ABSTRACT 
A field study of reindeer-range relationships on St. Matthew 
Island in the Bering Sea was made during the summer of 1957. Pop- 
ulation counts showed that the reindeer herd had increased from 
the original stocking of 29 animals in 1944, to number approximately 
1,350 animals in 1957, an average annual rate of 34 per cent. Range 
studies in conjunction with the establishment of permanent range 
enclosures and transects showed indications of serious over-utiliza- 
tion by reindeer of lichens and willows on the winter range e 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Page 
AbStCYACts « 2 2 tS eee ow eh ee eh Ue UR he oe © © © @© © & @ ii 
Table of contents e .« * © © e 8 © © © © © © © @ @ © © © © @ @ 4ii 
Introduction. * © © © @ © @ © © @ © @ © © © © © © © © © © 6 6 1 
Island topography and weather .« « « « « © ee © ee ec ec eo @ 1 
History of reindeer herd. . * © © © © © @ © © © © © eh ehlUrhlUr le 2 
Reindeer population GOUNtTSs «© we cs we wp eo ee ewe He Ohhh eh 2 
Natural mortality oe e© © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © 7 
Physical condition and characteristics of the reindeer. . .. 10 
The reindeer PangCe «© © © © «© © © © © © © © © © © © © © © 8 14 
Complex of vegetation present o eee © © © © © © © © @ 6 17 
l. ) Dry flats .. * © © © © © @ © © ©  8@ &ehFhUhFhUlUcFhlU lhl 17 
2e ) Dry ’ low ridge tops and benchesw® . .« « « « © « e 20 
3e) Moist, well-drained meadows « . « « « « « e «© » 20 
4.) Wet, poorly-drained meadows . « « ©» ee ee 9 2h 
5.) Rock rubble fields and high ridge tops. .... @2l 
6.) . Stabilized beach ridges . . 2. 2 «© «© eo © © e@ @o = Ot 
Summer Tange us@€ e «© «© e © «© © © © © © © © © © © © © @ @ 24 
Winter Pange uS@ « «© ©» © «© «© © © © «© © © © e© © © © © @ @ 26 
Conclusions oer © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © 29 
Recommendations « « « «© «© «© es e© e© © © © © © © © © © © © & 31 
Appendix. «oeeeeert eee © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © © 32 
References cited. »« « « «© © © © © © © © © © © © © 8 o e¢ © @ 49 
iii 
