Reproduction in wild reindeer in Norway

Abstract

Pregnancy status and dressed weights were obtained from female reindeer killed during autumn and winter in five areas in southern Norway. Body weight, mandible length, and lactation status were obtained from females killed during the hunting season in the same areas. Pregnancy rates (P) were predictable from the female dressed weight at rut (W), from the equation P = 1–e^{[−0.169(W–21)]}. In areas where calves become pregnant, yearlings may have a lower pregnancy rate than expected from their weights.