Cows on the trails?!?

[Fyathyrio]

There is a lot of Nat Forest and BLM land around here, and meeting the occasional cow or three while on the trails isn't that unusual or eventful. The other day I came to a closed gate across a new trail, I opened it, rode through, closed it, and motored on. I soon realized I was now effectively locked into a temp pasture with a largish herd. While those off the trail just looked at me, those on the trail mooooved (sorry, couldn't resist!) along when I got near and revved the engine. I got to the gate on the other side without incident and went on my way.

My question is, is there a time of year or situation where the calm bovines staring passively at me as I pass by could turn dangerous?

(For those unfamiliar with how this works, I'm not trespassing through some rancher's fields, this is multi-use public land.)

 

[L2R]

It is a well known fact that bulls charge at things that move quickly and they hate the color, red.
I think you are fine.

 

[70Bones]

Reminds mo of a time, years ago, a friend and I were riding our Honda 250 trail bikes through back roads and trails, and ended up in a field with horses. We skirted the horses and came upon a barb wire fence that we had to lay our bikes down and drag them under. As we finished pulling my bike under the fence (not an easy chore), we stood up and there was the rancher there with a shotgun pointed at us. I almost sh.t a brick, I didn't see him approach us. He had been having trouble with kids on dirtbikes chasing his horses and thought he had finally caught them!!! Took some talking to get out of that one.

 

[DG Rider]

Mingle with cows all the time out west, and I've never had a problem, but I usually give them plenty of room (if possible) and move slowly to appear less threatening.
As opposed to some asshats in RZR's chasing the poor, dumb critters. I'd like to see them try that with some of the alpha bulls running around out here.

 

[HondaRed16]

For the most part they are quite tame. If there are baby calf’s around don’t even go close!

 

[sharp]

@BWAF

 

[BWAF]

@BWAF

Sounds about like they got it ,if there is babies don't get in between moma and it but for the most part should be fine but some cows are just ass holes

 

[Plumber32]

In Colorado we had to drive past a big old bull with balls the size of 30" tires. He didn't care 1 bit @JTW stopped next to him and messed around but still no charge. What gives?

 

[JTW]

In Colorado we had to drive past a big old bull with balls the size of 30" tires. He didn't care 1 bit @JTW stopped next to him and messed around but still no charge. What gives?

 

[NielsC]

For cattle it would be a rare exception that one would charge you unless you corner them. Buffalo are another matter. I used to work with them through BLM and Forest Service. At the ranch we had a holding facility there were half a dozen smashed jeeps from Buffalo encounters. They can be twice the size of cattle with a very small brain. Always give Buffalo a wide berth. They are wild animals.

 

[Fyathyrio]

Good info all, thanks!

 

[ehart814]

View attachment 181828

Did you delete the picture of you standing on a 5 gallon bucket behind him?

 

[JTW]

Did you delete the picture of you standing on a 5 gallon bucket behind him?

Didn’t need it.. he was laying down.

 

[DavidBear]

FYI - Colorado is a fence out/open range state (as is the case in many western states), that means that cows or any animal that grazes and is meant for human consumption, always have the right of way ( 2 notable exceptions are The parts of the I-25 corridor and parts of I-70).

Sooo.. Don’t harass them by honking, blow horns or yelling etc. They have the ‘higher’ right to be there and will move out of your way in good time. Unfortunately, buffalo fall into that same category and may attack with or without warning… In the case of buffalo Honking etc. will just piss them off.

Most Bulls only really care about you if you get between them and a cow during mating season. Although some are just mean.

 

[Fyathyrio]

Found some more info that should help any others curious about cows . . .

 

[Vikes79]

For cattle it would be a rare exception that one would charge you unless you corner them. Buffalo are another matter. I used to work with them through BLM and Forest Service. At the ranch we had a holding facility there were half a dozen smashed jeeps from Buffalo encounters. They can be twice the size of cattle with a very small brain. Always give Buffalo a wide berth. They are wild animals.

they also don’t close their eyes when they head butt you either.

Some family friends raise Buffalo...Ive heard stories from them that occasionally someone has to get rescued from the badass bale feeder with a tractor loader.

 

[Montecresto]

There is a lot of Nat Forest and BLM land around here, and meeting the occasional cow or three while on the trails isn't that unusual or eventful. The other day I came to a closed gate across a new trail, I opened it, rode through, closed it, and motored on. I soon realized I was now effectively locked into a temp pasture with a largish herd. While those off the trail just looked at me, those on the trail mooooved (sorry, couldn't resist!) along when I got near and revved the engine. I got to the gate on the other side without incident and went on my way.

My question is, is there a time of year or situation where the calm bovines staring passively at me as I pass by could turn dangerous?

(For those unfamiliar with how this works, I'm not trespassing through some rancher's fields, this is multi-use public land.)

I raise cattle on my Oklahoma ranch and have never had a problem with cow or bull getting out of my way on the sxs.