34 
the method of handling now employed follows the Old World prac- 
tices, and these often are built up on superstitious beliefs or old cus- 
toms, and have, to a large extent, apparently missed the influence of 
modern ideas. Reindeer grazing does not differ so greatly from other 
live-stock handling that the same principles of management are not 
generally applicable. The improved practices in handling live stock 
employed in the Western States apply equally in general principles 
to the handling of reindeer in Alaska. 
Among other things, the Eskimo herd owners greatly need corrals 
and cabins (PL XIV, Fig. 2) on the grazing areas to promote better 
herd management. Lack of proper corralling facilities is preventing 
the accurate marking of stock and the making of counts and owner- 
ship records of many of the native herds, some of which have not 
been counted for several years. Often in the larger bands only a 
part of the fawn crop is being successfully marked each year, and 
unmarked yearlings are commonly noted in the herds. Aside from 
entailing confusion in ownership and leaving an opening for " rust- 
ling," this lack of corrals otherwise impedes proper supervision. 
Without cabins on the winter range, in many cases the reindeer are 
held on the same ground along the coast both summer and winter. 
This, of course, damages the range and jeopardizes the herd when 
the snow crusts over. Proper winter range lies in the hills back of 
the coast, where there are protected areas with an abundance of 
reindeer moss. Consequently, winter quarters should be established 
away from the coast villages, and this requires the construction of 
cabins in the hills on the seasonable ranges. 
Unless the reindeer industry is put on a good commercial basis, 
there will be little incentive for investment in stock, and the herds 
will be of value only for the owner's individual needs and for a very 
limited local sale. Consequently, if its greatest development is to be 
attained, it will be necessary for white interests with capital and 
initiative to take a leading part. If development of the industry 
should be confined mainly to the natives, progress will be relatively 
slow, since, unaided, they have not the ability, knowledge, or means 
to develop it. 
SUPERVISION OF HERDS. 
In any event, better supervision of the native herds is necessary 
to care properly for them. Such care and protection is important 
not only in view of the natives' food and clothing requirements, but 
also because of the need for meat production to aid in fostering local 
white enterprises in the Territory. 
The native herds are scattered throughout the present coast range 
on all grazing units, irrespective of white or native occupancy. Thus 
reindeer of both natives and whites often graze cooperatively on the 
