practical solution for the hunter who does not feel that his pocketbook can afford an Alaskan hunt for only one species of game. Prices of guided walrus hunts vary between about $1200 and $2500 depending on the guide and services offered. Additional costs include transportation to and from the point of outfitting, hunting license and tags. A nonresident hunting license costs $10 and the walrus tag $100. Included in the price of many hunts is the use of adequate clothing consisting of a warm parka and footgear. The hunter supplies only his rifle and sleeping bag in addition to the usual personal effects. For a rifle most guides recommend nothing smaller than a .30-06, preferably something in the magnum class. As with all hunting, "where you hit 'em" is more important than “what you hit 'em with" and a rifle and sight combination that a hunter is familiar with, and has confidence in is usually the best bet. Hunting is best on St. Lawrence Island during May and early June. Guides operating out of the villages of Teller, Wales and Little Diomede offer June hunts, while July is the prime month for those hunting from the northern villages of Wainwright and Point Barrow. An added bonus to any walrus hunt are the seals. Shooting from a rolling boat at a fist-sized seal head bobbing up and down in the water offers excellent sport and a real test of marksmanship. Even in calm water hitting the three inch target 25 to 150 yards away offers quite a challenge. No special tags or permits are required other than the basic hunting license to take any of the four species of hair seals available (ring seal, spotted or harbor seal, ribbon seal and the large bearded seal or oogruk). Generally the spotted seal is the most highly prized among sportsmen and most hunters are able to take enough spotted seals to have a coat made for their wife or daughter. The north country has lost little of the appeal which has drawn the explorer and adventurer since the earliest days. Modern civilization has not yet reached villages like Savoonga, Gambell and Diomede where drinking water comes from melted chunks of ice and snow, and dogs provide the only practical method of transportation over the rough sea ice. Yet, in four hours of jet travel from Seattle, Washington, today's sportsman can be in Nome, the site of Alaska's historic gold rush of the early 1900's-only minutes away from some of the most unique and exciting hunting grounds in North America. Senator STEVENS, Washington, D.C.: [Telegram] ALAKANUK, ALASKA, We the city of Alakanuk, Alaska, oppose the passing of bills number 51315 and 52579 for ocean mammals. This would be critical to the economy of Alaska. ALAKANUK CITY COUNCIL. Our Alaska Native use parts from both land and water mammals for clothing such as parkas, mukluks, fur caps, etc. We use many animal parts for arts and crafts. We take animals only for subsistence and use their byproducts for arts and crafts and for sale for small income. We the Kwethluk Village people in council demand that this ruthless bill be not adopted. Our rights to subsistence, hunt and fish and not waste parts of animals taken has to be protected at all times. We the people of Kwethluk cannot go outside to other states and try to stop all of the food producing farms and plants on whatever they produce foods. THE VILLAGE PEOPLE OF KWETHLUK, ALASKA. [Telegram] FAIRBANKS, ALASKA. Senator TED STEVENS, The Tanana Chiefs Conference requests you hold Public Hearing in Alaska on the Sea Mammal Bill. We also support Senator Ted Stevens amendment 1048 to S.3161 which gives commercial arts and crafts rights to natives. JOHN SACKETT, President, Tanana Chiefs Conference. [Telegram] KWIGILLINGOK, ALASKA. Senator TED STEVENS, The bills that appear we the Alaska Natives don't like because we don't have any jobs to earn money to feed our family and our women are making things to help support our family, widows are making things to feed their kids, only a few receive welfare. For these reasons we oppose S. 1315, S. 2579, while you are working on these bills don't forget Alaska Native jobless people. VILLAGE OF KWIGILLINGOK. [Telegram] KONGIGINAK, ALASKA, Senator STEVENS, We have heard the news about the ocean going to be closed for game like ocean mammals, and for crafts, but even if closed it will not close to us Natives, because it is our way of living on the ocean animals and it will be our way of living. We dont hunt the seal just for money but to live on and eat them. We have hunted them for subsistence only. Who ever wanted to close the ocean animals should be definitly come to our area and see how we live and hunt. We the people of Toksook Bay strongly oppose the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1971. Ninety percent of the people of the Kuskokwim Yukon area depend on marine mammals for food, and use their pelts for commercial arts and crafts. This bill will prevent the Eskimo people from using the skins for their cash economy, their only source of income. This bill, if it passes, will force many of the people in this area into the welfare roles. In the event that the bill looks like it will pass, we request an exemption allowing the rural people of Alaska to continue using the skins of sea mammals for commercial use. We do not hunt marine mammals for a show case on the wall. We hunt in order to live. PAUL JOHN, President, Toksook Bay, Alaska. [Telegram] Senator GRAVEL, BETHEL, ALASKA, We the people of Napakiak strongly oppose the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1971. Ninety per cent of the people of the Kuskokwim Yukon area depend on Marine mammals for food, and use their pelts for commercial arts and crafts. This bill will prevent the Eskimo people from using the skins for their cash economy, their only source of income. This bill, if it passes, will force many of the people in this area into the welfare roles. In the event that the bill looks like it will pass, we request an exemption allowing the rural people of Alaska to continue using the skins of sea mammals for commercial use. JAMES WILLY, President, Napakiak City Council. [Telegram] NOME, ALASKA, March 20, 1972. Senator TED STEVENS, Washington, D.C. Anything less than public hearings in Alaska and the areas and villages affected by the sea mammal bill will be less than the traditional greatness behind American justice. Take our land, take our sea, take our life. Thence created by Congress will be the largest single group of willful violators of a Federal act. Support Stevens Amendment 1048 to S. 3161 giving commercial arts and crafts rights to natives. Request hearings in King Island Village, Little Diomede, Savoonga and Gambell on St. Lawrence Island and Nome, Alaska. ALFRED NAKAK, Bering Straits Native Association. [Telegram] BETHEL, ALASKA, Senator TED STEVENS, Eskimo Economic Reference Committee, the Permanent Subcommittee of the City of Bethel, strongly opposes the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1971. Ninety percent of the people of the Kuskokwim Yukon area depend on marine mammals for food, and use their pelts for commercial arts and crafts. This bill will prevent the Eskimo people from using the skins for their cash economy, their only source of income. This bill if it passes will force many of the people in this area into the welfare rolls. In the event that the bill looks like it will pass, we request an exemption allowing the rural people of Alaska to continue using the skins of sea mammals for commercial use. We have voted for you on election day, now we are asking for help in return. Following were present at our meeting, Marie White, Eek, Alaska, Andy Dock, Kipnuk, Alaska, Paul Charles, Meoryuk, Alaska, Eddie Angakpak, Tuntutuliak, Alaska, Joe Evon Kwigillingok, Alaska. ISAAC MUTE, Chairman. [Telegram] LARSEN BAY, ALASKA, March 23, 1972. Senator TED STEVENS. Old Senate Building, U.S. Senate Building, Washington, D.C. Because of the preeminent position that Florida has played in the development of behavioral studies and utilization of many of our ocean mammals, we are deeply concerned in respect to any proposed Federal legislation that would address this matter. In recognition of the need for protective legislation to insure intelligent, supervised, humane treatment of these mammals, Florida has passed and administered a most adequate law which takes into consideration the divergent characteristics of indigenious versus imported ocean mammals. Variations in geographic distribution of various mammals modify the onsite contacts required, qualified personnel and organizations, whether profit or non-profit, should not only be permitted but encouraged to continue behavioral studies and utilization programs of appropriate ocean mammals. We fully support the need for legislation of the type proposed but strongly feel that it should allow for behavioral studies and other research related programs. TOM ADAMS, Lieutenant Governor. [Telegram] BETHEL, ALASKA, March 17, 1972. Senator STEVENS, Economic Development Committee the permanent subcommittee of the city council of Bethel, Alaska, strongly opposes the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1971 ninety percent of the people in the Kuskokwim, Yukon, area depend on marine mammals for food and use their pelts for commercial arts and crafts. This bill will prevent the Eskimo people from using the skins for their cash economy, their only source of income. This bill if it passes will force many of the people in this area into the welfare rolls. In the event that the bill may pass we request an exemption allowing the rural people of Alaska to continue using the skins of sea mammals for commercial use. We know that you understand what the results of this bill would bring to Alaska's rural people. Therefore we trust that you will work towards an exemption for Alaska's rural people. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. [Telegram] ALASKA CONSERVATION SOCIETY, Senator MIKE GRAVEL, Senator TED STEVENS, Senator ERNEST F. HOLLINGS, Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. The Alaska Conservation Society supports the concept of marine mammal protection as outlined in H.R. 10420. However, this bill does not protect the vital interests of the Alaska natives in their traditional arts and crafts industries, nor does it strengthen the role of the States in cooperative management of the ocean mammal resource. We support amendments introduced in the Senate to this end, particularly those embodied in S. 3161 introduced by Senator Ted Stevens. ERNST MUELLER, President. [Telegram] BETHEL, ALASKA, April 4, 1972. Senator STEVENS, At our meeting of April 2, the Eskimo economic reference committee voted to send telegrams to Washington, D.C.; and write letters to President Nixon concerning the marine mammals bill H. R. 10420. Before the Senate vote we would like for you to hold hearings at Bethel, Alaska. Today's meeting included representatives from villages including village council presidents although some were unable to attend, because of weather conditions. We would like to know when you will be able to come. Thank you. ISSAC MUTE, We want to let you know that we are against the proposed bill which would stop the sale of skins, baskets and other things with which we make our living. Please help us in this matter. [Telegram] NIGHTMUTE VILLAGE COUNCIL. BETHEL, ALASKA, March 21, 1972. Senator STEVENS, Eskimo Native Indians and Aleuts need your help to keep open as before for sale of all raw furs in AVCP region as most of the above Native land residents will hunt and trap to make living out of land if the bill goes as mentioned. Above family Native lands will need assistance from welfare office or BIA or both if closed have funds appropriate enough for help for the Native lands. MARSHALL VILLAGE COUNCIL. |