American Forest Congress 211 



has been taken as promptly as opportunity has offered 

 the means of ascertaining the facts in such cases. 



Investigation of the ranges has shown that damage 

 caused by Hve stock is usually due to overstocking, 

 grazing too early in the season, or the manner in 

 which the stock is handlecLall of which can be directly 

 charged to the previous lacK of any system of manage- 

 ment rather than to the sheep or cattle. 



Overstocking has undoubtedly been by far the 

 greatest cause of range destruction and decrease in 

 its carrying capacity. Under the free range system 

 of the west there has been very little restriction as to 

 the number of stock anyone had the privilege of pas- 

 turing on the public domain. The result has been 

 that the ranges in many different localities have been 

 very badly overcrowded and have rapidly declined in 

 their pasturing value. 



Some of the ranges which were included within the 

 forest reserves have been overcrowded with live stock, 

 in some sections with sheep and goats, and others with 

 cattle and horses, until the excessive use of the range 

 had resulted in injury to the young growing forest, 

 and great damage to the forage plants and grasses. 



On the creation of forest reserves in such localities 

 in many cases the full number of stock, both sheep 

 and cattle, which were then ranging there, have been 

 allowed permits during the first year, and afterwards 

 as it was found necessary. The number has been 

 gradually reduced from year to year until a limit was 

 reached which would allow as full utilization of the 

 forage as possible without injury to the range. The 

 result has been that by such management many of the 

 badly overgrazed ranges have been greatly improved 

 in condition and grazing value, and are fast being 

 restored to their former usefulness. 



