One of the things I got away from when I switched from a .44 to a 9mm. It was so nice not to clutter my belt with ammo. But lately poor Tobie has barked himself ragged trying to scare cattle out of the yard from the windows, and when that – invariably – fails I have to go outside, shout, wave my arms like a madman, and eventually start shooting into the ground to get a frickin’ herd of frickin’ cattle moving. This is easy though annoying when it’s cows with calves but yesterday morning I woke to not a herd but to a single bull standing around and shitting in my yard and they don’t scare.
Pro-tip: Angus breed bulls are not afraid of you.
Years ago I charged at them with my home-made spear and that actually worked because – I speculate – they mistook it for a cattle prod. But I stopped doing that when faced with the fact that one of these days a bull was going to call my bluff and that spear shaft is just a cheap paint pole that absolutely would snap if I ever really had to put it between myself and an angry bull and I’d die looking like an idiot. So now I do it with only the pistol, which I confess is not really an improvement because bulls aren’t impressed by the noise of gunfire. I should look into getting a better spear.
Anyway: That latest incident cost me like half a magazine’s worth of ammo, and if it were anything but FMJ practice ammo that would have been tragic. So I’ve fallen into the bad habit of carrying the gun with the FMJ mag in it which makes me uncomfortable, so I’m back to a second magazine on my belt while walking around outside just in case I need real ammo at some point.
In other news…
I took my first bike ride to town in (I think) over a month yesterday, without feeling like I’d fought Persians while running a marathon, and then completed the repair of that scrounged wagon. So I guess I’m on the mend from whatever’s had me down. Still not eating much, though. My pants are getting loose in the waist, which is kind of a welcome trend reversal.
I still maintain that a shoebox full of firecrackers and other loud noisemakers needs to be sitting on a table by your front door.
Failing that, I’m happy to send you some rubber buckshot and rubber slugs if you’ve got a ‘gauge laying around.
That little garden wagon you scrounged looks great, I hope that you are able to get many years of service out of it.
Guy with 9MM versus an adult bull? Seriously, you are one gutsy guy. One thing, have you ever thought of getting a cheap starter pistol or a 9MM blank gun to chase these bovines away?
https://maxarmory.com/en-ca/collections/blank-firing-guns
Another option you could consider is a stun cane. One of these would have the added benefit of discouraging pests when you are in the big city.
https://fashionablecanes.com/en-ca/collections/stun-gun-canes
Ever considered a electric fence around you’re yard? There are solar powered units available. My Daughter lived in Wyoming open range country and everyone had some kinda fencing around the homestead to keep the poop dispenser’s at bay.
Is there a possibility your bike would tow that wagon? And if so, would the battery make it all the way to town and back with the added load?
So as a landowner in your area you have no rights on where the cows go?
Do you know any friends that are butchers? It a dam shame that bull came at you on your land and you just had to put it down for self defense only. You also have to keep your land clean so cutting up the tasty angus makes sense to keep predators away.
I’m sure Tobie would be very helpful in cleaning up:)
If that is too far for you, roman candles work very well. Don’t ask me how I know about cow problems and solutions.
Have you considered using the pellet gun?
One or two pellets should get its attention.
Of course, do not shoot for its eyes…
Scrotum, if visible, is a reasonable target!
How do cattle respond to slingshot-fired rocks? You wouldn’t run out of ammo, and as long as you don’t hit them in the eyes, you shouldn’t have to worry about damaging them.
I have no experience with repeated bovine raiders, or an actual situation needing a final solution with the 2 legged kind. So after thinking about this I’m going to offer a completely unproven and probably faulty suggestion. ( I mean that’s what the internet is for right?)
Since the cows aren’t aware of the 7 yard rule, and their strategic thinking is not as storied as their flavor, maybe carry stuff meant for 2 legged raiders and swap a mag before making loud noises? Unless your angus are more aggressive than the ones I grew up with here in the eastern hills, they’re lazy enough that you have time to do a mag swap. Call it practice? I’m almost as lazy as they are so I probably wouldn’t be happy about that first hollow point but I wouldn’t swap the one in the pipe.
Are range cattle frightened of fire? A blazing torch waved in front of their face might spook them. Worth a try. Please don’t burn down the world.
You could just buy or scrounge or be gifted an actual cattle prod…
Back in the day , we herded both Angus and Barangus range earned with nothing more than a riding crop. If you ever actually had to shoot an Angus bull you best have something bigger than a pistol.
Get a couple of tree branches about 6 feet long. Hold them out to your side and slowly wave up and down while walking towards the cows. Once you get one moving they will all follow suit.
Joel,
Why not use the real thing ?
https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Waterproof-Electric-Livestock-Flexible/dp/B0F3X9DCZB/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.o3IufUx8zDcR__rjPg09EOp6Kt7Kquq3U7xI8UmA5NIMHhGFNRYzQV6NrvosqcXXuaFz22tgc4Ai28SjNX_r44VUT3dhEc4g56pEXBGi9tv0Oh3JNW0S1Y3wUWJBYqcCJBp2uCA1I58khDq-7N1GQ9xWSBMJJUFLDde3bmRag3WRFbC2QrzbBlojNPhpbskFC20pUmTb3qyL_6WF_aLy_RNXGqtewx4vTafPoXnShfsT9oDcDq1KArz1bBqHXZktoXYEuT-ulvhllWbjoOE3W0twKrivJ5-9Se82jFtZPdI.o2PPO9muTA5jk0TTvY5TgekCAHkE_4d33eFY6vR15r4&dib_tag=se&keywords=Cattle%2Bprod&qid=1753046947&sr=8-5&th=1
For perspective, I grew up about 100 miles west of where the hideout is, also in ranch country. AZ is an open range state – if you want to keep cows out you have to build a fence. We had lots of white face range cows, and a few ‘Charleigh’ huge f*&$ bulls run by the local LDS stake. They go where they want. I saw the bulls walk through a moderately good four-wire barb-wire fence when they thought something they wanted was on the other side. This included getting water, eating pieces off trucks, tasting tire valves, pulling up and chewing on plastic pipe and cables, etc. These are wild animals for all intents and purposes. You do NOT want to get close enough to zap one without a RR tie fence between you and them. They are surprisingly fast. Remember that they regularly deal with coyotes, bobcats, an occasional mountain lion or cowboy. Noise has to be perceived as a threat – a gunshot often is not. Bottle rockets would stir up the horses, but not the bulls – this includes bouncing them off their hind quarters even. It was not uncommon (not recommending) to see the bull’s back side dimpled with 22 holes – no significant damage, but it would get their attention for a while. They still wouldn’t move fast. Slingshots (particularly wrist rockets) would often get them moving. Rock throwing was pretty common around ranches, too. Good luck – I’d default to wrist-rocket sling shot shooting glass marbles or something similar.
To bulls, fences are merely “suggestions”.
Once owned an acreage next to a cattle farm’s barn area. They were Charolais cattle, and the bull would just walk thru the multi-strand barbed-wire fence separating our properties without apparently even noticing it. I’d just call the farmer and he’d come over and somehow encourage the bull to go home. He also repaired the fence.
Earth To Joel:
It’s about time for another “Proof Of Life “ post please?
Joel, Im in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Just walked the dog along the beach, took a shower, and now I’m headed to Katy’s for coffee. Yesterday was perfect California weather. Today is is overcast, but warm and really beautiful. Wanted to share, cause it seems you’re in a funk and wanted to cheer your day. Later I’ll be harvesting sea water to make my own flavored sea salt. Hope you and To ie have safe adventures today.
“Either these cattle go, or I do!”
And I, another anon reader, spent a weekend at a hillbilly moonshine gun party. I didn’t win the raffle but made new friends. Hope you’re doing ok Joel. I don’t comment anywhere much, but dude in Carmel above me inspired me to say hey.
Carmel here – waking up to crashing waves. Going to make a cup of coffee and he. Walk the dog. Female (btw). Enjoyed hearing of your weekend. Sorry you did t win the raffle. What was the prize? Moonshine isn’t a draw for me, but was there any good regional food?
Starting to think this website is closed.
I called on Friday and left a message, haven’t heard back yet. Fingers crossed all is well.
Eric.
@Eric, thanks for checking on him. You wouldn’t happen to have a way to contact his BB or his neighbors to request a wellness check, would you?
I’d check on him, but he lives 1200 miles away. It really isn’t normal for nothing to be posted for this long.