Free-range Cattle

[oakhurstleaf]

Okay, I admit it. I'm paranoid but...

After dropping off my daughter's friend several miles up Rd 600 and on our return, we stopped at Poison Switch. A picturesque riverside spot...designed for public use with cleared brush and a couple trash receptacles. The kids and I are enjoying this spot immensely when we spotted some free-range cattle in the distance...we were spotted by them as well. All's good with this safe little distance...until they start moving closer. There were four total...big ol' steers. They confidently moved in on our space...well, it was obviously their space. Feeling too close for comfort...I tell the kids, we gotta go. I was feeling nervous. Should I have been?

These steers looked like bulls without the horns...they were probably laughing at us as we scampered off. I'm sure of it.

[Ironhorse]

well, if they were "steers", they've had the "sass" taken out of them (castration). In my experience, they are much milder in temperment than an uncastrated bull, but with their size, I am always still leary of them. My uncle had some and they never bothered me when I was walking in their pasture, but he also told me to never not "be aware of where they were"

[monkey]

Just watch where you step when you are scampering off! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[oakhurstleaf]

I can see where "never not be aware of where they are" is a useful tip when driving Rd 600...just before where "The Homestead" Bed and Breakfast is located, I turned a corner and there were two steers right on the side of the road! We city-folk aren't used to seeing such things http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif or expecting such things! Advice...be prepared for free-range cattle hanging out on the road.

Okay, so the steers at Poison Switch seemed mellow...but most cows are. I mean you can't exactly read their facial expression and body language, unless they're charging at you full-speed ( none of us were wearing red http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wink3.gif...these guys just kind of followed their leader in a fairly determined gait right towards us. Were they just being peaceful and welcoming or did they really want us to leave? Are they tame? I've met and pet many a cow and steer with a fence between us...but this situation felt threatening. Mostly due to their size and confidence.

[Kahlua Kid]

I'm like you OakhurstLeaf. I don't know much about cattle either moving here from SoCal. They freak me out - if they have horns, I'm outta there!

I was out riding on a friend's 80 acres a couple weekends back and they have 1 horned bull with one or two females and few steer. She told me we should be on the lookout for them and to NOT bother them. Even she, who owns them, was concerned about them. So when we came around a bend, and saw them lazing under some oaks about 100 yards off, we just meandered the opposite way.

I remember my first time I came across a cow just wandering the highway. I learned quickly to watch for them... and DEER and Coyotes and... although, I've seen more dogs wandering the highways and roads than anything else.

[Ironhorse]

I don't think a hard and fast answer exists to your question oakhurstleaf. It depends on the temperment of the animal. They could have been coming over to see if you had any goodies to feed them (you know, tourist syndrome http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif, or they could have been coming over for a "group bully session". Unless I know the animal and have been able to move around them freely before, I get outta dodge if they start heading over for a visit with no fence between us.

[mohawk]

domesticated cattle are about the most docile anilmals on the planet.,., think of them like whales but on land., their main goal is to move into an area., spend a little time eating.,. then move into another area., and spend a little time eating.,., id say your about 99.95% completely safe when faced with the situation you were in.,,.cows can get angry.,., messin with mamma and baby is a big no no., as it is with every animal on the planet including people.,., i spent alot of time on my grand parents beef cattle ranch when i was younger., trust me.,,. they may come over to take a look at you., but i think as long as your not made of grass.,., you have nothing to fear

[oakhurstleaf]

Thank you. I feel better about them now...I was kinda thinking I may have been overreacting and feeling a bit paranoid.

Would it not be such a good idea to have a picnic within range of free-range cattle?

[Cleis_the_11th_Muse]

Originally posted by oakhurstleaf:
Would it not be such a good idea to have a picnic within range of free-range cattle?

My guess is you would have to follow ye olde school food rule: Only if you bring enough to share with everyone http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wink3.gif

Cleis

[oakhurstleaf]

My guess is you would have to follow ye olde school food rule: Only if you bring enough to share with everyone

Cleis

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif Alright then...no picnics. We'll eat in the car.

[mohawk]

the cows arent gonna want anything to do with your food at a picnic.,., and even though they may come up to take a look they should still keep a good distance.,., ranging cattle are fairly spooky and if you make a good noise or stomp your feet at them theyre likely to just turn and run away from you.,., i wouldnt think they would mess with your picnic.,., although., up close theyre not the cleanest looking.,., or.,., smelling animals on the planet.,.,.,., read into that what you will.

[Chem101]

Oakhurstleaf,

Why not do the neighborly think and invite them over for a BBQ? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wink3.gif

When I was a kid in So Cal, we chased the cows... and the farmers chased us!! Anyone up for a round of cow tipping? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[monkey]

Why would we want to tip a cow? They always give lousy service. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[Nas]

Why would we want to tip a cow? They always give lousy service

Hehe! Thats good.

We bought a young bull last year, and he mewwed so long and loud for his mom that he called down 16 range cattle to our front yard (Well, we call it the front yard, though we do have 20 acres). Still, 16 big mommas and a steer will give you pause for thought when you go out for a walk.

I sort of liked it, 'cuz they ate down the wild oats & helped with the fire hazard - until they started staring us down and acting threatening (a good yell, and some waving of sticks, and they moseyed away, fortunately). We called the local ranchers and they came to pick them up the next day and took them to higher country.

What do you call a cow? A lawn moo-er.

A horse? A ride on lawn mower.

[Nas]

Oh shoot - I forgot my original reason for posting to this thread.

Does anyone know why its called "Poison Switch"?

[oakhurstleaf]

I don't know where the "poison" caame from, but the "switch" pertains to Miami Creek joining up with the Fresno River...basically Miami Creek ends and switches into the Fresno River.

There is a monument at the site for Poison Switch up at the road...this spot has some history in both the old fluming industry and gold mining days. It also went by another name at one time, but I can't remember what it was. It tells on the monument.

[oakhurstleaf]

Got more information on Poison Switch...

Ghost towns are simply a part of local history
Grace Grady

Mountain Moments
editorial@sierrastar.com

Throughout Eastern Madera County, intriguing names, unusual quirks in the road and implausible water crossings almost shout of other persons in other times, going other places with other interests. Some 14 ghost towns in the area attest to this past.

Along the Fresno River, about two miles from Ahwahnee, there was once a town called String Town, which later gave way to Gertrude. In 1899, 40 of its children attended its school. Closure of the Enterprise Mine finally caused it to fade.

Just outside Gertrude, a crossroads cluster was named Poison Switch, because of its notorious saloon.
A store opened in 1897, but the area did not grow and in 1924 Andrew Mecchi bought the building and moved it to Ahwahnee.