TAKEN IN SAN FRANCISCO. 439 



sons get later every year. There are breeding- dates, etc. Ten years 

 ago tliey never used to be any later tban August breeding tliere. Now 

 they are getting later than that,' and are getting on to September, 

 because the world is changing, the climate is — the seals change accord- 

 ing to the climate. 



Q. In your view of the case they should be protected 

 intheBeringSeaalltheseasonf— A. Yes, sir; T think ,.,5""^'^'*'"° "''"" 

 it would be advisable to protect them in the Berings 

 Sea altogether. 



Q. You are an old sealer; perhaps you know some things that I don't. 

 If there is anything you think of that is interesting I should like to 

 know it ? — A. No, s"ir; I should like to give my opinion as far as it is 

 right, and beyond that I would not do it. I am interested in sealing, 

 and want to protect the seals. I wish to say that I would like to see 

 the seal islands protected from raids, and also the Bering Sea. 



Deposition of Gustave Isaacson, sealer (master). 



Gust AYE Isaacson, having been duly sworn, testified as follows: 

 Mr. Williams : 



Q. What is your name, age, residence, and occupation? — A. My 

 name is Gustave Isaacson; age, 46; residence, San Francisco; occuj)a- 

 tion, hunting seals. 



Q. Are you an American citizen ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Have you ever been engaged in the business of catching seals in 

 the Pacific or Bering Sea"? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. For how long a period? — A. I have been principally occupied in 

 otter hunting at the beginning of the seasons; at short intervals I have 

 been sealing. 



Q. For how many years? — A. Since 1872; but principally from the 

 other side, the Okhotsch Sea side; since 1884 on this side. 



Q. Have you been master of vessels thus engaged? — A. Yes, sir; for 

 eight years on the Japan side and one year on this side. 



Q. Have you any experience as to the habits of the fur-seals? — A. 

 Only following them u]) hunting, I have been listening to your ques- 

 tions to CaptJ. McLean, and I have the same idea, ex- 

 cept as to the protection. I think they ought to be ,a5'"every?here 

 protected everywhere they can, both outside and inside 

 the sea. 



Q. What time of the year do you generally start out sealing in the 

 Pacific and up to what time do you continue? — A. In the middle of 

 January or February. 



Q. What time of the year are the seals all out of the Pacific, having 

 gone to the Bering Sea?— A. About the latter part of ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^.^^ 



June. about latter part of 



Q. According to your experience, what percentage "^""*'- 

 of animals that are shot at are actually taken by the One secured out of 

 boats? — A. I think about one-third is lost. *^'"'^'^' 



Q. Are the seals shot at asleep on the water or awake, generally? — 

 A. Mostly asleep. Very often they are shot at while traveling, 

 breeching. 



