Cattle rustlers in Oregon

Alot of you have probably heard about this but these guys have taken 1,240 head of cattle worth 1.2 million.

http://www.hpj.com/archives/2010/jan10/jan11/1125Cattlerustlerssoughtore.cfm?title=Cattle%20rustlers%20sought%20in%20Oregon

When I was in college in Southeastern Oklahoma, I asked an older rancher gentleman what he'd do if he ever caught someone stealing his cattle.  "Ain't but one thing I could do"  he said.  Then he took me and showed me an old well where he'd put them.  That leaves a serious impression on a fella.

There was a bit of that going on in Northeast Kansas in the mid 90s-my partner (God rest his soul) Ed Grathwohl carried a couple rifles as did everyone around, Its written in some range law you can fire a weapon against those attempting to rustle ones livestock. O0

I think the Code of the West was to hang 'em high.  Nowadays, the surviving family members will sue you for your ranch -- wouldn't shoot rustlers unless the bank has most of the equity in the ranch.

Shoot, shovel and shut up! RW

There is usually self defense (in most states - not sure about the commie states like California, Oregon and Massashusetts), but the rustlers have to be actually making you objectively fear they will injure your life or limb.  Defense of property could apply, but probably not for taking a life, even of someone as despicable as a rustler.  Perhaps the castle doctrine could be expanded past the 4 walls of your house and to your pastures and fields but I wouldn't want to be the test case.