content: to start off with, i'm not entirely sure what is happening in Oregan. But i'll try to answer your questions as they seem universal and not just related to this incident.   It does not hide a butchered animal. If forensics get involved, they can tell the different between burnt and sliced & burnt. Then again, the FD will notify if arson is involved or not and if it is, then there will be a CSI unit on the ground.   It is not new for Fed to take over land. By take over, they don't simply roll a tank and declare it is fed now. They go through years of paperwork and offer the farmers/ranchers offers for their land. They only take over land once the ranchers either sign them over or allow a right of way for certain years. This process can take decades in some cases.   As #2 says, they signed over their legal rights. they are no longer the owners.