I agree with that. He has ~7 (adult) kids so it would seem that they could run a round up/branding exercise every year.
I haven’t seen a statement of support from the NV Cattlemen’s association either, which doesn’t give me confidence in Bundy.
I think the tea party and the militias are being used for chumps.
Some still brand but modern ranchers use ear tags, tattoos or even microchips. A lot of ranchers don’t like branding any more than the cattle. I have my grandfather’s irons on the wall.
Branding takes time and the burning hair and flesh really stinks, although I didn’t find it as bad as de-horning and nut-cutting.