I would characterize that more as a freeloader deciding he wasn't being subsidized enough by the taxpayer, then declining to pay the tiny pittance the BLM levies for the privilege of overgrazing the deserts of the West. That he was able to hoodwink a bunch of city slickers eager to signal their "conservatism" by opposing the gub'ment no matter what, says more about them than about him.

"Bundy has said he does not recognize and will not submit to federal police power over land that he believes belongs to the "sovereign state of Nevada."[28] He said: "I abide by all Nevada state laws. But I don't recognize the United States government as even existing.""

That has nothing to do with cowboys and farmers and more to do with a being a massive trespasser and all around freeloader.

A conflict born from such a small technological change. Managing land is tricky.