I heard over the week end that many of the cattle were what they called feral cattle. But if Bundy is the only Rancher grazing his cattle there, what need is there for branding?
Proof of ownership.
Branding I.D.’s your cattle. If you round up a cow with another ranches brand, you return it. If you round up a calf with no brand, you can assume it’s from your herd.
Then you brand it.