NATIONAL FORESTS OF WYOMING 7 



nudecl by fire before the days of forest administration — unfortu- 

 nately there is much of this — and large parks and meadows above 

 timber line. Unutilized, this forage, like the timber, would become 

 not only a loss but also a fire menace, especially after it is killed by 

 early autumn frosts. A certain portion of it must be reserved for 

 the support of the wild game which have always made these regions 

 their home — at least during the summer months. The wild game 

 eat comparatively little, however, and leave most of the forage 

 untouched. 



By far the greater part of the forage on the Hayden, like that on 

 other national forests, is available for the grazing of livestock. 

 Through this activity a very important local economic need is 

 satisfied. The producing capacity of the western stock industry is 



F-l 79029 



Fig. -i. — Sheep in good forage on the lower part of Smith Creek, Hayden National Forest 



increased to the extent to which the forest ranges supplement the 

 hay raised on the ranches for feeding. The use of the national 

 forest grazing grounds during the summer months not only in- 

 creases producing capacity, but it also enables the rancher to " turn 

 out " and carry his livestock with less personal supervision during 

 the season when his attention is required for the cultivating and 

 harvesting of crops. He may pool his interests with neighboring 

 ranchmen and hire a range rider for the season, or he may alternate 

 with other owners in riding, each owner in turn looking after the 

 combined herd. Topographic barriers tend to discourage drifting, 

 and where they are absent it is often possible to close up small 

 gaps with drift fences. 



The successful handling of stock on this and similar remnants of 

 the old open range is a highly specialized line of endeavor and in- 

 volves uniform ultilization of the forage and the prevention of 

 losses from straying, poison, and storms. The Forest Service is 



11833°— 27— 2 



