Along Wyoming’s highways this is not an unfamiliar sight.  Ranching is common throughout the state and with ranching comes cattle drives.

Frequently motorists will encounter cowboys moving cattle on our roadways.  There are a few things that are important to remember. First and most important, slow down.  In most traffic situations everyone will be safer at slower speeds.  Keep a careful watch not only for cattle, but also cowboys on horseback and dogs. Remember too that cattle and horses’ hooves weren’t meant for pavement.  These animals have very little traction on road surfaces.

Please don’t honk your horn or make any sudden moves.  Loud noises can spook animals.  Sometimes ranchers will post a flagger ahead of the herd to alert oncoming drivers of cattle on the roadway or in the barrow pit. So next time you see some cattle on a roadway, slow down, watch carefully, and you should have no trouble easing through and going on your way. For the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, I’m Barton Stam.