A CLOSE SEASON. 519 



Q. In your opinion, is it absolutely necessary to protect the cows in 

 Bering Sea to prevent the herd from being ex- 

 terminated? If so, for what months in the year? — Andrew J. Hoffman, p. 

 A. Yes, sir; from the 1st of June until the 1st of *^* 

 August, in order to protect the herd. 



I think that all pelagic seal hunting should be stopped for a number 

 of years, and give the seal a chance to increase, 

 and if this is not done they will soon become ex- 0. Holm, p. 368. 

 terminated. 



Q. If the cow seals are to be protected in the Bering Sea, what 

 month do you consider it would be necessary to 



prohibit any being taken? — A. I should consider Gustave Isaacson, p. 

 it necessary to protect them all the time they are ^°* 

 in the Bering Sea. 



In order to prevent the entire extermination of the fur-seal, I think 

 all pelagic sealing in the Pacific Ocean on the 

 coast of the United States, British Columbia, and Victor Jackobson, p. 

 Alaska, should be stopped ; also in Bering Sea 328 - 

 until the females have brought forth their young, about the 15th of 

 July, after which all vessels should be allowed to enter Bering Sea 

 and take seals without restraint any place outside of the legal juris- 

 diction of the United States. 



Q. If the cow seals are to be protected in the Bering Sea what month 

 do you consider it would be necessary to prohibit 



any being taken? — A. From the beginning of Frank Johnson, p. 441, 

 July to the end of the year. 



There is no way, in my judgment, of preventing the seals from being 

 totally exterminated, except by effectually pro- 

 hibiting the hunting of them, both in the ocean Ja«- Kiernan, p. 451. 

 and Bering Sea during their breeding season, say 



from February until October, on the principle of the gaming laws on 

 the land. 



I can not say as to seals appearing off the coast in less numbers each 

 year, but I think some arrangement should be 



made for their protection by a close season Andrew Laing, p. 335. 

 during the time they are carrying and nursing 

 their young. 



In order to prevent the extermination of the fur-seal species I am of 

 the opinion that a close season in the North Pacific 



Ocean and in Bering Sea should be established e. N. Lawson, p. 221. 

 and enforced from Aprd 1 to November 1 of each 

 year. 



I think that a close season between the months of February and 

 November in the North Pacific Ocean and 

 Bering Sea should be established in order to pre- i. m. Lenard, p. 217. 

 vent the extermination of the fur-seal species. 



