A mechanical roping steer apparatus for practicing roping of a steer may comprise a steer assembly having a front and a rear. The steer assembly may comprise a frame and a leg assembly mounted on the frame and including at least one leg member being movable with respect to the frame, the at least one leg member having a lower end movable along an arc. The steer apparatus may further comprise an actuation assembly configured to engage a ground surface below the steer assembly and move the at least one leg member when the steer assembly is moved across the ground surface. The steer apparatus may also comprise a rope deflection assembly configured to deflect a rope from looping about the at least one leg member for at least a forward portion of the arc of movement of the leg lower end.
