Encountering Livestock on the Road
2020 Springby Melissa Ashley
Melissa Ashley is an MSU Extension agent in Rosebud and Treasure counties.
Montana has an extensive network of rural roads, and encountering a herd of livestock shouldn’t be a surprise when driving the backroads. Many roads in Montana pass through land used for cattle and sheep ranching. To ensure adequate grazing, ranchers must move livestock to different pastures throughout the year. Rotating livestock to greener pastures can include traveling down rights of way. As a motorist, there are several things to do to ensure the safety of all involved when you encounter a cattle or sheep drive.
Slow down!
Slowing down doesn’t mean coasting to half the posted speed limit. Even 10 miles per hour is often too fast when cattle and sheep are on the road. Going slow will help avoid vehicle-livestock collisions. Ranchers take precaution to avoid damage to vehicles and their cattle by placing a flagger or signs on one or both ends of the herd. A flagger or sign warns to slow down and could look something like a slow-moving vehicle waving a flag out the window or a patrol car with flashing lights.
Be Cautious
Be aware of surroundings. Know there are more than just livestock to look out for on a drive; there are also riders and often cattle dogs. It is easier to be cautious when moving slowly or stopped. Be aware that you are dealing with live animals and stay in the vehicle. Although you may want to get out to talk to a rider, take a photograph, or help in some manner, you may likely add to the rider’s stress if you are outside of the vehicle on foot.
Ask A Rider
Roll the window down and ask a rider for guidance. They can direct the best way through or around the herd; they may even help you through if needed. If there is no oncoming traffic, don’t be afraid to cautiously and briefly change lanes, or if necessary, drive on the shoulder. If a majority of the herd is gathered to one side of the road, drive through the lowest populated side, regardless of designated driving lane.
When approaching the cattle drive from the front, drive slowly, wait, or pull off the
road; the livestock will filter by with little inconvenience. If you approach the back of the livestock, drive slowly and ask a rider the best way to navigate the herd. Often the herd can be strung out with slower livestock in the back and faster moving livestock in the front. Be sure to pass the entire herd before accelerating. If livestock are simply crossing the road, stop and wait instead of trying to drive through.
Do Not Harass the Livestock
Do not honk or cause a riot out the window to get livestock to move. Livestock and horses have little traction on asphalt and may slip and fall when spooked. Do not bump livestock with a vehicle to get them to move. If bumped, they may kick and as a result, remove a headlight or damage the vehicle.
Enjoy it
Soak in this glimpse into the western way of life. Celebrate America’s and Montana’s roots in agriculture and be delighted to experience a cattle drive firsthand, and maybe even take a picture or two from inside your vehicle.