RANGE MANAGEMENT ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 31 



follows applies to the management of cattle after the range has been 

 divided among different classes of stock, the grazing period fixed, 

 and the grazing capacity decided upon in accordance with the sug- 

 gestions given. 



CONTROLLING THE NUMBER OF CATTLE. 



Until the number of cattle actually grazed and the period of graz- 

 ing are the same as the number and period authorized, the most 

 efficient use of the range is not assured. This applies not only to a 

 National Forest as a unit, but to each subdivision of the Forest which 

 is considered as a unit of management. A National Forest as a whole 

 may not be overstocked, in fact, may be understocked, and yet large 

 subdivisions of it may be overstocked. The problem, then, involves 

 control at the boundary of the Forest and control by individual units 

 within the Forest. 



CONTROL AT FOREST BOUNDARY. 



Lack of satisfactory control of cattle at the boundaries of Forests 

 has resulted in both premature grazing and overstocking on nearly 

 every National Forest where cattle are grazed in large numbers. The 

 main difficulty lies in the fact that with few, if any, exceptions there 

 is unfenced range adjoining the Forest lands. 



In localities where the stock are fed during the winter they usually 

 are turned on the open range soon after the snow is off and later drift 

 on the Forest land before, the range should be grazed. If the num- 

 ber turned out is in excess of the number the Forest range will sup- 

 port, it is almost certain that the Forest range will be overstocked at 

 some time during the grazing season. 



In a great many cases " on and off " permits are issued to cover 

 cattle which graze a range unit part of which is outside of the Forest 

 boundary and part inside. The range outside may have a grazing 

 capacity equal to the area used inside. The Forest range, however, is 

 usually higher in altitude, and in a great many places the forage and 

 water facilities are better than on the adjoining lands outside. As a 

 result, the stock will naturally use the range on the Forest more than 

 the range outside. To issue an " on and off " permit on the basis of 

 50 per cent of the grazing to be on the Forest and 50 per cent off does 

 not remedy the situation. Nor will it be remedied by issuing a per- 

 mit for 75 per cent of the stock on the Forest, as this would authorize 

 overstocking. 



The most effective remedy is to fence the Forest boundary. All 

 Forest boundaries, however, can not be fenced in the immediate 

 future. In the meantime, measures should be taken to protect the 

 range. In some instances the grazing can be equalized by proper 

 distribution of salt*, salting heaviest on the outside range if neces- 

 sary, and by riding to help keep the stock distributed. 



