REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION 



Of the barren land caribou, those herds which spend at least a portion of 

 the year in the wooded country, are much larger and stronger than those found 

 in the northern islands, the extreme example being the Peary caribou, found 

 in Northern Grant island and Axel Heiberg island, which is a small light animal, 

 very slim and with fragile bones, though there is no lack of lime in that area. 



It is, therefore, reasonable to suppose that the existence of winter shelter 

 would be an advantage. 



Danger from. Wild Caribou — 



This is unquestionably the most important point to be considered in select- 

 ing the locations for reindeer herds, especially on the mainland. 



Many witnesses readily admitted the danger of the absorption of a small 

 herd of reindeer by a large herd of wild caribou, but the danger is by no means 

 confined to the large caribou herds, as a small band of wild caribou would be 

 quite as likely to lead off any reindeer not under close and constant observation 

 and control. 



Natural Shelter and Vegetation, Herschel Island, N.W.T. 



Fencing — 



In most parts of the north country, fencing would be a matter of great 

 difBculty on account of frost conditions, while in any case it would add enor- 

 mously to the cost of operation. 



The difificulties in connection with the effective herding of reindeer have 

 already been referred to. It is therefore plain that the selection of a location for 

 a reindeer herd on the mainland will necessitate a very careful study of the area 

 under consideration, so as to utilize to the best possible advantage, as means of 

 control, any suitable valleys or other special topographical features which may 

 be available. 



Special Localities — 



While your commissioners do not feel that they would be justified in making 

 any definite recommendations as to localities in which experimental reindeer 

 herds should be placed, they desire to call attention to certain facts brought 

 out in the evidence which bear directly upon this phase of the question. 



24 



