Branding

Cattle, cowboys, horses, and branding livestock have been the foundations of ranching since the frontiers days of the American West. A rancher's brand is his mark, his identity. And the cowhands ride for the brand.

Branding is not only a Western tradition, but an indelible and legal form of identification -- necessary to prevent livestock rustling in such large country.

Branding Time! Magic words that make the eyes of every cowboy twinkle of excitement. No cowboy in the West, would want to miss this time of the year. The dust, the bawling of cattle and calves, the throwing of the lasso, the agility of working cow horses.

Ranchers have traditionally helped each other with the branding of their calves so it was often something of a social event and one of the yearly highlights of ranching in the West.

Branding at Flitner Ranch is not make believe for the guests. You can participate in the work still done much like 100 years ago. Flitner calves are born from the first of March through the end of May and most of our branding is done during that period.

We round up the cows and their calves on horseback in the rough country and gather them into the corrals. Seeing an experienced cowboy throw a pretty loop and watch a trained cow horse at work is art in action.

At Flitner Ranch branding time is one of the highlights of the season for our guests. To assist the cowboys in this authentic ranch work is sharing in a Western ranching tradition.

If you think this is something for you, May is the time to come. We usually pick one day a week to brand as many as 100-200 calves. After some instruction, the guests are encouraged to wrestle calves and participate in other necessary tasks if they'd like.

If this isn't your idea of a good time, however, there are plenty of other recreational activities to do at The Hideout.

Branding cattle is tough and dirty work, part of cowboying. Although it is challenging, it is fun. And you can be proud at the end of the day that you have shown your true grit.