Cattle Rustling is Back in a Big Way

41 pairs of cows and calves have been reported stolen near the Idaho town of Bone. That is in addition to 25 pairs of cows and calves that went missing in Bonneville County. Speculation that sharp increases in beef prices is the cause for the rustling if indeed that is the case. There is also a chance that the cattle wandered onto public lands and joined grazing herds there. Rustling, though, is very likely due to the large number of missing cattle from two separate locations. Authorities are still investigating. Clues that thieves may have nabbed the cattle include the relatively large number of animals involved and the fact that both the cows and their calves are missing, said Idaho State Brand Inspector Larry Hayhurst.