Seal Hunting calibre choice ...

Otokiak

Otokiak

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Edmonton, AB
I'm curious what my fellow CGNer's would consider/choose a bullet calibre for hunting seals from a boat? The Hudson's Bay seaice is almost gone out of our inlet ... so it's seal hunting time boys ... :D

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
 
Otokiak said:
I'm curious what my fellow CGNer's would consider/choose a bullet calibre for hunting seals from a boat? The Hudson's Bay seaice is almost gone out of our inlet ... so it's seal hunting time boys ... :D

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA
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.223, 22 250, even .222 or all the way to .243

the cheap 7,62's are somewhat popular as well...
 
How big are the seals? Are you hunting for pelts or meat? If its for pelts, something like a .223 with FMJ bullets should be lots. If it is for meat, I think a varmint bullet would provide a more certain kill, again in something like a .223 or so.

This is coming from someone who has never seen a live seal in the wild, so take it for what it's worth.:D

Mark
 
The most popular rounds for harp seals in Newfoundland are .223 and .22-250, followed by .222 Rem.

However, many pelt hunters would love to use .22WMR, but are not legally allowed.
 
From what I understand they have a skull about as thick as an seashell......The rumor has it that local fishing guides prefer the 22LR....I'll say no more.

I hear they sink.
 
Don't kill the cute little seals!!!! haha

no seriously though go for it.

I dont have caliber advice but I was wondering what seal meat tastes like?
Cooked of course.
 
.223 or .22-250 is what you usually see, though I am partial to the .204 Ruger. Head shooting seals is probably as close to shooting sod poodles on the prairies as I will ever get. :D
 
Interesting replies ... love hearing what others think will work on seals. ;) :D

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA

.223, 22 250, even .222 or all the way to .243

the cheap 7,62's are somewhat popular as well...
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A majority of the local hunters up here use small calibres ... I've seen the odd 303 and 308 used ... ;)

How big are the seals? Are you hunting for pelts or meat? If its for pelts, something like a .223 with FMJ bullets should be lots. If it is for meat, I think a varmint bullet would provide a more certain kill, again in something like a .223 or so.

This is coming from someone who has never seen a live seal in the wild, so take it for what it's worth.

Mark
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Mark, we use the whole animal so it's for food and the pelt. FMJ is illegal. The ujuq(bearded) seals can get HUGE as big as a human or bigger ... Ive seen ones stick 4 feet out of the water and that was only 1/2 of it, qairulik(harp) seals are medium-big in size, natsiq(ringed)seal's are small, najangaq(no word in english I know of) are so small you'd think they were babies.

The most popular rounds for harp seals in Newfoundland are .223 and .22-250, followed by .222 Rem.

However, many pelt hunters would love to use .22WMR, but are not legally allowed.
Click to expand...

Interesting choice on the 22WMR. ;)

From what I understand they have a skull about as thick as an seashell......The rumor has it that local fishing guides prefer the 22LR....I'll say no more.

I hear they sink.
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Yes the skull is thin ... however, I've seen harp/qairulik seals shot twice in the head and still trying to swim ... and yes I've seen 22lr used also ... ;) ... and yes they do sink in summer if you're not fast enough to hook'em, however in falltime they are super fat and float.

D
on't kill the cute little seals!!!! haha

no seriously though go for it.

I dont have caliber advice but I was wondering what seal meat tastes like?
Cooked of course.
Click to expand...

Only way to describe it is RICH in flavour ... very strong ... never had it cooked ... ;)

.223 or .22-250 is what you usually see, though I am partial to the .204 Ruger. Head shooting seals is probably as close to shooting sod poodles on the prairies as I will ever get.
Click to expand...

That would be a good comparison ... however, it gets interesting when the water get's a bit more rough. :D I almost purchased a 204 but heard barrel life isn't so good.
 
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Otokiak,
I have never seen a seal and pretty sure that I have never hunted them, but I won't let that stop me from giving you advice...
I say use what ever you used last year and be happy.....:D
Oh, and I might add good seal hunting season to you and please post a few photo's of your hunting..
Sounds like fun!
 
I seem to remember the guys at Sydney I Robinson saying they shipped a lot of 222 up north and that it was a favorite up there (perhaps not any more).
 
I sold a lot of .22 Magnum ammunition for seal hunting. Also a lot of .223 fmj, notwithstanding that it is not legal for marine mammals. One chap from Grise Fiord was very happy when I had .22-250 fmj, wanted it for walrus. Shoot the aiviq in the lungs, the little bullet would penetrate, aiviq wouldn't dive with his lungs ruptured, he could get a strike with the harpoon, before the aiviq could die and sink.
Something flat shooting, fast, bit of a whack when it hits. Shooting seals from a boat doesn't usually involve longer ranges. Seals on the spring ice are another thing....
A friend swore by AAA buckshot. Usually didn't kill them outright, gave him a chance to use the nitsiq, before they sank.


Seal is best cooked in someone else's house.....
 
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Funny how I started this thread today and a good friend of mine who's a member on the board here sent me a picture from July 4th outside Iqaluit doing some sealing ... caught himself a nice ugjuq(bearded seal) that is approx 6 feet in length and between 300-400 pounds ... I'll post the picture later and am still waiting on his reply to what calibre he used. Had a few phone calls today in regards to the seaice going out of the inlet but due to serious FOG we can't go boating tonite.

Otokiak
Rankin Inelt, NU
CANADA
 
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