Arizona Open Range Cattle Have Right of Way,
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All land in Arizona is presumed to be "open range."
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| Open range signs along Arizona's roads warn drivers of the presence of cattle |
For those who grew up in cities and then moved to the rural areas of Arizona, it can come as a surprise to learn that cattle owners do not have to fence in their livestock.
It is up to each resident to protect their property.
Also, it is against the law for pets to harass, wound, or kill livestock or wildlife.
What about driving on Arizona's open range?
Driving on Arizona Open Range Lands
What does the Arizona open range law mean for Arizona drivers?If you hit a cow on a road in Arizona, it is your responsibility.
Arizona open range law requires that motorists watch for livestock on all roadways at all times.
If you kill livestock in Arizona, you are liable to the owner to compensate for damages.
While cattle owners owe a "duty of ordinary care" to motorists, that duty is legally measured "in light of apparent risk."
That means that while there is a paved public road running through the area where a rancher is grazing his cows, he or she does not have to fence the land to keep the cows from wandering on to it.
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| A cow grazing by the side of the road in Santa Cruz County, Arizona |
If you’re vacationing or living in Arizona, you're not going to be seeing any cows as you drive through the middle of Phoenix, Scottsdale or Tucson, even during rodeo week.
However, much of the land in rural Arizona is not fenced.
Drive the highways of Cochise, Coconino, Yavapai, Santa Cruz, Gila and Greenlee Counties, among others, and you'll see cattle congregating or grazing by the side of the road.
So, please drive carefully while you are traveling on Arizona’s rural roads…
Arizona Open Range Driving Safety Tips
- When in the rural areas of the state, remember that you are traveling through ranch lands. Be mindful when driving around Arizona and always keep a watch out for cattle. Even if you haven't seen any doesn't mean that they aren't there.
- Look for the open range signs. They are commonly posted and warn about the presence of cattle.
- Many cow-vehicle collisions happen at night. Be extra cautious during nighttime driving and drive slower.
- Check the Arizona Department of Agriculture’s Revised Statutes, Title 3, Article 8 (No-Fence Districts) for more information. There are nine separate statutes that make up the "open range" laws of the state.
Sources: Arizona Department of Agriculture, Arizona State Land Department, Arizona State Legislature, University of Arizona Agriculture Network Information Center
Note to the Reader: This page is intended for informational purposes only and the information was accurate at the time of publication. It is not a substitute for professional legal advice.
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