146 THE FUR SEALS OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 
Of the two methods of killing the seals at sea the spear is the surest and results 
in the least waste. Both methods have their special fields, however, and the 
regulations under which pelagic sealing is now carried on, as if designed expressly 
for the pelagic sealer, recognizes them clearly. Thus, when the seals are on their 
migrations and consequently alternately traveling and resting both firearms and 
spears are allowed. For the traveling seal the gun can be used; for the sleeping 
seal the spear. On the feeding grounds in Bering Sea only the spear is allowed. 
There the animals are found almost exclusively sleeping or feeding. The noise of the 
gun would be a positive disadvantage, as it would startle all the seals in the vicinity. 
From the point of view of the herd both methods are deadly, the difference being 
merely one of degree. 
NORTHWEST COAST SEALING. 
Pelagic sealing is carried on in two distinct areas and at two distinct seasons. 
While the seals are on their return migration along the American shore they are met 
by the pelagic fleet off the coast of California at about the latitude of Point 
Conception. From here northward to the vicinity of Middleton Island the herd is 
followed by the pelagic fleet. Formerly seals were also taken along the.coast of the 
Alaskan peninsula to the passes by which they entered Bering Sea. At present 
the closed season begining in May shuts off this catch. 
BERING SEA SEALING. 
In Bering Sea sealing is carried on in the summer feeding grounds of the fur 
seals. These grounds are located from 100 to 200 miles distant from the islands and 
lie chiefly to the westward and southward in the deep water off the 100-fathom curve. 
They are frequented chiefly by the female seals which leave the rookeries at regular 
intervals during the summer to feed, returning to nourish their offspring. 
It is not necessary here to go into greater detail regarding these matters nor to 
mention the sealing grounds of the Commander Island herd. These matters are all 
taken up in detail by Mr. Townsend in a special paper which appears elsewhere in 
Part III of this report. 
THE PELAGIC CATCH. 
In the statistical appendix to the present volume will be found a detailed table of 
the pelagic catch from the various hunting grounds. From this table we may here 
give the following summary: 
Total pelagic catch in all waters, 1868-1897. 
Pribilof herd: 
North west Coat «2. os.u2 cies ve cc tiie siienas vend mead se ceu sagedaedannadess 395, 880 
Boring SOA» seve viwe seceiees secieegenscisse bases eee see Lids, veaeendeeuaeanes 240, 908 
636, 788 
Commander herd: Japan and Russian coasts -....... 2... 2.222202 cece cece eens eee 256, 259 
TOUAl scenes oases tned Hake the eae Saaeiveaaueineieems Seea Gece pce seen denedawee 893, 047 
