WORK OF THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE ]^ 



grounds is shown by the increase in number of persons visiting them 

 from about 3,000,000 in 1917 to about 30,000,000 in 1937. The 1938 

 figure includes only persons who used planned forest recreational 

 areas or who came primarily to enjoy forest scenery and climate. 



Koads and trails, marked by signs, make the forests reasonably 

 accessible. Public campgrounds have been established in localities 

 frequented by large numbers of people. Water facilities, fireplaces, 

 and comfort stations are being constructed for the convenience of 

 visitors as rapidly as available funds permit. 



The national forests are the home of the country's big game. 

 There are also many excellent trout streams and lakes, frequently 

 restocked with fish, which offer keen sport to the angler. In general, 

 the only restrictions on hunting and fishing are those imposed by the 

 fish and game laws of the States in which the forests are located. 

 All that is asked of the visitor is that he look to the proper sanitation 

 of his camp and be careful with fire. 



Permission to occupy national-forest land for residential, com- 

 mercial, or industrial purposes not unfavorable to the protection and 

 management of the forest may be obtained under special-use permits 

 granted upon payment of moderate fees. Detailed information may 

 be obtained upon application to the forest supervisor. 



AREAS MAINTAINED IN PRIMITIVE CONDITION 



Within the national forests about 75 areas have been established 

 and will be maintained under primitive conditions of environment, 

 transportation, habitation, and subsistence. The most extensive tracts 

 will be known as wilderness areas, those not so large as wild areas, 

 and their values will be conserved permanently for purposes of edu- 

 cation and pioneer types of recreation. 



In maintaining these areas, the Forest Service intends to preserve 

 unique natural values and to give the public opportunity to experience 

 conditions as they existed in the pioneer days of the Nation. 



CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE 



The national forests are becoming increasingly important m pre- 

 serving and restoring one of America's basic resources — wildlife. 

 They aid in maintaining opportunity for the public to enjoy the 

 aesthetic, scientific, and social pursuits that are based on adequate 

 populations of game animals, birds, and fish. 



Wildlife is considered by the Forest Service as a resource to be 

 managed for permanent protection and use, as are other national- 

 forest resources. The total national value of this economic resource 

 is estimated at more than $1,000,000,000 annually. Through the 

 practice of scientific wildlife management, aided by research findings 

 of the Bureau of Biological Survey, the aim is to develop and main- 

 tain this resource on a permanent basis. 



In the West as a whole, almost 75 percent of the remaining big- 

 game summer ranges are now within the national forests. And, 

 despite the fact that the number of persons passing through the 

 national forests, fishermen and hunters included, increased from 

 3,000,000 to 30,000,000 over a 22-year period (1917-38), the numbers 

 of big-game animals on the national forests have increased an esti- 

 mated average of about 140 percent during the same period. 



