DRIVING. 241 



methods in the killing- that we have pursued at the Pribilof Islands, 

 with the result of constantly and healthfully increasing the herd. 

 That seals are occasionally injured or lost by improper handling is no 

 sufficient reason for abandoning a system of management which proves 

 satisfactory when properly administered. These theorists apparently 

 find it very easy to criticise the management of the seals without sug- 

 gesting any way in which to improve it. 



The erection of "salt houses" at suitable places for curing the seal 

 skins was one of the earliest works undertaken, 



and several we v e erected at points convenient to jr. w, Mclntyre, p. 137. 

 the largest " hauling grounds." In addition to 



this teams were furnished and skins hauled to the salting places or, in 

 other instances, they were taken by boats, as most convenient. 



In this manner the necessity for long drives was obviated and the 

 work made easier in all respects. 



The polygamous habit before mentioned naturally results in forcing 

 the young male seals to "haul" from the sea by themselves, which 

 renders their capture less difficult, as they may be driven without dis- 

 turbing the breeding seals with their young. Seals to be killed were 

 usually, and as a rule, driven at night or very early in the morning 

 when the grass or ground was moist with dew or during the prevalence 

 of fog, and was leisurely performed under direction of experienced 

 hunters, hence the animals were spared the fatigue of traveling on dry 

 ground at unwonted speed. 



When not be ng driven their movements on land are in nowise un- 

 certain or distressing, and they are frequently seen journeying of their 

 own volition from one "rookery" or "hauling place" to another at 

 considerable distance, especially when singly or in small groups; they 

 catch on a strong wind the scent of a herd at a remote point and set 

 out to join it. In connection with the work of driving the seals at fre- 

 quent intervals it was of special interest to observe that they became 

 less wild or timid, and consequently could be managed more easily in 

 herd. 



The driving grounds on Copper Island are very rough and hilly and 

 much more difficult to drive over than those on 



the Pribilof Islands. The drives are always j n o. Malowansky, p. 199 

 carefully made, slow, with a chance to rest, and (Commander Islands.) 

 foggy days are selected. I have never been able 



to discover any injury to the herds from these drives, nor do I believe 

 there is any. The killable seals herd by themselves, and until recently 

 we did not drive from all the hauling grounds, but this we have had to 

 do in the last three or four years, because the seals were getting scarce 

 as the result of hunting them at sea. 



No one ever said in those days [before 18GS] that seals were made 

 impotent by driving, although long drives had 

 been made for at least fifty years. * * * Anion Melovedoff, p U2. 



When I first went on a drive I remember how the chiefs talked to 

 me about being careful of how I went on the haul- 

 ing grounds; how I must not disturb the breeding A - Melovedoff,p. 142. 

 rookeries, and that I must walk as slow as I could 

 when driving, and stop and let the seals rest occasionally. 



1 believe the same instructions were given at all times by the chiefs 

 to our people, and I think they have been generally very faithfully 

 obeyed. 



16 B s 



