grizzly Report post Posted September 12, 2006 I know the easy answer when you pass through a closed gate you close it again. What do you do when you go through a gate that is open? Do you assume that it is supposed to be open and leave it or do you assume that some sloppy person left it open and shut it? What if it is a gate that has been closed in the past and is now left hanging open? This is an issue I have wondered on before and have just always left it the way I found it, but I have heard of ranchers closing areas because of thoughtless hunters or others who neglect the gates. Maybe some of the ranchers or those with ranching experience could chime in on this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesandelk Report post Posted September 12, 2006 I always close any gate that I go through. If it doesnt need to be closed oh well the next person can open it but if it is supposed to be closed and the rancher see's it open there goes some hunting land possibly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamaro Report post Posted September 12, 2006 it is real easy.... Leave every gate the way you found it.... ranchers leave gates open all the time for certain reasons. J- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COUESAZ Report post Posted September 12, 2006 Yep you leave it the way you found it. If they are trying to move cattle and come to a closed gate that they left open they will be mad as well. So leave them the way you find them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thunderbolt Report post Posted September 12, 2006 I agree with Jamaro, i always leave the gate the way i found it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KGAINES Report post Posted September 12, 2006 I always leave the gates as I found them and as long as everyone knows that there shouldn't be a problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
25-06 Report post Posted September 12, 2006 If its a gate thats open and there is a cattle tracks on the ground going trough it then I will leave it open. Most ranchers move there cattle from one spot to another through gates and most of the time you will see evidence like tracks on the ground or the gate being tied open, other wise I close em behind me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JVS Report post Posted September 12, 2006 ALWAYS leave gates the way you find them...Ranchers will open/close gates often at times depending on availability of water, etc. Trust me, you don't want to close a ranchers cattle out of a water hole. I saw it 3 or so years ago on a dove hunt. I'm sure the guy that closed it assumed a sloppy guy left it open, when in actuality the rancher left it open to allow cattle to water. Ranchers will leave it open to allow cattle to graze in other allotments as well, so...rule of thumb says leave it like you found it. Ranchers will usually open the gate a full 180 degrees from closed position to show it is definitley OPEN. If you have a concern, you can always call the rancher/ranch-hand and let them aware of the situation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shortpants Report post Posted September 12, 2006 ALWAYS LEAVE THEM AS YOU FIND THEM. The way it works is forest land is divided up into sections which are leased to cattle ranchers all over the state. These ranchers are allowed to let their cattle feed in a particular section for so long and then they have to move them to another section. The ranchers do this by cutting off all water supplies in one section and turning water on in the new section. They open the gates between the two and the cattle make their way into the new section. Once the rancher has a head count of all his cattle into the new section he closes the gates. IF YOU COME ALONG AND CLOSE THE GATE PREMATURELY YOU COULD BE KILLING THE RANCHERS COWS BY CUTTING THEM OFF FROM THEIR WATER SUPPLY. YOU COULD ALSO BE COSTING THE RANCHER MONEY IN FINES FOR HAVING HIS CATTLE IN ONE SECTION TO LONG. The best thing we as hunters can do is get to know these landowners and ranch hands and work with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesandelk Report post Posted September 12, 2006 Guess I have been making this mistake for the last 6 years Guess I will start leaving gates as I find them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peckl1 Report post Posted September 12, 2006 I was born in west Texas and spent a lot of time with my Grandfather on his ranch. I learned very early that you leave a gate as you found it. That being said, the days we live in and hunting most of my time in 36a the smugglers leave gates that should be shut open, if they take the time to open them at all. If you have been down there you know most of the gates down there get destroyed by smugglers driving at night with their lights off. Or they just drive through them and do not slow down to close the gates. I have spoken to the ranch foreman and know which gates he wants me to shut if they are open when I come across them. Also they will tie a gate open if they want it to stay open. Just like has been said before. Leave a gate as you find it unless you have spoken to the rancher and know different. It really boils down to us, as hunters showing we care about this issue to make sure we do the right thing. Lee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
More D Report post Posted September 12, 2006 I have always left the gates as I found them. I learned early on like some of the others here. I do worry about the "slob" before me who didn't close like the rancher wanted and now I am doing the same as the "slob" I too have noticed when the gates are open 180 degrees or proped open with a rock and such. But just try and remember the last time you went out alone. Some times it's hard to get that gate to stay open enough for you to get thru so we prop it open or open them the 180. Maybe "mr. Slob" came up the same road before you and he was alone too an didn't close it like we normally would. When the are tied open, then there is no doubt. I wish that this was done more often. If it is a ranch I have a relationship with or if I see some one working the ranch I ask. Now a days asking some of the workers on the ranch is getting harder to do especially in the 36's where I spend most of my time. Because sadly people/drug dealers dress up like hunters too. Other wise I leave then as I found them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muskrat Report post Posted September 12, 2006 When moving cattle through a gate, how do the ranchers get the cows over the cattle guard? Do they lay something down over it? (Assuming of course, there is a cattle guard under the gate - I have seen them side by side, and combined) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted September 12, 2006 Easy Marshal; When there is a gate, there is no cattle guard (otherwise there wouldn't be a need for a gate...). Usually you'll notice a gate beside a cattle guard so the rancher can take the cows or horses through that way. S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muskrat Report post Posted September 12, 2006 Stanley - I guess that's what I meant. You're right - in most cases there is a cattle guard, with a gate next to it. I have seen though, gates over cattle guards - those are the ones that made me scratch my head Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
