East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-08-15


The forest service has issued from
Washington the following statement
relative to grazing in the forest re-
serves during the fiscal year just
ended:
The report Of grazing in the ma
tional forests for the fiscal year 1906
1907 has been completed. Tho total
area Of all the forests is over 1867
100000 acres but stock is not pas
tured in all of them. Sheep, goats,
horses and cattle are the kinds Of
livestock entering into the statistics.
In one region cattle and horses pre-
dominate, in another sheep and goats.
Stockmen who wish to make use
of the range apply for permits. They
state the kind OF stock they have, the
quantity and location Of the range
they want, and the officers in charge
make allotments among the appli-
'cants. apportioning the available pas
ture among them on as equitable
basis as practicable.
During the year Just closed the re-
port shows that 23,662 applicants for
pasture were approved, and of these
applicants 21,7ss paid the fees and
were granted permits. That was s2
per cent. Last year there were 49,
O40 applications and 1858 permits,
80 per cent. The fact that the per-
centage of permits was the same in
both years tends to show that the
method of transacting the business is
systematic and that great fluctuations
need not be expected.
This year the total number of
sheep and goats on the ranges by
permits was 6,657,oSs and OF horses
and cattle 1,200,15S.
Last year the totals were: sheep
and goats 4,a63,1QQ and horses and
cattle 1,o25,i4s,
The increase in the number OF
stock on the ranges for this year Is
due almost wholly to the increased
area Of the range, and does not mean
that the pastures are crowded more
this year than last. The total area Of
the forests is several millions of
acres more this year than last, and a
greater number of stock can be ac-
commodated without an increase per
acre.
Many stcckmen living on the bor-
ders Of forests have ranges of their
own. but to reach it with stock it is
frequently necessary, or convenient,
to drive across portions of the for
ests. To do this they are required to
obtain a permit, but no charge is
made for it. This year SSS such per-
fnits we're granted, and 36,S07 horses
and cattle and 2,051,SS0 sheep and
goats crossed. Last year 259 per-
mits of that kind were issued and 12,-
626 horses and cattle and 692,54u
sheep crossed.
Sometimes stockmen who live neal
forests. or have stock near them, al
low their stock to drift across the
line. II this is done carelessly, negli-
gently or wilfully, it is considered
trespass. and the offender Is subject
ed to a fine, and may also be nabl'
to nav damages The number of tres
pass cases this year was 1873 and lb'
of" these settled without going tc
court, that is, they paid the amount
agreed upon as just. The remaining
Is had not yet settled at the close Of
the fiscal year, but it is believed tina
most of them will do as the other!
have done. There is little disposition
to go to law or make trouble ovel
such matters. The total damages col
lected for trespass for year was So,
576.
Another kind Of permit is ISSUED
in certain cases. Sometimes a maj
owns land inside forest, or partl'
surrounded by it, and rather tna'
fence it to keep his stock In, he sign
an agreemnt that If his stock is al
lowed to Craze in the forest, othe
stock in the forest may Craze on nj
land. Arrangements of that kind ar
frequent, and as often very con
yenient and satisfactory. He simpl
swaps his range for an equal amour
of grazing outside his lines, and 1t
all used in common. This year 81
such permits were issued, for 1852
horses and cattle and 182,622 shee
and goats. Last year there were "a
similar permits, and the stock affec
ed consisted Of 1898 horses and ca
tie and 11S,400 sheep and goats.
The total receipts from grain
permits, and the stock affected col
sisted of 1923 horses and cattle an
118,400 sheep and goats.
The total receipts from grain
permits for the fiscal year just clio
ed were ss57,S56.s3. For the pr
ceding year the amount was 1914
692.87.
The business relations betwee
stockmen and forest officers through
out the entire grazing regions ha'
been pleasant and satisfactory. \