The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1907-12-07
The Public Ranges.
Washington Telegram.)

Ihe sheep men are against the proposition to eX-
ercise Government control of the public ranges out
side of the National forests and to charge price
per head for grazing simply because the method of
handling stock upon the Western ranges is such that
sheep have distinct advantage in the use of the
free range. Sheep are constantly kept under herd
while cattle turned loose, consequently the sheep
always be moved to where the feed is best with
out delay while the of cattle must wait until
their stock can be gathered. This means that where
sheep and cattle come into competition
restricted range the sheep always get the choice of
feed and the cattle take what is left The objec-
ton to the charge is based not much the
amount to be paid the restriction in the
Der of stock to be grazed There would probably
be little objection if certain price per acre were
charged and the sheep allowed
restricted number of stock to be grazed This would
do especially upon the National forest ranges,
because the only for restricting grazing is to
prevent damage to the forests from overgrazing The
fact that permit system on per capita basis must
be adhered to upon the National forest ranges gives
an opportunity for the opponents of Government
control to argue against the extension of this sys
tenn to the outside grazing lands, when, as mat
ter of fact it has been repeatedly said and should
be we'll known, that if the Government should under
take to control grazing upon these lands a prac-
tcable system would be worked out to fit the
ditions the same as has been done with the National
forests.
At present the price of both mutton and wool is
exceedingly high, and it is only natural that the
sheep men want to Craze as many animals as pos
sble upon the public lands. What they fear most
is that reduction in the number grazed would be
found necessary many of the ranges either to
stop damage from overgrazing to provide for
equitable division of the range and they want
to delay such action long possible. On ranges
within the National forests which have been under
control sufficient length of time for grazing mat
tiers to have become adjusted, the sheep men as a
rule we'll satisfied, and Mr.. A. F. Potter the
Forest Service expert grazing, says he has many
letters saying that they would regret to have to go
back to the old free range system again. The adj
vantage in the of a properly regulated range,
improvement in the quality and weight of the stock
reduction in the amount of loss, and stability given
to the business than repays the stock men for
the amount collected for grazing fees and as fast
as the stock realize this they heartily
operating with the Forest Service in the enforcement
of the regulations
During the present grazing permits have
been issued by the Forest Service to 300 different
of livestock, allowing them to pasture 12OO
900 head of cattle and horses and 67OOOOO head of
sheep and goats within the National forests. The
livestock industry is utilizing one OF the greatest
natural resources of the West and the value of the
output of beef, mutton and wool from the herds
which are grazed upon the National forest ranges
is about $2o,OOO,OOO annually
The so-ca11ed Burkett bill to regulate grazing on
The open ranges probably would be satisfactory to
he President though it does not specify how equta-
Die restrictions are to be enforced under this bill
The President is authorized to establish by proca-
nation grazing districts upon the unreSerVed I'M
appropriated public lands, and the Secretary of Ag-