Open Range signs (Sahuarita: lease, fencing, farms)

[erinszoo]

Can someone tell me what the open range signs are about? It's just a picture of a cow on a yellow road sign, and occasionally have 'open range' underneath it. Clearly there aren't any farms in the area of the signs, so what are they about?

Thanks

Erin, new to AZ (2 weeks!)

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by erinszoo

Can someone tell me what the open range signs are about? It's just a picture of a cow on a yellow road sign, and occasionally have 'open range' underneath it. Clearly there aren't any farms in the area of the signs, so what are they about?

Thanks

Erin, new to AZ (2 weeks!)

Well, they just notify you that you may get up close and personal with a cow - like a cow crossing the road. I'm yet to have this happen to me, but I'm sure it can happen. You're more likely to see coyotes, bunnies, quail, occasionally snakes, etc. crossing the roads.

[Memphis Mom of three]

These signs mean you are driving through an "open" range. If you look on the sides of the road you are likely to see a cow grazing. You also may notice the cattle grates on the roads. These keep the cows in a certain area. They can't cross over them. If you head out to Sahuarita you will see these all over the place....even on the exits off of I-19.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Memphis Mom of three

These signs mean you are driving through an "open" range. If you look on the sides of the road you are likely to see a cow grazing. You also may notice the cattle grates on the roads. These keep the cows in a certain area. They can't cross over them. If you head out to Sahuarita you will see these all over the place....even on the exits off of I-19.

Well, if they can't ever cross the road, what's the point of the signs?

[erinszoo]

I saw them down by Civano, and it seemed like desert along valencia - lots of brush, cactus, trees, etc... and a fence. It was strange to see the signs in the middle of nowhere. Thanks for the info though, we did see coyotes the other night up by Sabino Canyon! And we saw lots on our way up to Mt. Lemmon last weekend.

[xwideopenskyx]

Originally Posted by erinszoo

I saw them down by Civano, and it seemed like desert along valencia - lots of brush, cactus, trees, etc... and a fence. It was strange to see the signs in the middle of nowhere. Thanks for the info though, we did see coyotes the other night up by Sabino Canyon! And we saw lots on our way up to Mt. Lemmon last weekend.

State trust lands can be leased for cattle grazing. You may find cattle miles away from their "home". The state lands are fenced in and usually contain the cattle within the boundaries. Although, they do escape once in a while through broken fences and hence you may find your car having a staring contest with a bull in the middle of the road.

[Memphis Mom of three]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Well, if they can't ever cross the road, what's the point of the signs?

They can cross the road, but where the range ends the cows can't cross at that point. Make sense? If you look on the sides of the road by the grates you will see fencing. It's like the roads are part of the Open Range.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Memphis Mom of three

They can cross the road, but where the range ends the cows can't cross at that point. Make sense? If you look on the sides of the road by the grates you will see fencing. It's like the roads are part of the Open Range.

I guess... Anyway, I'm yet to see a cow on any road, so I won't worry about that.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Well, if they can't ever cross the road, what's the point of the signs?

Some cows cannot read the signs, Sierra!

! ! ! ! ! !

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Some cows cannot read the signs, Sierra!

! ! ! ! ! !

Let's enroll 'em in literacy classes then!