REINDEEH (;i{AZIN(i INVESTIGATIONS IX ALASKA 



17 



chk'fly for the fact that most of the Ahiskaii licrds arc at present 

 on ()!■ near the coast, with the <rrcat('st concentration at the most 

 accessibk' points. With <rreatei' openin<:- of transpoi-tation f.'.cilities 

 into the interioi-. more herds will be established away from the coast. 

 Accessibility within the individual ran<re area also ali'ects the prob- 

 lem in that the most conveniently accessible unit or allotment offers 

 the easiest nnina<rement and promotes <rreater efficiency later on in 

 putting u range management scheme into ell'ect. 



SALTING 



In the interior little or no salt is available for the <rrazing rein- 

 deer, and salting the range is highly imi)ortant both for the l)est con- 

 dition of the individual animal and for proper range control. 

 Keindeer are fond of salt, and when held along the coast they get 

 it during the summer by drinking sea water or licking up saline 

 deposits on the beach. This undoubtedly is as important a factor 

 as the fly pest in urging the animals to the coast during the sunnner 

 months. Under present conditions, salting the range is not a prob- 

 lem on the coast areas, but upon greater stocking and closer utili- 

 zation it will become an imi)()rtant consideration. 



Reindeer take readily to block or rock salt, and the use of this 

 on the range is preferable to that of crushed salt. If crushed salt is 

 used, there is danger that the animal will eat too much and become 

 poisoned. Losses from such poisoning have l)een repoi'ted. The use 

 of rock salt, however, is not dangerous, and for handling on the 

 range, this form is more convenient and economical, 



RANGE IMPROVEMENTS 



Fencing on the range is yet a minor factor, but in some instances 

 it is now employed for pasture purposes as an adjunct to the summer 

 corral at round-up time. Boundary fences, or short drift fences at 

 strategic places on the range are considered practicable and will 

 undoubtedly be constructed soon on many allotments. 



Tavo oi' more herding cabins are usually constructed on each 

 grazing allotment. In addition. tem])orary camps are often made at 

 various places over the range convenient for herding. To facilitate 

 handling the herd, 4 or 5 and in one case even 13 cabin camps have 

 been established over the range. The permanent cabin camps are 

 preferable to the temporary tent camps and they are being more 

 generally constructed (pi. 8). 



INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON REINDEER GRAZING 



A RANGE FACTOR 



Climatic conditions have an important effect on reindeer grazing, 

 both as regards the animal and the range and forage. The natural 

 habitat of reindeer is the arctic and subarctic regions, and the ani- 

 nuds undoubtedly do best on ranges falling within these climatic 

 zones. Although reindeer are generally adapted to severe climatic 

 conditions, there may be situations that nuist be considered in which 

 the animals are at a considerable disadvantage. Because of winter 



