50 BULLETIISr 1089, U. S, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



for the first season. The second year, however, showed a marked 

 improvement, and the dressed weight rose to from 175 to 200 pounds. 



Another instance might be cited of a herd on Norton Sound. In 

 1920, through too much close herding and corralling, a herd had run 

 down to such a point that some of the animals were dying from para- 

 sitism, which always follows prolonged close herding. The dressed 

 weight of steers ran very little over 150 pounds, though few weights 

 were taken. It was recommended to the owners that they change 

 their system so that the reindeer would have more freedom and an 

 opportunity for fresh jDasturage. The result was apparent in one 

 summer, and in 1921 the animals which were killed for meat were in 

 splendid condition; one weighed 204 pounds, two 199, and another 

 156. In each case the skin, head, and legs had been removed. From 

 the above it is evident that reindeer need only good range and care- 

 ful handling greatly to increase the returns in yield of meat. 



For centuries the Lapps have been driving reindeer and feeding 

 them on moss alone and during recent years in Alaska this has also 

 been done. The practice in use heretofore has been to drive the ani- 

 mals until they show signs of exhaustion and then turn them loose 

 and take fresh ones. This does not appear to be good practice, as a 

 sled deer is a comparatively long-lived animal and deserving of better 

 treatment. No animal can be expected to perform steady and ardu- 

 ous work on poor food. It can be predicted with confidence that if 

 reindeer were given grain in some form together with the moss, they 

 would endure far more hardship without losing so much flesh and 

 strength. Further experiments are necessary to settle these points 

 fully and to determine the facts as to the possible use of the reindeer 

 as a light draft animal. 



BREAKING SLED REINDEaER. 



Breaking reindeer for driving, as observed in the Unalakleet dis- 

 trict, is done in the winter and the method is rather crude and rough. 

 A reindeer is roped, haltered, half dragged and half driven to a tree 

 or post and tied th^re. It is usually left tied for a couple of days, un- 

 til it is sufficiently starved to follow a man. Then it is led to a moss 

 patch and tethered with a long rope. When first harnessed, the deer 

 is tied short, so that it can not strike with its fore feet. Long lines 

 are attached to the halter for driving, and at first the Lapps let the 

 deer drag them about on skis. Sometimes they hitch the animal to 

 a log. and finally it is harnessed to a sled by a long single rope. 



The driver starts off by letting the animal gallop as fast as it can, 

 and by jerking one rein or the other a course is steered. An animal 

 soon becomes exhausted and lies down; then it rises and starts off 

 rapidly, but after a short course it becomes exhausted once more. 



