Part 2

Timber is grown and cut in accordance with approved forestry methods. Mature trees to be removed are marked in advance of cutting by trained foresters. Trees which are not mature are left to be cut in later years. They respond to the influence of more light, soil moisture, and nutriment with greatly increased growth and also seed the open places.

UTILIZATION OF FORAGE RESOURCES

Raising livestock is a large and important industry in and adjoining the forest. Stock is wintered on the nearby ranches and depends for summer pasture on the forest ranges. Some 20,000 cattle and 66,000 sheep, owned by 285 stockmen, are grazed on the forest each summer.

The handling of the summer range is a large undertaking. Distribution and management of livestock are carefully regulated to prevent damage to the forest growth and to conserve the forage resources. A cover of grasses and weeds must be retained to prevent erosion. Forest officers constantly study the ranges and work with stockmen in planning management of grazing and construction of improvements needed for the control of stock.

In the allotment of range, previous use of the range and the raising of sufficient forage to feed stock during the winter are determining factors. The permanent ranch owner is given preference, which helps to stabilize the industry.

HERE MINING IS ALSO IMPORTANT

Mining was and still is an important industry of the forest region. The mines of Telluride and Ophir, in San Miguel County, have been heavy producers. Telluride, with its famous Liberty Bell, Smuggler Union, and Tomboy mines, is still one of the producing camps of southwestern Colorado. Figures furnished by the United States Bureau of Mines place the total ore production of these camps during the period 1875 to 1937, inclusive, at $119,349,969. The output for 1930 to 1937, inclusive, was $2,539,940.

Rico, the principal mining camp of Dolores County, reached the peak of production in 1893, when ores to the value of $2,696,371 were mined. The total output of mines in that vicinity since 1879 is placed at $20,574,557.

Mining claims may be located in the national forests wherever ores of sufficient value to justify development are found. Legitimate mining is encouraged by the Forest Service.

RECREATION USE AND DEVELOPMENT

The recreation areas of the forest are extensively used by local residents and tourists for picnicking, camping, fishing, hunting, and riding. Improved public camp and picnic grounds are available at many attractive points and are equipped with fireplaces, tables, and sanitary facilities. Medium-price resort accommodations are available near and within the forest from which trips may be made to points of scenic and historical interest. Saddle horses and pack horses are obtainable for those who wish to ride or camp in the back country and see the forest from the many trails that lead into the areas not accessible by roads.

WILD AREAS OF THE FOREST

The Wilson Mountain Wild Area extends west from Lizard Head and Blackface Mountains to Flat Top and Dolores Peaks and contains about 27,347 acres. Sunshine, Wilson, and Gladstone Mountains and Wilson Peak are included, and the area affords the utmost in scenery and mountain climbing. Nearly half of it is barren land above timberline. About 5,000 acres are wet meadows or alpine grasslands. The remainder is covered with timber, chiefly Engelmann spruce and alpine fir. Grazing of domestic stock, improvements necessary for fire protection, and development of water-storage projects may be permitted, but there will be no summer homes, no resorts or commercial enterprises, no scenic highways, and no commercial timber cutting.

An area of 2,800 acres, especially adapted to scientific and educational use and known as the Narraguinnep Canyon Natural Area, has been designated in the canyon of that name which drains into the Dolores River, about 24 miles west of the town of Dolores. Access to this canyon is difficult and no timber cutting or grazing of domestic stock is permitted. Under these restrictions, it will be possible to preserve in its virgin condition a typical southwestern Colorado canyon type of ponderosa and piñon pine, juniper, oak, serviceberry, and other shrubs and plants.

HUNTING AND FISHING

In 1937, forest officers estimated that there were 470 elk, 4,000 mule deer, 400 black or brown bears, and a few mountain sheep on the forest. Deer, mountain sheep, and bears are not increasing but are holding about even numbers, while elk are increasing. The forest could support more of these game animals, and efforts are being made to build up the big game resources. Game birds are not plentiful, but grouse and ptarmigan may be seen. Ducks nest on the numerous reservoirs and small lakes on the forest.

Excellent trout fishing is found in the streams and lakes. The Dolores River affords 50 miles of good angling and its west fork 30 miles more. East and West Mancos Rivers, Bear, Bilk, and Beaver Creeks, and tributaries of the Dolores River are good fishing streams. Trout and Woods Lakes contain large fish and are popular places for recreation.

Forest officers or State game wardens will gladly give information about the routes to follow, the location of improved campgrounds, the better places to hunt or fish, and where to obtain horses to go beyond the end of the motor roads.

Sportsmen who enter the forests to hunt or fish should obtain the State license required by law; and all are asked to exercise care with fire.

HELP PREVENT FOREST FIRES

The area now within the Montezuma National Forest suffered repeatedly from fires before the forest was established. Since being put under administration, the fire loss has been reduced. Nevertheless, the loss has been considerable—4,037 acres of timber, grass, and brushland within the forest having been burned over in 28 years, or an average of about 144 acres annually. Seventy-nine percent of this was burned in 6 bad fire years. In 6 favorable years, the loss was less than 1 acre annually. Without prompt action of local citizens and forest officers, however, the average burned and the damage sustained would unquestionably have been very much greater.

Fire is the most destructive enemy of the forests. A lighted match, cigarette, or cigar carelessly tossed aside, or a campfire left burning may result in a disastrous forest fire and the destruction of valuable forest cover.

About 51 percent of the fires that occur in the Rocky Mountain Region are man-caused and are preventable. Visitors to the forests are urged to exercise the greatest care with fire, and to follow carefully the SIX RULES FOR PREVENTION OF FOREST FIRES printed elsewhere in this folder.

ASK THE FOREST RANGERS

The Montezuma National Forest is divided into five ranger districts, each of which is administered by a forest ranger, working under the direction of the forest supervisor. The rangers are always ready to furnish information to visitors and assist them in every way possible. The headquarters of the supervisor and the rangers are listed below:

Forest Supervisor U. S. Forest Service, Mancos, Colo. Forest Ranger Mancos District, Mancos, Colo. Forest Ranger Dolores District, Dolores, Colo. Forest Ranger Glade District, Dolores, Colo. Forest Ranger Rico District, Rico, Colo. Forest Ranger Norwood District, Norwood, Colo. Forest Ranger Timber Sales, McPhee, Colo.

Trees of the Montezuma National Forest

CONIFERS