leanin' H
Well-known member
Mother nature has been pretty cooperative lately and the cows have done well. But Phil decided it was time to get them closer to home incase too much snow came our way. So we started our yearly gather of the private land the cows go to after they leave the BLM permit. This year we decided to gather and ship them home via stock trailers instead of gather and trail them home. Headed up the old horse trail to start our gather. Day one saw myself, Phil, Chance and Wayne out making a circle.
We kinda split up and started looking for cows. They had a good scatter on them as the snow hadn't forced them into the lower country. This time of year they range out aways and only come in for water every 3rd day or so. Makes finding them a pleasurable challenge.
I got 1!!!!!!!!!!
It was near zero every morning down in Delta where we left from. But out on the mountain out of the haze and fog it was clear up to 40 by afternoons. Looking southwest across the desert.
My new horse "Twizzler" is pretty green but sure willing. I like him and enjoyed being in the saddle with him under me.
1 cow became half a dozen. The best way to gather is each take a draw or a ridge and sweep up all you can find. Some hold more than others. Then we get together and head for the corrals.
Here's the haystack. Can ya see the needle? Actually she was an easy one to find. The ridge behind her gets a little western.
Zoomed in a little shows 3 cows chasing groceries instead of just one. Now I just had to ride over there.
And pick them up and a few friends. Away we went to the meeting up point.
Knocking them off the ridge to water and the other guys.
Had 39 head in the corral and ready for a ride home by 3 in the afternoon. Hauled all but 13 in one trip. Picked them up the next morning.
The old ranch has changed hands and we no longer have much access anymore. We did have permission to load out of the old corrals. They are being cut up for firewood so who knows what the future holds. The part of our family that owns my grandparents place has a different dream for it and that is fine I guess. I am glad for my memories of it and my grandparents. Things started to change when they died. Such is life. Not always perfect but one heck of a ride.
This old calving/loafing shed hasn't seen much use for 30 years. Don't know what will become of it except nature and time.
Waiting while we back in another trailer. They are getting off easy this year. They usually walk the 60 odd miles home. This year they all have bus passes!
The old scales where grandpa sold his calves off of every fall. Bet they could tell ya some stories.
One last shot of the country I love from an RA inspired angle. More to come in part 2.
We kinda split up and started looking for cows. They had a good scatter on them as the snow hadn't forced them into the lower country. This time of year they range out aways and only come in for water every 3rd day or so. Makes finding them a pleasurable challenge.
I got 1!!!!!!!!!!
It was near zero every morning down in Delta where we left from. But out on the mountain out of the haze and fog it was clear up to 40 by afternoons. Looking southwest across the desert.
My new horse "Twizzler" is pretty green but sure willing. I like him and enjoyed being in the saddle with him under me.
1 cow became half a dozen. The best way to gather is each take a draw or a ridge and sweep up all you can find. Some hold more than others. Then we get together and head for the corrals.
Here's the haystack. Can ya see the needle? Actually she was an easy one to find. The ridge behind her gets a little western.
Zoomed in a little shows 3 cows chasing groceries instead of just one. Now I just had to ride over there.
And pick them up and a few friends. Away we went to the meeting up point.
Knocking them off the ridge to water and the other guys.
Had 39 head in the corral and ready for a ride home by 3 in the afternoon. Hauled all but 13 in one trip. Picked them up the next morning.
The old ranch has changed hands and we no longer have much access anymore. We did have permission to load out of the old corrals. They are being cut up for firewood so who knows what the future holds. The part of our family that owns my grandparents place has a different dream for it and that is fine I guess. I am glad for my memories of it and my grandparents. Things started to change when they died. Such is life. Not always perfect but one heck of a ride.
This old calving/loafing shed hasn't seen much use for 30 years. Don't know what will become of it except nature and time.
Waiting while we back in another trailer. They are getting off easy this year. They usually walk the 60 odd miles home. This year they all have bus passes!
The old scales where grandpa sold his calves off of every fall. Bet they could tell ya some stories.
One last shot of the country I love from an RA inspired angle. More to come in part 2.
