REINDEER GRAZING INVESTIGATIONS IN ALASKA 17 
chiefly for the fact that most of the Alaskan herds are at present 
on or near the coast, with the greatest concentration at the most 
accessible points. With greater opening of transportation facilities 
into the interior, more herds will be established away from the coast. 
Accessibility within the individual range area also affects the prob- 
lem in that the most conveniently accessible unit or allotment offers 
the easiest management and promotes greater efficiency later on in 
putting a range management scheme into effect. 
SALTING 
In the interior little or no salt is available for the grazing rein- 
deer, and salting the range is highly important both for the best con- 
dition of the individual animal and for proper range control. 
Keindeer are fond of salt, and when held along the coast they get 
it during the summer by drinking, sea water or licking up saline 
deposits on the beach. This undoubtedly is as important a factor 
as the fly pest in urging the animals to the coast during the summer 
months. Under present conditions, salting the range is not a prob- 
lem on the coast areas, but upon greater stocking and closer utili- 
zation it will become an important consideration. 
Reindeer take readily to block or rock salt, and the use of this 
on the range is preferable to that of crushed salt. If crushed salt is 
used, there is danger that the animal will eat too much and become 
poisoned. Losses from such poisoning have been reported. The use 
of rock salt, however, is not dangerous, and for handling on the 
range, this form is more convenient and economical. 
RANGE IMPROVEMENTS 
Fencing on the range is yet a minor factor, but in some instances 
it is now employed for pasture purposes as an adjunct to the summer 
corral at round-up time. Boundary fences, or short drift fences at 
strategic places on the range are considered practicable and will 
undoubtedly be constructed soon on many allotments. 
Two or more herding cabins are usually constructed on each 
grazing allotment. In addition, temporary camps are often made at 
various places over the range convenient for herding. To facilitate 
handling the herd, 4 or 5 and in one case even 13 cabin camps have 
been established over the range. The permanent cabin camps are 
preferable to the temporary tent camps and they are being more 
generally constructed (pi. 8). 
INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON REINDEER GRAZING 
A RANGE FACTOR 
Climatic conditions have an important effect on reindeer grazing, 
both as regards the animal and the range and forage. The natural 
habitat of reindeer is the arctic and subarctic regions, and the ani- 
mals undoubtedly do best on ranges falling within these climatic 
zones. Although reindeer are generally adapted to severe climatic 
conditions, there may be situations that must be considered in which 
the animals are at a considerable disadvantage. Because of winter 
