Fall has settled like a thin, holey blanket over the Cariboo and because of an early freeze we were cheated out of the usual spectacular show of colour, which doesn’t seem quite fair as it’s one of the best aspects of fall.

The season also brings out hunters and gatherers, all travelling the back roads and trails, searching for game and firewood.

Often in their travels they encounter slip-wire gates, through which there is sometimes a road or just a cowboy horse-back trail.

Made by ranchers (loggers) for easy access through a long stretch of fence line, they are an economical alternative to a store-bought gate.

Constructed of wire, they look like part of the fence, but the whole panel can be folded back for entry or exit. Old-style slip-wire gates have a wire loop top and bottom that the edge/gate pole goes in, then a wire with a shorter pole attached that twists around an anchor post to fasten the gate.

Some of them are very hard to open and close, requiring good strength and co-ordination.

If you don’t have a clue how to work it and don’t think you can re-fasten the panel, stay out. Cows are still roaming the range and leaving that gate open can mean days and days of extra work for the ranch crew; something they won’t thank you for.

Is it private property? Or Crown range? Pack a map; learn to read it.

Of interest to local beef producers this coming week is a “Beef Management Workshop” being held at the 150 Mile House Firehall on Nov. 4 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with guest speakers; Jim Forbes (MAL beef specialist) and Terry Peterson (ag-economist consultant).

There is no charge to attend; it will be hosted by Agri-Food Business Development.

In other news, the BC Cattlemen’s Association has hired a new general manager (Bob France retired) who begins his work at the start of November.

Kevin Boon comes to us by way of Delia, Alta., where he was a third-generation rancher.