c 



from esce.pe by sea and are driven inland. About half a mile from the 

 shore the herd is exaiuiried. Old males, females and puppies are selected 

 and freed from the drive and returned to the shore, and the males between 

 throe and five years old are driven to the killing places. The T/cight 

 of the skin must bo botY;ecn 8 and 12 lbs. They are driven slowly and per- 

 mitted to hcJLt and cool off at regular intervals, as heating them injures 

 their fur. They seldom show fight and move along like a flock of sheep, 

 V7hen they reach the killing grounds, they are rested and cooled and when 

 ready the eligible males are driven from the herd, surrounded by natives 

 who then do the killing by striking each seal on tho head by a blow from 

 a heavy club, A single stroke properly delivered will crush the bone 

 of tho seal's skull at once. The finishing touches are made then.witk' 

 a long knife tlirust into the heart of the senseless seal and it is then 

 bled. After the killing, the body of the seal is rolled over on its back 

 and the natives make a single cut through the skin along the neck, chest 

 and belly from the lower jaw to the tail. The hind and fore flippers are 

 lifted and a circular hole is made, and the hide is cut free from the 

 body. The skins are cleaned and then salted and at the end of the season 

 are brought south and delivered to the designated firm to prepare the skins 

 for auction, 



REPORT OF CAPTAIII HOOPER. U.S.R^M . 



21 NOVEIvIBER. 1892 , 



The native "hunters divide the seals into six classes as follows: 



Sek'atch Old Bull 



Polu-sek'atch Ealf-grown-bull 



Holosty'ak Young male 



Miitkah Breeding cow 



Molodaya-matkah Young cow 



Eoteek Pup 



As a result of my investigations I find that the fur seals when 

 leaving Boring Sea in the fall go through Four Mountain Pass, Umnak Pass, 

 Akutan Pass, Unimak Pass^ and the False Pass; by fSr the greatest number, ((* 

 probably a majority of all the pups going tlirough Unimal: Pass which being 

 wider than the others^ is less subject to strong currents, tide rips, etc., 

 than the narrower passes. It coincides most nearly with the line of travel 

 of the migratory herd of cows, young males, and pups which go to the 

 coasts of California,' Oregon and ¥ashi;Agton, etc., as well as that of a 

 largo number of males which remain in Alaska v/aters during the winter. 



It is also the most available pass for the use of all classes of 

 seals on account of the prevailing winds. Seals alv/ays travel with a fair 

 wind if possible, A fev/ stray individuals only, mcatly pups go through 

 the narrow pass between Akutan and Akutan Island; which on account of its 

 rapid currents, rocks and reefs is filled with tide rips and overfalls. 



According to native testimony, the season during which the sek'atch 

 or old bulls go through the passes is from the 15th to the 22nd of October, 

 They leave the sea ahead of the migrating herd, always travel by themselves 

 and go very fast. After leaving Bering Sea they go to the eastward and 

 pass the v/inter south of Unimak Island cXid the Alaska Peninsula and in tho 



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