Summary

Description

The U.S. Fish Wildlife Service contracted a local individual to monitor the walrus harvest at Wales in 1984. The recorded harvest between 21 May and 30 June in Wales was 271 walruses. The magnitude of the harvest was greater than any of the preceding four years. The harvest was comprised of 90 adult males 33.2, 132 adult females 48.8 12 calves 4.4 and 37 adult unknown sex 13.6. A 40:60 male to female sex ratio was exhibited in the harvest of known sex adults. The 1982 harvest was the only other year in the last five years when the harvest favored females. Approximately 16 manhourswalrus were expanded based upon a sample of 35 hunting trips, 2146.5 man hours effort and retrieval of 134 walruses. Since some hunting effort was directed toward seals and waterfowl during the course of walrus hunting the catch per unit figures should be considered as inflated. A total of 15 hunting days occurred during the study period.