Eagle Hunting

During the communist period in Kazakhstan, many Kazakhs fled for Mongolia, settling in Bayan-Olgii Province and bringing with them their tradition of hunting with eagles. There are an estimated 250 eagle hunters in Bayan-Olgii, which is located in the Altai Mountains of western Mongolian.Their falconry custom involves hunting with golden eagles on horseback, and they primarily hunt red foxes and corsac foxes.They use eagles to hunt foxes and hares during the cold winter months when it is easier to see the gold colored foxes against the snow. Each October, Kazakh eagle hunting customs are displayed at the annual Golden Eagle Festival. Although the Kazakh government has made efforts to lure the practitioners of these Kazakh traditions back to Kazakhstan, most Kazakhs have remained in Mongolia.