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Show I Igame, range survey made !5y J. H. Biildwin, Forest Ranfror I A resume of the game and - ranse survey made from January ! 30 to March 24, 1935. by a committee com-mittee representing the farmers, stockmen, Cedar City and St. George Rod and Gun clubs. St. George Chamber of Commerce. ! representatives of the State Fish and Game commission and the Forest service. A total of 190 man days, or an average of about nine men per day was spent in making the survey and study. During this survey, the total number of deer seen, and the classification of same, and the estimate of the numbers using the range covered that were not seen, was recorded at the end of each days ride, together with a statement of the condition o:" the range from a grazing standpoint. stand-point. Whether severely over-yrazed. over-yrazed. fully utilized or undr-! undr-! utilized, and the percentages of r.ach. and clas of stock respon-J respon-J sible. The range was also classified clas-sified as to its highest use. ! After making an analysis of (Continued on last page) GAME, RANGE (Cc....nued frorr. first page) the data compiled, it was found that 4,683 deer were actually seen and counted. And the aggregate ag-gregate unseen numbers were estimated to be 9,241 head using the range covered that were not seen. Other areas on the forest were not ridden, and where i is estimated that deer range during dur-ing the winter period were taken into the picture, estimated and given the same percentages of deer as the areas covered by the survey, which gives us an aggregate total of seen and unseen un-seen of 16,576 head of. deer. On this basis, the deer actually seen comprise thirty-three and two-thirds two-thirds per cent of the aggregate total. Taking into consideration the character of topography and the generally heavy surface cover of dense brush, and in some instances, heavy timber, the per cent of deer seen and estimated is believed to be conservative. Of the numbers seen and counted, the classification was as follows: bucks, 373; does 900 ; fawns, 678; and unclassified 2, 732 head. The figures show thai about the injury being done the range. After considerable discussion, 8 4 per cent of the range was covered by this survey. This survey applies to the Dixie Unit of the Dixie National forest. The findings of the committee during this survey with reference to range conditions, show very conclusively, that the major portions por-tions of the ranges are being damaged by too heavy use, and that some relief is necessary in order to improve existing conditions. con-ditions. And it is also the du.ty of the forest officers in charge of the forest lands, to base management man-agement of the resources for the ' permanent good of livestock and game, or other correlated uses. ! Therefore, on April 8, a meeting J was called at St. George for the purpose of getting together the representatives of the above men ' tioned committee, to discuss the findings of. the game' and range survey just completed, and work ' out if possible, a satisfactory plan of relief as a means whereby we may be able to overcome j the committee passed a resolution i to the effect, that the livestock be reduced 10 per cent and the deer 4000 head. The above resolution re-solution was passed by a vote of six for and four against. The 10 per cent rede-numbers rede-numbers of livestock Tin' en from the preference the proteotive numbers be made effective .pri' " opening of the 1935 m. son. The reduction ta of deer will be worked i cooperation with tie S!a-and S!a-and Game commiSSi00 t plied this fall when the d in a condition that the p of same can be disposed out undue waste. It is hoped that ths can be worked out to I interests of all concert:; we earnestly solicit the t tion of all interests conce-the conce-the rehabilitation of ti, and the best interests people as a whole. |