The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-28
THE SEA LIONS
MAY YET Be
Trimmed OUT
Eastern Sportsmen
Interested.
A DAY AT THE FARALLONES
THE ROOKERIES INSPECTED BY
L. c. A. STRoTHER.
He Was Greatly Amazed at the Great
Size and Large Numbers of
the Wolves of the
Pacific


lon Islands yesterday that is likely to
have some bearing upon the question of
Killing sea lions, as means of preserving
the food fish and especially the salmon,
in the near future. A number of gentle
men, whose reports and views on this
subject will have a certain weight at
Federal headquarters, went to the islands
as the guests Of Captain L. Sebree. the
lighthouse inspector of this district.
Principal among them was A. T. Nogel-
sang, chairman of the State Fish Com
mission; Deputy A. w. Wilson, and Ian
celot c. A Strother, scientific gentle
man and sportsman recently from the
East.
In order that the Importance of the visit
to the home of the seal herds may be I'M
derstood it must be remembered that
couple of months ago the State Fish Com
missiOners were urged by the river fish
ermen to take steps toward reducing the
sea lions, which are killing thousands of
pounds of food fish, to say nothing of
the loss Of nets costing from two to four
hundred dollars. Permission was obtained
from the Federal authorities at Washing
ton to carry out the plan laid down and
a number OF expert rife shots We're sent
to the Faralion Islands and to the rock
cries near the bay. 1t was also decided
not to do much killing until the breeding
season opened in June, when the animals
have less fear for the hunters and their
guns.
About the time the real work was to
have commenced the permission by the
Federal authorities was suddenly revoked
on account OF a few protests sent to the
Treasury Department by a number OF
Eastern sentimentalsts and the League
of American SpOrtsmen, who seemed TO
have an idea that the thinning out meant
the determination of the sea lion herds
of the entire coast. Mr.. Vogelsang at once
wrote to the people at Washington pro-
testing against the latest action and de-
nouncing the interference of those who
were not familiar with the situation here.
The force of his argument seemed to have
some weight, for when Mr.. Strother head
ed for the West several members of the
league expressed the wish to have the
views of an enthusiastic sportsman upon
the situation. AS 1t was about the time
for Captain Sebree to make his regular
trip to the islands he invited the gentle
men to go out with him.
The lighthouse tender Madrona left the
city at Z o'clock yesterday morning, and
in due time was piloted to the islands by
Master Davies. Under the care of Cap
tain w. A. Beeman the party was taken
to the big rookery on what is known al
the Saddle Rock, where the main breed
ing ground is located. AT this season of
the year the large males are particularly
savage, and unless a gun is used they pre-
vent man from putting foot on the rocks.
AS shooting had been prohibited the party
was obliged to view the situation from
distance. The rock covers an area of
several acres and from the top to the
waters edge every part was occupied by
king bulls" females and hundreds of
pups.
Mr.. Strother was astonished at the
enormous size of the sea lions. He stated
that the impression of the protestants in
the East Is that these animals are about
the same size as those exhibited in the
feet long. Those he saw yesterday run
from eight to fourteen feet in length and
weigh from 1900 to 5000 pounds.
Several of the larger ones measured over
three feet through the neck six inches
back of the ears. 1t was estimated that
on the Saddle Rock alone there were
fully $500 sea lions, to say nothing of the
young. which were very numerous. From
there the steamer took the party to the
North Farallones, four huge rocks which
are several miles to the north. The same
condition Of affairs was found to exist
there, only that the sea lions were more
numerous. The rocks were covered with
the fish killers, and more were coming.
A rough estimate by the members of the
party placed the total number of seals in
sight at over 90O0 A short run was made
rocks were deserted.
Mr. Strother states that the people of
the East have no conception of the situa-
ton here While he did not say what re-
port he will make to his friends, it is safe
to say that if his arguments have any
weight the prohibition to killing will be
raised next season. 1t is very likely that
the personal observations Of Mr.. Vogel
sang will be sent to the authorities at
Washington.
Mr. Strother will next visit the rock
cries to the south in day or so. From
the rookery below Half Moon Bay he ex-
poets to secure the head and shoulders of
one of the large bull sea lions to send to
his friends in the East for inspection.
The specimen will eventually find lodg
ment in one of the institutions of learning
at Toronto Canada.