Reindeer hunting in Greenland

"[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 the Arctic and colder regions.

Their meat, viscera, internal organs, and even stomach contents, have all been utilized as food, both raw, dried, smoked, and cooked.

Reindeer meat is an important staple in most households, and the populace waits with great anticipation for the autumn hunting season to begin.

Greenland is large and long with differing hunting customs and regulations, as well as weather patterns, depending on the region and season.

[7] The long history of mutual dependence between humans and reindeer[3] necessitates continuing efforts to safeguard their relationship and the welfare of both parties.

During the winter, the great effort of pawing down (known as "cratering")[23][24] through the snow to their favorite food, a lichen known as reindeer moss, can cost them too many calories in expended energy, causing them to lose strength and die.

[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.

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.

[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-present inland 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 called tuttu by the Greenlandic Inuit[33] and rensdyr or rener by Danes) are the only deer species in which both sexes have antlers.

Although they have antlers, they rarely use them against humans, even when backed into a corner by the Sami people who herd, milk, and slaughter them for food in other lands.

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 only hunting weapons allowed for reindeer harvesting were bolt action, non-automatic rifles, using .222 Remington caliber cartridges or larger.

[47] A good, large rifle scope is important, as shots at longer distances may be necessary, and visibility may be poor because of snowfall, fog, or limited lighting levels.

The meat is kept cool to minimize decomposition and protected from blow-flies by the use of mesh game bags, and any fly eggs (very visible) and maggots are removed immediately.

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.

New hunters may experience a form of culture shock[54] the first time they enter the wilderness, and may require mental acclimatization when returning to civilization.

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.

Occasionally the situation can quickly approach a worst-case scenario with events such as katabatic winds, storms, snow, hail, sleet, freezing rain, blizzards, and polar cyclones, even in the late summer.

Getting lost in bad weather can waste precious time, forcing the hunter to overnight in very wet, cold, and unpleasant conditions.