Most people in the east live on smaller farms most under 200 acres.and most live smack dab in the middle of the farm usually there arent many access points to the pastures away from the house . my cattle CAN not be hearded anywhere they will come to the barn to me and me alone. they would have to corraled up and loaded to a truck . most farms around here, it just cant be done without the owner knowing (hearing something or dogs barking). We dont live on 1500 acres where they can be ruslted out....no doubt that it does happen but as easy as u might think its not...branding is not an issue here ....the ONLY time it might could happen on the farms in my area is when the owner is gone for a few days. Still be hard without the niegbors seeing something, remember we live on smaller farms, and usually theres a nieghbor on each side within shouting distance.