"How many Hands" Topic
8 Posts
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| charles popp | 06 May 2013 12:21 p.m. PST |
On a Ranch? I am doing up my Old West Town. Will be in Texas. Going to have not only the town but a couple of Ranches outside town. SO how many Hands should there be for each? |
| coryfromMissoula | 06 May 2013 12:40 p.m. PST |
On a drive one per two hundred was OK, on a ranch maybe one per 3-400 head of cattle, maybe twice that ratio if it was cross fenced. Rugged ground, predators (two and four legged), area to be covered, winter, all were factors. Corporate and Patron ranches tended to be heavier on the payroll as a couple of shirkers, cripples, and old friends could be carried without the boss noticing. On average then anywhere from one or two hands to a couple of dozen. Just don't get specific about the size of the herds and all anyone can know is how many faces show up at the dinner bell. Sheep ranches will need half again to twice as many hands, but they're all out in their wagons so who notices. |
| TNE2300 | 06 May 2013 12:56 p.m. PST |
I would think that would be determined by the size of the ranches link "On average, a single herd of cattle on a long drive (for example, Texas to Kansas railheads) numbered about 3,000 head. To herd the cattle, a crew of at least 10 cowboys was needed" |
79thPA  | 06 May 2013 1:06 p.m. PST |
Here's a nice diagram: link Hollywood never did them much justice but there were plenty of Black and Mexican cowboys working on cattle drives. |
Old Glory  | 06 May 2013 1:26 p.m. PST |
Each mad should have two.
regards
Russ Dunaway |
| solosam | 06 May 2013 2:08 p.m. PST |
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| Nasty Canasta | 06 May 2013 5:08 p.m. PST |
Triple this number if you are herding cats from Amarillo to Salina. |
 mmitchell | 16 May 2013 2:42 a.m. PST |
79thPA: That is a VERY good diagram of the positions. Personally, I would not have less than two men on remuda (although one of them could be a boy, as long as he could ride well enough). Charles Popp: Don't forget that ranches had a lot of seasonal workers (sometimes called Waddies) to lend a hand in peak months. So, if you're building a "normal size" ranch for GAMING purposes, I would include the following: 1 Owner
1-4 women folk (probably a wife, cook & 2 daughters -- if the owner ain't hitched, then replace the woman with a male cook).
1-4 boys (sons, nephews, orphan kids working there in the stables)
8-12 cowboys
2 dogs This is based on history, but it also makes for a good game ranch. |
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