EANGE MAISJ-AGEMENT ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 73 



J 



"whether there is sufficient suitable forage avaihible in places where 

 it is practicable for game to use it without unwarranted loss of ani- 

 mals. During the course of such studies there will be opportunity to 

 collect information as to the number and kind of game animals on 

 the range. 



Before opening up new range to domestic stock, the use, or prob- 

 able use, of the area by game should be carefully considered. This 

 precaution is of increasing importance as range management is per- 

 fected to secure more complete use of forage by domestic stock, both 

 within the individual range unit and within the Forest as a whole. 

 It is not intended that development of the grazing resources for use 

 by domestic stock shall unduly restrict the development of game or 

 interfere with its proper protection from loss due to lack of suitable 

 forage. On the other hand, it is not intended that forage which 

 might be used by domestic stock shall go unused for years if it is not 

 needed by game. Each has its place in the development and use of 

 the National Forest resources, and every forest officer should realize 

 that he shares the responsibility of determining the proper relation 

 between the two. The problem, so far as range is the deciding factor, 

 is one for study and solution on the individual ranger districts. 



RECREATIONAL USE. 



The number of people who visit the National Forests for recrea- 

 tion is increasing annually, and it is probable that development 

 along this line is only just beginning. This use of the National For- 

 est lands as a general rule will not require any gTeat reduction in 

 numbers of stock or any great change in grazing management. On 

 individual Forests, hov/ever, considerable readjustment of grazing 

 may be necessary, and throughout the National Forests the grazing 

 use of certain portions of the range may have to be adjusted so as to 

 meet the needs of campers and summer residents. 



Protection of camping places and forage for the work, saddle, and 

 pack animals of campers is perhaps the most pressing need at pres- 

 ent. Campers greatly outnumber the summer residents. The num- 

 ber which will visit any given locality in a given year and the time 

 that they will appear is somewhat uncertain, and the length of time 

 that they remain varies from year to year. It is certain, however, 

 that suitable camping grounds should be provided and given suffi- 

 cient protection from grazing to preserve their natural attractiveness. 

 By careful selection and improvement of camp sites it will be possi- 

 ble to induce campers to use locations selected by forest officers. The 

 establishment of a system of permanent camp sites will greatly 

 facilitate adjustments in grazing so as to protect the camps and re- 

 serve feed near by for use by campers' stock. 



