NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release
Media contact: Steve Stuebner, sstuebner@cableone.net, 208-484- 0295 or Gretchen Hyde, executive director, Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission, 208-866-2466; ghyde@idahorange.org

New Care/Share signs at Owyhee trailheads provide tips for recreationists on co-existing with cattle on public lands

BOISE — (March 12, 2015) — Off-highway vehicle riders, mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders will find the latest tips on co-existing with cattle on new Care/Share signs that have been installed recently at five trailheads in the Owyhee Front managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

“Most recreationists have no problem seeing livestock on public lands, but they’re kind of confused as to what to do when they have that interaction,” said Gretchen Hyde, executive director of the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission, a co-sponsor of the signs along with the BLM.

Titled “Sharing the Owyhees with OHV’s and Livestock,” four of the signs are custom- tailored to off-highway vehicle riders, people who ride ATVs, UTVs and motorbikes. The signs recommend the following tips:

• Slow down to walking speed if you approach cattle on the trail. This is for your safety and the safety of livestock. Approach cattle very slowly and give them time to move off the trail.
• If a cow runs down the trail in front of
  you, stop and wait, and let the animal move off the trail.
• It’s important not to herd cattle down the trail. You may be unwittingly driving calves away from their mothers and causing undue stress to the animals.
• Passing through gates: If a gate is open, leave it open; if a gate is closed, ride through and close it behind you. If a gate is posted no trespassing, do not enter.
• Don’t harm water tanks or water supply systems. Water is crucial for livestock and wildlife in this dry area.
• Leash dogs or keep them under control. Do not allow them to chase livestock, wild horses or wildlife.
• Respect any BLM closures you may encounter. These closures were designed for the benefit and protection of administrative facilities, wildlife, sensitive plant species, and cultural resources throughout the area.

Mountain bikers check out the new Care/Share sign and kiosk at the Wilson Creek trailhead south of Nampa.

The signs for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts were installed at four OHV trailheads near Murphy, including Hemingway Butte, Chalky Butte and Rabbit Creek.

Steve Huffman, president of the Boise Ridge Riders, agrees with the cattle tips. “Number one, you want to slow down,” he says. “You don’t want to injure (cattle) or spook ’em. You want to approach them slow. Normally, the sound of the engine will kind of shoo them off the trail. If not, give a hollar or a shout, and normally they’ll just move off.”

Another custom-made Care/Share sign titled, “Sharing the Owyhees with Livestock and Recreation” was posted at the Wilson Creek trailhead, which is more geared toward hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers.

The whole point of educating recreationists about co-existing with livestock carries the end goal of sharing public lands harmoniously with other users, Hyde said. “If everyone shows respect for other users, we can care for our public lands and share them with others for generations,” she said.

“Look around you, it’s just beautiful out here,” Huffman says. “But it is multiple use. So you also have to remember that we’re visitors here. The ranchers they live here, they make their living here, so we have to mindful of staying on the trails, and being good ambassadors for everybody.”

The Rangeland Commission has published a new set of cattle tips for recreationists and sheep tips for recreationists on http://idrange.org. Each set of tips include video clips on how best to handle encounters with cattle and sheep.

About the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission: The Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission is an Idaho state agency that seeks to increase public understanding about the balanced management of public rangelands. The commission sponsors the award-winning web site, www.lifeontherange.org, and it provides information and educational materials to Idaho’s school children. For more information, see www.idrange.org.