216 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



Percentage lost — General statements. 



We had a row on board because some of the hunters were green 

 hands and the men would not go out in the boats with them. They 

 took the hunters out of our boats and put them into the other boats 

 that made no catch, and then we kicked tliat they shouhl put the green 

 hunters into our boats, because everything they would shoot would sink 

 on them and be lost. (Charles Adair.) 



The destructiveness to seal life by pelagic hunting is very great. The 

 majority of seals killed are pregnant females, so that two lives are often 

 sacrificed in securing one skin. This is true whether firearms or spears 

 are used. In addition to this, the number of skins marketed does not 

 represent the number actually destroyed, for many are killed that are 

 not secured, while others, though fatally wounded, still possess strength 

 enough to escape their pursuers. (A. B. Alexander.) 



Of those killed the number saved varies with the skill of the hunters. 

 Last year we lost very few. (Charles Avery.) 



A very few are lost when shot with the shotgun, as we shoot them 

 close to the boat. (Johnny Baronovitch.) 



In hunting with the spear we don't lose many that we hit. I never 

 hunted with guns. (Peter Brown.) 



Experienced hunters lose very few seal that are shot, but beginners 

 lose a great many. (Charles Campbell.) 



As to the percentage of seals lost in pelagic sealing where the use of 

 firearms is employed, I am not able to state of my own observation and 

 experience, but from conversation with those engaged in the business I 

 am of the opinion that the number secured is small compared with 

 those lost in attempts to secure them. (W. C. Coulson.) 



None were lost when the spear was used. When the shotgun is used 

 sometimes they are lost. A few more are lost when rifle is used. 

 (Charlie Dahtlin.) 



Were I engaged at present in sealing I should prefer the spear to the 

 rifle or shotgun, and I believe its use is not near so destructive to seal 

 life. (James Dalgarduo.) 



The Indians have always hunted seal with a shotgun, and lam sorry 

 to say that they have killed a great many more than they secured. 

 (William Duncan.) 



From the ammunition we furnished them I learned that some of the 

 hunters on an average used from two to three rounds of shot to a seal, 

 while others used from forty to fifty rounds. (George Fogel.) 



Have always used the shotgun for killing seal, and but very few are 

 lost. (Chief Frank.) 



Have always used spear for taking seal, and but very few are lost. 

 (Chad George.) 



A very large number of shots are thrown away. In the case of the 

 Thistle, in her voyage of 1891, she brought in but nine skins, while her 

 hunters had fired away 260 pounds of shot. She had poor hunters. 

 (E. M. Greenleaf.) 



That in pelagic sealing twice as many seals are lost as are captured. 

 (W. P. Griflith.) 



