EEINDEEB GEAZING INVESTIGATIONS IN ALASKA 33 
consequently more effort on the part of the grazier. In addition, 
much forage would be killed instead of being eaten upon a second 
grazing. Furthermore, the cover would not be opened up for ready 
reproduction, and it remains to be seen what sort of a second or 
renewed crop might be expected from an offshoot type of growth. 
At present the writer favors the close utilization method, perhaps 
by alternate strips of range, and then by deferring the area over a 
period of several years, the period to be determined later as studies 
progress. In any case, complete removal of the cover would not take 
place on the winter range because of the protection afforded by the 
frozen ground. 
The general management scheme, however, will vary with the na- 
ture of the cover and the character of the site. Closer utilization can 
rjrobably be applied more readily on a tundra site of favorable 
moisture, a luxuriant cover, and a Gladonia vegetation. On a drier, 
rocky site with less-abundant plant growth, lighter utilization prob- 
ably must be practiced. Again, heavier grazing may be withstood 
on an area of gentle topography than on one of steep slopes, and 
on the more sheltered areas than on those that are exposed. In 
any event, open grazing rather than massed grazing by the herd 
should be practiced on winter as well as on summer range, not so 
much to avoid close utilization as to prevent overutilization. 
HERD MANAGEMENT 
Not only is improvement in range management necessary, but bet- 
ter herd management also must be effected along the lines advo- 
cated in Department Bulletin No. 1089. The more important points 
to be considered in attaining a better herd management may be 
briefly summarized as follows: (1) Open herding; (2) proper cas- 
tration by use of knife and emasculator; (3) reduction of herd bulls 
to the ratio of 5 to 10 for each 100 does; (4) selection of the largest 
and best bulls of dark color for breeding purposes; (5) elimination 
of white-colored and light-spotted animals from the breeding herd; 
(6) removal of scrub stock, both male and female, from the breeding 
herd — scrub stock and old barren females should be slaughtered; (7) 
injection of new blood into the herd by an interchange of bulls be- 
tween herds, and by use of caribou bulls; (8) employment of the 
corral and chute method of handling the herd at round-up time for 
branding, castration, and separating, and abandonment of roping as 
much as possible; (9) use of a holding pasture for a large herd in 
connection with the corral; (10) marking fawns on a basis of per- 
centage ownership; (11) organizing small owners by communities 
into livestock associations or companies, with one mark or brand 
adopted for each community herd, and in the case of the Eskimo, 
placing the best reindeer men in charge of the herd ; (12) training and 
keeping in the herd at least 10 sled reindeer for each 1,000 head 
of stock. 
The necessary reorganization of the round-up and herding opera- 
tions in the majority of Alaska herds may be obtained by employ- 
ing pack and sled reindeer in hauling supplies and getting over the 
range, and by constructing cabins on all parts of the range to facili- 
tate efficient patrol. Where temporary tent camps must be relied 
