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Hunting game comes in many forms. One of the almost forgotten methods, dating back to the distant past, is falconry. In our country, back when heroes and tsars still lived, falconry was very popular and in demand.
But over time, everything changed. Today in Russia, most hunters hunt using more traditional methods, with guns and dogs. For example, on the Putorana Plateau, enthusiasts of this hobby go on goose hunting trips every spring. Only there is it possible to combine two favorite activities—fishing and hunting—in one.
What is falconry?
Nowadays, using birds of prey instead of firearms is popular in neighboring countries, such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. There, as in ancient times, professionals still train falcons, golden eagles, and eagles. Competitions are held between the so-called sayatshy, burkytshy, and kusbegi, which translates as "lords of the birds."
Well-trained birds of prey, they are capable of securing a huge number of trophies. From above, the eagle's keen gaze sees everything that happens nearby. As soon as the falcon spots its prey, it folds its wings and swooshes down like a stone.
From the outside, it might seem like the predator has simply decided to commit suicide by falling to the ground. But right at the ground, the huntsman spreads its sharp claws, snatches up its prey (a hare, a fox, a black grouse, or something larger), and takes off again. It brings the catch back to the hunter and takes off again in search of its next victim.
Types of trappers
Taming a raptor is a tremendous undertaking. And not every eagle relative can easily endure captivity, even if they are treated and fed at the highest level. The following are suitable falconers:
Peregrine Falcon – In the wild, it hunts primarily small birds (sandpipers, sparrows, etc.), but with proper training, it can bring back smaller animals. It can also hunt hares, foxes, and other medium-sized animals.
· Sparrowhawk – similar to a falcon but smaller. An excellent weapon for hunting feathered game, such as geese, ducks, quail, partridges, etc.
The saker falcon is the smallest falcon, but it also excels at hunting smaller animals and birds. It can significantly increase the number of geese, bustards, hares, and rodents it catches.
Raising and training hunting dogs is no easy task. It's essential to understand the habits, behavior, and character of your charge so that they can bear the proud name of "Burkytshy" later. And the work isn't cheap.
Professionals who are skilled at taming raptors rarely share their experience with others. Therefore, it's a mistake to think that falconry is a simple, easy task. Training a free-spirited bird is very difficult, and not everyone succeeds.
A little history in conclusion
The practice of hunting with falcons goes back to ancient times. Documents dating back to the eighth century mention falconry. Archaeologists have unearthed a bas-relief from the time of the Assyrian king Sargon II that depicts burkytshi.
The origins of this form of hunting are unknown. It was once a favorite hobby of various rulers in Persia, China, and Korea. Hunting trophies with hunting predators became especially popular in the Middle Ages, when wealthy individuals enjoyed this form of entertainment.
Falconry was reserved for the elite due to the high cost of training and raising the birds. In Europe, King Louis XIII is considered the foremost enthusiast of this form of hunting.
But when guns began to appear and hunting became a simpler activity, many countries began to forget about harvesting trophies with birds of prey. Today, several Asian republics remember and honor the precepts of their ancestors, continuing to train their hunting pets.
