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Reindeer hunting in Greenland is of great importance to theGreenlandic Inuit and sports hunters, both residents and tourists.[1]Reindeer (caribou)[2] are an important source of meat, and harvesting them has always played an important role in the history, culture, and traditions of the Greenlandic Inuit. Controlled hunting is important for thewelfare of reindeer, thequality of life forInuit, both as food, and part oftheir culture andGreenlandic culture in general, and the preservation oftundra grazing areas. Therefore, scientific research is regularly performed to determine the quotas needed to maintain a properecological balance.
Reindeer hunting by humans has a very long history and caribou/wild reindeer "may well be the species of single greatest importance in the entire anthropological literature on hunting."[3]
In Greenland, wild reindeer have been hunted as a source of food, clothing, shelter, and tools by the Inuit - the indigenous peoples that populate theArctic and colder regions. Methods that they have employed includecrossbow,bow and arrow,snares,driving,trapping pits, driving them off cliffs or into lakes and then spearing them fromkayaks, and now using modern firearms. The entire reindeer, including fur,skin,antlers, and bones have been used. Their meat,viscera, internal organs, and even stomach contents, have all been utilized as food, both raw,dried,smoked, and cooked. Today reindeer are primarily hunted by residents and tourists for their meat, but mature animals may also be the objects oftrophy hunting because of the often large size of their antlers. They have the largest antlers relative to body size among deer.[4]
In Greenland more reindeer are harvested than any otherbig game landmammal species.Reindeer meat is an importantstaple in most households, and the populace waits with great anticipation for the autumn hunting season to begin. It is an opportunity to stock up the kitchen pantry and freezer with meat for the coming season and to enjoy the adventure of the hunt.
Game harvesting conditions in Greenland can be extreme, and the unpredictableforces of nature can be hazardous to hunters. Greenland is large and long with differing hunting customs andregulations, as well as weather patterns, depending on the region and season. The Greenland wilderness is sensitive and hunters are expected to respect it and "leave nothing but footprints."
Hunting has always been an extremely important aspect of the Greenland Inuit culture:
Even today hunting's importance is confirmed by the Greenland Home Rule Government:
Reindeer hunting has a special status in the populace. Shooting amuskox provides four times as much meat as a reindeer, but "Greenlanders would much rather have caribou or reindeer meat than musk ox meat," says Josefine Nymand.[7]
The long history ofmutual dependence between humans and reindeer[3] necessitates continuing efforts to safeguard their relationship and the welfare of both parties. Reindeer hunting – which is also commonplace in many other parts of the world – is considered so vital to thecultural heritage of certain groups that there is an attempt[8][9][10] being made to get it placed onUNESCO'sWorld Heritage List.[11]
The identity of the Inuit is closely tied to the geography, history and the attitudes toward hunting – "For Inuit,ecology, hunting and culture are synonymous."[12] – and their identity as hunters is under attack. Those attacks are "... viewed in the Arctic as a direct assault on culture, identity as well as sustainable use,"[13] and Inuit are reacting:
Therefore, thecircumpolar peoples and their organizations are actively engaged in attempts to protect their welfare, identity, interests, and culture, including their hunting culture. The "Kuujjuaq Declaration"[15] addressed perceived attacks on their autonomy andrights, and recommended that the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (now theInuit Circumpolar Council) "undertake a comprehensive study on how best to address global forces, such as the 'animal rights' and other destructive movements that aim to destroy Inuit sustainable use of living resources, and to report back to the next General Assembly on its findings."[16] TheInternational Arctic Science Committee shares these viewpoints and therefore one of its objectives is to study the "sustainable use of living resources of high value to Arctic residents."[17]
Biologists and other research scientists constantly monitor the welfare, living conditions, and health of reindeer, as well as theecological health of their habitat, and they make recommendations and set quotas designed to ensure that game resources and naturalbiodiversity are protected, managed, and maintained.[18][19][20] Many factors, some of them difficult to measure or predict, are analyzed including natural cycles,parasites, disease, short-term weather conditions (relative harshness of winter or summer), long-termclimate changes, and condition of food sources. Hunting is not the only factor affecting reindeer welfare, but it is one area that can be managed to some degree.
Since reindeer in southwestern Greenland have no naturally occurring non-humanpredators,[21][22] harvesting quotas are established to helpregulate the number of reindeer in an area and preventovergrazing and death from starvation. During the winter, the great effort ofpawing down (known as "cratering")[23][24] through the snow to their favorite food, alichen known asreindeer moss, can cost them too manycalories in expended energy, causing them tolose strength and die.[25][26][27] Without human monitoring and regulation, mass starvation of reindeer would be a recurring problem.
Harvesting recommendations are also based on other prognostic factors, among them estimates of reindeer population density, total population in various regions, and availability of adequate food sources.[28] Since these estimates are difficult to make and can vary over time for each region, the recommendations and quotas are constantly adapted to the local needs,[20] sometimes quite radically. Historically, Greenland's reindeer population has fluctuated widely. For example, it numbered around 100,000 in the early 1970s and then was believed to have dropped to about 9,000 in 1993.[29] Hunting regulations reflected these mistaken and hotly debated estimates and harvesting was suspended from the summer of 1993 until the autumn of 1995, whereupon hunting was once again allowed.[7][22][30]
The controversial suspension of hunting in 1993-1995 "created much public anger." Hunters' local knowledge contradicted the official estimates and a survey in 2000-2001 confirmed the hunters' claims that there were far more animals to be harvested. Quotas were then radically increased and the hunting season was lengthened: "In an effort to reduce caribou number and density, open harvests were continued in 2003, 2004 and 2005."[22]
In 2005, improved counting methods revealed that the previous estimates had indeed been misleading and that the population density was far too high, with 3-4 caribou per km2, rather than the preferred 1.2 per km2. In 2006 the number of reindeer was estimated to be more than 100,000, which was still too many animals.[31] A constant concern is that overpopulation can lead to increased mortality of calves, damage to feeding grounds, and a population crash:
Scientists and hunters continue to work together for the best good of all concerned parties: the reindeer, the hunters, the general populace of Greenland, and the very sensitive and vulnerable range grounds, since Greenland's tundra is more sensitive than elsewhere in the Arctic due to the ever-presentinland ice sheet. This ice sheet acts like an open refrigerator door, stunting the growth of vegetation along the coastal regions and making recovery a slow process.
Reindeer (or caribou)[32] (also calledtuttu by the Greenlandic Inuit[33] andrensdyr orrener byDanes) are the onlydeer species in which both sexes haveantlers. Greenland animals can vary considerably in size, with females weighing up to 90 kg (198 lb) and the males ("bulls") 150 kg (331 lb). Other species of reindeer can be larger or smaller. In Greenland both sexes may be hunted. Although they have antlers, they rarely use them against humans, even when backed into a corner by theSami people who herd, milk, and slaughter them for food in other lands. Their usual defense against humans is to pull away or flee, often uphill. Males use their antlers whensparring against each other, and reindeer may use them as a last resort to defend themselves and their young against predators such aswolves,[34] although wolves present no threat in southwestern Greenland.[21] Although rarely aggressive toward humans, when inrut bulls will defend their harems from other bulls, and when humans come between a bull and his harem, attacks have been recorded.[35]
Tame reindeer are known to be curious, but even wild reindeer can be curious in some situations.[36][37][38][39] The wild reindeer is a shy animal and it reacts very quickly to sudden sounds or movements as well as the smell of strangers.[40] In spite of this, inexperienced animals may even approach quite closely to a hunter and curiously observe while the hunter isfield dressing a downed animal. They have good hearing and a good sense of smell, but have poor eyesight. They may react to a hunter's movements, but not necessarily to his form if he doesn't move.[41] Under the right conditions, a stealthy hunter may be able to approach surprisingly close to a reindeer, even when the hunter is in full sight of the animal. Many animals are shot at relatively close range (10–50 meters).
Three subspecies[30] of reindeer live in western Greenland where someinterbreeding has occurred:
Two main types of hunters are involved in harvesting reindeer: licensed commercial hunters and private resident sporting hunters, with tourists,trophy hunters, and research scientists harvesting a few more animals.
Transportation to and from hunting areas is nearly always done by boat. The rest of the transportation is byfoot. If the hunting area is far inland, it may involve carrying equipment to a lake, and then transporting it across the lake to a campsite using a smaller type of boat, such as arowboat,canoe (including collapsible models), or arubberinflatable boat. Some lakes have boats permanently left (or hidden in the bushes) near the shores, and they are sometimes used by hunters (not necessarily the owners) who frequent the area.
In 2006 the onlyhunting weapons allowed for reindeer harvesting werebolt action, non-automatic rifles, using.222 Remingtoncalibercartridges or larger.[47] A good, large riflescope is important, as shots at longer distances may be necessary, and visibility may be poor because of snowfall, fog, or limited lighting levels. Folding or fixed-blade huntingknives are necessary for many purposes.Binoculars with largeobjectivediameter are used to spot prey at great distances, sometimes in waning light.
Rifles (both bolt action and semi-automatic) of other calibers,shotguns, and other types of weapons may be used for other game such asptarmigan,Arctic hares, andArctic foxes, which are often encountered during a reindeer hunt.
Harvesting is governed by regulations and requires ahunting license indicating the number of animals to be harvested, as well as post-hunting reporting of results (ajawbone with teeth). Such licenses can be obtained by those who have established two years of residency. Special arrangements are made for tourists and trophy hunters. Information can be sought and licenses obtained (by application and payment) from thelocal municipality.
Airplanes, helicopters, and other motorized vehicles (such assnowmobiles),[48] are not allowed to be used for hunting or land transport of animals or hunters. Boats are allowed for transport to and from hunting areas. Alead identificationtag must be attached to the carcass until it is sold or used. The meat is owned by the hunter and no extra fees are charged for it.
In 2006 the open season extended from August 10 - September 15.[47] In exceptional cases the dates can be changed, for example periods of bad weather and too much ice, resulting in a lengthening of the season.[49] Winter hunting is an option for those specially licensed as commercial hunters (normally reserved for Inuit residents).
Once downed, a reindeer is quicklyfield dressed by removing theviscera. The skin, head, and viscera are often discarded and left for consumption by foxes,ravens, and otherbirds. The meat is kept cool to minimize decomposition and protected fromblow-flies by the use of mesh game bags, and any fly eggs (very visible) andmaggots are removed immediately.[50][51] The cool climate makes it possible for the meat to be kept out in the open longer than in warmer climates, therefore a hunting expedition can last several days without a serious loss of meat quality. Once home again, the meat can behung andaged for a few days before further processing.[52]
Carrying a reindeer over a long distance in rugged mountainous terrain can be difficult and very strenuous. More than five kilometers each way is not uncommon.[27] If the animal is very large, it may only be possible to transport one half at a time. In Greenland, reindeer meat is commonly carried over the shoulders,[53] possibly tied to abackpack frame, or carried on the back with support from aheadband, the last being a method preferred by the Inuit. Unskinned game may also be dragged on snow, or allowed to slide down steep, snow-covered hillsides, thus saving much work and freeing the hands for support while climbing downhill.
There are severalhunting strategies that can be used for harvesting reindeer:
Note:Loose dogs, dog driving, andcoursing are not allowed in Greenland.
A reindeer hunt can be a short afternoon outing without much equipment, or a week-long affair with all the equipment that such an endeavor requires. New hunters may experience a form ofculture shock[54] the first time they enter the wilderness, and may require mentalacclimatization when returning to civilization. It may feel like a fleeting period ofmental confusion, similar to the "sea legs" felt by inexperienced boaters.
Reindeer harvesting can be done in groups or alone, with lone hunting generally requiring extra safety precautions. While reindeer harvesting is usually a pleasant experience and the following problems may never be encountered, it can also be exhausting and does entail some degree of safety risk. Good hygiene and adequatehydration can protect againstinfections,diarrhea, andgastroenteritis. A smallfirst aid kit should be carried when away from the campsite or boat, and preparations should be made for the varioushazards of outdoor recreation. The terrain can be hilly, mountainous, uneven, and stony, with hidden crevices or holes. It may also bemarshy, muddy, and wet. It may be necessary to cross streams and rivers, and slippery rocks present a hazard. If there is snow and ice, there can becornices,crevasses, andavalanches, although snow can make it easier to spot andtrack reindeer.
The weather during the beginning of the autumn hunting season is often pleasant, relatively warm, and mild, but it can change very quickly. Hunters may encounter fog, rain, wind, and winter conditions. Occasionally the situation can quickly approach aworst-case scenario with events such askatabatic winds, storms, snow,hail,sleet,freezing rain,blizzards, andpolar cyclones, even in the late summer. Lack of preparation can have fatal consequences.
Using a compass in Greenland involves accounting for a very extreme[55]magnetic declination. Failure to calculate correctly can send a hunter in the wrong direction, leading to complete loss ofbearings. Getting lost in bad weather can waste precious time, forcing the hunter to overnight in very wet, cold, and unpleasant conditions.Hypothermia can further complicate matters and decrease the hunter's ability to think clearly, causing them to lose their bearings even more. A fight forsurvival may then ensue. Deaths are relatively rare, but they do happen.
The world#s Caribou and Reindeer are classified as a single speciesRangifer tarandus. Reindeer is the European name for the species while in North America, the species is known as Caribou.
