UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
DEPARTMENT BULLETIN No. 1423 
Washington, D. C. 
October, 1926 
PROGRESS OF REINDEER GRAZING INVESTIGATIONS IN ALASKA 
By Lawkexce J. Palmer, Biologist in Charge of Reindeer Grazing 
Investigations. Bureau of Biological Survey 
CONT E N T S 
Page 
Growth of the reindeer industry 1 
Herd owners 3 
Reindeer as grazing animals 4 
Breeds and types of reindeer 5 
Sled reindeer 5 
Type of animal 6 
Breaking 6 
Harness 7 
Work ability 7 
Feeding 8 
Use of sled reindeer 8 
Reindeer meat 9 
Feeding experiments 9 
Feeding preferences of reindee:-_ 9 
Tests with cultivated grains and 
grasses 10 
Importance of lichen forage 10 
Effect on quality of meat 11 
Analysis of feeds 11 
Nature of grazing use 11 
Size of herds 12 
Herding 13 
Round-ups 13 
Corrals 13 
Holding pasture 14 
Branding 14 
Nature of the range 15 
Range belts 15 
Range types 16 
Page 
Nature of the range — Continued. 
Timber range 16 
Range site 1G 
Salting 17 
Range improvements 17 
Influence of climate on reindeer 
grazing 17 
A range factor 17 
A forage factor 18 
Local variations IS 
Seasonal variations . 19 
Soil conditions in Alaska 19 
A forage factor 19 
Forage cover 20 
Forage plants grazed by rein- 
deer 21 
The lichen plant 23 
Reaction or lichens to grazing 
use 26 
Range fires 20 
Carrying capacity of range 3<> 
Winter requirements 30 
Carrying capacity estimates 3() 
Management 31 
Range control and regulation.. 31 
Herd management 33 
Summary 34 
GROWTH OF THE REINDEER INDUSTRY 
The reindeer industry in Alaska, though still in its infancy, prom- 
ises with proper guidance to become an important factor in the 
future deyelopment of the Territory (pi. 1 and pi. 2, fig. 1). It is 
comparatively a recent undertaking, and as a commercial enterprise 
dates back only a few years. From the original stock of 1,280 ani- 
mals imported from Siberia oyer the period of 10 years up to 1902. 
the reindeer in Alaska have increased to about 350,000 head, dis- 
tributed in 110 herds, all but 6 of which are alonir the coasts of 
Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean. 
97189°— 26 1 
The main grazing at present is 
l 
