winter sealing

i went out yesterday for seal for the first time on snowmachine here in kotzebue. went out with local nukalpiaq ross schaeffer. we headed out toward the lead, but windy conditions made us turn back. i was pretty excited to go out. ross towed his kayak on a sled.

as we were heading out onto the ocean ice, i thought of how much this type of sealing was what i read about in story books. seriously. i was pretty excited to do it. i was even more excited to see the open lead, open ocean and look for seal. unfortunately, that didn't happen this trip. ross stopped, scoped out the ice and wind conditions and said we better turn back. it was blowing about 15 from the east. a west wind is a much better wind, which blows away from the ice toward the ocean.

i took my hornet out. ross shoots a .222. as we waited there observing the weather, we talked briefly about guns, hunting, and stories of his father who was apparently a great hunter. it was great. i can learn alot from ross. i will pray for good weather this weekend.