Wyoming Catholic Cowboys

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

The Granddaddy of them All

Jason knows how to pick them. For the last two years his branding dates have been on Marian feast days. This year it was the Visitation. Hands down, the Kuhbacher branding is my favorite day of the year. Gorgeous day. Surprisingly green, thanks be to God. And not too hot. A fun time was had by all, but especially by Ernie and I.

The roundups went smooth. We gather them and then make the stampede into the portable corrals.

Once penned, the boys worm the cows and separate the calves.

Then let the fun begin.

Ol' son even got to drag a few.

Kuhbacher girl power.

The Three Wisemen

Bonnie's mid-morning feast is worth shutting down the fire to enjoy.

As we celebrate Memorial Day, I'm reminded of so many who have sacrificed to ensure our freedom. It doesn't get any more free than cowboying on an open prairie. Thanks be to God for those who gave their lives and continue to give of their lives to defend our most precious God given gift, freedom. It doesn't come cheap.

Sunday, May 30, 2021

A Mystery to be Explored

A problem you conquer and move on. A mystery, like the Trinity, you jump in and experience.

https://youtu.be/S4qVCeeaCrA

Mill Iron C

One thing I love about ranching is that everybody's operation is tailored for their particular needs and situations. No two ranches look alike. Ernie and I were blessed to experience yet another well oiled machine on Don Kinstetter's place north of Moorcroft.

The night before, they gather the 300 pairs in preparation for the day break branding.

Once the calves are separated they are run down the alleyway...

through the tub...

into the hands of the Johnson brothers...

then Anthony pushes them onto the calf table...

where they are flipped, vaccinated, branded, and castrated if need be.

Even though we walked through 300 head in about 4 hrs, Ernie still felt the need to tell Greg how they used to do it in North Dakota.

It's an honor when you get asked to put on another man's brand.

Ranchin ain't just for cowboys. Cowgirls are welcome too.

And then the feast... Don Kinstetter does all things well. That is except for his meat - a cool 130 degrees. Not well done partner.

Another day of fun on the Wyoming prairies. One thing that kept this fire stoked was job rotation. Everybody milled around and no one got over worked. That being said, I still feel I earned my dinner as well as the siesta that followed. On to the next one...

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Ranch Hard. Be Happy.

Dad had been chomping at the bit to get up here and do some ranchin. Which, worked out well for me because I was ready to put a ride on Mollie. So to kill two birds with one stone we grabbed the horses and a few cows and headed for Hulett.

Yee Haw! Green grass! 4 more cows on Raney's which caps us at a total of 8.

Paul and I had gotten on Mollie in the round pen. But this was her first day on the open range.

She did real well considering. We had a few episodes of Monte Walsh, but worked through them. In the end, I was pleased. She's still got some rough edges to polish, but that will come in time.

Alls well that ends well.

I love it. With the conclusion of the Easter season and Memorial Weekend upon us, I feel like summer is finally here. Dad and the caballos are ready to ride. Hang on to your hat, 2021's gonna be a fun one. Ranch Hard. Be Happy.

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Immediately

The Holy Spirit strikes while the iron's hot.

https://youtu.be/Rb8rFMvvbjo

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Subaru Baby

All for the greater glory of God.

https://youtu.be/C4cub41pngg

Monday, May 24, 2021

Mother of the Church

So providential that we celebrate Our Lady, Mother of the Church, the day after Pentecost. She is the way forward.

https://youtu.be/82WmQRMGOqg

Sunday, May 23, 2021

LB Cattle Company Day

The day finally arrived, Cattle Company Day. When the dust settled we ended up with 12 Catholic Cows: 2 from Douglas, 2 from the 9 Iron in Worland, 1 from Kuhbachers, 2 from Tweedy's, and 5 from Geis Brothers. With them being brand inspected and transferred into Lungren Brothers, it was time to put on our brand, ear tag them, and haul a few to pasture.

When you only run 12 cows, you have to squeeze all the fun you can out of them. So I called my trusty sidekick Kurt and went full on ranch with two horses.

We also brought out the varsity crew, Gerry on the chute, Gwen keeping them coming, and little man calling the shots.

White tags seem to be fitting. Picking up where we left off last year, this year's herd ended in 42.

Shoulder brands are not ideal in a chute, but Kurt navigated the irons well.

When it was all said and done, Mickey graded the day. Kurt got All Around Cowboy for wearing chinks and hat. Gerry got Top Hand for not missing a cow in the head catch. And Gwen got Best Smile.

The day wasn't over though. Kurt had some important business to tend to in the afternoon. So I grabbed Ernie and we headed for Hulett.

Ernie got a head count as we turned them loose, 4.

Joe Gantz's heifers were happy to see the new girls. Chief thinks they'll get along just fine.

So it begins. The grass is coming on strong, though we continue to pray for rain. I'm excited for the summer grazing. The plan is to haul four more up there next week and then three others to Beaver Creek the following week. This Black Hills grass will make for some tasty beef. Thanks be to God for Wyoming following the Food Freedom Act which allows a producer to get beef into the hands of good folks without state intervention.

Uncle Joe

The happiest day of my life may have been my high school graduation. But the greatest day of my life was the following Sunday when I choose to go to Mass.