Open Range Open Range - a sign of the west Much of the land in the western United States is owned by the federal government and is available to cattle ranchers, where their stock roams free as in the days of the old west.  It's called "Open Range."

 
But, after the cattle have fed on the summer grasses of the high plains and as winter is approaching, the ranchers, on  horseback (although the horses are hauled by trailer to specific ranges) round up their livestock.  This bunch of cattle met us as we were rounding a curve.  This was to be come a common occurrence. Cattle on the highway
Sheep grazing in northeast Utah While we might usually think of only cattle ranchers, livestock can also include sheep.  We encountered one shepherd on horseback with his pack of sheep dogs driving the flock to lower pastures.
Of course, once the flock came to the road, they crossed it just like it was an outcrop of rock.  While we watched the shepherd on the mountainside, some of the flock were already crossing the road.  We held our breath as some drivers - apparently from the east (probably Florida) - came barreling down the road at 50 or 60 miles per hour and expected the sheep to get out of their way.  Eventually, they jammed on their brakes and all was well, but driving in the cattle lands of the west certainly offers some new experiences. Sheep - crossing the road - flock on the mountain in the background
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This site has photos from Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.  You can select those states individually, or browse through the whole trip.  Enjoy.