Northern reindeer of Taymyr Okrug as the focus of economic activity: Contemporary problems of reindeer husbandry and the wild reindeer hunt

Abstract

Differing systems for the utilization of wild and domestic reindeer in the Taymyr Autonomous Okrug are examined in four “ethno‐economic”; areas—the Dolgan, Nenets, Nganasan, and Evenki. Particular attention is devoted to whether the primary focus is upon hunting wild reindeer or herding domesticated animals. Subsequent sections of the paper examine changes in the condition of pasture for domestic and wild reindeer, the effects of commercial hunting on wild reindeer, and changes in the number of private versus collectively held domesticated reindeer. A final section explores the applicability of Scandinavian and North American approaches to reindeer husbandry and rangeland management.