Reindeer antlers and what they can tell us about the reindeer population

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Abstract
The form and size of reindeer antlers are due to the animals’ age, genetic constitution, and nutritional condition. The antlers are shed once a year at different seasons depending on the animals’ age, sex, and, for females, whether they are pregnant or not. Finds of subfossil antler‐fragments from Heisantj⊘nn and Sumtangen on Hardangervidda show that the hunting has taken place early in the autumn and that is has been selective for the males. This article is based on studies of the reindeer, Rangifier tarandus L. on Hardangervidda today, and on a subfossil bone material.