REINDEER (iRAZlNG INVESTIGATIONS IN ALASKA 



11 



Lichens are not necessary for reindeer feedin*; because of any 

 natural or nutritive ({ualities; but, because they ])i"esent a readily ac- 

 cessible Avintei- i'oraj^e, tliev are the chief factor tliat malces i-eindeer 

 <>razin<>- possible in Alaska. "Witliout this i-eady source of food for 

 winter use the reindeei- could not be nuiintained on the coast ranfje 

 successfully, and, consecjuently, the inchistry would not exist. The 

 lichen fora<je crop in Alaska should therefore be carefully guarded 

 in order to continue the y'wld. 



EFFECT ON QUALITY OF MEAT 



Feeding reindeer on cultivated crops has an important effect on 

 the meat. An animal fed on alfalfa hay and grain (rolled oats and 

 cracked corn) was slaughtered when fat ami the meat tested. As 

 compared with range stock, the meat from this reindeer proved 

 firmer, finer gi-ained, and drier, and the fat generally occurred scat- 

 tered through the meat rather than being localized. The texture and 

 quality of reindeei- meat apparently is affected by the kind of food 

 eaten, and probably varies directly with the quality. 



ANALYSIS OF FEEDS 



Table 2 (p. 12) shows the analysis of lichens and other range 

 plants and cultivated crops. Generally, in comparison with range 

 and field crops, the lichens show a lower percentage of protein and 

 a higher percentage of starch. 



Of the lichens listed in Table 2, those of forage value in Alaska, 

 in the order of their importance, are Clado)iia, Cetraria, and Stereo- 

 caulon. The species of Parmel'm are of little economic value because 

 of their scattering occurrence and inferior size. When this is taken 

 into consideration, the difference in protein content of the lichens, 

 as compared with other feeds, is found to be even greater. 



NATURE OF GRAZING USE 



The nature of the reindeer industry in Alaska was described in 

 detail in Department Bulletin 1089. As bearing directly on the 

 problem of proper range management, however, it may be well to 

 outline briefly the nature of the grazing use in Alaska in order to 

 incorporate information which has resulted from later studies and 

 observations. 



No cultivated forage crops are raised and no feeding is done in 

 connection with reindeer grazing in Alaska. The animals are grazed 

 yearlong on the open range, arid from six to six and a half months 

 of this they are on winter forage. Each herd is confined to an 

 individual area, which is a piece of range usually fairly well defined 

 within a natural topographic unit. Major featui'es of topography, 

 as large streams and main ridges, divide the various grazing areas. 

 Each unit includes summer and winter ranges and fawning grounds, 

 and each has its own buildings, corrals, and other improvements 

 necessary for the individual herd. (See map, fig. 1, page 2.) 



Unlike much of the reindeer grazing conducted by the Lapps in 

 northern Sweden and Norway, where a nomadic existence is common, 

 reindeer grazing in Alaska is more centralized and tends toward 

 permanent ranches. This difference is largely due to the abundance 



