REINDEER AND MUSK-OX 



Your commissioners do not feel that they would be justified in 

 recommending at the present time, any definite policy with regard to 

 the granting of further grazing leases to persons desirous of securing 

 such concessions. 



Your commissioners approved the grazing lease granted in 1920 to 

 Mr. Vilhjamar Stefansson on Bafiin island, because the local conditions 

 as regards isolation are, in that case, such that it should be reasonably 

 possible to enforce the limitations imposed by the lease with regard to 

 the absorption of wild caribou in the reindeer herd. 



Owing to the fact that on the mainland such enforcement would be 

 quite impossible, especially in the case of large, and, therefore, only very 

 partially domesticated reindeer herds, the reindeer would either become 

 altogether wild, or the caribou, if not deliberately exploited for gain, be 

 driven to seek other pastures, thus interfering with their regular, periodical 

 migrations, and in all probability, causing them serious injury. 



The granting of leases on Victoria island or Banks island would also 

 involve the large herds of wild caribou which annually cross from the 

 mainland, and many of which remain on these islands from year to year. 



The information at the disposal of your commissioners is not sufficient 

 to warrant them in expressing any opinion as to the feasibility of fencing 

 off any of the peninsular areas on the northern portion of the mainland, 

 so as to permit of their being leased for grazing purposes without damage 

 to the wild caribou. 



In this connection it should be remembered that in those areas in 

 Alaska to which the reindeer were brought, the wild caribou had been 

 previously almost altogether exterminated. 



For the reasons above set forth, your commissioners would advise: — 



(10) That great caution be exercised in the granting of grazing leases, 

 and that no such leases be considered until after a most careful Depart- 

 mental investigation of the local conditions and possibilities. 



Altogether apart from the proposed introduction of domestic reindeer 

 the vast herds of wild CARIBOU which undoubtedly still exist in the interior 

 mainland area, repeatedly referred to in this report, constitute a valuable 

 national asset, the importance of which, if properly dealt with, can be enormously 

 enhanced, and your commissioners therefore respectfully recommend: — 



(11) That an earnest effort be made to ascertain as soon and as closely 

 as possible the numbers and movements of the Barren Land caribou, 

 especially those on the mainland and on the islands adjacent thereto; 

 as also the numbers and movements of the caribou of other varieties, 

 particularly those in the Yukon Territory and in northern British Colum- 

 bia. 



(12) That a comprehensive survey be made of the vegetation and other 

 conditions having a bearing on the support of herbiverous animals in 

 the interior area, with the object of securing information as to the com- 

 parative value of the various districts for grazing purposes; the extent 

 to which these natural pasture lands are now being used by the caribou; 

 the approximate numbers of additional caribou or reindeer which might 

 reasonably be expected to find sustenance in the different districts. 



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