88 BULI^ETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



1908. 



October 20, few cows in the drive frotn'Reef. 

 October 29, only a few cows in a drive from Tolstoi. 



1909. 



July 30, 10 cows dismissed from drive from Zapadni. 



July 31, 4 cows in drive from Reef and Gorbatch. 



October 20, 34 pups and a large number of cows were dismissed from a food drive from Tolstoi. 



November i, 45 cows were dismissed from food drive from Reef. 



November 13, 52 cows dismissed from food drive at Northeast Point. 



The great majority of these records relate to dates very late in the season; in fact, 

 only three are earlier than July 24. Two of these are June records and undoubtedly 

 refer to drives improperly made from a breeding ground. It is evident that with careful 

 driving prior to August i there is little danger to the females, but that later in the season 

 even small food drives are made at considerable risk. If a system of cold storage of 

 meat were installed on the islands and the working force of men trained to high efficiency, 

 all killing might well be confined to the months of June and July. 



Owing to the fact that few seals have been killed since 191 1, a large number of 

 five and six year old seals now haul out with the younger bachelors and are included 

 in the bands of seals which are driven to the killing grounds. These large seals are 

 a source of considerable delay and annoyance and some danger. It is always pos- 

 sible to eliminate a part of them, as they travel more slowly than the younger animals 

 and may sometimes be left behind. Some, however, refuse to be discarded, and as the 

 younger seals show a tendency to rally around the larger ones, it always happens that 

 some remain with the drive. Since they travel slowly, the speed of the entire company 

 must be accommodated to their gait, and the younger seals are trampled and hampered 

 and fatigued by their unwieldy companions. Some of the larger seals which are thus 

 included in the drives become very vicious. There are instances of sealers being seri- 

 ously injured by the sudden attack of one of these stubborn animals. 



Within the next few years, unless some means are taken to reduce the number of 

 these large seals, they will become so abundant that driving will be a matter of difficulty. 



THE SEALING SEASON. 



The season during which commercial killing is possible is short. The bachelors 

 are most numerous at the same time that the breeding animals are at their height of 

 abundance — from the last of June to the end of August. The so-called "stagey" sea- 

 son, when the animal is moulting, begins about the ist of August, and this reduces 

 the efi'ective period of greatest abundance to about one month. In order to take the 

 fullest advantage of the short season it is necessary to begin before the time of greatest 

 abundance. In past years the bulk of the catch was taken between the middle of June 

 and the 20th of July, though a few were killed in late May and a few up to the last of 

 July. This very short season necessitates that every possible faciUty for effective work 

 be provided. Even under the best conditions days will frequently occur during which 

 it will be impossible to work to advantage, and this emphasizes the need for thorough 

 preparation, so that the favorable days may be utiUzed to the fullest extent. 



