I wrestle with this issue every year that it comes up. Feelgood took most of the work out of it for me by posting the facts of the matter. I researched most of that stuff a few years ago when I really started to think about what I thought about the hunt.
To date, I still haven't come up with an opinion either way.
It does seem cruel, but I would argue that the way veal calves are raised is more cruel.
I think my problem is logic versus emotion. By looking at the facts, as posted above, it's hard to argue that there is much wrong with the hunt. Economically and ethically, it seems justifiable. That said, even though the method of killing is as humane as possible, it still nags at me. Perhaps it's because personally, I do not benefit from the killing of the seals. I benefit from other animals being killed for my benefit, since I eat them, but I don't eat seals or use their pelts.
I don't think I'll ever be able to develop an opinion on the matter one way or the other. Perhaps if someday the hunt, or lackthereof, affects me, I'll feel more strongly one way or the other.
-Tamerlain