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Range Management on the GMUG National Forest
Grazing Rotations and Allotment Maps
Herding cows on Wotten Mesa in the West Elk Mountains (Photo by D. Bradford).
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests issue grazing permits to 226 ranchers to graze about 62,000 cattle, 270 horses and 31,000 sheep on approximately 2.6 million acres. The grazing permits specify livestock numbers, season of use and numerous other terms and conditions.
Sheep allotment on the Paonia Ranger District (Photo by D Bradford).
Management has increased and improved since livestock grazing was first authorized on the national forests over 100 years ago. Today, grazing is carefully planned and closely monitored. This planned grazing program is designed to accomplish specific resource objectives. The fences, gates and corrals that you may see are critical to managing the livestock and meeting the resource objectives.
Forest Service Range Specialist monitor range conditions annually by
estimating plant type and cover within vegetation plots and photographing
each plot for comparisons over time.
Range specialists look over the current conditions of the landscape for comparisons with historic records.
Range permittee installs a water tank for livestock on the GMUG National Forest.
Additionally, thousands of acres on the Forest are treated to eliminate noxious weeds, with about 80% of these acres accomplished through partnerships, grants and agreements.
An example of a horse mounted weed spraying rig.
Ranchers that hold grazing permits on the GMUG National Forests are required to own a certain amount of private or base property. In general the private lands are located in the lower elevations on prime agricultural lands. This private land provides a significant amount of undeveloped open space. These lands also provide wildlife habitat below the national forest.
Mule deer often move to lower elevation private lands to forage during the winter.
Ranching operations provide significant economic and social benefits to our local communities. The GMUG provides millions of dollars to Colorado’s economy through multiple uses including grazing. The Forest Service makes payments to the State who then distributes these funds to the Counties in which national forest lands lie. These receipts are distributed through the Secure Rural Schools Act and help support roads, schools and environmental protection on County and federal lands.
Colorado beef is good for our local economies! (photo by Devon Overton).
More Information about Range Management on the National Forest:
- A Range Management Review - 25th Anniversary, Rangelands 25 (4) - August 2003
- Weed Free Forage Products (2013)
- A Century of Managing Rangelands on National Forests
- Why Continue Livestock Grazing on National Forests
- Rocky Mountain Woolies: Raising Sheep in the New West
- When Grass Stood Stirrup High: Historical Fact or Urban Myth
- Photographic Comparisons from "When Grass Stood Stirrup High"
- Historical Reports: Proposed Forest Reserves