Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 December 1891 — Seal Poaching. [ARTICLE]

Seal Poaching.

Here is the method employed by the hunters of British Columbia who poach upon the sealing grounds: When the schooner sights a seal the little boats are lowered: A hunter armed with two shotguns and a rifle and two sailors to pull the boat take their places and the hunt begins. The boat is pulled quietly toward the animal. In nine cases out of ten the seal takes alarm and dives out of sight before the boat is brought close enough to use the guns with effect, and in no case does the hunter shoot unless he feels sure of his quarry. The seal when shot at once commences to sink, and the boat has to be pulled rapidly up to it, when the body is “gaffed” and hauled aboard. This is repeated as long as a seal can be seen. In many cases only one or two will be killed during a two days’ hunt, while at other times as many as twenty will be taken.