Should stock owners be required to keep their cattle fenced in, or should their neighbors be required to keep the cattle fenced out?
What sounds like a straightforward proposition involves two separate ballot initiatives and more than a small ration of confusion.
. . .The first initiative pertains only to cattle. The ballot language states simply: “Adoption of the Stock Law.”
A “yes” vote will support a closed range, meaning the cattle owner is responsible for keeping his livestock contained. A “no” vote supports open range, meaning landowners are responsible for keeping cattle off their property.
The second initiative pertains to livestock other than cattle. The ballot language states: “Letting horses, mules, jacks, jennets, donkeys, hogs, sheep and goats run at large in Coryell County.”
On this initiative, a “no” vote supports closed range; a “yes” vote favors open range.I thought this was a simple issue. I was wrong.
- Open Range counties in Texas.
