ranch straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border. Neighbors for years have complained about Wilder's bison getting out of fences, damaging hay stacks and pastures and creating road hazards. Wilder told the Journal that he's tired of the hassles.

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