Modern Cowboys Still a Lifestyle

The book "The Modern Cowboy" by John R. Erickson, published in 1979 and revised in 2002, confirms modern cowboying and John’s work and passion. Wanting to document the persona of the modern cowboy, he wrote articles to supplement his monthly income of $550 for publications like Livestock Weekly. His writings led to portraying the life and times of modern cowboys as he knew from first hand experience.

Fluctuations affecting modern ranch owners impact today’s cowboy much the same as their forerunners experienced. Disturbance to ranch business are urbanization, politics, and the lowered popularity of beef, which often sends a cowboy’s monthly paycheck into a tailspin. Ranchers manage by the demand for product like any business must. Layoffs or dismissals of cowboys due to financial downturns are a necessary evil at times. Those interruptions of work add to the
“Free lifestyle.” Moving on is inevitable, yet they seek the same symbiotic ranch life. Also the life includes minimal belongings or ownership of real-estate, advantageous to roaming for work.

Few belongings are still a modern cowpoke’s hallmark, a few pairs of jeans, maybe two typical cowboy hats, some long sleeved shirts, cowboy boots (often with spurs), gloves and a truck serves their needs.

Tools are largely supplied by the ranch, including a horse. Other machines and equipment to perform the work belong to the rancher's business. Chores are largely still fencing, livestock round-ups, branding, maintenance and repairs. Except for herding and range duty, the horse is not used.

Cowboying has always paid low wages; when asked, the lifestyle is the draw, a life in congruence with nature, the circle of life, sunrises and full moons, and hands-on hard work. A true cowboy is at peace in this world.