WOUNDING. 403 



Some, that I shoot are wounded and get away, and probably die. I 

 have caught a good many seals that had shot 

 in them. Ellabush, p. 385. 



They kill and wound a great many that they do not get. I have 

 speared a great many seals that had shot in 

 them. Selwish Johnson, p. 388. 



I know that a great many must be lost by the white hunters, for a 

 great many that I catch have shot in them, and 

 Some are badly WOUlided. Jas. Lighthouse, p. 390. 



During the killing season on the Commander Jno. Malowowansky, p. 

 Islands we frequently hnd in the bodies both ly8 - 

 bullets and shot. 



I have captured a great many seals with the John Ty sum, p. 394. 

 spear and found shot in them. 



When they were wounded we had to chase them, Patrick Maroney, p. 

 and then sometimes would not get them. 4&4 - 



While out seal hunting last year I captured a few seals that the 

 white hunters had wounded and lost, and found 

 a good many shot in their bodies. I have cap- Charley White, #.396. 

 tured a good many seals lately that had buckshot 

 n them, 

 i 



At the times when the male seals are on the rookeries the large 

 catches are made. A traveling seal is alert, 



cautious, quick of hearing, and easily disturbed. 4q / 7 ' 04 '' 2 * " lllmm8 > P- 

 A sleeping seal is at the mercy of anyone. The 



large proportion of traveling seals shot at and lost is due to the 

 timidity of the animal; in fact, all the hunters admit that when there 

 is much shooting going on the seals are very difficult to get. The loss 

 of sleeping seals, which I estimate as two lost for one saved, is due to 

 the fact that unless the bullet or shot kills the animal instantly it will 

 immediately dive, and it is not easy to kill a seal instantly. The head 

 of the seal affords but a small mark. Even in the case of a sleeper, the 

 motion of the water keeps it moving. The boat from which the hunter 

 shoots is also moving, and while there are men who at a distance of 

 50 or 60 yards can shoot a small object under such circumstances, they 

 are extremely rare. They are famous as experts, and they are highly 

 rewarded for their skill. Certainly not one in ten of all the seal hunt- 

 ers can truthfully assert, nor do they attempt to do so when in a 

 confidential humor, that they kill 50 per cent of their seals dead. 



I was in the company of a number of them in Victoria in 1889, and 

 heard them talking among themselves of their prowess. Some put 

 forward claims which the others derided. Any estimate in excess of 

 the one I have already given called forth uncomplimentary remarks 

 and charges of boastfulness. The disinclination of these men to state 

 the absolute facts, and they alone know what the facts are, in relation 

 to the number of seals shot and lost, has been intensified lately by the 

 feeling that it is necessary for them to make a good showing to back 

 up the claim that pelagic sealing is not absolutely destructive of the 

 seal herd. 



