Primitive Ranching

[Moves]

Thanks for all the replies..... Dave1949 is correct, I intend for something of a hybrid plan.....
I'm gonna use my tractor, poly culverts, concrete and my generator, but I want things to look like DrRod's "log gate counterweighted with rocks on the end of the top rail". (I'd love to see a pix of that).

Here's my current gate (that my brother scoffs at.... too bad it's attached to his fence post and my almost done shooting range (that neither the future livestock or my grump of a brother are gonna like).

 

[Jimbrown]

make your fence look similar to this one.

 

[Moves]

I like it!

 

[roadhunter]

I think this is correct site for this Question....

I'm looking for ideas on how to outfit my "ranch" in a primitive way.... old school...
By ranch, I mean 40 acres with no (zero) livestock on it at this point.... and no pastures, and no fences... diamond in the rough.

I made a gate out of a peeled 5" diameter pine pole as that's the look I'm trying for... rustic and primitive. (My brother hates it and likes TSC gates).

Anyway, I'm looking for a site that explores the primitive look I'm shooting for with pix and techniques, etc but I just cant find one.

Any ideas?

Stuff like this cracks me up. No offense to the OP but you seem really worried about the look and not so much actually doing any of the things associated with ranching and having livestock. Reminds me of the yuppies who pay $4 a board foot for old barn wood accents on their McMansions up in Bozeman. Or the people who pay extra to have wood flooring dinged up with chains and hammers to make it look more rustic. Or people who buy corten roofing for their multi million dollar home so the roof looks like it came off a 100 year old barn. Or the people who pay extra to buy jeans that look like they are worn out. Seems that yuppies all want to look like they are something they are not. Big hat no cattle mentality.

 

[Moves]

No offense taken.... but try to read it again and see if you can discern the humor I tried to weave throughout the post. I didnt want to make it too obvious....

 

[roadhunter]

No offense taken.... but try to read it again and see if you can discern the humor I tried to weave throughout the post. I didnt want to make it too obvious....

I noticed. Obviously this is how many people think these days. I am fortunate to live in an area what still has many of the original homesteads from the late 1800's and many large ranches with old barns, old farm equipment, ranchers who still ride horses, etc.... So I can appreciate what you like, I just get to look at the real deal instead of fake decorations trying to look like the real deal.

I remember my dad and his wife bought a fake caribou skull to go on their lake house/cabin. I laughed all the way to the truck and told them I could never go in a cabin with a fake skull on the front of the house. Darn city slickers get impressed by a bunch of fake junk.

 

[Moves]

Now dont be calling my one-pole-gate "fake"! That's the real deal there!

I hope to drive slow cross country thru back roads one day when I retire to see and appreciate what is almost at your doorstep!

PS - Perkinston, MS residents are NOT city slickers... you'd likely fit right in

 

[SandburRanch]

Many years ago when I started my ranch my light in the barn to milk the cow and feed the hogs was a kerosine lantern but I hung it up on a nail so the cow wouldn't kick it like Mrs. O'Leary's did.

 

[OldMcDonald]

Moves, I think I understand your thoughts. My philosophy for several decades has been to spend as little as possible whilst enjoying a good lifestyle - even wrote a book about it. I use lots of modern gadgets (but draw the line at carrying a telephone in my pocket) yet still like to use the simple things. For example, my firewood supply for several years has been grubbed out olive tree roots, and I bust them up by hand. I have a couple of chainsaws and occasionally use them to shorten lengths that will split by hand, but otherwise just enjoy using my own muscles rather than buying fuel.

There is a mass of information on the Internet about "primitive" methods of doing things. Remember that in countries such as Portugal where I live there are still a lot of people who rely on animal power and do not have water or electricity in their houses. Of course there are many other countries in the same situation and if you can spend some time searching you will find lots of ideas. Countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Ethiopia have provided me with useful information. The sites are in English so no need for language skills.

There are also numerous old US sources. My computer skills are not good, so instead of trying to create links, which I would probably fail to do, here are some book or article titles that you should be able to feed into a search:-

Equipment - The operation, care and repair of farm machinery: Practical hints for handymen.
Farm that wont wear out - Hopkins.
Farmer's Cyclopedia of Agriculture, 1911.
Nepal Agric.Res.J.Vol.6,2005 - Development and Evaluation of Improved Feeders for Goats Suitable to Stall-fed Management System.
Handy Farm Devices and How to make them, Ralph Cobleigh. Available on the Small Farms site.
Home made Hydraulic Ram Pump. Details from Clemson Univeristy Extension Service.
Old Farm Tools and Machinery:An Illustrated History, Percy Blandford. On the AT Microfiche Reference Library.
The Book of the Farm, Henry Stephens.

Going through that lot should keep you out of mischief when you cannot work outside, and when you can, I totally agree that good gloves are a part of sensible apparel. I scoffed at wearing gloves until I moved to Australia in 1979 and found that it was sensible to wear them as everyone else did. Not really protection against a decent sized snake, but good against poisonous plants and insects, also the odd sharp nail, etc. Better to damage a glove than a hand.

Please keep us informed.

 

[MacLawn]

Old Moves is right about Perkinston folks, actually about all of Mississippians ain't nary city slickers. Heck, the whole state has less than 3 million people. On another note, I ain't never seen such pride as in a person who looks down on city slicks. They're worse than the slicks. Just be like old Popeye, I'm am wha's I am, and that's all that I am. Country, city, suburbs, nary difference. Only difference is when ye act like ye own way is the best. Hehehehe, done gone to preaching there.

Anyway, Moves, ye're in a good area. I like Perkinston, was just through there last week on way to/from coast. Mississippi is a great place. Just wish I could afford about 50 acres somewhere. I'd have to sell out me place in GA though, where we plan to retire. But even at me advanced age, I'd start all over, except I wouldn't build me own house. Too peaked for that anymore. Keep us posted Moves.