In order to end the cattle rustling, Gene Autry becomes one of the first ranchers in his territory to fence in the open range with barbed wire and he incurs the wrath of small-ranch owner Ginger Kirby. Range warfare, fanned by livery stable owner Sandy Reeves, breaks out between the two factions of ranchers to differ on the use of barbed-wire fences. Reeves hopes the fighting will drive the cattlemen out of business and he can use the range for sheep. Gene and Ginger patch up their differences and with the help of Duke Kirby, her younger brother, Autry discovers that Reeves is responsible for most of the trouble. Cowpunchers, believing that the wire will put them out of work and urged on by Reeves, engage Gene's men in a gun battle.