Field notes from fish
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Mark, the ranch manager. With a firm handshake and a warm smile, he welcomed us. Mark led us to a lush, green field where we could set up our tents. The backdrop of rolling hills and majestic mountains made it a scene surpassing even the grandeur of a five-star hotel. He then guided us to the grazing pasture for our horses, an area that would prove to be a challenging expedition each morning as we attempted to catch them.
The cowboy life is not meant for the faint-hearted; it's a world of strenuous labor and long hours. Our days seemed comparatively short in the face of ranch life. Rising at 4 a.m. and concluding before evening chow marked an early day. Despite the heat, fatigue, and exhaustion, we still managed to take our invigorating cold plunge. A mere mile away from camp, the Little Horn river flowed with an enticing chill and a pristine clarity. Anticipation filled us as we made our way to the river. At the end of each day, we'd load up into a truck and refresh ourselves in the brisk 50-degree water.
Our mornings started promptly at 5:30 a.m. as we embarked on a two-hour ride to a trailhead. Here, we worked on enhancing a hiking/livestock trail, ensuring its readiness for the influx of hoof traffic in the future. We strategically placed new rocks, galvanized metal bars, and logs along the edges to widen and fortify the trail. This preparation was vital as the ranch planned to relocate over 500 cattle from the upper meadows back to the ranch for the winter season. The trail itself spanned more than 12 miles, stretching from the trailhead to the upper meadows.
The following day, we moved several hundred cattle across multiple miles, transitioning from one pivot to another. Over hilltops and through several gates, our journey culminated at the final destination where we would carry out branding the next day. Despite our horses being primarily accustomed to trails, they challenged us when it came to driving and sorting the cattle. Some were reluctant to break away from the herd, putting up a fight. This experience was a profound lesson in both horsemanship and attempting to convey messages to 1200-pound creatures through touch and intuition. It was a poignant reminder of the importance of maintaining composure and serenity, especially in times of mounting frustration and communication breakdowns—much like in our own lives.
Branding day arrived. Our initial task was to mow down the three-foot-high grass to nearly bare ground. Following that, we erected a mobile corral composed of around 50 metal panels. The corral featured a gentle incline, facilitating the gradual pace of the cattle to make roping them easier. As the sun painted the scene, brands heated to red-hot glowed in the hands of mounted cowboys. Ropes ready, gates swung open, and the branding ceremony commenced.
Two pairs of ropers took action, skillfully lassoing the cattle and guiding them to the apex of the pen. There, they encountered six eager veterans, their class instructor, and myself. Under the watchful eye and guidance of Mark and his experienced cowboys, we were initiated into the art of subduing a calf. The process involved securing ropes around the head and hooves, if needed rolling the calf to expose the right upper hip for branding. Additionally, two 2cc vaccine shots were administered into the neck, the ears were tagged—left for heifers, right for steers—and a precise notch was made in the ear. In the case of bulls, castration was meticulously demonstrated.
Amidst the orchestrated chaos, a smooth coordination took shape. One individual grasped the tail while another manipulated the rope, placing the cow on the ground. The tail-holder promptly shifted to secure the head, transferring the rope from the neck to the front feet and crossing them to prevent excessive tightening. The roper backed his horse to ensure the calf's restraint. When only one hind leg was roped, the second team member would secure both legs, crossing them to replicate the technique. This whirlwind of controlled activity unfolded within minutes, with the ultimate objective of reuniting the calf with its mother as swiftly and stress-free as possible.
Six hours later and with 137 calves branded, our daily tasks were complete.
From the field,
Fish
