Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-02-10
Hunting the Sea Otter.

/ q Of British Columbia. aud the
Sord fruitful applies to a rare pelt
nowadays. Under the shadows of the
Oiymp.an range of mountains. on the
coast of Washington ana Oregon, more
SEA otter hunting is done than else
where in the United States. Maine
was. the chief source of sea otter skins
a generation ago. Maine indians
found otter fishing the best source Of
'neIT suoT.eS, but that has dropped
Oh with the eN,ermination OF the
amphibious animal.
/ The Aleutian Islands, away I'd the
Pacific Coast close into Siberian
waters, used to be depended upon for
at least 1000 sea otter skins an
nually. 1t was over 1000 in the year
1888. But pelasic slaughter has prac-
tically annihilated the otter there as il
has the seal. The same islands have
not yielded over 500 otter skins i year
since 1906. Prince Rupert, in British
Columbia, used to be chief trading
point for Queen Charlotte Indians, but
that too has diminished. Queen Char
lotte Islands, in 1890, could be depend
ed upon at about 5000 skins a year.
1t has never been over 200 in any
year since about 1907.
AS nearly as can be estimated, the
best year for sea otter hunting on the
Pacific Coast, from Gray's Harbor
Washington north TO the Bering Sea
was 1883, when there passed through
San Francisco 1900 sea otter skins.
There were probably 700 skins that
went 10 the eastern markets from more
northern posts. Its total value was
put at about S66,OOO Last year the
seasotter skin production was not over
$4,000, in spite of tremendously high
prices. The defamation has gone SO
far that not over 700 skins were OBJ
tanned. Less this year.
How the old-time Indian, who lived
his grim life by otter hunting, would
rub his eyes in wonder at the prices
his few followers get today. Not only
that, but it would delight him the re-
ception he and his yearly product have.
Buyers 60 and hunt the hunter and
trapper UP nowadays. He is as roy
ally treated and feted as if he wore
crown. His forebears were considered
by the sharp trader almost like vermin
and the more INSCRIPTIONS the white
buyer among the redskins, so much
more his word was respected.
Otter skins, thirty years ago, varied
from $40 to $50. Larger and darker
ones might bring 500 at the traders
lodge. For over two years white agents
have sought the hunter out, crossed
lonely wastes and have cajoled him to
sell skin at 5000 and even $3.50.
There is no shrewd haggling now with
the redman whether the skin is an inch
| or two short, no influencing the hunter
with a bottle of fire water or some
gewgaw that cost little and is repre-
sented as much. Offers are so rare
that only money, and in huge sums
buys now. The hunter and trapper gets
as much now for a whole season of
forlorn work, for the fur is the most
highly priced in the commercial
world. Unlike any other fur, it re-
quires no dyeing to fit it for use. 1t
is seldom made into a garment. Its
DIRECTORS urge unusual weight and es-
pecially its great cost. Trimmings for
f,r in,
other days even, and now ten times
higher.
The otter is still caught on the coast
of Oregon and Washington in small
numbers. Because of almost complete
defamation the industry would have
been abandoned, but the wonderful ad-
vance in value has revived otter hunt
ing. One pelt in value is equal to ten
in 1896. 1t is fifteen to one in 1890.
| The manner of securing the sea otter
on the coast Of Washington is interest
ing. If it were an easy task to get a
sea otter there would no longer be any
Of them left in these waters, for they
have been hunted here for forty years
by white men and hundred or more
years by the Indians. The Indians
hunt the sea otter from long, heavy ca
noes, in which they 60 out through the
surf, and cruising along a mile or two
shoot or spear the animal as he lies
sleeping in the water with only his
head in sight. Owing to his extreme
wariness it is hard to approach and
difficult to hit the animal after it is
found. 1t is only after long practice
that an Indian, accustomed as he is to
the use Of canoe, is able to meet