Most form pairs during the breeding season, but in some species, such as fur seals, the gray seal (Halichoerus grypus), and elephant seals, males (bulls) take possession of harems of cows and drive rival bulls away from their territory.
Look for the crooked tail. This is probably the best ways to tell if a cow has been bred: A cow or heifer will have a crooked tail or a tail that is held out in an odd angle than usual for 24 to 48 hours after being serviced by the bull. 1  4 Edit step.
1 Steers are not born as steers, they are born as bull calves and are made into steers by the process of castration. 2  Heifers: These are typically young females that a) were born as females (often called heifer calves) and b) retain female characteristics like cows do.