Is rustling still a big problem in the year 2008? Do rustlers even exist any more?

Question

Of course I am referring to cattle, not walking briskly...

Answer 1

Larry A. knows a good answer, Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Assoc. is one of the best on line sites to learn how to prevent rustling. we can stop or slow down rustling if we remove the temptations, take the keys from tractors and trucks, don't park equipment along the highways. we just make it too easy for a thief. watch your neighbors place and keep in touch, let strangers know those blue signs mean they are being watched.

Answer 2

Yes depending on where you are located, livestock rustling is still a very big problem in the western U.S. In states such as Idaho where I currently reside. Modern technology enables livestock thief's to operate at a much higher efficiency rate. than in the traditional ways Hollywood has played them over the years. they can pull up in at truck and trailer for a large heist. or operate form a four wheel drive in the high country's summer range. They can load up and be gone fast. Not necessarily to other ranches or across state lines but often directly to slaughter. Much of the livestock that are killed are butcher right at the crime scene. Yes livestock rustling is still alive and well only using different techniques for their thievery.

Answer 3

Yes it is.  Recent news in Southern Idaho reported a big problem with dairy calves being stolen. Our neighbor had his bull butchered in the pasture near his home.

Answer 4

They do exist, with the advantages of modern technology, and largely unbranded cattle in remote pastures.  And they are caught on an ongoing basis.

Answer 5

In Illinois it is not a big problem i live in a SMALL agriculture community

Answer 6

Here in Boston I think I can safely say that rustling of cattle and other livestock has been almost completely eradicated.

Answer 7

Yes they still exist, lots of times cattlemen find their calves being sold in stockyards that were stolen from their pastures, and other such vices.

Answer 8

yes people still take animals that dont belong to them

Answer 9

Where is Ralph from?  Yes, there are cattle stolen every year from remote farms and ranches.  If you are east of the "branding line" there are not brands registrable quality and the problem is rampant.  Cattle and beef are at an all time high and it would be easy to even steal you next door neighbor's livestock.  In our community ranchers live several miles apart and depend on each other.  It is worth taking note if you see a truck and trailer with out of county or out of state plates.  Most neighbors will run off someone who is trespassing on someone Else's place.

Answer 10

it happens everywhere, not just the west and not just in remote areas. Sadly urban sprawl has helped the rustlers as in the past the only cars/trucks/etc that drove by in teh country you knew who it was, now that's no longer the case and its sometimes hard to identify who belongs and who doesn't thus making it easier for rustlers to steal livestock righ tunder your nose. With economic times as they are, we farmers not only have livestock rustlers to deal with, we have people stealing copper from our irrigation pivots, steel from our stockpiles you name. Smart farmers are protecting ourselves, as people are going to get hungry someday, and maybe we will finally get to dictate what our hard work is worth, and then what comes around will go around. All this not said to make honest people feel bad. But we work 7 days a week 52 weeks per year, most days are 10+ hours to feed an ungrateful public (example, blaring your carhorn at a farmer just trying to move his equipment on roads he pays taxes to drive on as well) When we raise a crop we are told what the market will pay, the only commodity that the seller has no control over the price. But we get accused of resting on our backsides at the coffee shop etc etc when most honest hard working farmers are glad for a coffe pot at home with a timer so the coffee is ready when they get up and they can drink down a glass as the hurry out the door to raise the food to feed this nation.

Answer 11

Yes and yes. The difference is that now they use large trucks and get away more quickly.

Answer 12

THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES. THEY DON'T STEAL LARGE HERDS BUT IT'S NOT UNKNOWN FOR A CATTLE TRUCK TO PULL INTO A PASTURE NOT THEIR OWN AND LOAD UP 50 HEAD. AND TAKE THEM TO A SALE BARN IN THE NEXT STATE. GOOD QUICK MONEY.

Answer 13

Stealing cattle is a pretty big problem in the US that pops up from time to time.  Their methods have changed from the Old West. Now they pull a tractor trailer or a trailer pulled by a pick up into an out of the way place, load it up, and go.

Answer 14

They most certainly do still exist, but unless you live in a rural area you don't hear much about them.

They are no longer hung like they were in the days of the "old west" But they can be jailed and/or fined.

Answer 15

Rustling still occurs.

Vandalism/maiming/shooting for enjoyment is probably even more common.

Chicken thieves also still exist.

SOBs will steal from a child, small farmer or industry.

Wasn't it a "shot on sight" penalty years ago in Texas and other states?

Answer 16

Cattle theft is still a problem.  Weanling animals still bring $500/head (roughly) and while it's not the most lucrative crime, stealing and selling 10-20 unmarked animals is relatively easy and somewhat hard to trace.  The TSCRA is still heavily involved in these investigations for my area of the world.

Answer 17

yes it is a problem, ive had cattle stolen from me, thats why here in TEXAS we have brand inspectors at the sale barns when cattle are checked in to be sold, they have descriptions of cattle that have been stolen and they contact the authorities as to whom has brought in stolen cattle, they also check people who bring in cattle that might not be theirs and they will come to your ranch and check herds and brands

Answer 18

I recall a case a few years back when two men were caught

stealing corn so they could feed there stolen cattle. When the judge ask them if they had any finale words before sentencing,

one spoke up and said, " yes your honer. I just want to say that

its a good thing that we got caught seeing as how we were

losing so much money at it"

So yes, it still gos on.

Answer 19

LOL,  The other person who answered you obviously isn't in the agriculture sector.

I live in Idaho, on a small farm.  YES, rustling is a BIG deal.

Not just cattle either.  Horses, sheep, goats...I was even chatting with a lady who had her Duroc boar stollen!

Every single year in the local papers here (in the fall after roundup) you see adds for rewards leading to information about cattle in such and such location.

Three Christmases ago, I had two adult men, and one teenage boy trying to steal some of my goats (I raise meat goats).  Fortunatly they couldn't figure out how to get past the dogs, and took off, when we came boiling out of the house at 1AM.

Rustlers steal millions of dollars in livestock every year....right here in the U.S.

~Garnet

Homesteading/Farming over 20 years

Answer 20

Probably not in the US.

Answer 21

yes it still exists.  there are rewards for information leading to arrests.

i dont know much about it but i heard about a new gov program that was supposed to implant a microchip in cows that would track the cow or have the owners name on it or something so rustler couldnt sell stolen cattle at market.  it was supposed to be mandatory meaning "every cow must have it" whether the owner wanted it or not.  dont know if it is in effect yet. i do know there was a lot of opposition from smaller ranchers and organic producers.