The next order of business after settling on a permanent camp was to organize our hunting program, this we finally did. In hunting the sea utter, three boats is [are] generally used, altho l have seen one (man or) boat (rather) and two men do some very successful hunting, but three boats is [are] much better and more successful. The otter lives in the kelp which covers an area of from 20 acres to 1000 and in some places it grows so thick that it is almost impossible to pull a boat through it and practice must be used even to do that.
The plan in hunting for your game is to circle the outer edge of the kelp keeping always in open water, scanning the great field of kelp until one is sighted. Now the problem is how to get him out to sea and open water for it is useless to hunt him while he is in the field of kelp.
We now on sighting the otter get between him and the shore and force him out to sea by shooting at him whenever he raises his head above water.
The boats are spread out in a triangle. Two boats about 150 yds. Apart and the third one falls into line the same distance behind forming the triangle.
The plan now is to gradually force the otter ahead, this falling to the lot of the single boat, while the two head boats are supposed to keep him from side diving, probably 200 shots will be fired before he is out into open water if some one has not already been lucky enough to cripple or kill him while still in the kelp field. Once outside it is almost certain to end with the chase in your favor if your men are keen and alert and swift rowers.
One man, the gunner, stands up at all times while sighting or looking for the otter when he sights him he instantly raises his paddle as a signal and motions in the direction he has seen him, everyone now is excited but quiet, as quietness is the most essential point in the hunt. The splash of an oar 500 yds. Off will frighten your game and if he is in the kelp he is as good as lost. I have known them to dive ½ mile and on raising to the surface conceal themselves under the kelp and obtain air by raising a leaf of a large kelp with their nose at the same time allowing their body to sink out of sight in the water while you may row within 10 feet of him and not discover his hiding place.
If on sighting him, he is not out of range of your rifle, he is fired upon causing him to dive immediately and he is steadily fired at wherever seen. The object in this continuous firing is to tire him out and shorten the dives, because if he is allowed to remain up over 2 seconds he obtains sufficient air to enable him to make long dives which is what we are trying to keep him from doing. Short or no breathing spells shortens the chase. The successful hunt is a cause for great excitement not so much as a monetary consideration while at the same time the value is great, but the satisfaction and self honored feeling of something well done is causing your blood to dance. Knowing you have hunted and bagged one of the most elusive and craftiest animals known to the sporting world at the same time having enriched your pocket book some 5 to 300 dollars.
Big Sur…NEXT