The local ranchers use the forest for cow pasture in the Summertime. They use the Blue Ridge(East) side of HWY 87 in the even years(2020, 2022, 2024) and the Starlight Pines(West) side of HWY 87 in the odd years(2021, 2023, 2025). The cows usually arrive in early May and depart in early November.