Author Topic: Caching with cattle stories  (Read 474 times)

Offline Griff Grof

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Caching with cattle stories
« on: April 21, 2012, 07:59:02 pm »
Now, I have learnt that walking through a field of cattle is just not worth it - for either a cache, or a view.  ::)

Although I don't mind having livestock around, I just don't like walking directly through cattle fields anymore - maybe, one day, but there have been too many close shaves.

Share your cattle stories here (the Delta's have a good one on their blog). I will post my (many) soon.
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Offline Bear and Ragged

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Re: Caching with cattle stories
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2012, 03:43:40 pm »
So far I've had little trouble from cattle, or horses... Other than having to push the over-friendly horse away from the gate so I could open it!  ;D
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Offline Griff Grof

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Re: Caching with cattle stories
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2012, 04:53:40 pm »
I had never had trouble with them, until about two years ago. We were caching, just walking through a normal field. There were cows about 200 yards away, and as we walked pass a rambler laughed at us, and said "run for you money".

I turned around, and there were 25 bullocks charging towards us. I know you should never run when cattle charge at you, but we did. We had to jump into a running stream to get a way from them. When we were on the other side, we were astonished to see them all jump into the stream. We got out just in time, from being trampled  ::)

When I got home, I looked up some laws. I found that what the farmer was doing was illegal - bullocks less than 12 months are not to be kept along public right of ways, and they were very young - it is no doubt that the farm had no online contact references to talk to them about it.

Fast forward two years, and to last Sunday. First time in a field of cattle since then, having planned all caching trips and walks pacifically not to include cattle fields. We were crossing, yet again, through a normal field. The sun was out, and the cattle were simply resting under the sun, not bothered by anyone or anything. Just as we were approaching the kissing gate, one of the cows stood up. Then another, and another, and another. Why had we risked it? I knew that we needed to stay calm, so we kept on walking, with the end of the field in sight. Then they started charging towards us. I decided not to run, but to speed walk  :D Thankfully they suddenly stopped about 10 meters from us, and we walked through the kissing gate with safety.

Will it be another two years before I can face going through another cattle field? Well, I went through one today, and it was fine. So no, after all, it is all part of being in the countryside - but for some reason, cows always charge at us. Distant memories of having a picnic, and seeing a herd of them charging over the horizon  :-\ - the odd thing is we never bother them, and we don't currently have dogs  :o
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Offline walktall

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Re: Caching with cattle stories
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2012, 07:03:22 pm »
There has only been once when I got surround by cows, when I got a bit concerned but I just pushed them out of the way  :o

When I'm with Archie, I make sure there is always a good distance between us and the livestock and I'm ready to let Archie off the lead if it gets nasty (that's the current advice). Luckily, I've not had a problem when I've been out with Archie  ;D
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Offline the gnome-ads

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Re: Caching with cattle stories
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2012, 04:11:36 pm »
As retired farmers, experience tells us that this time of year most cattle have just been let out of their winter housing. Therefore they are really just enjoying their freedom after being cooped up for months. Most will just be nosy and back off when challenged but it most definately can be scary when they are on a run! The one's to watch out for are the new mum's who will defend their young - don't turn your back on her. ;) ;)
Personally I find horses much scarier. We were caching a few weeks ago and as we were approaching the field with horses in, some deer scampered through, scaring the horses. This meant that as we went through the gate the youngsters were very very flighty, and Mr G had hooves flying too close to his head. That was scary and I was even contemplating jumping the electric fence - on or not. :o :o
Cattle or horses....... cattle any day  ;D

Offline tarmacjohn

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Re: Caching with cattle stories
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2012, 07:13:59 pm »
I am going to have to call it a honourable draw as I have a close call with both. I have to admit to giving a cow a good slap around the face as he was getting a bit too pushy, that seemed to make him back off a bit. The horses we met only a few months ago seemed hell bent on eating my rucksack so they got a walking stick around the ear just to show who was in charge.

I feel that running away is probably the worst thing you can do as they want to join in the chase.

Offline the gnome-ads

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Re: Caching with cattle stories
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2012, 07:30:09 pm »
Words of wisdom from Mr G.....
If it weighs 2 tons, has huge horns, red eyes and steam emanating from it's nostrils......
RUN LIKE HELL >:(
If not - just talk to it nicely ;)

Offline MrsDelta68

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Re: Caching with cattle stories
« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2012, 03:47:53 pm »
Anyone that knows me knows that I really don't like cows, well it's not that I don't like them I try to like them they just don't like me.  It's been nice over the winter as they haven't been a problem but now they have been let out again I'm starting to dread the walks with cows on them, and to be honest they really do spoil a walk for me ...........  ;D ;D ;D sorry still laughing at the thought of TJ giving a cow a slap around the face, haven't tried that yet.  ;D

 


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