ALASKA FISHERY AND FXTR-SKAT. INDUSTRIKR, 19 34 



69 



BULLS 



A census of harem and idle bulls was taken at the usual time. 

 Wliore Inrfje areas or unfavorable conditions made accurate counts 

 im])ossiblc, a conservative estimate was made at the time the re- 

 mainder of the rookery was counted. 



Sivutch rookery, on Sea Lion Rock, was not counted. As the 

 small area of Sea Lion Rock is now densely populated with seals 

 during the breeding season, this rookery is hardly capable of continued 

 expansion. 



Considerably more bulls of the idle and surplus class were on the 

 rookeries and haiding grounds during the last few days of July than 

 there were about 2 weeks later when the census was taken. This 

 may have been because unfavorable weather in the latter period 

 caused the mature bulls without cows to remain in the water. 



A number of bulls branded with a hot iron in 1923, as 3-year-olds, 

 were observed holding harems on various rookeries. These bulls, 

 though 14 3^ears of age, were still active and robust. 



Nvmbcr of harem and idle bulls, approximate ratio of idle bulls to harem bulls, and 



average harem, IBS 4 



AVERAGE HAREM 



The maintaining of a proper average harem is necessary to provide 

 for a maximum increase in growth of the herd. The average harem 

 should be maintained at about 40. A slight variation from tliis figure 

 would be of no consequence. The average harem for the two islands 

 was 41.95 in 1934, as compared with 40.96 in 1933. 



