A missing Angus bull led to a series of unexpected challenges for ranchers in Watford City, North Dakota, this spring. As the calving season drew to a close, a well-meaning comment about the ranch’s success quickly turned into a series of misadventures that tested the resolve and experience of the ranching family.
After a promising start to the calving season, one rancher, who wished to remain anonymous, experienced a sudden setback when their young bull went missing. Initially, the bull was found in a neighbor’s pasture, mingling with a herd of cows. With the help of the rancher’s sister, the duo managed to bring the bull back to its rightful pasture, seemingly resolving the issue without much fuss.
The rancher recounted that the retrieval process had gone surprisingly smoothly, with no cursing or complications. This was a notable achievement, especially considering the challenges associated with moving a bull away from a herd of cows. “What a great bull. Can’t believe it. He worked so nicely,” the rancher remarked about the experience.
Yet, the relief was short-lived. The following morning, the bull was missing again, prompting a call for reinforcements. The rancher enlisted the help of their husband and set out once more to retrieve the elusive bull. They returned to the neighbor’s pasture, where the bull had taken up residence once again.
As they approached, the rancher detailed several strategies for capturing the bull. They considered various tactics, such as leading him with a small group of cows towards a pen, but quickly realized that plans could change in an instant. Just as they began to herd the bull, he dashed away, breaking free from the group, which sent the rancher and their husband into action.
The trio managed to corral the bull and lead him toward the ranch safely. The rancher remained cautious, aware of the unpredictability of bulls. “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” they noted, reflecting on past experiences.
Once the bull was reunited with the cows, the next challenge arose. While moving the herd into the next pasture, the bull began to stray again, prompting the rancher to intervene. As they attempted to redirect him, the situation escalated, and the bull charged towards a dense, thorny patch.
The rancher’s husband and father quickly coordinated a response, instructing her to keep an eye on the cows. From a distance, she observed the unfolding events, realizing that the situation might take a turn for the worse. After a tense few moments, she saw the bull leap into a creek, swimming away from their reach.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” the rancher’s father exclaimed, describing how the bull swam under a fence to escape. The family’s laughter echoed in the evening as they retold the tale during dinner, reflecting on the unexpected antics of the bull and the day’s challenges.
The rancher humorously pondered whether it was a family curse that kept the bull at the neighbor’s pasture, joking with her father about their misadventures. While her husband dealt with minor injuries from thorns, and her father resumed the search for the wayward bull, the rancher quietly contemplated the unpredictability that characterizes ranch life.
With the day winding down, the family remained bonded by the experience, showcasing the resilience required in ranching. Their shared stories and laughter provided a moment of reprieve amid the challenges, reminding them of the joys and tribulations that come with life on the ranch.
