they are made only when the preference being transferred exceeds 

 the minimum number of livestock required to provide a reasonably 

 stable enterprise for the support of a family. 



The joint committee of the two national stockmen's associa- 

 tions, appointed to consider the Forest Service problems concern- 

 ing national-forest grazing policy and administration, has agreed 

 with the Forest Service that no grazing preference should be 

 transferred for numbers in excess of the safe grazing capacity of 

 the range. 



23. Has the Forest Service reduced livestock grazing on 

 western national-forest ranges while deer and elk have 

 increased? 



The first Service-wide estimates of game animals on the national 

 forests were made in 1921. According to the estimates, 436,000 

 deer and 52,000 elk, as well as small numbers of other big game, 

 grazed for at least part of the year on western national forests. 

 It was generally conceded that numbers of game animals were 

 depleted and were smaller than was desirable on most ranges. 



In response to public demand, hunting seasons were further 

 restricted by State game authorities, refuges were established, law 

 enforcement was tightened, and other efforts were made to restore 

 herds. The result was a rapid increase in game populations 

 throughout the West. By 1947 deer numbers on the western 

 national forests had increased to over 1,500,000 and elk to more 

 than 161,000, so that grazing by deer and elk was about four 

 times that in 1921. Other game animals had increased in smaller 

 amounts. 



On the other hand, in 1921 domestic livestock numbers on 

 national forests were still high as a result of World War I increases 

 which had been permitted in an effort to produce more meat. 

 During the period 1921-47 cattle numbers on western national 

 forests decreased from 2,063,283 to 1,177,836 and sheep numbers 

 from 6,978,433 to 3,404,596 — a reduction in livestock grazing of 

 about half. Much of this total reduction has not been due to 

 increased game populations, although in a good many areas game 

 has been a major factor. 



Moreover, nearly half of the western national-forest land is not 

 livestock-grazing area but is used by wildlife. Most of this acreage 

 is unsuited for domestic livestock, though a small percent is closed 

 to livestock on account of recreation, watershed, wildlife, or other 

 high-priority uses. Therefore, much of the big-game increase 

 occurred on lands not used for livestock production. 



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