der Teufel wrote:
These are Limousin cattle, for those who are interested. The bull the OP pictured could also be a Limousin, but I'm not an expert.
I'm inclined to agree with you on the OP photo -- Limosuin was my first thought too. If he is indeed Limosuin, they're very docile cattle, and easily trained to accept range cubes directly from one's hand -- I've had several that were essentially pets at feeding time.
That said, a 2000#+ bull, can indeed be dangerous even if he's not trying to hurt you -- the proverbial bull in a china shop, who doesn't know his own strength.
On the other hand, if he's Santa Gertrudis, also a possibility from that picture, I've never seen one that wasn't pure guano loco. I've owned two SG's, and both managed to put my dad and on top of feeders, fences, and make us generally run for cover -- I don't want anything to do with those King Ranch critters.
I can't believe someone isn't claiming this guy. He's a good looking bull, and were I still messing with cattle, would gladly use him as a clean-up bull, or even a herd sire. My guess is that he's a fence jumper (lots of bulls won't stay home) but surely some cows should have come in season and drawn him back to a herd.
As far as ID'ing him, pedigreed/registered cattle these days are more likely tattooed and/or chipped than visibly branded, at least in my experience --not a marking you're likely to get close enough to without a head gate and handling equipment -- assuming he's not been handled as someone's overgrown housepet (don't laugh -- all our bulls were gentled, or they didn't stay on the place)
One more possibility -- find the closest livestock auction, and inquire with the vet that works the auction...they serve as brand inspectors, but more importantly, they are often the first/best place to check with for lost/found cattle -- if someone's actuality looking for this guy, I'd bet the Auction vet will know about it, and he's likely to know who has similar cattle...
I've had many cattle cross fences, both onto and off of my place, but I can't say I've ever had a problem getting them home, or getting mine back...usually word gets out, and it only takes a few days....your situation is unusual.
For what it's worth, normal defense handgun calibers and rounds aren't reliable against charging cattle...they're not enough to instantly turn one off given the available target areas. Magnum rounds with penetrating hollow-points like you might hunt large game with would be most effective, and should it come to that, your best bet target is right between the eyes, but a frontal shot isn't likely to make an instant stop.