Cowboy: A New American Western pt.1

A short docudrama I made a few years back (around '07) which shows my family ranch and the changes it has undergone through the decades....
.....I think it's great how everybody feels so passionate about the "old" way of doing things. I feel the same way and so do the people featured in this video. However, the reality of what more and more ranchers are faced with today is much different then the old days. With the economy, new technologies and fewer and fewer young people sticking around to help keep the family ranch going and also the dwindling number of available hired hands, many modern day blue collar "Cowboys" have had to adapt. A ranch that once had 10 hired hands now is run by 2 people. This video was never intended to show glamorous ranching. It's core message, in my opinion, is that though many technologies and traditions have changed over the years (most often by necessity rather than choice,) the people, spirit, work ethic and values have remained the same. I truly believe that the word "Cowboy" means more than how you dress, your style of branding or your preference between horses and 4 wheelers. It's a badge, that only few people can rightly wear. That is more what this movie is about, not what has changed but what stays the same. The movie shows my Uncle, whom I worked with for a number of summers in high school. I for one can't rightly call myself a cowboy, but I try and live my life by their principles.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• dillon
• davies
• cowboy
• mark
• documentary
• ranch
• ranching
• western
• west
• rural
• country
• family
• montana
• heritage
• cattle
• branding

[101snakekiller]

oh come on The fourwheelers ruined it

[dillondavies]

Thanks to everyone who takes time to comment, even if it's sometimes slightly negative. It's hard to get mad at passion people feel for western ways. However, I think many people are missing the point of this little video. I'll try and briefly explain a little better up in the description.

[CrazyComancheKid]

Wow thats what we call farmer grab assen here. We rope and drag everything and its pretty hard to get electricity when your 15 miles to the closest outlet for your electric branding irons. youd get pretty soar branden a thousand head of cattle grab assen them calves. I like the video though buddy and the country is ausome up that way.

[dillondavies]

Yeah, the branding in this isn't quite accurate. My family usually does "grab assen," or wrestling as we call it, but there is usually 4 or 5 teams and do about 200 - 300 head at a time. Lately though they have been doing some roping. Also they normally don't use electric irons with those big groups.

[dillondavies]

it's located in Montana

[SES7989]

Good information! I'm writing a book that is centered on a working cattle ranch in Montana. Since I'm from a bit city this helps. Anyone else heard that cattle ranches are using helicopters these days? Or am I off?

[MrCowboyup333]

Good video, I just don't understand the title. I've buckarood since I was a little kid, and worked on some spreads they called us cowboys, some we were buckaroos, some we were wranglers. All depended on where we were. The one thing that was consistent, is that we always rode horses. I've seen the outfits that use 4 wheelers, they say it's faster and easier. I just don't get why you'd say "Cowboy" when there's no horses. Cattleman would be a better term :D

[oldlitening]

Are you shiten me! No self respecting cowboy would be caught gatheren cows on a 4 wheeler ! Let alone branden on foot ! Sure a pretty ranch tho !!

[M359H]

Hell yes cowpoke, these hands is ridin them ATV's. Everyone is a top hand on a four wheeler!!!

[badlandscowboy]

Who's singing this song of Ol' Cowpoke? I like this one better than the other versions.

[flyingonland]

that s what i wana do some day