A varied hunting life. In Polichno they have unique helpers in breeding

Mrs. Iveta, what is the hunting life like?

Jejda, well certainly extremely interesting, that's for sure. Colourful. It's certainly not how we are sometimes portrayed by those who are unfamiliar with hunting issues. Sometimes they even see us as someone with a taste for killing and behaving sadistically.

So that doesn't sound twice as nice. Let's have a little discussion about the activities of hunters in general and here in Luhacovice.

Obviously, we have to follow strict rules and laws of hunting and game care. But we also care for game and hunting facilities. We are trying to make our activities more known to the general public. For example, we provide peace of mind for the animals during the breeding season. There's a lot more to it, all in our spare time, of course.

There used to be a lot of small game around. To see a hare or a pheasant today is almost a holiday affair...

Historically, we had a really significant number of hares in our hunt. They have declined dramatically. But we're not giving up. We haven't done small game hunts in many years. In the past two years in a row, we've released a total of thirty rabbits into the area.

And pheasants?

Then it gets even more interesting. Thanks to our friends Jaromir Zich and Rostislav Jančář, who are poultry breeders, their hens went into action. And these patient hens are behind our breeding success. The little pheasants are now hatching in quite significant numbers. It's a beautiful sight, and a big hunting thank you to both gentlemen.

When small game is then released into the wild, that's certainly interesting. What makes it especially so?

It's a holiday and it has its patterns. To help the chicks adapt, we have special fields with attractive food and cover. We also have special feeding stations at the release site. And one more thing, about a month after the release, we closely monitor the predators' movements.

Hm, hats off to you. This is small game. But you've had other things to worry about in the last few hours...

Well, yes, our hunting ground above the village was visited by a hefty bear. We have photos and video of his movements. And we also cast a track. It's clear evidence of movement. Great caution always applies. It's also interesting that many more eyes saw him, also in Petruvka and other neighbouring locations. Even now, there is still talk that he took a liking to us and has not yet returned to Slovakia, where the occurrence of hoopoes is common.

Women were not so common among hunters until recently, but nowadays ladies and girls are to be regarded as a perfectly normal part of the ranks of nimrods. Is that so?

Sure, it's a beautiful but demanding hobby. I'm slowly completing my first decade, I certainly haven't regretted that decision. Not just because hunting runs in the family. My husband is trapped in the same field, I am the vice president and he is the manager of our association. So forest, breeding, hunting and conservation are actually "on our plate" on a daily basis.

Categories: What to do in Luhačovice, Luhačovice, Interview, Polichno, Hunters' Association, Nature, Animals