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Government cowboys run down tiny varmints
Washington Post via HoustonChronicle.com ^
| Sept. 10, 2005
| SYLVIA MORENO
Posted on 09/11/2005 3:30:17 PM PDT by Archidamus
Riders work to keep cattle fever ticks confined to a quarantine zone
LAREDO - This federal employee works along a treacherous stretch of high Rio Grande riverbank known as No Man's Land. His work uniform: leather chaps, sturdy Wranglers, high-top bullhide boots and silver spurs. His tools: a .357-caliber revolver, a lariat, a machete, a walkie-talkie and his beloved brown-and-white Appaloosa, Payaso.
snip
It's hard and lonely work in unforgiving terrain. The cowboys live away from their families in remote shacks four to five nights a week. They ride solo six or seven hours daily in 100-plus-degree temperatures, cutting trails through thick gnarly brush and prickly cactus to rope frightened steers, searching them for ticks and then transporting them to a pesticide vat for a disinfecting dip. (The cattle are dipped regularly in organophosphates for six to nine months before being returned to their owners or sold at auction if not claimed.)
snip
"If you like ridin' and you love ropin', this is the job for you," said Akers.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: cowboys; mexico; ticks
Sounds like a cool job.
To: Archidamus
If they made a film of this it would definitely not involve eating pudding.
2
posted on
09/11/2005 3:37:17 PM PDT
by
CzarNicky
(The problem with bad ideas is that they seemed like good ideas at the time.)
To: Archidamus
Just about the last real cowboying job left
So9
3
posted on
09/11/2005 3:38:14 PM PDT
by
Servant of the 9
(Those Poor Poor Rubber Cows)
To: Archidamus
I know better, but I have this mental image that's a lot like the EDS "cat-herding" commercial, except with ticks...
4
posted on
09/11/2005 3:38:58 PM PDT
by
RichInOC
("The coffee is strong at Cafe du Monde, the doughnuts are too hot to touch..." Save the Big Greasy!)
To: CzarNicky; Eaker; TexasCowboy
No pudding for real cowboys.
A grenade launcher would be good to have though.
5
posted on
09/11/2005 3:41:26 PM PDT
by
humblegunner
(If you're gonna die, die with your boots on.)
To: CzarNicky
Maybe a little Blood Pudding.
6
posted on
09/11/2005 4:11:23 PM PDT
by
Archidamus
(We are wise because we are not so highly educated as to look down on our laws and customs)
To: Servant of the 9
Yes and it comes with with benefits and a federal pension.
7
posted on
09/11/2005 4:16:03 PM PDT
by
Archidamus
(We are wise because we are not so highly educated as to look down on our laws and customs)
To: CzarNicky
Don't tell me you actually spent money to see Barebone Mountain? LOL
8
posted on
09/11/2005 4:31:20 PM PDT
by
Caramelgal
(My Tag Line is "Tag You're It")
To: Archidamus
Sounds more like a job for the Orkinman!
9
posted on
09/11/2005 4:34:22 PM PDT
by
Caramelgal
(My Tag Line is "Tag You're It")
To: Archidamus
Sounds more like a job for the Orkinman!
10
posted on
09/11/2005 4:35:08 PM PDT
by
Caramelgal
(My Tag Line is "Tag You're It")
To: Archidamus
I'd could shoot them dar taicks offen' them cattle's baiks at fitty paces.
To: JustAnotherOkie
I'll just bet you could too!
12
posted on
09/11/2005 6:18:50 PM PDT
by
Archidamus
(We are wise because we are not so highly educated as to look down on our laws and customs)
To: RichInOC
Man, I loved that commercial.
13
posted on
09/11/2005 6:43:39 PM PDT
by
fella
(Discontent is the want of self-reliance; it is infirmity of will -<I>Emerson</I>)
To: Archidamus
Sounds like a cool job. Not exactly...
in 100-plus-degree temperatures
14
posted on
09/12/2005 2:59:12 PM PDT
by
thackney
(life is fragile, handle with prayer)
To: thackney
15
posted on
09/12/2005 3:27:33 PM PDT
by
Archidamus
(We are wise because we are not so highly educated as to look down on our laws and customs)
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