Think I'm going cow hunting

[MCgunner]

We've had cows out from time to time roaming the woods. Found out who belonged to 3 of 'em, he had 'em captured and taken to auction. He no longer runs cows where I think THESE might be out from. The old man that owns the place can't get around, leases the rights on his place to get tKEEhe ag exemption. I don't know who's leasing his place now, but there's a dozen or more cows out now. When there were just 5, they got into my garden and ate all, but two heads of my cabbage which were near ready to pic. Chaps my hyde. I think he owes me some beef. If I catch one out back tomorrow when I tend the traps and feeder, I'm going to take one down. I figure I can get hind quarters off it, the backstraps (sirloin?), and let the buzzards and worms have the rest. That'll give me enough beef to pay for the cabbage.

In Texas, KEEP YOUR COWS IN YOUR FENCE!!!!!!!! That fence needs to be replaced, obviously, and they're too cheap to do it. They start losing cows, maybe it'll become the economic thing to do.

 

[huntsman]

Come bossy come bossy, Boom.

 

[Hasaf]

It is very different to me living outside of Northern California. In the California counties I lived in, as an adult, the cattle are permitted open range. It is up to the land owner to fence them out if they don't want the cows.

I will admit, it is an odd thing to wake up and see cows looking in the bedroom window. It was also fun watching the Highway patrol trying to herd some buffalo out of town (Yreka, CA; and yes, they were ultimately successful in getting them out of town). Before doing anything to someones cow that happens to be on your property, I would suggest researching the county cattle laws first.

 

[MCgunner]

It is very different to me living outside of Northern California. In the California counties I lived in, as an adult, the cattle are permitted open range. It is up to the land owner to fence them out if they don't want the cows.

I will admit, it is an odd thing to wake up and see cows looking in the bedroom window. It was also fun watching the Highway patrol trying to herd some buffalo out of town (Yreka, CA; and yes, they were ultimately successful in getting them out of town). Before doing anything to someones cow that happens to be on your property, I would suggest researching the county cattle laws first.

In TEXAS, this is Texas, the republic, one must fence his cows IN. If one gets loose, he could be held liable for whatever damage that cow causes, like killing someone on the highway at 3AM. There is no open range here. It's a private property state and on what little public land there is, if someone has grazing rights, he must fence it. I don't know if there's much grazing on the WMAs and Nat'l Forest lands in east Texas, but I know they graze some public lands like down at Guadalupe Delta WMA and Aransas WR. All are fenced.

 

[SharpDog]

We've had cows out from time to time roaming the woods. Found out who belonged to 3 of 'em, he had 'em captured and taken to auction. He no longer runs cows where I think THESE might be out from. The old man that owns the place can't get around, leases the rights on his place to get tKEEhe ag exemption. I don't know who's leasing his place now, but there's a dozen or more cows out now. When there were just 5, they got into my garden and ate all, but two heads of my cabbage which were near ready to pic. Chaps my hyde. I think he owes me some beef. If I catch one out back tomorrow when I tend the traps and feeder, I'm going to take one down. I figure I can get hind quarters off it, the backstraps (sirloin?), and let the buzzards and worms have the rest. That'll give me enough beef to pay for the cabbage.

In Texas, KEEP YOUR COWS IN YOUR FENCE!!!!!!!! That fence needs to be replaced, obviously, and they're too cheap to do it. They start losing cows, maybe it'll become the economic thing to do.

Make sure to tip them over first ... extra credit

 

[Hasaf]

In TEXAS, this is Texas, the republic, one must fence his cows IN. If one gets loose, he could be held liable for whatever damage that cow causes, like killing someone on the highway at 3AM.

No need to get testy, I felt that I made it clear that I realize that the laws are different in different places. I would expect The Republic of Texas to have different laws than the Republic of California. The Republic of California laws reflect a long history of cattle and large open, and effectively un-traveled, wilderness.

That being said, I mentioned the difference in laws to point out that before doing anything to someone else's cow, to first check and make sure that one is in the right.

.. . again, first take three deep breaths, then check before doing something that can lead to a tremendous amount of trouble. Is that such a bad idea?

 

[MCgunner]

Well, I've been down this road several times now. I got the guy that had owned the 3 cows that were out several months ago to FINALLY come collect 'em. Well, he may have shot 'em and butchered 'em, don't know, said something to the affect of "did I want some beef". LOL This here is ridiculous. I think the bloomin' fence must be down. I've called the sheriff, did all the hoops before. If it's on my land, it's mine by Texas law if I want it. No different than an Axis deer that gets out of a high fence, free range game if it's on you land and if you sneak in to that range and shoot that Axis, it's no different than cattle theft. That animal is private property, but only so long as it's on its property. I'd as soon they come get the things and keep 'em penned or just sell 'em, save me the hassle. But, I'm missing cabbage I was looking forward to.

Here, after the revolution (we won our independence via armed revolution), the republic had no money. They paid soldiers of the revolution in land. That is how so much land became private. Out west there are HUGE ranches, hundreds of thousands of acres, hardly ANY people out there, and it's all fenced, if it has livestock on it. It's all private land. You think you can hunt it without paying a lease fee or having permission? Get real.

 

[MCgunner]

Oh, if I sound miffed, it's because I just came in from the doc's in Victoria to find a friggin' heard of cattle free ranging private property. I'm not mad at anyone here, just worked up about them cows.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

A few years ago here one was required to flee from an aggressive cow on ones own land. Thank goodness we have Stand Your Ground laws now so I am permitted to defend myself- but only if the invading bovine is threatening me with imminent harm to life or limb......

 

[Art Eatman]

In the 1980s, Presidio County became the last county in Texas to vote closed range. No more "fence cows out", state-wide.

SFAIK, any trespassing animal which damages property can be killed.

 

[MCgunner]

To add to this story, I had my corn eaten by cows LAST year. I didn't expect it to survive the hogs, anyway, but COWS? I guess I need to invest in some electric fencing and a fencer to fence in my garden. THAT should keep the hogs out if properly spaced.

 

[Caplock]

Here in Colorado those are called slow elk.

 

[Art Eatman]

One thing you can do in Texas law is pen the trespassing cow and call the sheriff. You can charge daily rent until the sheriff hauls the animal away--and the owner then also has to pay the county. Trespass fine and corral costs. (We had to deal with some 200 head of strays in south Brewster County in the early 1990s. Wild times.)

The problem with the legal article is that nowhere in Texas, now, is there open range. Her references are about 20+ years out of date at the time of her writing (2010).

 

[Danoobie]

Maybe you could invite your neighbor to a barbecue. Seems like a friendly thing to do. Be sure to cook his steak ju-u-ust right, so he
asks where it came from...

 

[Rembrandt]

Around $4-to$5 a pound, the decision shouldn't be too hard. (Goes good with cabbage and corn too!)

 

[buck460XVR]

In TEXAS, this is Texas, the republic, one must fence his cows IN. If one gets loose, he could be held liable for whatever damage that cow causes, like killing someone on the highway at 3AM. There is no open range here.

Still, if one besides the owner shoots one just cause they can, I'd suspect they too would be prosecuted to the extent of the law. Folks around here used to shoot stray dogs. Now you go to jail and you're front page news. I'd seek out what you can do legally to get some sort of restitution before you take the law into your own hands.

 

[Patocazador]

I just sold 2 skinny calves for almost $1000 at the farmers' market. Whoever owns those cows is cutting himself out lots of $$$ if he doesn't take better care of them.

Open range ended here about 1950. Now a cattle owner is liable for damage done by his cows. However, a cattle owner has to be proven negligent before he can be liable. That usually entails several official complaints about his fences/cows prior to the incident.

 

[MCgunner]

If shooting a cow for meat is illegal, there's a lot of people in slaughter houses in Ft Worth going to prison. Shooting dogs depredating your land is legal, too, if it's livestock they're killing, chickens, etc. Feral dogs get the bullet around here period, no discussions needed. A pack of 'em were after a calving cow not long ago just across the fence over on another private road that ours Ts in to. I too my M4 over there and took out 3 dogs before the rest got away. Mama and calf were fine.

There's only a few dog owners around here and we all know whose dogs belong. And, they all have collars on. But, it goes without saying, dog kills a chicken, he gets shot. I, however, have let dogs go because I knew the neighbors owned it. One killed a chicken and carried it back home. I have not seen that dog for quite a while. I didn't shoot 'em, though. Haven't talked to Larry or Rita, don't know if they did something with that dog or are just keeping him pinned up.

I've discussed this with the sheriff before. He told me if I penned 'em, he'd send a deputy out to confirm it and I could sell 'em....OR, there's the freezer. I don't have a livestock trailer, chutes, pens, any way to get those cows to market, but I do have a freezer.

 

[MCgunner]

I just called the sheriff again. I got a recording, left a message. Penning and transporting cows for me is not an option, wish it was, could use the money. Figure I best get this on record AGAIN. I'm not the only one that's called in loose cattle around here, either. So, there's a litany of complaints at the sheriff's department.

 

[Choctaw]

Oh, if I sound miffed, it's because I just came in from the doc's in Victoria to find a friggin' heard of cattle free ranging private property. I'm not mad at anyone here, just worked up about them cows.

We hate free grazers in Haskell County.

Since the SO already knows about the problem, I would probably call the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association and speak with the Special Texas Ranger assigned to your area. He may have helpful suggestions and if not it hasn't cost anything more than a phone call.

 

[MCgunner]

BTW, three cows out here are carrying a butt full of 7.5 shot from my 20 gauge. It got 'em out of here, but that is only temporary.

 

[MCgunner]

We hate free grazers in Haskell County.

Since the SO already knows about the problem, I would probably call the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association and speak with the Special Texas Ranger assigned to your area. He may have helpful suggestions and if not it hasn't cost anything more than a phone call.

Yeah, I watched "Open Range" the other night, too. LOL! I'll google it. Thanks.

 

[Jack B.]

Have you expressed your thoughts about what you are thinking of doing to the cows to the owners of the of the cows?

 

[Nature Boy]

I hear cow is really good eatin'

 

[MCgunner]

Have you expressed your thoughts about what you are thinking of doing to the cows to the owners of the of the cows?

Who owns THESE? I found the owner of the last ones that got out and complained. After a few months, he finally got 'em out. He'd quit messing with 'em, took 'em all (he thought) to market. Well, he'd left 3. I THINK these came from the same ranch, but don't know for sure. Ol' man Coxwell doesn't raise cattle anymore, can't get around too well, and leases his land out. That's where the last guy was. I just got back from riding down that way and the fence is all pushed over, T posts bent or snapped off, out by the road. I think at this point he's going to be forced to re-fence or just sell 'em off if he ever finds 'em. They're all back in the woods on somebody's place right now or he already got 'em, don't know, but I didn't see 'em out by the road when I rode down that way on my ATV just now.

If I see these animals again, I'll call Coxwell and ask who he's leasing to now. I'm pretty sure they're off his place, but don't know that. I know Coxwell wants animals on the place for the tax man to see when he does a survey. Taxes are high out here as it is because land values are high.