Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-22
Xalrus Hunting.

munster, says capt. hOIdeWaY, the
commander of the German Arctic expedi-
ton OF lo69-70, . it is the walrus.' Be
longing TO the genus of amphibious man.
malta, of the family Phocfde, the walrus
closely resembles its relatives of the same
species in the general form of the body
and limbs, but differs from them all wide
ly IN the head, which is remarkable for
the enormous development of the canine
teeth of the upper jaw, and the tumid ap-
pearance of the muZZle, caused by the
magnitude of their sockets and the thick
ness of the upper lip. The length of the
walrus varies from nine and a half
to sixteen feet; they weigh about twenty
hundred-weight, and occasionally attain a
size greater than that of the largest OK.
The eyes of the walrus are large, and the
head has been described as giving an eX-
preston of I" infinite ugliness." The
tuskS are sometimes twof feet or even thirty
inches long, but their ordinary length is
about one foot These formidable weap-
ons are employed by the walrus in pro
tectlng itself or young from attack and in
combating its natural enemy, the polar
bear Their principal use, however,
would seem to be that of a two-pronged
rake, which enables their possessors to
tear the sea-Weed from submarine rocks.
this weed forming apparently the greater
portion of the fcOd of the waIrus, though
1t is supposed that they also prey on mol
lusks, crustaceans, and other marine ami
mails. The tusks are also of great assist
ance in climbing upon the huge cakes of
floating ice, which are usually chosen by
these creatures as place of rest When
out of the water, their movements are
very clumsy, and at such times the hunter
assails them with a much greater prospect
OF success than in the water The voice
OF the walrus is quite in harmony with
the ugliness of its appearance. Their
vocal performances seem to be confined
to jerking initiative scream, varied by a
lowing, putting sound, the latter apparent
ly expressive of serene satisfaction.
Walrus hnnting is extremely dangerous,
for, when Infatuated, the animal will
break through ice six inches thick with
out difficulty. If, therefore, it is not
met with on strong, old ice, the hunter
must change his position frequently and
quickly, for, as in the case of all mann
mails, the walrus is obliged to come to the
surface, at cracks or ice-holes kept open
for the purpose, in order to breathe at
least once in every ten minutes. Before
diving they will notice exactly the direc-
ton and distance of the enemy, and
emerge at the very spot to meet and de-
strOy him. The walrus is a gregarious
animal, and they will sometimes leave
the water in great herds and disport
themselves for awhile on the shore or
some neighboring ice-feld. While in
this position hundreds have been killed
at once. Their hide being some three
and half inches thick, it serves as a
massive coat Of mail, and is impervious
to anything so trifiing as a rifle bullet.
The hunters kill them with lances or
spears.
Nevertheless, in contrast with its feroci-
ty in water, there is nothing more inno-
cent and harmless than herd of wal
ruses summing themselves on an ice-f1oe;
but unfortunately the comparison with a
torpedo, which, for fear of accident it
is better not to touch, is only too we'll
founded. 1t is curious sight, however,
to see number of these huge and de
moniac looking animals peacefully nap
ping away their time on some broad field
OF ice. Their dark sphinx-like bodies
lie close together, the head, encountered
by the long tusks, leaning sidewise or
propped against its fellow; and thus they
sleep away the greater part of their ex-
lstence IN the sun, lulled by the rushing
and roaring of the breakers. The walrus,
surprised on shore or On an ice-fiOe, is
comparatively helpless, and although it
strikes furiously on all sides with its teeth,
the construction of is body renders it
nearly as harmless on shore as it is terri
bic when its anger is aroused in the water
One peculiarly, however, which, under
some circumstances, may render it very
dangerous, is its great curiosity. Should
one OF these monsters see a boat, it raises
itself, astonished, above the surface, ut
tiers at once a cry Of alarm, swimming
toward it as rapidly as possible. This call
brings up others, awakens the sleepers
which the boat had carefully avoided, and
In short time the small vessel is fol-
lowed by number of these hideous mon
sters, clustering in real or apparent fury
The creatures may possibly be only ac-
tuated by curiosity, but their manner of
showing it is unfortunately so ill-chosen
that the crew Of the boat usually feel
obliged to act on the defensive The bel
lowing, jerking and diving herd advances
toward the frail vessel; the first shot is
fired, which only serves to infiame their
wrath and then begins a wild fight, in
struck with axes on the tiippers with
"iiISh thSt IIICdtSu " ONCt blil Ii Liz DOdJ.
Others of the men defend themselves with
spear or with the blade of an oar.
Often, from some unknown cause, these
creatures turn suddenly from the fight,
jerking and diving under water, and when
at distance, turn their ugly heads to
look back and fill the air with vindictlve
grunts. The time which the walrus can
remain under water seems to vary accord
l. l. e
aration. If they are suddenly awakened
from sleep and hunted into the water, it
must rise again to the surface almost i'm
mediately. Now it takes a deep breath.
If it is again hunted, it comes up again.
But if this is five or six times repeated,
the Walrus then seems to be provided with
store Of air, for it now dives in reality,
and seldom appears within sight again.
In the summer of 1869 a boat excursion
to Cape Wynn with difficulty escaped the
destruction of their craft by herd of
Walruses. Another time they were fol-
lowed by them, but succeeded in reaching
the shore Of an island. where, though
only for a short time, they were block
AIDED. The more familiar a hunter be-
comes with the peculiarities of these
curious animals, the more difficulty he
has in persuading himself to attack them
in their own element, unless forced by
pressing circumstances, such as the want
of food or the necessity of obtaining oil.
Then it is always well to provide the
boats crew literally with cartridges, for
although Intellectual in the way of killing,
they serve to hold the walrus in awe, and
keep them from approaching too famil-
iarly.
The most successful hunt, as has al
ready been said, is when these creatures
are surprised on ice-foes. When ap-
preaching very near them, the oars are
shipped and the boat noiselessly handled.
The hunters get upon the herd behind the
foe hut no Snnner does one raise ifS