, 1921-12-08
GRAZING CONDITIONS FAVOR
ABLE WITHIN THE MEDICINE
BOW NATIONAL FOREST

LARAMIE, Wyo., Dec. "a re-
cent review OF the grazing situation
on the Medicine Bow National
Forest occasioned by the preparation
of the annual report to the District
Forester. indicates hat grazing con-
ditions in general were very favor-
able during the past season.
Due to the amount of precipitation
which occurred during the early part
of the summer season, the amount OF
forage available was in excess Of that
commonly found during past years.
This proved very beneficial to the
cattle ranges. but Upon the sheep
ranges considerable difficulty was
encountered in holding the sheep be-
cause of the cold, damp weather.
All stock. both cattle and sheep.
entered the Forest in excellent con-
dition due to the previous mild
winter and the large amount of hay
n winter pasture which has been
available. At the time of leaving
the Forest all cattle were in excel
lent condition, having gained greatly
in weight but lambs were smaller
than usual because of the difficulty
of holding them on the range rather
than to a lack of feed.
The detailed examinations Of the
cattle ranges indicate a small amount
O over-graZing and a large amount
OF untitled range. This condition
will be changed another year
through a better distribution of
cattle which will be regulated by
herding and the redistribution OF
salt grounds.
AS an indication Of the value
which the permittees place on the
Forest ranges. the Douglas Creek
Association cut out and constructed
a number Of trails in cooperation
with the Forest Service in the Lower
Douglas Creek country in order to
make the areas which have previous
ly been inaccessible, available
for grazing purposes. Similarly the
Laramie Rivers Stock Association
constructed. in cooperation with the
Forest Service. two small drift fences
on the Fox Park Unit and plan to
construct another drift fence at the
headwaters Of Park Run next spring.
The Douglas Creek Association also
plans for the construction of a drift
fence in cooperation with the Forest
Service at the headwaters of Trail
Creek to prevent the drift of cattle
IL VI Ia DOueIdS SIteh OuIl 10 ll6
Platte River Unit.
Market conditions. as reported by |
various permittees, indicates a very |
unsatisfactory condition relative to
the prices obtained for both cattle |
and lambs, while old ewes have been
practically unmarketable.
During the past season on the
Medicine Bow National Forest, 80
permits were issued for 11,456 head
Of cattle and SO head of horses, and
10 permits for $500 head of sheep
to the financial stringency. |
however. only 11.017 head Of cattle
and "a head Of horses were grazed
and but 49,918 head Of sheep.
A number Of trespass cases were
initiated by the Forest Service be-
cause of unpermitted grazing of
cattle and horses within the Medicine
Bow National Forest. While the
involved, except in one case,
were not large. the Forest Service
plans upon a continuation OF their
campaign for the elimination of the |
grazing trespass cattle another year !
in order that the permittees may be
protected in the grazing for which
they have paid and hat the Forest
Service may secure value received
for such range as is used within the |
forest.
1t is expected that the authorize
ton for cattle and sheep within the
Medicine Bow National Forest will
remain practically as at present al
though it may be necessary to cut
down somewhat on the present
authorization for sheep which is now
set at $500 head.
While the present requirement
does not provide that new owners
forward their applications six months