Battue bear hunting.



If the bear is imposed and there is no opportunity to put off the hunting it would be better to use another way of hunting, which is called battue.

The success of this interesting, fascinating hunting usually depends on the experience of the manager of hunting (the main hunter) who must know perfectly the hunting and must have clear presentation about the manner of course of the animal after exit from the den.

Together with the hunter who has imposed the bear, the main hunter must go round the circle on the eve of battue. He must examine the wood in the place of hunting and the forest tract especially in the southern side of the place of hunting.

It is necessary to know where the bear has barged into a circle. And if the circle is not so large and the trace of the bear coming into enclosure pulls to the north, this place, probably, will be his way of returning, another words "pyata". Through this place the bear can go from a circle back - to way of returning.

Here, on the way of returning, and from the both sides it is necessary to mark the places for arrangement of shots.

The shots stand on a direct line at a distance of sixty - seventy steps one from another so that each of them can see the neighbours. The coming bear could be seen by two neighbouring shots.

From the both sides of the line of shots, from the left and the right flanks of the enclosure, which after moving off by the main hunter has become straighter, four or five silent persons are placed. They stand at a distance thirty - forty steps from each other. Their role is not to let the animal out of the circle and to make the bear go towards shots. When the bear evades the flanks of enclosure, the silent persons wave by hands or make two or three steps. They are forbidden from crying and talking.

The sensible silent person, taking place (in relation to a line of shots) further the bear going to him, can easily direct the bear to the shooting line, as the animal, having noticed the man on his way , naturally will move aside and will go to one of the shots.

The beaters (those who are crying - shouters) are placed further than silent persons. The distance between them depends on a size of enclosure and on number of people taking part in enclosure. The places for the silent persons and for the shouters are determined by the main hunter together with those who gathers round the bear.

When all these preparations have been done you can start the hunting. Shouters and silent persons stand at a distance of 500 - 600 m from enclosure. Shots in white overalls occupy places according to directions of the main hunter. Without any noise the shots stamp on the directed places. They charge the guns and wait for the beginning of battue.

After that the shouters and the silent persons are shown to their places by the main hunter.

The shouters begin to make a noise according to a signal of commander. If the bear does not rise for a long time, two hunters with dog go to the circle. They must find the den and raise the bear out of the den.

If the battue is spent by the experienced people and the line of shots is marked correctly the hunting usually comes to an end very quickly.

The shot should approach the bear as closer as possible, take aim exactly to shoulder - blades and strike the bear.

When the bear goes to the next number it is necessary to pass him and to be ready to correct the misses of neighbour through a fast shot.

The shots must stand on the shooting position motionlessly without turning the head. It is very difficult to notice in rich fur-tree the hidden squirrel. But you can see the squirrel when she moves her tail. The animal can also notice the unexperienced shot who stands on the shooting position uneasy. And after battue beater will show to such "shot" that the bear was from him at a distance of ten steps and he (the bear) has turned back in a circle.

It is allowed to go from the shooting position only after a signal of the main hunter or in the case when there is a necessity to help the neighbouring shot.


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