38 BUIXETIN 1089, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTURE. 



by the construction of short division fences in many localitie 

 Fencing at this time, however, should not be considered a major r< 

 quirement in reindeer grazing, but more as an expedient that may t 

 resorted to in some places to obtain better stock control. In the moi 

 heavily timbered ranges of the interior, fencing no doubt will pro\ 

 more of a necessitj^, not only for control but for protection as wel 



The great-est use of fencing is to insure against mixing of here 

 in certain cases on adjoining allotments, especially where there ai 

 no natural barriers along the boundary lines. As the ranges becon 

 fully stocked the need for such fences will be more and more evidei 

 and they will be a necessity in some cases if allotments are to be full 

 utilized and if herds are to be prevented from mixing along tt 

 boundaries of adjoining allotments. In the absence of fencing tl 

 tendency will be to confine the herd as much as possible to the innt 

 portions of the allotment, thus leaving a belt of unutilized range alou 

 the boundary lines, resulting in a material loss of range. Fencin 

 along such boundaries would permit grazing up to the allotment lim 

 and thus eliminate loss. The mixing of herds involves much labc 

 and time in corralling and separating the animals and often result 

 in injury to the stock as well as to the range where the herds ai 

 closely held. Absence of fencing will tend to increase the size c 

 allotments to make up for the ungrazed borders. 



The problem of control between grazing units may be greatl 

 lessened by careful selection of allotment boundaries, careful here 

 ing, and perfection of systematic range management. In locatin 

 allotment boundaries, advantage should be taken of such nature 

 barriers as streams, prominent ridges, and other major topograph! 

 features. 



Fencing within the grazing unit may later be of value as an aid i 

 the following respects. To better control deferred and rotation gra2 

 jng; to segregate breeding stock from nonbreeding stock; to contr( 

 stock in timbered sections; to maintain holding pastures for stoc 

 during a round-up, either in connection with cold storage plants o 

 with marking and separating corrals. 



Careful herding at all times is of prime importance to prevent mh 

 ing, but cooperative arrangements between owners of herds on adjoir 

 ing allotments should evolve a system of rotation grazing whereb 

 each allotment area may be almost fully utilized by having onl 

 one herd near the border at any time. The practicability of fencin 

 any particular allotment should be considered from the viewpoint o 

 ground site, availability of material, and expense of construction a 

 related to maintenance cost of the herd as a whole. Fencing even a 

 this time will not take the place of efficient herding if it can be pro 

 cured. 



