UTILIZATION OF FORAGE RESOURCES
Raising livestock is a large and important industry in and adjoining the forest. Stock is wintered on the nearby ranches and depends for summer pasture on the forest ranges. Some 20,000 cattle and 66,000 sheep, owned by 285 stockmen, are grazed on the forest each summer.
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MILL POND AT M’PHEE
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SHEEP GRAZING IN A GRASS PARK AREA OF THE MONTEZUMA
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IMPROVED PUBLIC CAMP AND PICNIC GROUNDS ARE AVAILABLE AT MANY ATTRACTIVE POINTS ON NATIONAL FORESTS AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH FIREPLACES, TABLES, AND SANITARY FACILITIES.
The handling of the summer range is a large undertaking. Distribution and management of livestock are carefully regulated to prevent damage to the forest growth and to conserve the forage resources. A cover of grasses and weeds must be retained to prevent erosion. Forest officers constantly study the ranges and work with stockmen in planning management of grazing and construction of improvements needed for the control of stock.
In the allotment of range, previous use of the range and the raising of sufficient forage to feed stock during the winter are determining factors. The permanent ranch owner is given preference, which helps to stabilize the industry.