1. Overview
Discover the fascinating tradition of eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan, an experience not to be missed. This article explores the culture, skills, and practices of the Eagle Hunters and the breathtaking archery skills of the Kyrgyz people.
It was the number one experience we wanted to have when visiting Kyrgyzstan. Seeing the Eagle Hunters of Central Asia finally happened on the last day of our trip. The Salburun Federation is the face of falconry in Kyrgyzstan. If you want to experience the way of the eagle hunter, this is the place to explore. We visited Kyrgyzstan with US Aid to promote untouched regions like Jyrgalan and Lake Issyk Kul’s south shore. However, even if you are commissioned to go off the beaten path, you still need to see the country’s number one attraction: the Eagle Hunters.
Eagle Hunters of Kyrgyzstan
We met Eagle Hunter, Nursultan, on the side of the road and followed him down a bumpy lane to a horse race track and open field.
The golden eagles were in the back of his hatchback, and he brought them out to demonstrate how he hunts and trains the birds.
Moreover, we even had the chance to feel the weight and power of these beautiful creatures as he placed them on our gloved arms.
Nursultan shared his story of how he captured this bird of prey at a young age, trained it to hunt, and kept it for 20 years before setting it free to live out its days. Golden eagles typically live for 30 to 40 years and have at least another decade of freedom.
I asked him how he keeps the eagles from flying away, and he said they provide just enough food to keep them hungry. If they were full and satisfied, they’d fly away. However, knowing that there is a regular source of food allows the eagles to stick around.
Our eagle, named Karakoz, placed second at the World Nomad Games and is poised to take the championship at the next one!
There are few hunters left in Kyrgyzstan, and the family business is passed down from generation to generation.
Eagle Hunting Demonstrations at Issyk-Kul
Demonstrations consist of first learning about the eagle, understanding eagle hunting, and engaging in hands-on experience.
When the eagle is placed on our arms, we feel its significant weight. It is heavy and strong. Initially, I was tentative about making it flap its wings as it felt precariously perched on my arm with its hood on.
The hood is kept on to keep the eagle calm until it is sent off to hunt. While I am unsure how I feel about all this, it is important to note that the eagle is captive, but it also serves the family’s primary source of food.
During the Russian occupancy, the tradition nearly disappeared. Today, however, families have taken up eagle hunting again, and while they compete in many festivals around Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, they still rely on the eagles for hunting and food.
Why are Eagles Used for Hunting?
Cholpon explains that the Kyrgyz people did not believe in using weapons to kill animals for food. To them, it is more humane to use eagles. Traditionally, they’ve held this belief.
Families train the eagles with fox skin for two months before transitioning to live rabbits. Unfortunately, the rabbits are sacrificed daily to keep the eagles sharp, but families benefit from the meals. Furthermore, the eagle’s attack is swift and precise.
Once Nursultan finished explaining how he captured the eagle, trained it, and planned to release it after twenty years, his assistant trekked up to the top of a cliff with two eagles.
Nursultan patiently stood with an outstretched arm before calling Karakoz to attack. There was raw meat waiting, and once he made the high-pitched call, the eagle swooped down with grace.
It was down in an instant, its eagle eyes locating the meat effortlessly. As it munched on its afternoon snack, we took photographs and videos in awe of its beauty.
We were fortunate; they had two eagles, allowing us to witness the demonstration a second time. This time, a younger eagle named Black Eyes, only one year old, performed equally impressively.
Archery Demonstration
After our hunting demonstration, our guides mounted their horses to showcase their archery skills.
They secured the eagles back in the hatchback, and I worried about the heat inside the car. Fortunately, the horse demonstration was quick, and these men genuinely loved their eagles. They are not merely their livelihoods; they are family.
During this experience, three horses with riders raced the track at full speed.
They were preparing for the upcoming holiday. Independence Day was only a few days away, and races were taking place as horses trained for a 10,000-meter race. I was amazed at how long they could maintain that pace!
Kyrgyz People are Horse People
The Kyrgyz people are the original nomads and true horsemen, descendants of Western Mongolia (the Genghis Khan region) and nomadic Central Asian tribes.
Many still lead a nomadic life, moving from mountains to valleys in their yurts as weather conditions change. Horses roam freely when not in use, embodying an almost wild quality.
The bond between Horse and Rider is evident, and the Kyrgyz people exhibit extraordinary skill and grace in the saddle.
This next experience beautifully displayed that talent. The guides demonstrated how they could hit a target while galloping at full speed.
Having just completed a mountain horse trek two days earlier, I recalled the exhilarating sensation of moving with the horse. It required all of my concentration to remain in the saddle, yet this skilled rider was running with his hands raised to aim an arrow.
These men begin riding as early as three years old, and their comfort level on horseback is impressive.
Deb Takes a Turn
He hit the target effortlessly and let me try my hand at archery, albeit without riding the horse.
I’ve attempted shooting a bow and arrow several times, and it’s always been the same pattern. My first shot is usually excellent and close to the bullseye—almost professional.
However, when I try again and overthink it, my aim deteriorates, and the more I try, the farther I stray from the target. When will I learn? I should probably just take one shot and say, “Thank you! And that’s all folks!”
Taigan Dogs
Our final demonstration featured Kyrgyzstan’s esteemed dog breed, the Taigan.
Taigans are sighthounds used for hunting. The upper class has embraced these beauties as a symbol of wealth, and we learned there are only about 40 Taigan dogs in the country. They are exceptional hunting companions, and our guides had another hunting demonstration planned.
They asked if we preferred a demonstration with a live rabbit or a dead fox. We chose the dead fox. Given that I had already witnessed a sacrifice earlier in our trip when they decapitated a goat for a game of goat polo, I was not prepared to see a rabbit killed for entertainment.
As the horseman pulled the fox fur along the back of his horse, the dogs quickly shifted their focus to a live rabbit hopping in the distance. Born and bred to hunt, the dogs disregarded the dead fox, and the chase for the rabbit commenced.
Fortunately for the rabbit, it had a substantial head start and skillfully outmaneuvered the hounds, who returned to the cars with tails wagging.
These dogs are friendly and adorable, with coats as soft as sheep wool. They nuzzle in to greet us before seeking out a cool spot in the shade to relax.
Not Quite the World Nomad Games, but Not Bad Either
We didn’t get to see the eagle hunters ride with their eagles perched, but Dave did ask if they could at least sit on a horse with the eagle on his arm.
Nazrul Tan informed us that this horse is not trained to ride with an eagle, but if he is careful, he can manage to sit on the horse.
I hadn’t considered it before, but the horse, rider, and eagle must all be synchronized and harmonious. Hunting from a horse in the Central Asian plains requires precision.
Given that eagle talons are deadly, if one species doesn’t trust the other, or panics, it could quickly become dangerous. Eagles can take down a wolf, and those talons are razor-sharp.
Imagine if a horse panicked, causing the eagle to react aggressively.
Consequently, while we missed out on the mini world nomad games that were originally planned during our visit to Kyrgyzstan, we still had the opportunity to meet and learn about the eagle hunters.
The Eagle Hunters themselves are surprisingly slight and quiet. They don’t appear to be the fierce warriors I initially expected. However, it’s clear that it’s the eagle doing all the work, right?
This journey was made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (US Aid). The contents are solely the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of US Aid or the United States government.
