On Mothers Day, I banded a 3 day old calf that belonged to the most wary cow I own. That being said, even she is reasonably calm and easily handled. After banding, that calf disappeared for 8 days. I have most cows calve on 45 acres I live on. There is probably 3-4 acres of brushy growth. This is the 4th calf I've owned this cow for. She raises excellent calves and has always been a good momma. For the last 8 days I've spent a lot of hours searching for that calf (or any remains) while spot spraying, clearing, and burning. I've seen the cow countless times, always with the herd. She came up every evening alone for a few bites of feed. Her bag didn't seem swollen enough to have lost a calf unless her milk just didn't come in good. I tried my trick that generally works of crying like a calf when I'm just out of her sight. She would act frantic, but never lead me near a calf. I was 100% convinced this calf was gone. Other calves born the same day were out playing every afternoon, but this one was gone. I decided this cow was getting a ride to town for losing a calf. The only decision was whether or not to breed her first. Then, yesterday evening this calf walked up with momma like he'd been doing it all along!! In over 50 years of dealing with cattle I don't think I've ever had a baby hidden well enough I flat couldn't find it for 8 days in a patch that small.....Lesson learned!