Wandering cow When it comes to cattle, Wyoming is a  FENCE OUT State.  That means if you live in rural Wyoming and you do not want cattle to roam freely on your land, then it is your job to fence them out!  Isn't that a funny concept?!

Sheep, goats, swine and elk(?!), on the other hand, are required to be fenced in.  Though, permissions are given that allow herds of sheep to be crossed from one grazing area to another by going through someone else's land if necessary.  However, that is "only as long as the animals are not allowed to stop and de-pasture the enclosure."  Good luck telling the sheep that!       

sheep eating flower

Someone wrote an in depth summary about the origin of this law from which I borrowed the "de-pasturing" quote at: http://wlsb.state.wy.us/LE/fencelaw.htm. 

To find out more about this curious custom but quickly and painlessly, Cole Ehmke wrote an excellent short article called "If You Fence It, They Will Stay Out" at:  http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/cesfrm/IfYouFenceIt.pdf.

Lastly, you can follow a lively, online discussion from 2007 at:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/rural-small-town-living/772201-help-neighbors-cows-trashing-my-yard-4.html#ixzz1EMJd0aFi

"Fence Out" is a concept I never heard before I got into real estate, but now that I know what it is, it explains A  LOT  about the gates and fencing we encounter in the public wilderness areas around here!

*This information is intended only to provide further clarification of real estate issues in Laramie, Wyoming. I am not an attorney.  This article is not endorsed, approved or affiliated with Century 21 Real Estate Center, Inc.  Any consumer with questions about the real estate process should always consult an attorney of their own.

 

Laramie panoramic

 
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14 Comments on Laramie, Wyoming Real Estate: Wyoming is a Fence Out State . . .

FEB
18
2011
1,756,550 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Brenda,

That's what gated communities are all about across the country - fencing strangers out. :)

Steve
10:45pm • #1
167,645 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I never thought of it that way!  Their own little "gated" communities..... very funny!
11:29pm • #2
FEB
19
2011
230,893 Points 1 Featured Post Called Shot Master

"Fence out state" or not, the neighbors in the subdivisions get mighty upset when cows move in, eat the landscaping, and fertilize the yard! Although they don't seem to mind as much when the deer, elk, and buffalo do the same...
12:49am • #3
399,487 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master


Brenda, Interesting law which is familiar because I grew up on a Wyoming ranch, but it is very unusual to someone new to the area or who has always been in a town or city.  This post will be very helpful.  By the way, I couldn't get the first link to work -- it could be my connection tonight though, but you might want to check.
12:53am • #4
831,208 Points 174 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Brenda, that is very interesting. We certainly don't have those laws here.. when the cows get out around here people get very upset.... to say the least.

On our ranch in AZ there was a sheep ranch next to us. On the side that bordered that ranch we had to make sure the fences were high enough from the ground to allow the sheep to pass underneath to get to water. Cows don't like to be where sheep have been as sheep pull up grass by it's roots....

Fences make for great neighbors... 2 legged and 4 legged!
7:50am • #5
194,319 Points 11 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Brenda, Steve just stole my thunder.  Ok maybe not steal but definitely beat me too it.  Have a great Saturday.
11:15am • #6
183,714 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

We're a fence out state as well.  For the most part, this isn't a problem.  The problem comes with cattle on the road and the resulting accidents.  Not good for the cattle, and not good for the people.  Thankfully, most people keep their cattle fenced in!
10:16pm • #7
167,645 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Tim!  Yes, I noticed when I was looking into the background of this article that everyone is DEFINATELY not thrilled with this concept!

Hi Gary - Thanks! I've tried fixing the link and hopefully it works now, it is very interesting if a person has the time and desire to read it ...

Hello there, Andrea! - Interesting you would mention the access to water situation.  That was one of the situations that was described in the research I went through for this post! 

Joe- I will have a great Saturday and thanks for stopping by anyway - thunder or not! :-)
10:21pm • #8
167,645 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Wanda - You are right on target there - By the time something tragic happens, it doesn't really matter whose "right of way" it was at that point!
10:26pm • #9
FEB
20
2011
399,487 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Brenda,  I tried the link and it worked great.  I enjoyed the article.
12:45am • #10
167,645 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Yay!  I'm glad it worked his time!  Just think, I never would have know if you hadn't told me....thanks a million!
12:56am • #11
220,120 Points 14 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Brenda~ We midwesterners are completely unfamiliar with fencing out. What a shock it was to my family when we drove through open range territory one summer on vacation. Seeing signs that said things such as "Livestock on road next 78 miles" was frightening.
1:03am • #12
1,471,257 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Interesting information. Those of us in urban areas don't know much about "fencing out" practices! You'll have to continue educating us.

 Life is good when there are flowers to photograph!

 
9:57am • #13
167,645 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Liz, I  had always known that there were places where cattle might be on the road, especially dirt roads, but I had never thought it strange...

Hello, Roy - On the flip side, I don't know much about "urban" practices!  LOL
10:09am • #14


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Brenda Whitman, Associate Broker, Laramie, Wyoming (CENTURY 21 Real Estate Center, Inc., Laramie, Wyoming) Rainmaker_large

Brenda Whitman, Associate Broker, Laramie, Wyoming

Laramie, WY

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CENTURY 21 Real Estate Center, Inc., Laramie, Wyoming

Address: 2900 Grand Avenue, Laramie, WY, 82070

Office Phone: (307) 742-2289

Cell Phone: (307) 399-5477

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