Arizona rancher LaVoy Finicum said his four foster children were removed from his home during the armed occupation of a wildlife refuge near Burns.
John Sepulvado / OPB
Arizona rancher LaVoy Finicum left the occupied Malheur National Wildlife Refuge this week to drive to Utah, before returning to the occupied complex Thursday morning.
He said he was meeting with people in Utah who also want more control over the federal lands in their county. He would not disclose which county in Utah he visited.
"It was a long trip, there and back, but it's good to be back here in the saddle," said Finicum.
Finicum said he had no contact with law enforcement during the road trip, which he made with one of the other occupiers, who he also declined to name.
"We went fast, and came back fast," said Finicum. "I doubt (law enforcement) even knew we were gone. Probably they did. But they were nice enough to let us go and come back."