What Is the Green River Drift Cattle Drive in Wyoming?

TL;DR

The Green River Drift is one of the last horseback cattle drives in the U.S., where range rider Brittany Hezeltine watches over 600 cattle in Wyoming. She rides at dawn every day for five months, moving the herd between pastures and reuniting separated cows and calves. Read on to discover how the cattle navigate, rest, and respond to heat.

Transcript

60 minutes overtime i'm bill whittaker this week  on 60 minutes we're in wyoming   on the green river drift one of the  last horseback cattle drives in the u.s we spent a morning with range rider  brittany hezeltine who's on horseback   every day at dawn for five months  watching over 600 cattle go by go by   go bye and moving them from pasture to ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🪛 The Green River Drift is one of the last horseback cattle drives in the US.
• 😃 Brittany Hezeltine finds solace and joy in working alone in nature and being surrounded by wildlife.
• 🤠 Cows and calves have a natural instinct to return to the spot where they last nursed if they get separated.
• 😀 The cattle drive covers a distance of approximately a mile and a half.
• 😅 Timing and temperature affect the distance of the drive, with hotter mornings resulting in shorter distances.
• 🤠 The cows and calves have a designated nap time during the drive.
• 🧡 Working as a range rider requires dedication and patience in handling the cattle.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the Green River Drift?

The Green River Drift is one of the last horseback cattle drives in the U.S. Range riders move cattle between pastures in Wyoming while watching over the herd.

Q: What does Brittany Hezeltine do on the Green River Drift cattle drive?

Brittany Hezeltine works as a range rider, watching over 600 cattle and moving them from pasture to pasture. She is on horseback every day at dawn for five months.

Q: How long has Brittany Hezeltine worked as a range rider?

Brittany says this is her third summer doing the work. Her job involves riding horses, working with her dogs, and handling cattle.

Q: Why does Brittany Hezeltine love working on the Green River Drift?

Brittany loves being alone in nature and surrounded by wildlife. She says working her dogs, riding her horses, and handling the cattle soothes her soul.

Q: Does Brittany Hezeltine ever get frustrated with the cattle?

Yes, she becomes frustrated when the cows fight her efforts. The feeling passes when the cattle cooperate or she emerges from the trees and is reminded of the landscape's beauty.

Q: Why does the mooing stop during the cattle drive?

The mooing dies down when cows and calves find each other. They call while separated, then become quieter after reuniting.

Q: How do separated cows and calves find each other?

Cows and calves have an innate homing ability. If they cannot find each other, both return to the place where the calf last nursed.

Q: How far did the cattle move that morning?

Brittany estimates that the cattle moved about a mile and a half. Because the morning was hotter and the riders approached later, the cattle did not want to travel as far and stopped for their nap time.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• 60 Minutes explores the Green River Drift, a traditional horseback cattle drive in Wyoming.

• Range rider Brittany Hezeltine shares her experience of working alone in nature and her love for the wildlife, her dogs, and horses.

• Cows and calves have an innate homing beacon and will return to the spot where they last nursed if they get separated.