Summary

Description

The total documented retrieved harvest at Gambell for the spring of 1982 was 942 walruses Odobenus rosmarus, including 211 adult males, 404 adult females, 29 adults of unknown sex, and 298 calves. The bull harvest was disproportionately lower and the cow and calf harvests slightly higher in 1982 than in 1981. Cow:calf ratios in the harvest did not differ significantly between years. The number of animals shot and lost was not determined. Lower canine teeth unaccompanied by soft tissue specimens were obtained from 117 animals, reproductive tracts with teeth were collected from 88 females, and stomachs with teeth were collected from 32 animals. The median age of 80 adult male walruses whose teeth were examined was 21 years. The median age of 140 adult females was 14 years. The number of manhours spent per walrus retrieved was 8.91. In 1981, 2.3 manhours were expended per walrus retrieved. However, the overall harvest in 1981 961 walruses was quite close to this years total. Little or no change in crew, boat, and motor sizes was observed.