Steller stated that he was able to get near the animals enough to "stroke their backs with my hand...they were very voracious and eat incessantly, and because they are so greedy they keep their heads always under water, without regard to life and safety. Hence a man in a boat, or swimming naked, can move among them without danger and select at ease the one of the herd he desires to strike." In hunting from a boat they routinely went after the adults - the young were too vigorous - and the thrashing made by a harpooned sea cow caused the rest of the herd to try to render assistance. The meat was reported to be like beef in flavor after cooking. | Steller stated that he was able to get near the animals enough to "stroke their backs with my hand...they were very voracious and eat incessantly, and because they are so greedy they keep their heads always under water, without regard to life and safety. Hence a man in a boat, or swimming naked, can move among them without danger and select at ease the one of the herd he desires to strike." In hunting from a boat they routinely went after the adults - the young were too vigorous - and the thrashing made by a harpooned sea cow caused the rest of the herd to try to render assistance. The meat was reported to be like beef in flavor after cooking. |