"The Sport of Kings" - falconry - will be shown for the first time in the Vitebsk region

September 25, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Falconry will be presented for the first time at the Vitebsk Regional Hunting and Fishing Festival "Vepr-2009" on September 26, Igor Shulgan, chairman of the Vitebsk regional organization of the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen, told a BELTA correspondent. For now, Vitebsk falconers will show one bird. Despite the fact that its training began only a few months ago, the young goshawk already sits calmly on the hand, takes off from it and returns, eats meat from the owner's hands with pleasure and without fear. Serious training will begin on October 3, when hunting for hares, the main prey of goshawks, will be allowed. Falconry, often called the "sport of kings," is regaining its former popularity in Europe. As Vitebsk falconers hope, after the first demonstration, their ranks will be replenished with lovers of sport hunting. Getting acquainted with falconry is only one of the many events planned for the festival, which will be held in the village of Botcheikovo, Beshenkovichi district. An exhibition of hunting dogs, contests for casting a spinning rod, calling animals, a hounds competition for the chase of an electronic hare, and a hunters' competition for shooting accuracy are all included in the program. As Igor Shulgan promises, all guests and participants of the festival will have enough free porridge with stewed meat from the field kitchen. It is expected that about 300 hunters and fishermen from all districts of the region will take part in the festival. In addition, the region's hunting farms will present their services, and they will attract hunters with an exhibition of trophies. There are more than 7,000 members of the BOHF in the Vitebsk region. -0-