Saw a discounted hunt being offered for reindeer and after looking at the pic of them, what is the difference between a reindeer and a caribou?

Reindeer and caribou are actually the same specie, but with different geographic distribution. They're only found naturally on the northern hemisphere. This map shows the distribution roughly.



The reindeer/caribou are separated in seven subspecies. There's of course not an agreement on this subject among different scientists, but this is what most believe.

Here's a map for you:



As you can see there's a lot of areas in Scandinavia and Eurasia that has domesticated reindeer, but as far as I know this isn't normal in North America.

I've only hunted reindeer and only in Norway, but it is a very good experience. Though hunting with a lot of trekking involved.
In which country was the offer?

Here's a photo of a female reindeer I took during this seasons hunt.

IIRC , some reindeer were imorted to Alaska because they were more easily domesticated.

a caribou in a thunderstorm

I referred to my caribou as reindeer so I could tell everyone we had reindeer for dinner on Christmas Eve!

Anders,
It is under the "Outfitters - Offered and discounted hunts" section. The hunt would be in Iceland.

Thanks for clarifying the species for me.

It's easy to tell them apart.

If it's a reindeer, it will either have a red nose or else answer to the name of Comet or Cupid or...

Sorry! My 5-year-old twins are watching Rudolph on TV tonight, so I just couldn't resist the temptation.

quote:

Originally posted by bluefin:
Anders,
It is under the "Outfitters - Offered and discounted hunts" section. The hunt would be in Iceland.

Thanks for clarifying the species for me.

Bluefin, just for curiosity, have you contacted an outfitter or do you have contacts in Iceland ?

Bluefin,

I read the ad and visited their website. The hunt looks interesting if only because it is in Iceland. The part that I got a chuckle out of was the other hunts for seal and puffin. Can you imagine trying to import those buggers. Oh! The bunny hugger outcry. Yikes!!!

Mark