Tribe to Renew Gray Whale Hunt

The Makah Indians are about to embark on their first gray whale hunt in 70 years, reviving a tradition that died out when the animals nearly became extinct. There is no one alive among the Makahs who has ever gone whaling, but they have heard stories and songs about it all their lives. The Makah live at the northwesternmost point of the Lower 48 states. Like their ancestors, they will strike first with a harpoon from a cedar canoe. But in a departure from tradition, they will use a .50-caliber rifle to kill the whale and at least two motorboats to tow it home.