(Fig. 2), and has entered the decelerating phase of population growth. 
The 34 per cent fawn ratio in the smaller sample counted (218), is 
probably biased. This count is the sum of many segregation counts of 
small bands which are predominantly cows accompanied by fawns and 
some yearlings. Barren cows and the majority of the yearlings usual- 
ly remained in the larger groups (100 plus). 
NATURAL MORTALITY 
The skeletons or other remains of 31 reindeer were found during 
the course of the study. Whenever possible, these were sexed by exam- 
ination of the antlers and pelvis and aged by tooth appearance. No 
remains of reindeer were found northwest of peak 940, which reflects 
the concentration of winter activity on the southeast portion of the 
island. This sample of natural mortality is presented in Table 3. 
It is apparent, upon examination of these data, that the greater por- 
tion of animals represented fall in the older age groups and reindeer 
over eight years of age make up the largest group. This is partially 
explained by the less apparent nature of the remains of very young 
animals and the ease with which they are scattered by foxes. Bearing 
this in mind, the predominance of old animals in the mortality is 
logical under a very low mortality rate, which is expected in view 
of the rate of increase. At first appearance this sample appears 
exceptionally small in view of the total population present. However, 
old animals which are present in greatest numbers in the kill repre- 
sent a very small portion of the total population; probably less than 
10 per cent. The low ratio of females to males represented in the 
sample is quite likely due to the less apparent nature of female 
remains. The large bleached antlers of bulls were frequently all 
that could be seen of a skeleton above the surrounding vegetation, 
while the smaller antlers of cows were not as readily seen and are 
more subject to destruction by foxes, mice and shattering by frost 
action. The large number of antlered bulls represented in the sample 
indicates that these animals died in the early winter, probably short- 
ly after the rut and prior to the shedding of antlers. 
The legs and feet of newborn fawns were found at two different 
arctic fox dens, however, there was no evidence to indicate the cause 
of death. Foxes were very effective in locating carcasses of reindeer 
which had been killed for examination and evidence of their presence 
at old kills was very common. 
Six reindeer are known to have died after their antlers had be- 
come entangled -in copper wire at the abandoned Coast Guard station 
(Fig. 3)- One reindeer was observed to be lame due to a piece of 
wire wound around its leg at the knee joint. A shed antler, with 
about ten pounds of wire entangled on it, was found four miles from 
the Coast Guard station. 
