REIXDEEH ';RAZIXG IXVRSTIGATIONS IX ALASKA 



33 



consequently more effort on the part of the grazier. In athlilion, 

 much forage would be killed instead of being eaten upon a second 

 grazing. Furthermore, the cover would not be opened up for ready 

 reproiluction. and it remains to be seen what sort of a second or 

 renewed ci'op might be expected from an offshoot type of growth. 



At present the writer favors the close utilization method, perhaps 

 by alternate strips of range, and then by deferring the area over a 

 periotl of several years, the period to be determined later as studies 

 progress. In any case, complete removal of the cover would not take 

 l^lace on the winter range because of the protection afforded by the 

 frozen ground. 



The general management scheme, however, will vary with the na- 

 ture of the cover and the character of the site. Closer utilization can 

 probably be aj^plied more readily on a tundra site of favorable 

 moisture, a luxuriant cover, and a Cladonia vegetation. On a drier, 

 rocky site with less-abundant plant growth, lighter utilization prob- 

 ably must be practiced. Again, heavier grazing may be withstood 

 on an area of gentle topography than on one of steep slopes, and 

 on the more sheltered areas than on those that are exposed. In 

 any event, open grazing rather than massed grazing by the herd 

 siiould be practiced on winter as well as on summer range, not so 

 nuich to avoid close utilization as to prevent overutilization. 



HERD MANAGEMENT 



Xot only is improvement in range management necessary, but bet- 

 ter herd management also must be effected along the lines advo- 

 cated in Department Bulletin Xo. 1089. The more important points 

 to be considered in attaining a better herd management may be 

 briefiv summarized as follows: (1) Open herding; (2) proper cas- 

 tration by use of knife and emasculator; (3) reduction of herd bulls 

 to the ratio of 5 to 10 for each 100 does; (1) selection of the largest 

 and best bulls of dark color for breeding purposes; (5) elimination 

 of white-colored and light-spotted animals from the breeding herd; 

 (6) removal of scrub stock, both male and female, from the breeding 

 herd — scrub stock and old barren females should be slaughtered; (7) 

 injection of new blood into the herd by an interchange of bulls be- 

 tween herds, and by use of caribou bulls; (8) employment of the 

 corral and chute method of handling the herd at round-up time for 

 branding, castration, and separating, and abandonment of roping as 

 much as possible; (9) use of a holding i:»asture for a large herd in 

 connection with the corral; (10) marking fawns on a basis of per- 

 centage ownership; (11) organizing small owners by conmiimities 

 into livestock associations or companies, with one mark or brand 

 adopted for each community herd, and in the case of the Eskimo, 

 placing the best reindeer men in charge of the herd ; (12) training and 

 keeping in the herd at least 10 sled reindeer for each 1,000 head 

 of stock. 



The necessary reorganization of the round-up and herding opera- 

 tions in the majority of Alaska herds may be obtained by employ- 

 ing pack and sled reindeer in hauling supplies and getting over the 

 range, and by constructing cabins on all parts of the range to facili- 

 tate efficient patrol. Where temporary tent camps must be relied 



