SINKING. 407 



Fur-seals shot when sleeping - occasionally go down at once, but the rule 

 is for them to float for three or four minutes. They should be ap- 

 proached from the leeward, and if shot in the back of the head may 

 almost invariably be recovered. 



When seal are killed dead they sink very quick, especially if killed 

 when they first put their head above water, as 

 they do not have a chance to take breath. Most F. Hofstad, p. 260. 

 all seal are shot in the head when it is possible 

 to do so. 



If a seal is killed when its head first comes above water, it sinks at 

 once. Under those conditions they are hard to 

 secure. Seal are always shot in the head when P- KaMktday, p. 261. 

 possible, but never miss a shot at them if only a 

 small part of the body is exposed. 



If a seal is shot and killed instantly he will Philip Kashevaroj}. p. 

 sink very quick. 262 - 



Firearms (rifles and shotguns) are used almost exclusively. All 

 seals sink quickly, but those shot through the 

 head and killed remain on the surface longest. Frank Korth, p. 235. 



If seal are shot dead, they sink at once and it is hard to secure them. 



Seal are shot in the head when it is possible to 



^q so Jno. Kowineet, p. 264. 



Seal, when instantly killed, will always sink 

 quick. I always shoot seal in the head when Ge0, Lachee1c > P- 265 - 

 possible. 



To secure a fur-seal it is best to shoot it through the body, as it will 

 float longer than if shot through the head. Male 

 fur-seal sink almost instantly when shot dead, F. L. Lawson, p. 221. 

 while a pregnant female will float for several 

 minutes. 



The practice of using shotguns charged with buckshot is working 

 havoc in the seal herd. The shots scatter, and 

 many animals are wounded and escape that after- Isaac IAebes, p. 453. 

 wards die of their wounds. This is conclusively 



proved by the fact that many skins known to the trade as " stinkers" 

 are brought in and offered for sale; so called because they have been 

 taken by passing vessels from seals found dead on the surface of the 

 water. It is well known that seals which are killed at sea and sink 

 beyond the reach of the hunter's gaff rise to the surface after decompo- 

 sition sets in. Naturally, those thus picked up are but a small part of 

 the number that actually perish in the water in consequence of their 

 wounds. 



When a seal is shot dead it almost instantly Wm. H. Long, p. 458. 

 sinks, and it is only secured by stunning it. 



Cow seal with pup will float lighter than a male Geo. McAlpine, p. 266. 

 when killed. 



