http://www.cnie.org/NAE/docs/makahplan.html
Check out the equipment. The .50 BMG rifle is mandatory:
VI. Whaling Vessels, Equipment and Hunting Methods.
A whaling team must include one or more canoes and at least two chase boats.
All canoes used in whaling must be at least 30 feet in length and manned by a harpooner, rifleman and six paddlers.
All chase boats used in whaling must be at least 24 feet in length and powered by an engine large enough to tow an adult gray whale to port (at least 200 horsepower). Each chase boat shall be manned by a pilot, diver, backup rifleman, and at least one other crew member. Each chase boat shall be equipped with Loran or other navigation system capable of precisely fixing the vessel’s position on the water.
All whaling harpoons must be equipped with a stainless-steel toggle point, connected to one or more floats, and bear a permanent distinctive mark identifying the whaling captain who is in charge of the whaling team using the harpoon.
The rifle used in gray whale hunts shall be a .50BMG (caliber) very high-powered rifle.
The first strike made upon a gray whale shall be made by the harpooner on a canoe and shall affix one or more floats to the whale. Immediately after the harpooner strikes the whale, the rifleman on the canoe shall fire his rifle at the whale’s central nervous system (CNS). If the whale is not immobilized by the initial shot, the chase boats will pursue the whale and the riflemen aboard the chase boats will kill the whale as expeditiously as practicable with rifle shots directed at the whale’s CNS.
Upon the death of a whale, the chase boat divers will ensure the whale remains afloat and secure the whale for towing to port. The whale will be expeditiously towed to port by one of the chase boats.
By following the general procedures set out in paragraphs F and G above, whaling teams shall make best efforts to land every whale that is struck.
The Commission shall conduct research and development to further refine the hunting methods set out in this management plan. Upon consultation with the Commission and the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Council may periodically amend the provisions of this part to improve the safety, effectiveness and humaneness of gray whale hunts.
Thanks for the post with the hunt info. This apparently wasn’t a valid tribal hunt, since it looks like there were only 5 hunters, that were later turned over to tribal police. I wonder what the traditional punishment for something like this is.