REINDEER IX ALASKA. 69 



SUMMARY. 



Alaskan reindeer are derived from the original importations of 

 1,280 animals from Siberia by the Bureau of Education during 11 

 years beginning in 1892. In 30 years the herds have increased to 

 from 130,000 to 200,000, and probably 100,000 additional have been 

 killed for meat and skins. It is estimated that grazing areas in 

 Alaska ^ill support from 3.000,000 to 4,000.000 head. The herds are 

 owned chiefl}' by natives, for "whose use they were originally im- 

 ported, but white men have gradually acquired stock, and under their 

 management the conditions of both their own herds and those of the 

 natives should improve. 



From a preliminar}" survey of grazing, range, and herd manage- 

 ment and of diseases and parasites, made possible under an appro- 

 priation which became available on July 1, 1920. it is evident that the 

 development of the reindeer industry requires white supervision, 

 with proper markets, improved transportation and cold storage fa- 

 cilities, grazing on the system of allotted ranges, improvement of 

 herd management, enactment and enforcement of a brand registry- 

 law, and the control of diseases and parasites. 



Efficient range management involves attention to the carrying 

 capacity of the range, with an avoidance of both overgrazing and 

 undergrazing, the former being detrimental to the reindeer and the 

 latter being wasteful. 



Company herds are advocated, in which ownership of does shall be 

 the basis of dividends and of cost assessments. 



Distribution of the herds over the range may be improved by 

 salting. Line fencing between range allotments may in some cases 

 be advisable, but this will not take the place of efficient herding. 



The experiment of crossing reindeer does with caribou bulls is con- 

 templated for grading up the stock and increasing weights. Old 

 and scrubby does as well as the same quality of bucks must be elimi- 

 nated and better bucks must head the herds to increase the averao-e 

 size of the fawns. "Wliite reindeer are deficient in vitality and size, 

 and while an aid in locating a herd, are undesirable and should not be 

 permitted to breed. 



Rough handling of herds in round-ups and corrals must be elimi- 

 nated to lessen accidents and fatalities. 



Notching ears as a means of identification is unsatisfactory and 

 if possible should be superseded or accompanied by branding. 



Dehorning reindeer was tried without success. Castration of bucks 

 after the velvet has been shed causes the horns to drop. Modern 

 methods of castration should take the place of those heretofore prac- 

 ticed by the Lapp and Eskimo herders. 



