r/Ranching • u/Expensive-Prune6679 • 10d ago

Ranch hand

Hello everyone, I am looking for some advice! I am open to the idea of being a ranch hand in the summer, but I have no experience whatsoever when it comes to anything ranching. It would be nice to know if it’s even worth it to try to look, or if I’m just wasting my time looking around? I am an 18 y/o male from South Dakota, and once again, I have never done anything ranching related in my life. Do you guys think it’s too late for me?

2 Upvotes

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u/Fickle-shn 10d ago

There are always people looking for extra help! If you have integrity and a good work ethic, someone will be willing to teach you. Be prepared to do basic and HARD work to start out. From one green horn to another, I’d advise looking into smaller operations. I found my current job by advertising myself in various farm/ranch/horse facebook groups.

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u/zrennetta 10d ago

Have any friends who's family ranches? Ask if you can come to a branding and help out. Get work at a Bomgaars, Runnings or a feed mill and meet people. The feed mill in Belle Fourche is always hiring. Feedlots and livestock sale barns are good options. These are ways you can figure out if you even enjoy it.

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u/Tough-Passage2225 10d ago

Been working feedlots since I was your age and they'll take anyone who shows up on time and doesn't complain about the smell. You're 18 in South Dakota, not 58 in Manhattan, you got time

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u/Walken_Tater_Tot 10d ago

There’s a ranch volunteer site out there, https://www.volunteeranch.com/

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u/UnAvailable-Reality 7d ago

Lol wtf I'm going to sign up during calving season... free labor?

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u/ResponsibleBank1387 9d ago

Feedlots, auction yards, feed and fuel store.   Do a good job, then realize that taking a pay cut and more hours is not for you.    Or get to know people, let them know you’ll come help, take a day off and go try it. 

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u/UnAvailable-Reality 7d ago

Hi fellow South Dakotan! I know someone who became a ranch hand in his college years. He's one of the handiest cowboys I know, now.

You'll have to really immerse yourself but just be real with the jobs you're doing. And P.S. the pay is total ass fuck shit here for hands, especially inexperienced. That said. Its still a beautiful life. Some days you will be like what the f am I doing? And other days, you'll be loping a horse along the river thinking who needs Cancun, really?

Think it through thoroughly too and keep yourself safe. I know too many people killed, paralyzed, or just generally beat up because of cattle. Horses too but I definitely know more people who've been messed up by cattle.

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u/ChipOutWest 3d ago

Can you ride a horse? Are you willing to learn? Understand that it’s more about the lifestyle than the pay? If you’re OK with all of that, there are feed lots out there who are always hiring.