Nevada Live Stock Association
September 01, 2007

For Immediate Release

BLM BANDITS BACK AT IT IN IDAHO

Ranchers Jared and Bruce Bedke, of Oakley, Idaho, have confirmed that the BLM seized and impounded a total of 31 head of the Bedkes’ cattle on August 21, 2007. The Bedkes have requested the aid of the Nevada Live Stock Association (NLSA) regarding this incident. The cattle were taken, according to Jared Bedke, from lands the family had appropriated under local law and custom in the late 1800’s.

“My local sheriff worked with the BLM to keep me away from my livestock so that I could not make a claim on them during the impoundment though he admitted to me that he had never been presented with a warrant or court order of any kind. From what I’ve been told, the deputy state brand inspector who was with the BLM did not issue a brand inspection on the livestock. He just handed them over to the BLM to be transported and sold without due process of law,” said Jared Bedke.

The incident appears to be similar to other BLM cattle seizures that occurred in Nevada from 2001-2003. In particular, in 2001 the BLM conducted para-military raids seizing approximately 280 head of cattle belonging to Ben Colvin and Jack Vogt without due process of law or a lawful brand inspection. Nevada passed a law in 2005 requiring the BLM to follow due process of law, not just the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Bedkes and the BLM have been in a dispute for several years. The BLM began pressuring the Bedke Ranch to sign a permit that was both uneconomical and detrimental to the family’s livestock. The Bedkes refused to sign and the BLM began impoundment actions.

“This is a typical BLM bandit scenario, you are put in a position where if you sign a BLM permit you go out of business and if you don’t sign a BLM permit you are forced out of business by litigation and or seizure of your property without due process of law,” said David Holmgren, NLSA Chairman. “In Nevada we wised up. I hope Idaho sees the light soon,” said Holmgren.

The NLSA represents one-third of Nevada’s rangeland ranching families.

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9732 State Route 435, #305
Sparks, Nevada 89436
775.424.0570
FAX 775.424.0571
www.nevadalivestock.org
Contact: David Holmgren, Chairman, 775.312.0019