FOREST RANGERS ' CATECHISM . 27 



Tearing down or defacing a Forest Service sign is a trespass 

 against the United States. Section 616 of the California State 

 Penal Code provides a fine of from $20 to $100, or imprisonment in 

 the county jail for not over one month for such malicious mischief. 



15. Where can I go in the national forests to get away from civi- 

 lization and "rough it"? 



To a primitive area or a recreation area. 



16. What do you mean by primitive and recreation areas? 

 Primitive areas, designated by the Chief of the Forest Service, 



include tracts largely located in the rougher and more inaccessible 

 parts of the mountains that will be preserved in a " w T ild " state in 

 the sense that they will not be developed by road building or other 

 forms of permanent recreational occupancy. There are 16 primi- 

 tive areas in the California region, for the most part in the high 

 mountainous country, which embrace a total area of 1,814,448 acres. 



Recreation areas are dedicated to public recreational use by the 

 Secretary of Agriculture, and may be developed by existing or 

 proposed roads, resorts, summer homes, or other forms of recrea- 

 tional occupancy under permit. So far four recreation areas in the 

 national forests of the California region covering a total area of 

 approximately 72,000 acres have been designated. 



The grazing of livestock may be permitted in these areas, except 

 where cattle and sheep unduly interfere with recreational use. 

 When economic conditions warrant, the orderly utilization of tim- 

 ber, water power, and other resources may be allowed, but not in 

 such manner as to impair the attractiveness or value of the area for 

 outdoor sport and enjoyment. 



17. Where can I get an accredited list of guides and packers for a 

 pack trip into the national forests? 



From the forest supervisor or the nearest district ranger of the 

 national forest concerned. 



18. Are pastures provided in the high-mountain country for tour- 

 ists' saddle and pack animals? 



Yes. They are being established as rapidly as the need for them 

 arises and funds permit. Information concerning the location of 

 such pastures can be obtained from the forest supervisor or the' 

 district ranger. 



FISH AND GAME 



1. What relation have the national forests to fish and game? 



Fish and game are products of forests and mountain streams. 

 They add materially to the enjoyment of the national forests by 

 the public as well as to their economic value. The preservation of 

 game animals, birds, and fish, and the elimination of game viola- 

 tions are important duties of forest officers. This is made incumbent 

 upon the Forest Service by the act of May 23, 1908, which provides 

 that all reasonable assistance in the protection of game within the 

 national forests be given the State authorities. 



