RANGE MANAGEMENT ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 5 



conditions are favorable for the breeding of flies, gnats, and mosqui- 

 toes during the time the stock should be on the range. In some 

 cases the ranges may be grazed after the fly season has passed. 

 Ordinarily, however, this can not be done, as the grazing period in 

 high altitudes is short at best, and the time left after the fly season 

 is too short to warrant putting the cattle and horses on, or so short 

 that full use of the range is not possible. 



Sheep are annoyed by these insects, but much less than cattle or 

 horses. Usually no consideration need be given to this factor in 

 alloting sheep to a range within the National Forests, but in a few 

 localities adjustment in the time of grazing may be necessary. 



PROTECTION OF GAME. 



The forage habits of elk and deer are similar to those of cattle and 

 sheep. Both elk and deer, however, show a greater preference than 

 cattle for weeds and browse. 



Game animals in many instances voluntarily choose areas not well 

 suited to the grazing of domestic animals. More often, however, this 

 choice is forced by several influencing factors that might all be 

 grouped under the one heading, " Man." 



Mountain sheep and mountain goats are now very seldom found 

 either in summer or winter on ranges accessible to any class of do- 

 mestic stock. However, mountain sheep should be protected from 

 disturbance and competition in the utilization of forage b}^ domestic 

 sheep in the few instances where domestic sheep otherwise would 

 utilize rough range inhabited by mountain sheep. 



Deer and elk in a majority of cases must be protected from do- 

 mestic stock, particularly sheep, which are capable of utilizing almost 

 any range on which game animals might seek seclusion. During the 

 summer months elk, and in many instances deer, will be found at the 

 higher elevations feeding mainly on the weeds growing in the alpine 

 parks, either among the rocks or in the timber, where there is ample 

 water and shade. In winter elk and deer come to the lower, open 

 foothills, usually feeding on steep, oj:>en wind-swept exposures. If 

 unmolested, elk will browse extensively in willow patches during the 

 winter. 



Moose are usually found in rolling timber country where bogs, 

 ponds, and lakes are numerous. Such areas are seldom of very great 

 value for the grazing of domestic stock. While timbered areas of this 

 kind are usually poorly stocked with forage plants, they are also in 

 most instances infested with flies and mosquitoes to a degree that 

 would make the grazing of cattle and horses next to impossible except 

 for a very short period of the year. It is usually a difficult matter, 

 and in some instances impossible, to handle sheep economically in a 

 country of the character suited to moose. 



