Cowboy to chase off Bandelier cattle Stray cows are startling hikers and upsetting park rangers at Bandelier National Monument. So the park has hired a professional cowboy to round up the 15 to 20 errant bovines and get them out. The cowboy will herd the cattle up Falls Trail beginning Tuesday, and the trail will be closed to residents and visitors possibly through Nov. 21. "The cows are trampling our riparian vegetation and startling hikers along some of our trails," Superintendent Brad Traver said. Traver said staff had worked with the New Mexico State Livestock Board to resolve the wandering cow problem. "We are hoping this problem does not recur in the future. Having cattle anywhere in the park is a conflict with our mandates to protect park resources and provide for enjoyable hiking experiences. We have been repairing fences with the intention of keeping them out."....Can't have those cows "startling" hikers, no sir. Are they gonna get rid of everything that startles hikers? Better git rid of snakes and ugly park rangers too.