Montana Title 81. Livestock § 81-4-601. Estray defined

(1) not bearing a brand and the ownership of which cannot be determined by the stock inspector of the district in which the animal is found by inquiry among reputable resident stock owners or freeholders;

(2) bearing a recorded brand, the owner of which brand cannot be located at or through the post office designated on the records of the department or which owner cannot be located by the stock inspector of the district where the estray is found by inquiry among reputable resident stock owners or freeholders; or

(3) which bears an unrecorded brand, the owner of which unrecorded brand cannot be ascertained by the stock inspector of the district in which the animal is found by inquiry among reputable resident stock owners or freeholders.