Reindeer a Tourist Draw

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By 1996, Hoxsie was looking for new animals and found his first reindeer – not to pull the sleigh, but as an added attraction to what has become a must-do seasonal experience. He began breeding the photogenic animals almost immediately, and, at times, the herd has numbered as many as 17.

Native to the world’s Arctic regions, reindeer were first domesticated 5,000 to 7,000 years ago in northern Europe. Today, they range from Scandinavia, Russia and Siberia to Alaska, Canada and Greenland. North American reindeer, known as caribou, are genetically the same species as their European cousins; a small population of woodland caribou lives on the northern short of Lake Superior, less than a day’s drive from Traverse City.

In the wild, reindeer are tirelessly migratory, ranging as far as 3,000 miles a year in search of food. Unlike other deer, both male and female reindeer and caribou grow antlers, which they shed once a year. Their coats are extremely well insulated, thanks to the presence of hollow guard hairs, and their wide hooves – filled with fatty tissue that acts as a natural antifreeze – are well-suited for digging and walking on the snow.

“Actually, they do light-duty pulling in some parts of the world, and they’ve been used quite a bit for transportation,” Hoxsie says. “But ours are just for show.”

When they’re not on display as the stars of Antler Ridge Farm, the reindeer are also a favorite attraction at Michigan schools, festivals and other events. They’re especially popular around Christmas, when the Hoxsies take them around the state on educational tours.

For more information on Antler Ridge Farm, call 231-267-5795. For information on Traverse City and surrounding area, contact the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-TRAVERSE or visit the Web site at www.VisitTraverseCity.com.

– information from Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau

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