My dad and I are buying a new lease, but we were informed that the only problem is that the ranch has cows. Why would this be a problem to us? Are the deer afraid of the cows size?

Cows mess up feeders and stuff. They will rub on blinds, eat corn, you name it.

You will need to fence your feeders or they will tare them up.

Cows are 'usually' not a problem so long as the feeders are properly pinned and areas where you shoot are cross fenced (preferably).

During hunting season it can be worrisome unless you have some way to know your back target.

Holsteins and the like are unafraid animals and will rub up against things as well as destroy structures.

I have had cows on my ranch for the last 4 years with zero problems and I do not fence off my feeders. As long as the legs are tied down they cannot knock them over. However, the deer do move out when the cows get close to the feeder - they come right back when the cows are gone.

So should we look for a different ranch or these modifications won't cost that much? We're moving to Dallas in a year or two, so we'll buy a permanent ranch over there.

But up a three stand barb wire fence around the feeder. You dont even need to stretch it tight.

-Tee post
-Barbwire
-Bailing wire

Problem solved.

Everyone has probably had different experiences.. for the most part I don't think they are a problem. I would really suggest putting pens up though. If you have varmint guards and what not, some cows will destroy the feeder trying to get the corn (even if they don't top it over).

Thanks for the help guys.

I think most of the problems with cows come when someone is trying to run too many an a given property. When they get hungry they will give feeders heck, but when in thick green grass wont pay a pile of corn any mind.

matt

+1

deer behind the inlaw's house don't seem to mind the cows.

We have to put a fence around everything. Cows are destructive. I tried nailin' down the legs of my feeders, they bent the legs. We even had to put a fence around our camp. When the Deer see the cows comin', they hookem. This year our landowner moved all the cows to the back pastures during the season. I'm glad I don't hunt that pasture.

How about how annoying they are? If they find you, they never leave and hand out looking to see if you're gonna feed them...

Cows are good and cows are bad. If you don't have them to graze the grasses, the place will become over-grown. Unless they're in your food plot or feeder, cows and deer don't share too much of the same diet. Keep them out of your food plot and feeder and they are a benefit...IMO.

Depends on how many head you have out there and the conditions of your pasture. Some won't even venture to certain areas of the land and will stay mostly where the food and water are located. But again, that also depends on if someone is feeding them regularly, amount of browse, etc.

We've always fenced off our feeders because they will knock them down or lick the cameras. But overall, I've had little problems with them as long as you take the proper precautions.

Just be glad you're not having to deal with horses.

Good luck finding a ranch in Texas that does'nt run cattle.Its the way landowners get an Ag exemption and maybe a little extra income,they eat grass and keep the brush manageable,deer dont eat grass.Just fence them out with a pen around feeders,you'll be fine.

I had close to a thousand dollars worth of pop-up's eaten by cow's this year.

Cows can be a pain. But sometimes you luck out. I have always had them trash stuff.

I can see a problem with that. I've never had anything they could tear up but a friends Nephew had 2 Double Bull blinds eaten a couple of years ago. To add insult to injury, one of the cameras caught them doing it. Would brushing them in stop them maybe? I've been thinking about buying one but hate to spend that much feeding the cows.

Cows are not good for deer hunting. I have had feeders damaged, corn wasted and tripods knocked over. I agree with the idea of putting too many cows on smaller acreage can lead to over-crowding. My tripod was the victim of cows crowding an area and becoming clumsy. I am glad I was not sitting up there at the time. However, there are solutions to the problem. Don't give up on the lease. Try to work an agreement with the landowner first.
Good Luck.

Secure your feeder and blind to the ground and you will be ok. I would also make sure your feeders have good cages around them. Cows on our place tend to only eat the corn that has piled up. When you hand feed, make sure the corn is scattered. I would rather have 20 hogs than 20 cows, I can shoot the piggies. The deer walk off when the cows come out but wait in the brush until they leave. If its a good looking lease, don't let the cows stop you.

I had cow problems last season. I hog-paneled my feeder pen and set up the feeder to throw only in the pen and that was 100% effective, but...(1)I have a thousand pics of these black creatures wandering by or stopping and leaning on the pen...(2) they gathered at my truck, slobbering all over the windows and manuring all around it...(3) They loved to hang out between my feeder and the blind, scaring away game....(4)they gang-banged my deer decoy..(5) Every time I'd use my doe or buck grunt, the cows would come to me. I tried to shoo them away but this only ran off for a few minutes, meanwhile any game could see me acting the fool and scamper off. I threatened to shoot them and the cattle guy said I could...for $1200 each. No cattle for me on my next lease!

Cows aren't too big of a problem, and since they're slower not spooked as easy as other animals they're easier to hunt.

Not that I would EVER advocate this but I've heard stories about guys that keep a few arrows in their tripod tipped with thumpers. They say that in addition to being fun, shooting cows and goats and sheep keep them limbered up. One said that shooting a bull was particularly satisfying and when he stampedes off, all the cows follow.