the western range scenic and battle ground for what became known as the sagebrush rebellion a fight that began decades ago between the federal government and ranchers. ranchers are complaining the bureau of land management blm doesn t identify with ranching problems. wayne sr. didn t plan to be the start of the rewell on. when did they buy the ranch? 1978. he was two when their parents sold their california ranch and bought the ranch in central nevada, pine creek. he didn t remember a time when his family hasn t had to fight the government. they bought it for a place they could raise a family on a ranch. the ranch itself is more than 7,000 acres.