Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-04-09
KILLING SEA OFFERS.
ALEUTS CONDUCT THE CHASE IN
CANOES ON THE OPEN SEA.

Exciting Ocean Hunting Off Vancouver
Island-How the Frail Fleets Outride
a Storm-Surrounding a victim-Secur-
ing the Otter.
Sannakh island, the largest of a group
of the same name, with it's surrounding
reefs, rocky lodges, and islets, is neverthe-
less the richest hunting ground in Alaskan
waters. Parties of hunters from the main
land to the north and east, and the innu-
merable islands to the east and west, may
be found here at all seasons of the year,
living in tents of skin or canvas or hastily
constructed barabaras crude huts of earth
and dried grass, diligently watching for
the rare intervals of weather when the sea
Is sufficiently smooth to warrant their put
ting out with some prospect of a successful
hunt for the sea otter and seal.
1t is only at time when the sea is
smoothest that the hunters may set forth
with any promise or hope of success, and
in the inhospitable and boisterous weather
of this section of Alaska such days are of
the rarest occurrence. weeks and even
months often passing ere the hunters have
an opportunity OF trying their skill with
bow and spear. The long looked for quiet
day having at length arrived, the party,
after brief invocation of the mightier
spirits, embarks, fully equipped, two and
two, in their bidarkas.
A bidarka is a sort of canoe made of the
skin of the sea lion or hair seal stretched
over a light wooden frame, and, though
seldom exceeding % feet in length by 80
inches in breadth, and weighing less than
100 pounds, yet so strong are they that, ex-
elusive of a crew of 800 pounds, goods ag-
gregating as much as 500 pounds are often
carried in them. With the exception of
two circular holes equidistant from either
end and from each other, in which the oc-
cupants of the frail craft squat. the bidar-
ka is completely decked over.
EQUIPPED FOR STORMS.
Clad in their kamlelkas, waterproof
shirts Of whale, seal or bear intestines, the
bottoms of which they fasten around the
combings of the matches, their sleeves Sc
cured tightly to the wrist, and the opening
for the head drawn up closely about the
neck, whole seas might wash entirely over
both boat and occupants without drop
of water getting inside. This is necessary
precaution, as, though smooth and calm
at the start, it is quite possible, and even
likely, owing to the long distance which
they have to go, that the party may meet
with heavy weather ere they reach the
land.
AS an additional security, when the sea
is too heavy to make Roadway against
they collect in groups of three or four ca
noes and, lashing them together, ride out
the storm in safety. When any water finds
it's way inside, which it sometimes does
through the seams of the skin, it pumped
out by means of a small wooden tube
which the native sucks full, then by re-
moving his finger, which he has placed
over the lower end of the tube, to retain
its contents until clear of the bidarka, the
water runs out into the sea. The operation
is continued until the boat is dry
Once started on voyage the peredovchik
or leader assumes entire command and
silence falls on the little dotilla. When in
his opinion they are nearing the vicinity
of their quarry he makes a sign, and inn
mediately, without a word being uttered,
the canoes separate, forming a huge semi
circle, each bidarlla from fifty to hun
dred yards distant from the next, and the
occupants keeping always vigilant look
out both on the surface of the water and
the other boats.
KILLING THE OTTER.
As soon as hunter sights the glossy
head of an otter he raises his paddle and
points in the direction in which the animal
was seen. The scattered bidarkas then
close up so as to form an extended circle
about the spot indicated, and still in silence
await the temperance of the otter. This
is sure to be in about ten minutes, as at
the end of that interval he must come to
the surface to breathe, going down again
after remaining there few seconds.
Should he come up within the circle of
boats they gradually close in, beating the
water with their paddles to bewilder the
animal and keep it within the ever narrow
ing ring. Occasionally, however, the otter,
after diving, alters his coursc, and appear
ing at distance without the line, the
canoes are thus compelled to change their
base before finally securing the prize.
AS soon as the pursued animal shows
himself within spears throw the earnest
hunter, rising to his knees, hurls a shaft
at it. Lodging in it's skin near the head,
we will say, the otter Immediately tries to
dive. In view of this trait the spear is
constructed in just such manner as to re-
tard its progress as much as possible. To
that end the head is set SO loosely in it's
socket that the recoil of striking causes
the shaft to detach itself, leaving the head
securely i'm bedded in the flesh.
Wound round and round the shaft is a
fine cord or line of braided sinew some
three or four feet in length. One end of
this is attached near the base of the barbed
ivory head, while the other eliminates in
bridle each end of which is secured to
either extremity of the shaft.
DIVIDING THE sPoILs.
This causes it to drag broadside to, III
which position it offers the greatest resist
no IN
is attached near the foot an inflated blad-
der used az buoy, though it also acts as
an additional drag.
Naturally, with all this to prevent his
rapid escape, the otter shortly comes to
the surface, pretty well exhausted with his
eXertions, and at no great distance from
where he was first struck. AS he makes
his appearance spears, arrows and darts
are now indifferently launched at his de-
voted body. The poor animal dives rap
idly and frantically endeavors to escape,
but worn out from his tiresome efforts
and bleeding wounds, his motions have
less energy and vigor, and he soon floats
up to receive his death stroke. The car
cass is then skinned in the water, care be-
Ing taken not to dislodge any spear or ar
row heads from the skin, which is taken
into one of the bidarkas, when, if the
weather still continues propitiOus, the
hunt continues
On the return of the party to land each
otter skin is inspected by the chief in the
presence Of all hands, and the ownership
of the different skins ascertained by means
of the points inbedded therein, each of
which is marked with The owners sign or
brand. Cunously enough, the weapon
nearest the tail carries OF the prize, where
as he who first succeeded in placing a barb,
which virtually was tie means Of the ami