730 MARINE PRODUCTS OF COMMERCE 



few weeks later reach Point Lay, where they feed on the extensive clam beds. 

 The Pacific walrus is not found east of Point Barrow. This same species occm's 

 off the Siberian Coast, and it is believed by some that both the old world and 

 new world animals commingle in their migration. The herds move west and south 

 from the Alaskan Arctic in the fall, just ahead of the ice. 



The wrinkled, blotchy skin of this animal, its great bulk, tusks, and bristled, 

 blunt nose, give it a very grotesque and formidable appearance. Walruses spend 

 much time lying and sleeping on the ice floes, occasionally going into the water 

 to feed on clams and other mollusks, which they dig, partly with their tusks, from 

 beds in the shallow sea. They are strongly gregarious and assemble in large num- 

 bers, both in the water and on the ice. The young are born as they drift north 

 on the ice floes during May and June, and breeding occurs in June and July, at 

 which time there is much fighting among the bulls. There is a strong family instinct 

 and the adults defend their young vigorously. Adult animals attain a weight of 

 2,000 to 3,000 pounds, and are known to have tusks as long as 36 inches, though 

 the usual length is much less. 



In Alaskan waters the kilhng of walrus is prohibited except by natives for food 

 and clothing. As a further measure of protection the shipment of raw walrus ivory 

 out of Alaska is prohibited. The meat, blubber, skins, and ivory of the walrus are 

 all used by the Eskimos, and some coastal villages are virtually dependent upon 

 these animals for their existence; without them the Eskimos of these villages would 

 be without their principal food, material for clothing and shelter, and raw material 

 for their basic trade of ivory carving. The annual kill of walrus by the Alaskan 

 Eskimos is estimated at between 1,000 and 1,500 animals. 



Method of Hunting. In former times walrus were taken by the natives by 

 harpooning them from skin boats, kayaks, or lancing them on the ice; now they 

 use high-powered rifles. Along the Alaskan Arctic Coast the hunting operations 

 are carried out in the following manner chiefly in the spring. 



The natives use a launch or whale boat, powered by an outboard motor, to tow 

 a string of skin oomiaks out along the icepack off shore to the areas where the 

 animals are hauled out on the ice. They locate them in spite of the almost con- 

 tinual fog that hangs over the ice, by listening for their roaring whistle that seems 

 to carry for a great distance. This sounds somewhat like the distant baying of a 

 hound. Walrus swimming in the water also lead the natives to the places where 

 the great herds are congregated. Walrus in the water seem very wary and hard 

 to approach, but on the ice they are easily approached. When the boats have 

 worked their way in among the large pods of walrus hauled out on the ice, the 

 Eskimos select a small group of the animals that are ideally situated for killing. It 

 would be too dangerous to make a kill where several hundred are congregated, 

 and this is avoided. 



When a small group has been selected on some flat ice that is favorable for cut- 

 ting them up after the kill, the natives tie up their boats and several stay behind 

 to protect the boats from the animals in the water. The hunters make ready an 

 oomiak, and after saying a prayer they paddle to the group of walrus. Three or 4 

 hunters in the bow of the boat are ready with rifles, and they do the shooting. 

 As the boat approaches to within 15 or 20 feet of the walrus, the men talk in low 

 tones. This talking seems to keep the herd from becoming alarmed. As the boat 

 approaches, the animals rear themselves erect and watch. 



