The paper analyses with a range of historical data the dynamics of the Taimyr wild reindeer population. Its first period is a pre-commercial hunting period (1959–1971). The second is the period of intensive organised commercial hunting (1972–1993). The third is a post-commercial hunting period (1994–2007). Finally, there is the period of barbarity (2008 – present time). The analysis covers the dynamics of the size, sex and age structure of the population (according to the data of aerial census survey and commercial hunting samples), female barrenness, animals’ natural mortality, commercial hunting and productivity of the population. It has been demonstrated that the predominance of males in the sex and age structure of the population begins mainly at the beginning of animals’ lives. The analysis of the data on reindeer’s fertility and mortality (both natural and from commercial hunting) lead us to the conclusion that the most productive indices of the population were reached in the period of intensive organised commercial hunting. It has been demonstrated through the latest data that uncontrolled poaching might very soon lead to the destruction of this unique biological resource.