UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT BULLETIN No. 1423

Washington, D. C.

October, 1926

PROGRESS OF REINDEER GRAZING INVESTIGATIONS IN ALASKA

By LAWRENCE J. PALMER, Biologist in Charge of Reindeer Grazing
Investigations, Bureau of Biological Survey

GROWTH OF THE REINDEER INDUSTRY

The reindeer industry in Alaska, though still in its infancy, promises with proper guidance to become an important factor in the future development of the Territory (pl. 1 and pl. 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 animals imported from Siberia over the period of 10 years up to 1902, the reindeer in Alaska have increased to about 350,000 head, distributed in 110 herds, all but 6 of which are along the coasts of Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean. The main grazing at present is

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about four chief centers: (1) The Kotzebue Sound country, (2) Seward Peninsula, (3) about Norton Sound, and (4) in the Kuskokwim River basin.

In addition to the numbers in present herds, it is estimated that about 125,000 have been killed for food and clothing. The average gross increase per annum is between 33 and 45 per cent, and the average fawn crop runs between 50 and 60 per cent, although the better-handled herds often attain 70 per cent and sometimes as

FIG. 1.--Distribution of reindeer herds and available range in Alaska, the figures indicating the approximate number of reindeer in each section. Occupied areas are usually less than one-third stocked

much as 90 per cent. The location of herds and the distribution of reindeer and range in Alaska are shown on the accompanying map. (Fig. 1.)

Several small refrigerating plants (pl. 2, fig. 2) and two coldstorage barges were operating on the coast in 1924, and since 1918 shipments of carcasses have been made every year from Alaska to the States. The natural cold-storage facilities of Alaska have been availed of to some extent, and during the winter of 1924-25 one chamber large enough to hold 100 carcasses was excavated in the

underground ice. In areas adjoining the Arctic coast solid ice is reached within 3 or 4 feet of the surface and extends downward to great depths. In the spring of 1925 the carcasses thus stored were removed in excellent condition for shipping.

During the period 1918-1925 more than 1,875,000 pounds of reindeer was shipped from Alaska, the total for 1923 being nearly 200,000 pounds, for 1924 about 375,000 pounds, and for 1925 approximately 680,000 pounds. With continued development, there promises to be a steady increase in the output. Steers for butchering sell (1925) at $10 to $12 a head. Breeding stock is valued at $18 to $30 a head. The average cost of production for each animal is about $1 a year. At Nome and St. Michael reindeer meat retails at 15 to 20 cents a pound.

Scientific investigation of reindeer grazing by the Biological Survey were first begun in 1920, when a reindeer experiment station was established by the bureau at Unalakleet; this was subsequently (1922) moved to Nome, and in 1925 was transferred to its present location at Fairbanks. During the progress of the investigations the conditions, both as to class of livestock and their environment, have constantly developed new problems. One of the more fundamental of these has to do with the relation of lichens to grazing. Improved methods in the control and management of the herds and the range are essential to the development of a well-grounded industry. The present publication constitutes a second report on the reindeer investigations being conducted by the Biological Survey and treats particularly the forage and range management phases. The first report dealt also with the biology of the reindeer and the diseases and parasites of the animals.

Plans for future work contemplate studies chiefly along the following lines: (1) The development of interior ranges; (2) conditions governing forage and range management; (3) the various relations of lichens to grazing; (4) relative carrying capacity of lichen and nonlichen ranges: (5) methods of feeding and their effects; and (6) breed improvement of reindeer and the control of the diseases and parasites to which the animals are subject. In view of the fact that conditions in Alaska are so different from those in the States as regards the kind of animal under consideration, the nature of the forage, and the climate, it is particularly important that thorough studies be made.

HERD OWNERS

In addition to the Lapps, who were brought to Alaska to care for the original stock of reindeer and to teach the Eskimos reindeer herding, and who in some cases have since acquired large herds of their own, there are three general classes of reindeer owners in the Territory: (1) Eskimos, (2) white men married to native women, and (3) other white men. The Lapp is by heritage and training a reindeer herder, but is conservative and not inclined to discontinue methods to which he has become accustomed. The white man married to an Eskimo woman differs from others of his kind, so far as

1 Hadwen, Seymour, and Lawrence J. Palmer, REINDEER IN ALASKA. U. S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 1089, 74 pp., illus. September, 1922.

ownership of reindeer is concerned, in having the privileges of both the Eskimo and the white man. The native Eskimo rates high in intelligence, but is somewhat lacking in initiative and managerial ability. Moreover, since reindeer grazing to him is often merely of secondary consideration to hunting or fishing, as a grazier he requires constant and direct supervision. If the reindeer industry depended upon the unaided efforts of the Eskimo it would be limited in scope. To obtain the best results in range and livestock management and to perfect a desirable grazing scheme and develop the industry on a large scale calls not only for capital but for business ability of a higher order.

A recent count indicates that about a third of the reindeer are owned by white men, including several Lapps, and the remainder by Eskimos. One large incorporated company at Nome owns between 45,000 and 50,000 animals in six herds. Through this white ownership definite efforts have been made during the past few years to place the industry on a commercial basis.

REINDEER AS GRAZING ANIMALS

Reindeer on the range most closely resemble cattle, but band together more like sheep. Like horses they trample over much range in nervous feeding, but, unlike horses, usually travel against the wind. In winter they paw through the snow with the forefeet to reach lichens and other forage. During the summer they move about considerably over the range, and at times cover distances of 15 or 20 miles against the wind. In winter they graze over a comparatively small area, and remain for the most part in one general locality. At fawning time the herd divides, the does grouping by themselves and the bucks, steers, and some of the yearlings banding together elsewhere.

Reindeer become attached to their accustomed haunts, and once well located on a range will unerringly return to it if moved away. In one case, several adult animals were transferred from one herd to another over a distance of 200 miles, and the next year were found back in the original herd, in spite of the fact that there were five other herds between the two places. Unless restrained the reindeer instinctively seek successively their favorite fall, winter, or summer pastures. Such reindeer pests as mosquitoes, horseflies, and warble flies are an important factor in the choice of summer pasture, as they cause the reindeer to resort to the wind-swept areas along the coast, or the ridges and mountain tops of the interior.

Reindeer are excellent swimmers and take readily to water. In Norway it is commonly reported that herds are made to swim as far as 8 or 10 miles from the mainland to some island for summer pasturage. They graze well on the wettest ground and frequently may be seen wading out into ponds to feed on the pond vegetation. In Alaska the typical summer range of the coast is often a wet tundra of hummocky ground (niggerheads) with many ponds and sloughs, and over range of this character the reindeer graze with apparent ease. They are fleet of foot and seem to travel as readily over the niggerheads as over ground more level and firm.

FIG. 1.-REINDEER GRAZING AT THE NORTHERNMOST POINT OF ALASKA Part of one of the reindeer herds at Point Barrow, with the hospital and Bureau of Education buildings in the background. September, 1923