IMPROVED REINDEER HANDLING 



9 



Ordinarily it may be safely figured that the fawn crop will run 

 about 60 per cent, on the basis of doe stock in the herd. In some of 

 the best handled herds it may be 70 per cent. It is comparatively 

 simple to make a fairly close distribution of the fawn, crop amon^ 

 owners as the work progresses. 



It is impossible to obtain absolute accuracy in distribution, but a 

 minimum of longs and shorts may be obtained through careful tally- 

 ing. Following the handling of the first band or two through the 

 corral a good idea may be gained as to about how the fawns will run 

 in number — that is, whether 5, 6, or 7 fawns to each 10 does — and 

 subsequent marking may then be kept more closely in balance. Upon 

 working the last bunch through, greater care should be taken and 

 necessary adjustments made to balance long and short assignments. 



The proportion of unmarked animals to does constantly fluctuates 

 as the work progresses during the day, but distribution to conform 

 with this variation is automatically maintained by recording on the 

 basis of does as they appear. For example, if the run through the 

 chute happens to be 10 does to each 5 fawns, each owner as he obtains 

 2 does is marked 1 fawn; or should the runs be 10 does to each 6 

 fawns, each owner as 5 does are recorded for him, is marked 3 fawns. 



Later, toward the close of each day, totals may be figured and the ac- 

 tual proportion of fawns determined for the entire bunch handled, and 

 on the basis of this percentage further recording may be made to bal- 

 ance as nearly as possible the number of fawns assigned to each owner. 



Longs and shorts in number of fawns assigned to the individual 

 owner may be balanced from time to time as rechecks are made of the 

 percentage run of fawns. Eechecks should be made at the close of 

 each day's work, if not oftener, and necessary adjustment made the 

 first thing the next day. At the close of marking, the few longs and 

 shorts remaining are carried over for adjustment and marking at the 

 next year's round-up. 



When the herd is being handled, fawns often bunch together, and a 

 large number may come through at once. And it may happen that 

 the fawns come through early before a proportionate number of does 

 have been recorded. When fawns appear faster than does, they may 

 safely be marked to large owners in advance, since it is certain that 

 a sufficient number of does of these owners will come through later on. 



In no case should a larger number of fawns be marked in advance 

 for small owners than the tally sheets show them to be entitled to ; nor 

 should they be assigned any fawns until adult females are recorded 

 for them. 



Early in the marking it is a safe rule never to assign to small 

 owners more than one fawn for each two does handled (50 per cent). 

 Later on, should the percentage be shown as running higher than 50, 

 adjustments can be made to give small owners their proper share. 



The same principle also applies to a correct distribution of male 

 and female fawns. Small owners should never be marked ahead 

 either in males or females. Should there be a heavy run of one sex, 

 although they normally run about the same in number, and the 

 owner's quota be filled on that particular sex, then the surplus should 

 be marked in advance for the large owners only. A balance will 

 eventually develop as the work progresses, particularly toward the 

 close of the marking, 

 53795°_2d 2 



