Arapaho+Ranch

The [|Arapahoe Ranch] started operations November 1, 1940, with the purchase of the holdings of the historic Padlock Ranch. Included in the purchase were 3,023 cows, 750 heifers, 154 bulls, and 261horses.The area now allotted to this ranch has been in use for ranch purposes since the beginning of the livestock industry in this section of the state, back in the 1870's. It was originally cattle and horse country. Sheep came into the area ten or fifteen years later. Figures are not available as to the numbers of stock in this period, but indications are that considerably more, including wild horses, ran in this area than now permitted.
 * The Arapaho Ranch **

This tribal enterprise was established in 1940 as the Arapahoe Ranch under an agreement between the tribe and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Much of the land in the ranch was purchased by the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes as a part of the Land Acquisition Program authorized by the Shoshone Judgment Act of July 27, 1939. Undisposed land restored to tribal ownership by this Act was also included. All of the ranch lands are jointly owned by the two tribes.

Irrigated farm lands and ranch base properties have been assigned to the Arapahoe tribe by the Joint Business Council. Grazing permits are also issued to the Arapahoe Ranch on all grazing lands included in the ranch, and the enterprise is charged the regular established grazing fees. These fees are paid annually and credited to the respective accounts of the tribes.

Federal Rehabilitation Funds amounting to $290,000 were advanced by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs under a trust agreement to purchase livestock, equipment, and to pay the first year's operating expenses. Approximately 300,000 acres of land are included in this ranch, about 2,400 of which are irrigated, the balance suitable only for grazing. The ranch began operations with 4,939 cattle. According to the ranch audit for the period ending January 31, 1954, cattle on hand included approximately 7,000 head.

The control and development of livestock water has been of major importance. Available water has always been a limiting factor in full use of the range. Average rainfall on the ranch varies from about seven inches on the south slopes of the Owl Creek Mountains to about fifteen inches at the ranch headquarters to more than twenty inches on the Owl Creek Mountains.

Temperatures range from 30 degrees or more below zero to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The south side of the mountains is especially suited to wintering because of the open winters with very little snow and the variety of feed available.

Replacements for the breeding herd are selected from the yearling heifers. They are kept in the heifer pasture until they are two years old before being turned into the breeding herd. They are three years old when they calve. Some additional culling is made each year and all cows are sold in their ninth year. Bulls are purchased as two-year olds and are replaced at the age of seven. Calving starts in April and is nearly complete by the end of May.

The basis for stocking is the range survey made by the Soil Conservation Service in 1938. The following rate is permitted: (1) on summer range 2.7 acres per cow month (2) on winter range on the north slope 4.1 acres per cow month (3) on winter range on the south side 12.6 acres per cow month.

The system of grazing practiced on this range is seasonal use and deferred grazing. The area on the mountain is natural summer range and is used accordingly. The time of moving cattle from the winter range to the summer range is deferred in the spring until grass has made a good growth.

The movement of stock is dictated by the weather and range conditions. The average use of the summer range is five months, May 1 to October 1, but the actual date on which the cows are put on the range varies from year to year.

In general there is a gradual movement from the summer range, as winter storms begin, to the lower meadows on each side of the mountain. The reverse gradual movement takes place in the spring from the winter to the summer range.

The irrigated lands within the boundaries of the range permit and the original Padlock purchase are assigned to the Arapaho Ranch for use in balancing the livestock operation. These assignments are used for production of hay, grain, and pasture to supply winter feed for the livestock, feed for stock kept on the ranches, and a carry over for emergency during short feed years.