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To shoot a cow? #5459822 12/05/14 07:19 PM
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The lease I am on is approximately 14k acres unfenced and is loaded with wildlife. I'm a meat hunter so it works out well for me as far as deer are concerned. However, I may hunt it 5 days a year because of work and family so the little time I get out there is important for me on a number of levels.

Problem:
There are wild cattle, hogs, a few wild horses, etc on the property that run up and down the river that runs through the property. These animals are feral, have lived there for the past 50 years since the prior owner of the property dissolved all ownership and released EVERYTHING. The cows are a nuisance and have begun tearing down feeders, wrecking food plots, and costing us a lot of money. I have purchased multiple feeders and hunting equipment as a result and its getting very costly very quick.

Last night I went to check on the feeders again and I spooked off 4 wild cows: 1 bull and three heifers from my feeder. They emptied out 300lbs (for a second time), but I managed to salvage the feeder.

I called the Lease Manager and he informed me that they have tried to round them up in the past but the woods/swamp are too thick and the dogs haven't been able to pin them. The LO could care less what happens to them and doesn't mind if we "remove" the cattle from the property as long as we don't leave carcasses laying about.

I'm thinking I could fill up a freezer and then some if I drop one of the older calves, but Im not sure how I feel about shooting a cow. I know it would be good meat, but jeez, its a cow, and there is no way I would be able to quarter and carve it out in the woods and make maximum use of it. I have no way of getting it out of the woods in time to save all the meat, I only have one ice chest and Im an hour away from the house so I know for a fact I wont be able to salvage it all. But man, 30 lbs of filet mignon sure sounds delicious.

So, I'm kind of in a conundrum. Do I:
Shoot a nuisance cow and take what meat I can, then remove the carcass?
Try to scare them off and hope they don't come back?
Do nothing and hope they eventually move off?


What are your thoughts?

Again, I have permission to "remove" them so that's not the issue, the issue is whether or not I should considering a) its a cow, and b) there will be wasted meat.


Aaron

Do it right, do it once.
Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459828 12/05/14 07:22 PM
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Look at the price of cattle right now and I bet you will find a way to get them in a trailer.

Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459830 12/05/14 07:24 PM
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Post a ad on craigslist for free cows and I bet you have a cowboy with a trailer there in a hurry.


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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459831 12/05/14 07:24 PM
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I would do it in a heartbeat. No more meat to pack out than an elk or moose. May have to make two trips to the truck but would be well worth it in my opinion.


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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459832 12/05/14 07:24 PM
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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: aggiehunter03] #5459836 12/05/14 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted By: aggiehunter03
Look at the price of cattle right now and I bet you will find a way to get them in a trailer.


I'm willing to bet you can get a group of cowboys to haul them on the halves if they do all the wrangling. We sold two borderline downer cows a few weeks ago for $1200 each. It adds up in a hurry.


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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459837 12/05/14 07:27 PM
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Wait for a cool or cold day and put one down. Then you would have time to work with the meat


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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459840 12/05/14 07:27 PM
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<<<<< Have gun, will travel! Let me know, and I'll come help you! I know a traveling butcher, and I would give him a call to meet me and be ready to process the meat. I'd schedule a time for him to be there and have the cow on the ground already. A head shot on a cow will maximize the take home meat. If you don't plan to sell them, I'd have no problem dropping a cow for the beef.


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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459841 12/05/14 07:28 PM
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There are people who are in the business of capturing wild cattle. You don't say what area you are hunting in but if you check at the local feed store or livestock auction you will probably find some names/numbers. Personally I don't think shooting just one is going to fix your problem.

Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: landsurveyor] #5459844 12/05/14 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted By: landsurveyor
I would do it in a heartbeat. No more meat to pack out than an elk or moose. May have to make two trips to the truck but would be well worth it in my opinion.


yep, and buy a couple more coolers.


Originally Posted by bill oxner
Haven't had it in years but never spit any out.


Originally Posted by bill oxner
I am a sucker for happy endings and strapped cowboys.
Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459849 12/05/14 07:32 PM
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Sounds like you need a dart gun.


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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459864 12/05/14 07:41 PM
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You can fit a calf in 2 150s no problem.


Originally Posted by unclebubba
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.

Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459876 12/05/14 07:49 PM
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Shoot the cow but be ready for the rightful owner to coming looking for them...

Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459881 12/05/14 07:54 PM
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I'll shoot one of those baby cows right in the face for a freezer full of veal. Let me know the time and place.

Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5459991 12/05/14 09:12 PM
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lets see sirloin...rib eye...filet mingont...beef ribs...porter house.. food


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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: aggiehunter03] #5460071 12/05/14 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted By: aggiehunter03
Look at the price of cattle right now and I bet you will find a way to get them in a trailer.


Damn str8!! A couple good cowboys on horseback and done deal.


If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..

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Dennis

Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5460077 12/05/14 10:03 PM
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As long as the ranch is low fence, I see nothing wrong with it.

wink


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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5460079 12/05/14 10:05 PM
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I would get the landowners permission in writing.


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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5460086 12/05/14 10:08 PM
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I've dealt with this before and it can be frustrating. But, if you truly have permission to remove them, then you've got money in the bank. Bait them with corn or range cubes into a temporary pen then have them hauled to town and sold. Like the guy's above said, should be easy to find some cowboys to take this on for 50% of the take.


To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5460115 12/05/14 10:21 PM
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How many cows and where they located? Last calves we took to auction got over $350/100lbs. Even old pasture cows got $3/lb. I got a stock trailer, hotshot and portable coral for a decent cut. flag


Originally Posted by unclebubba
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.

Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5460121 12/05/14 10:24 PM
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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5460128 12/05/14 10:27 PM
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People get cow sized animals off of mountains... come on try a little harder.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: Gangly] #5460157 12/05/14 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted By: Gangly
The lease I am on is approximately 14k acres unfenced and is loaded with wildlife. I'm a meat hunter so it works out well for me as far as deer are concerned. However, I may hunt it 5 days a year because of work and family so the little time I get out there is important for me on a number of levels.

Problem:
There are wild cattle, hogs, a few wild horses, etc on the property that run up and down the river that runs through the property. These animals are feral, have lived there for the past 50 years since the prior owner of the property dissolved all ownership and released EVERYTHING. The cows are a nuisance and have begun tearing down feeders, wrecking food plots, and costing us a lot of money. I have purchased multiple feeders and hunting equipment as a result and its getting very costly very quick.

Last night I went to check on the feeders again and I spooked off 4 wild cows: 1 bull and three heifers from my feeder. They emptied out 300lbs (for a second time), but I managed to salvage the feeder.

I called the Lease Manager and he informed me that they have tried to round them up in the past but the woods/swamp are too thick and the dogs haven't been able to pin them. The LO could care less what happens to them and doesn't mind if we "remove" the cattle from the property as long as we don't leave carcasses laying about.

I'm thinking I could fill up a freezer and then some if I drop one of the older calves, but Im not sure how I feel about shooting a cow. I know it would be good meat, but jeez, its a cow, and there is no way I would be able to quarter and carve it out in the woods and make maximum use of it. I have no way of getting it out of the woods in time to save all the meat, I only have one ice chest and Im an hour away from the house so I know for a fact I wont be able to salvage it all. But man, 30 lbs of filet mignon sure sounds delicious.

So, I'm kind of in a conundrum. Do I:
Shoot a nuisance cow and take what meat I can, then remove the carcass?
Try to scare them off and hope they don't come back?
Do nothing and hope they eventually move off?


What are your thoughts?

Again, I have permission to "remove" them so that's not the issue, the issue is whether or not I should considering a) its a cow, and b) there will be wasted meat.


I wouldn't with out land owner written consent... Even then if that's the neighbors cattle your still screwed


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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: redchevy] #5460161 12/05/14 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
People get cow sized animals off of mountains... come on try a little harder.


If you say so but I've butchered broken leg cattle. Big difference in 2K and 900lbs. Better hope it's a cold day


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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Re: To shoot a cow? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #5460165 12/05/14 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted By: QuitShootinYoungBucks
Originally Posted By: aggiehunter03
Look at the price of cattle right now and I bet you will find a way to get them in a trailer.


I'm willing to bet you can get a group of cowboys to haul them on the halves if they do all the wrangling. We sold two borderline downer cows a few weeks ago for $1200 each. It adds up in a hurry.


I made a lot of money in college doing this...and cattle where a lot cheaper back then. God invented dart guns and corrals to wait out withdraw times for a reason


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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