8 BULLETIN" 1423, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
and driven over long distances. The average 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. With 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 
four 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 would pick its own food along the trail, so that 
it was unnecessary to carry a supply. The reindeer consumed two 
sacks of the lichens (reindeer moss) daily — about 20 to 30 pounds, 
air-dry weight. (The wet weight 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 willows. 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 Cetraria cucullata and of all light-colored forms of Cladonia. 
When fed grain at night or noon, the reindeer would eat first a few 
oats and then abandon these for lichens. When 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 herd, the sled reindeer is cheaper and more practical. 
For each thousand animals in the herd there should be at least 10 
well-trained sled reindeer. They can be used effectively in traveling- 
over the range, hauling supplies to camps, following up the herd or 
making drives, and in corralling. As they feed on the open range, 
it is not necessary to carry feed for them, except a small quantity of 
grain when on long trips or when used continuously. Aside from 
