Open Range Law
A black bear recently mauled a Seattle man whose second home was in a wilderness recreation area near my town. As man encroaches on wildlife habitat negative encounters can happen. And it’s not only wildlife that’s impacted by encroaching development, suburban sojourners are complaining about OpenRange cattle and the law that has been a part of our west for generations. I’m Susan Allen stay tuned for the story. I’ve got family that ranches in Arizona, not only must they contend with drug runners and illegals trashing their property and harassing livestock now an Arizona State Representative Daniel Patterson from Tucson wants to introduce a bill to end Arizona’s Open Range law because he feels Arizonans (the majority urban transplants) have had too many unpleasant encounters with bovines. The Arizona Cattleman’s Association has stated that eliminating OpenRange would put undue hardship on ranchers and putting the liability on the ranchers if an cow gets out would be devastating blow to the industry”. Recent history as shown the politically correct crowd doesn’t give a hoot about the adversity those contend with that produce the meat for their Big Macks. Cattle have a mind of their own, and despite hours ranchers spend maintaining fencing if you live near cattle country, cows get out and yes often end up where they shouldn’t. Patterson states that he has heard from men who say their wives are afraid of bovines, seems a bit hypocrital to me because I bet if you visited their vacation homes, youd find most are decorated in Arizona Cowboy style.