CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE 



The national forests are also becoming increasingly important in preserv- 

 ing and restoring one of America's basic resources — wildlife. They harbor 

 bear, beaver, deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep, as well as 

 many kinds of birds and fish. 



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

 managed, like other forest resources, for permanent protection and use, and 

 at the same time contribute to human happiness and well-being. In carry- 

 ing out this policy the Forest Service cooperates with the Fish and Wildlife 

 Service of the Department of the Interior and the fish and game depart- 

 ments of the respective States, thus assuring adequate resources for hunting 

 and fishing as well as esthetic pleasure to millions of people. 



Figure 8. — Mule de^r in the Teton National Forest, Wyo. About 2 1 / 4 million big- 

 game animals roam the national forests. 



Partly as a result of the work of the Forest Service, big game in the 

 national forests has doubled every 10 years since 1908, and has now 

 reached a total of 2^4 million head. In fact, one-third of all big-game ani- 

 mals in the United States, in addition to numerous fur bearers, upland game 

 birds, and common and rare waterfowl, live in the national forests all or part 

 of the year. 



Cooperation of the Forest Service with State and local authorities in en- 

 forcing the game laws has contributed in no small degree toward conserving 

 their valuable wildlife resources, and making the national forests more 

 attractive to visitors. Special acts of Congress and State laws have desig- 

 nated a number of game refuges situated wholly or in part in the national 

 forests. 



RECEIPTS FROM THE NATIONAL FORESTS;, 



It was not expected that rugged and relatively inaccessible mountain lands 

 and areas reduced to wasteland before they became national forests would 

 soon yield revenue to the Government above the cost of administration. 



