Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 February 1910 — SEAL HUNTING. [ARTICLE]

SEAL HUNTING.

Method* In Dmllss with the W«f* Cmetarw. Writing of far northern hunting methods, Barry Whitney thus describes in Outing how Eskimos kUI the wary seal; “Many seals were seen on the fresh made dee, and Eiaeeyou, my head man, expressed a desire that I take charge of his dog team while he stalked some of them. Seals are extremely shy, and great caution must be practiced In approaching them. The .Eskimos use a blind dn the form of a miniature sledge, about eighteen Inches in length by six In width, with bearskins tacked on the runners. Fore and aft are two upright crotched sticks, upon which the rifle rests and to which it is lashed. On the front of the sledge a crossbar sustains two long perpendicular sticks, over whloh a piece of white cloth is stretched, or when that is not attainable hareskln is substituted. Through a hole in this cloth screen the muzzle of the rifle protrudes. “Holding; his blind before him, he was enabled to walk within 300 or 400 yards of a seal without startling it. Then he dropped on his hands and knees and pushed the little sledge before him. Thus hidden behind tho cloth screen, which so blended with the Ice as to arouse dn the seal no suspicion of danger, be approached within fifty yards before shooting. Seals always lie close to their holes, and It is necessary to hit them In the head or under the shoulder and have the bullet penetrate the heart and kill them Instantly; otherwise they will flop into the hole and sink before it is possible to reach them.”