Payson Roundup

For better or worse, choosing to live in rural Gila County often means you live by the code of the west.

Chronicled by Zane Grey in a 1934 novel, the code of the west is a set of unwritten rules cowboys followed.

They centered on hospitality, fair play and respect for the land.

Buying Arizona land means you buy into this law. Similarly, you must follow a written law, the open range statute. It states if you do not want cattle, sheep or other livestock on your property, it is your responsibility to fence them out. It is not the responsibility of the rancher to keep their livestock off your property, according to Gila County government.

For Larry Boeschling, who lives on a rural breeding farm in eastern Gila County, just north of Young, this law does not seem fair.

Last week, a 3,000-pound bull entered his property and mated with several of his cattle.

Trying to protect his herd, Boeschling attempted to run the bull off the property with his ATV. This did little to deter the bull, which charged Boeschling, flipping the ATV on its back and throwing him over a fence.

“The neighbor’s bull showed up from nowhere and the bull attacked me,” he said. “I was lucky to escape with my life.”

Boeschling called the sheriff’s office, but they told him they could do nothing because of the open range law.

The sheriff’s office also told Boeschling he could not shoot the bull.

“I have no legal way to protect my cattle,” he said. “If a dog charges at me, I can shoot it, but I can’t do it with this.”

Boeschling called the bull’s owner, who lives across Apache land near Black Canyon Lake. The rancher told him he would retrieve the bull, but Boeschling worries it will come back.

“I personally watched it jump six fences, so I know nothing is going keep it away,” he said.

With several of his cattle possibly pregnant, Boeschling said he could not sell them because they are not registered as purebreds.

“We are talking mega bucks,” he said of the potential loss. “I feel like someone has let me down.”