ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 209 



Q. What percentage of seals are taken compared to those yon destroy 

 in doing so; in other words, how many do you actually get out of those 

 you shoot f — A. We get about 75 per cent of them. 



Q. Is it not a fact that when you first started in the business and 

 was inexperienced in hunting, that you, like many others, destroyed a 

 much larger proportion than you now do'? — A. Yes, sir; it is. (Andrew 

 J. Hoffman.) 



The shotgun was exclusively used by our hunters. I can form no 

 idea as to the amount of seals lost. Some hunters lost more and some 

 less. It ranges all the way from 10 to 75 per cent, according to stories 

 told by hunters. (O. Holm.) 



We used shotguns, and secured about two seals out of five that we 

 shot. (Alfred Irving.) 



The Indian hunters with spears would not wound or lose but very few 

 seals that they struck, but the ordinary white hunter will, on an average, 

 lose over half that he kills and wounds. (James Jamieson.) 



About 40 per cent shot with shotgun are lost. When the rifle is used 

 a larger per cent is lost. (J. Johnson.) 



Have always used shotgun and rifle for taking seal. I never lose any 

 seal when I shoot them, because I always shoot them close to. (Johnnie 

 Johntin.) 



The spear and arrow were used to take seal when I was a boy, but 

 now I use the shotgun and rifle. At least 50 per cent are lost when shot 

 with shotgun. When rifle is used a larger portion of seals are lost. (P. 

 Kahiktday.) 



I always use the shotgun for killing seal. I lose about four out of 

 ten that I shoot. (King Kashwa.) 



I always use the shotgun for taking seal. Sometimes I lose two and 

 three out of ten that I shoot. (Jim Kasooh.) 



Fully one-half the seal shot with shotguns are lost, and a much 

 larger proportion when the rifle is used. None were lost when struck 

 with a spear. (Mike Kethusduck.) 



On an average we got one or two out of every six or seven that we 

 wounded or killed. (James Kennedy.) 



Constant shooting has frightened them and made them wild, so that 

 they have to be shot at great distances unless found asleep. Much 

 depends for successful hunting upon the weather, as it is difiicult to 

 get accurate aim when both the hunter's boat and the seal are in motion. 

 A poor hunter does not secure more than one out of every five shot or 

 aimed at. Good hunters do better. (James Kiernan.) 



The first sighted was August 4, longitude 136° 32' west, latitude 

 52° 46' north. During the days following August 4 canoes were 

 lowered, but their search for seals was fruitless. On August 14, before 

 entering Bering Sea, a seal was speared by the Indians off Marmont 

 Island, which was bearing NW. ^ W. 35 miles. We entered the sea 

 at 6.30 J), m. on the 22d day of August and at 9 o'clock the following 

 morning we got our first seal in Bering Sea. It was shot by one of 

 the white men in a boat. We were at this time about 25 miles west by 

 north of Northwest Cape on Uniniak Pass. On the same day four 

 other seals were shot, and three not recovered. Two sank and the 

 other escaped badly wounded. The following day the captain shot 



H. Doc. 92, pt. 2 14 



