8 



BULLETIN 1433, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



and driven over long distances. The avera<re distance covered was 

 23 miles a day, and the maximum, on a fair trail with a load, was 

 35 miles, whereas on a poor trail it was 20. AVith an empty sled 

 and carrying only the driver, the daily average would undoubtedly 

 be greater. 



The maximum load for a sled reindeer for continuous travel and 

 on grain was 250 to 300 pounds on a good trail and 100 to 150 pounds 

 on a poor one. With the driver riding half the time, on an average 

 trail a full load for each sled reindeer was 100 to 150 pounds, aside 

 from the driver. 



FEEDING 



During the 42-day experiment the sled reindeer was fed 170 pounds 

 of grain at the rate of 4 pounds a day. Rolled oats were fed morn- 

 ing, noon, and night, the main feeding being at night. Lichens were 

 gathered each day en route just before going into camp, a simple 

 matter toward the end of the day, so that the animal could be fed 

 in camp rather than staked out. By keeping the animal in camp, it 

 could be cared for more conveniently. The practice was also fol- 

 lowed, when passing through sections of little moss, of carrying 

 half a sack of it on the sled for occasional feeding en route, especially 

 at noon. On the trail it was necessary to stop the animal three or 

 foiu" times during the day, including the noon stop, to give it a bite 

 of reindeer moss. When passing through country of good lichen 

 growth the animal Avould pick its own food along the trail, so that 

 it was imnecessary to carry a supply. The reindeer consumed two 

 sacks of the lichens (reindeer moss) daily — about 20 to 30 poimds, 

 air-dry weight. (The wet w^eight is usually three times the air-dry 

 weight.) It displayed an enormous appetite and consumed about 

 twice as much roughage a day as one would when fed in a barn and 

 not worked. 



When hungry, the sled reindeer ate all the lichens offered, irrespec- 

 tive of species, and took also some of the sedge and browse forage, 

 especially Labrador tea, cranberry, and wnllows. When the first 

 sharp edge of hunger had been allayed, it fed choicely on the lichens 

 only, seeking as much variety as possible. It seemed especially fond 

 of Cetrafid c\icull(tta and of all light-colored forms of Clndonia. 

 When fed grain at night oi' noon, the reindeer would eat first a few 

 oats and then abandon these for lichens. Wlien fully satisfied on the 

 lichen roughage, it would return and eat a full ration of oats. 



USE OF SLED REINDEER 



The use of sled reindeer is not so common in Alaska as it should 

 be under proper handling of the herds. The dog team is better suited 

 for main trails and coast travel, but for cross-country travel and for 

 use with the hei'd, {\w sled reindeer is clieaper and moi-e practical. 

 For each tliousand animals in the herd thei-e should be at least 10 

 well-ti ained sled i-eindeer. They can be used effectively in ti-aveling 

 ovei' the range, hauling supplies to cami)s, following up the herd or 

 making di-ives, and in con-all ing. As they feed on the o])en range, 

 it is not necessary to carry feed for them, except a small (luantity of 

 grain when on long trips or when used continuously. Aside from 



