180 



FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



The followinj? are field notes of the poddiug and clubbing of a drive 

 made at Northeast Point (Fowler's party), July 1, 1890, taking nothing 

 under a 6-i)ound skin, or "long" 2-year-olds.' 



Whole number of animals driven, 1,103; number taken, 120, or 91^ 

 per cent rejected. 



July 5, 1800. — The following are field notes of the podding and club- 

 bing of a drive made from every section of Upper and Lower Zapadnie, 

 Julys, 1890: 



Whole number of animals driven, 925; number taken, 180, or 81 per 

 cent rejected . Nothing under a 6-pound skin taken, or "long" 2-year- 

 olds. Last drive from this place, June 26, 1890, when 344 animals were 

 driven and 97 taken, or 72 per cent rejected. 



These drives at Zapadnie are made just as they are at all the other 

 rookeries tliis season — made from the immediate outskirts of the breed- 

 ing animals, cows, i)nps, and bulls. This method of driving was not 

 even suggested, much less done, in 1872-1874. Such a proceeding would 

 have been voted, abominable then; it is still more so noic — it siceeps evert/ 

 ■yoiinfj male seal that is i, 5, and 2 years old into death as soon as it hauls 

 on these shores to-day. Nothing escapes except that which maturing 

 age or extreme youth saves, or rather which the high tax of 1890 

 ($10.22) saves. 



The only spot on this island where seals have hauled outside of their 

 close and immediate juxtaposition with the breeding classes, is on Mid- 

 dle Hill sand beach, at a i)oint on the English Bay sea margin about 

 halfway between Neahrpahskie Kammen and Tolstoi rookery. 



I can not summon language adequate to express my condemnation of 

 the present method of driving. Careful as it is, it is a method made 

 necessary by the amazing scarcity of young male seals. Under any and 

 all circumstances there should be a stated and positive reservation of half 

 the hauling grounds on these islands as a place of undisturbed rest and 



I Half bulls not tallied. 



