STRAY OB UNBBANDED STOCK. 



The ownership of all stray or unbranded stock upon the National 

 Forests will be determined by the laws of the State or Territory in 

 which the Forest is located, and Forest officers will be governed by 

 such laws in the handling of stray or unbranded stock. Persons 

 legally entitled to acquire title to stray or unbranded stock may be 

 allowed to do so, but no permit or agreement should be granted or 

 entered into by any Forest officer which authorizes a charge to be 

 made for the gathering of such stock or its sale by the person or 

 persons who have gathered or captured it. 



The owners of all branded animals which are captured with un- 

 branded stock will be required to make application for permit and 

 pay the grazing fees upon them. Stray or unbranded stock, if not 

 claimed by persons entitled to it under the law, will be held, and the 

 State or Territorial authorities requested to take charge of it or 

 authorize the Forest officer to dispose of it in accordance with the 

 State or Territorial law. 



Forest officers should not attempt to acquire title to stray or 

 unbranded stock, or assume that its presence upon the Forest gives 

 any right to its use, except when they are qualified under the law to 

 acquire ownership of the stock. 



The construction of corrals or pastures for use in capturing wild 

 unbranded stock may be allowed under the rules governing other 

 special uses of the National Forest. 



Reimbursement for expenses incurred by Forest officers in the 

 capture or removal of unbranded stock from the National Forests, 

 in excess of their ordinary expenses, may be allowed when the 

 expenditure has been authorized by the District Forester. 



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