144 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



METHODS OF SEALING. 



When the schooner comes into sealing territory and the weather is favorable, her 

 boats or canoes are lowered and sent iu search of seals. They go to the windward ;md 

 at slightly different angles ; the vessel follows under slow sail trying to keep in 

 sight of the boats. Night or the approach of bad weather drives in the boats 

 with their catch of the day whatever it may be. 



THE SEALS AS FOUND. 



Seals at sea are designated in three different classes. When found in motion they 

 are called "travelers/' When at rest they are called " sleepers." Sometimes resting 

 seals are awake, but listlessly floating on the water, and from the movement of their 

 flippers they are said to be "finning." 



METHODS OF CAPTURE. 

 THE SPEAR. 



In favorable weather seals are found sleeping between the hours from 1) o'clock in 

 the morning until 5 or G in the evening. In stormy weather the seals can not rest and 

 so sleep more soundly in the first good weather after a storm. Sleeping seals are as 

 a rule taken with the spear. Mr. A. B. Alexander has given us the following graphic 

 account of the operation : ' 



At the end of an hour we saw our first seal about a quarter of a mile ahead. The canoe was 

 kept off under its lee, the sail taken in, and everything put in readiness for action. Cautiously we 

 paddled toward the prey, care being taken not to make the slightest noise. We approached within 

 about 40 feet when the seal began to grow restless, as if it was dreaming of danger. The hunter 

 stood braced, spear in hand, and with true aim he hurled it with all his force at the sleeping object. 

 In ;ni instant the scene of repose was changed into one of intense excitement and pain. With a jump 

 the seal instantly disappeared below the surface, but not to escape, for when once a spear becomes 

 fastened to an object it seldom pulls out. Soon it came up to breathe and renew its desperate 

 struggle for liberty. It stood in the water facing us, with its body half exposed as if taking in the 

 situation, and with a kind of low piteous growl, as though itreali/.ed its end was near, it renewed the 

 contest. It fought madly, diving, jumping, and swimming with great speed, first in one direction, 

 then in another, sometimes on one side of the canoe and then on the other, the Indian all the time 

 holding the spear rope, trying to draw the seal near the canoe so as to strike it on the head with the 

 killing club. In its frantic efforts to escape, it bit at the line several times, but soon abandoned the 

 idea of gaining its freedom in such a manner and again resorted to jumping and diving. The loss 

 of Mood soon caused it to grow weak, and after a fight, which lasted perhaps five minutes, it ceased 

 to struggle altogether and was hauled to the side of the canoe and dispatched with the club. 



THE SHOOTING OF SEALS. 



Traveling seals are taken by shooting. Sleeping seals are of course shot also, but 

 with these animals the spear is more effective since they are frequently found sleeping 

 in groups. To shoot into one of these groups means the taking of but one animal, and 

 the report startles all the other seals in the vicinity. With the spear but little noise 

 is made. 



Where the traveling seal is jumping clear of the water, " breaching," as it is called, 

 the rifle is used, as the shot must be made at longer range. Where the seal is within 

 close range or can be approached, as when it is asleep, the shotgun discharging buck- 

 shot is used. The aim is for the head or breast of the animal. 



1 Proc. Fur Seal Arb., Vol. 9, p. 346. 



