The Tribal ranqe lands on the Flathead Indian Reservation have had 

 a history of inadequate development, trespass and over grazing. 



Many acres of Tribal range land along the Flathead River have had 

 large bands of sheep grazing on them with little or no management in the 

 1920's and 1930's. Much of the better land had been plowed and crops raised 

 by early settlers and homesteaders in the area. These lands were not seeded 

 back to grass with the result of weeds, cheatgrass and bluegrass invading 

 the areas. Some of the better springs were developed, but many were not 

 improved or maintained. 



Livestock production is foremost in nearly all agricultural enterprises 

 on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The smaller units combine grain and 

 cash crops with livestock, but the majority of the units west of the Flathead 

 River are primarily cattle ranches. Cattle numbers per operation vary 

 considerably. Twenty seven Indian livestock owners having range units have 

 less than 50 head, 40 owners have 51 to 150 head and 12 owners have over 150 

 head. 



Ninety two percent of the range units are permitted to Indian livestock 

 owners. Some of the smaller units have not been requested for allocation 

 and have been bid by local non-Indian stockmen. 



The lands designated in range units consist of open grazing, open 

 timber and parks and heavily timbered areas. The highest and best use of the 

 open forest and parks is for livestock grazing and timber production. The 

 highest and best use of the heavily timbered areas within grazing units is for 

 timber production. In many of these units we have to consider a home for 

 wildlife and keep the watershed in a healthy condition. In many of the more 

 heavily timbered areas grazing probably should be eliminated and the vegetation 

 left for wildlife and the watershed. 



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