Hunting animals. Animals are hunters. Department of Public Policy and
Crested Duck (Aythya fuligula)
A diving duck, slightly smaller than a red-headed duck. The breeding coloration of the male is black with a purple tint, the sides are white, on the back of the head there is a pigtail (crest) of elongated feathers. The female is brown with a whitish belly, white feathers or a narrow light ring are often noticeable at the base of the beak, the crest is short. The male at the end of summer is similar to the female. All dresses are characterized by a long white mirror along the hind edge of the wing; eyes are yellow. Young - like females, but without a crest; the eyes are brownish yellow. Unlike river ducks, the back of the body and tail of a floating bird are submerged in water. He willingly dives, takes off heavily from the water, after running through the water. The flight is impetuous, noisy; the flock usually flies together. Quite silent, the voice of the female is a hoarse croak, the voice of the male is a two-syllable whistle (heard only in spring). It prefers to swim in open, relatively deep water bodies with overgrown shores. Like the red-nosed duck, it often gravitates towards colonies of gull birds.
Red-nosed Duck (Netta rufina)
The size of a mallard. The male is characterized by a golden-orange head, brighter and lighter than the red-headed duck, and a bright orange beak. On the head is a fluffy rounded crest, which makes the head seem very large. The female is grayish-brown, differs from the females of other dives in the light plumage of the cheeks and upper part of the neck. On the water, unlike other dives, it sits high. It dives well, but it can also feed like river ducks, immersing the front part of the body in the water and putting the rear part vertically. The flight is noisy. As a rule, a silent bird. The voice of the male is a low whistle, of the female - a hoarse, abrupt "croaking".
Red-headed Duck (Aythya ferina)
Somewhat smaller than the mallard. The male in breeding plumage has a reddish-brown head, bluish beak, black chest and gray back; the iris of the eye is red. The female and male in the second half of summer have a brown outfit with a lighter head, especially cheeks, and a darker chest. Wings without white mirror (in all outfits). Juveniles are similar to adult females. The eyes of males are red, of young birds and females - brown. Landing on the water is deep, the tail is not visible; dives often. Takes off heavily from the water, after running through the water; flies fast and noisy. The voice of the male in the spring is a nasal whistle, the female croaks hoarsely. It prefers to swim in relatively deep water bodies, clean reaches with overgrown shores; often settles near colonies of gull birds.
Gogol (Bucephala clangula)
Large-headed duck, noticeably smaller than the mallard. Male in breeding plumage is white with black head, back, tail and wingtips. Oval white spots on the cheeks. The female and juveniles are dark brown with a brown head, white mirrors on the wings, a narrow light collar and no spots on the cheeks. The eyes in adult males and females are bright yellow, in young ones they are dark. Swims with tail down; when feeding, it dives and quickly swims under water, helping itself with its wings. It takes off easily from the water. The flight is swift, maneuverable; the wings emit a characteristic whistle in flight. Silent, the voice is a rough quack. Nests in the hollows of old trees growing near water bodies, willingly occupies artificial nests. They nest mainly where nest boxes are hung especially for gogols. During migration, it is observed on fish farm ponds, peat quarries, floods of large rivers.
Duck (Aythya marila)
White-eyed Duck (Aythya nyroca)
The size of a redhead dive. The breeding coloration of the male is gray with white sides; head, neck and chest are black with a green tint. It differs from the crested duck in the gray back and the absence of a pigtail at the back of the head. The female is brownish-gray, lighter than the female of the crested duke; in contrast to the latter, around the beak there is a widely dirty-white ring; a light spot is often also on the cheek. In all outfits, along the posterior edge of the wing, there is a white stripe, like in a crested duke; the eyes of males and females are yellow. Young birds are similar to females, but the ring around the beak is either absent, or it can be narrow or incomplete; eyes are yellow-brown. The male's voice is a low whistle, the female's is a rough quack. Recorded in fish farm ponds, floods of large rivers and other large bodies of water.
Geese
White-fronted goose (Anser albifrons)
Significantly smaller than the gray goose and goose. It differs from them in a white spot on the forehead that does not go over the crown; in flight, uneven dark transverse stripes are clearly visible on the belly (absent in young birds). The general color is lighter than that of the bean, the beak is pink, the paws are reddish. Landing on the water, flying, the shape of the flocks, behavior and feeding places during the flight are like those of the gray goose. Less cautious than the gray goose and bean goose. The voice is higher than that of these two species of geese - a ringing, rather melodic cackle. A northern species that nests in the tundra.
Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythrops)
Smaller than the white-fronted goose, which is very similar. It differs from it, in addition to size, in a narrow yellow leathery ring around the eye and in that the white frontal spot extends to the crown of the head; unfortunately, these differences are clearly visible only at close range. The wings are somewhat narrower than those of the white-fronted goose; more frequent flaps of the wings. It differs from geese of similar size in a monochromatic brownish-gray color. The voice is high and somewhat shrill, for which the species got its name. Breeds in northern tundra. Listed in the Red Book of Russia (hunting is prohibited)
Bean goose (Anser fabalis)
About a gray goose or slightly smaller. In comparison with the white-fronted and, especially, the gray goose, the coloration of the upper body, head and neck is darker; in flight, the dark head and neck contrasts markedly with the lighter chest and belly. The beak is black with an orange transverse stripe. Landing on the water, flying, behavior and feeding places during the flight are like those of the gray and white-fronted geese. Very careful. Flyby flocks fly at an angle or oblique line; some bean geese can also be observed in flocks of white-fronted geese. Voice - double loud guttural cackle. Northern tundra and taiga species.
Gray goose (Anser anser)
Large bird; similar to a domestic goose, the ancestor of most breeds of which he is. It differs from the white-fronted goose in the absence of a white spot on the forehead and is larger in size, from the bean goose - in a completely pink beak and in a lighter, gray color of the head, back and wing coverts. Swims well, keeps high on water, does not dive. The flight is direct, fast. The migratory flocks line up with a characteristic angle; during local foraging flights, the birds stretch out in a row. It feeds on grassy vegetation mainly on land (in meadows, winter crops) and along the banks of water bodies. Very careful. The voice is like the cackle of a domestic goose.
Rodents
Common squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
A small animal with an elongated body and a long fluffy tail. Body length 195-280 mm, tail 130-186 mm. The head is round, the eyes are large, black, the ears are relatively long, with tassels at the ends, especially developed in winter, the fingers are elongated, with tenacious claws. The coloration varies enormously from place to place and dramatically with the seasons. In summer, the upper side is painted in various shades of red, brown or black, in winter it is correspondingly gray (sometimes with red), light gray, light brown or dark gray. The belly is always white. The tail is black, black-gray, brownish or bright red. The hairline in winter is soft and fluffy, in summer it is harder, shorter and shinier. Dweller of the forests. It adheres mainly to old coniferous and deciduous forests. Food consists of coniferous seeds, nuts, acorns, mushrooms, buds and shoots, bird chicks and eggs, insects. He makes supplies for the winter. It is usually active in the morning and evening hours, in winter throughout the day, on frosty and windy days it often does not go out to feed, but does not hibernate. It leads a predominantly arboreal lifestyle. She arranges shelters in hollows (in deciduous forests) or builds a spherical nest from branches on trees with a roof and a side entrance (gayno). One of the most valuable fur animals.
White hare (Lepus timidus)
Large hare. Body length 44 - 74 cm, weight 2.5 - 5.5 kg. The ears are relatively short, bent forward, reaching the end of the muzzle. The hind legs are of medium length. The body coloration in summer is brown, gray or brownish-buffy. There is a reddish tint on the cheeks and paws, the tail is without black hair. In winter, all fur is pure white. The tips of the ears are black all year round. Inhabitant of forests and tundra, it is also found in the steppe. It feeds on herbaceous plants. In winter, it eats the shoots and bark of willow, aspen, birch, hazel, oak, maple. There is no permanent den. In winter, for rest, digs a shallow hole or hole in the snow. Sheds in spring and autumn. An important fishing object.
European hare (Lepus europaeus)
Large hare. Body length 55 - 69 cm, weight 4 - 6.5 kg. The ears are relatively long, bent forward, protruding far beyond the end of the muzzle. The hind legs are long. In summer, the color is reddish-gray with blackish ripples, the sides are lighter, without ripples. Ears with black borders. The tail is black on top. In winter, the coloration brightens noticeably, but not as sharply as in the hare. Inhabitant of steppe and forest-steppe landscapes, enters the forests. In the forest zone inhabits forest edges, overgrown with bushes, forest strips, fields, in the steppe it is found everywhere. In summer it feeds on herbaceous plants, in winter - on dry grass, bark and shoots of various trees and shrubs. The number varies from year to year, but not as dramatically as in the hare. An important fishing object.
Beaver (Castor fiber)
The largest rodent in our fauna. The physique is massive. Body length 75-120 cm, weight about 20 kg. The eyes and ears are small, the front legs are shorter than the hind legs. The tail is flat, wide, spatulate, covered with horny shields and sparse hair. Swimming membranes between the toes of the hind limbs. The fur consists of long, coarse guard hairs and a soft, wavy undercoat. The color of the fur is varied, from light chestnut to black. Inhabitant of various landscapes, but always associated with water. Most often inhabits the shores of slowly flowing rivers, lakes and ponds. In summer it feeds on leaves and young shoots of trees and shrubs, stems and flowers of various plants, in autumn, winter and spring it eats green bark, branches and rhizomes. For the winter it makes food reserves (branches and rhizomes). Stocks are stored in water near dwellings. Spends most of the time in the water. Complex burrows are dug in steep banks, their holes open under water. On low shores and shallow waters, it builds huts from branches held together by silt. To maintain a constant water level in a stream or river, he builds dams from cuttings of tree trunks, branches, sod and silt. Able to gnaw trees up to 1 m thick. A fallen tree gnaws into pieces and then floats to its shelters. For rafting, it digs canals hundreds of meters long, up to 0.5 m wide and up to 1 m deep. It is active at dusk and at night. A family of 4-6 individuals winters in one dwelling. Valuable commercial species.
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)
Comparative sizes of rodents: 
Artiodactyls
Wild boar (Sus scrota)
A large animal with a short massive body, thick, short neck, large head, relatively thin limbs and a short tail. The length of the tepa is 125-175 cm, the height at the withers is 80-100 cm, and the weight is 150-200 kg. The ears are long and wide, the muzzle is elongated, ending in a patch, in males, the upper and lower canines protrude from the mouth upwards. Coloring from black and reddish-brown to sandy and silvery-gray. The hair is rough and bristly. Females are lighter in build. Piglets are light brown, with bright longitudinal stripes on the back and sides. Inhabitant of various landscapes, from dark coniferous taiga to mountains and deserts. It feeds on rhizomes, tubers and roots of various plants, fruits, nuts, cedar seeds, acorns. Often uses animal food: earthworms, insects, small vertebrates. In summer it is active from sunset to dawn, in winter it feeds during daylight hours. Leads a group or herd lifestyle, old males keep alone. Easily moves on swampy ground, swims perfectly. Smell and hearing are very well developed, vision is relatively weak. A valuable game animal, it provides meat, skin and bristles.
Elk (Alces alces)
A very large, powerful and high-legged beast. Body length up to 300 cm, height at the withers 225-235 cm, weight up to 570 kg. The head is large, strongly elongated, with a swollen upper lip, the neck is short and thick, the ears are long and wide, sharpened at the ends, the tail does not protrude from the fur, on the throat there is a skin outgrowth hanging downward ("earring"). Males have heavy horns forming a "shovel" with a different number of offshoots. The color is unilocular, dark brown, the legs are usually light, almost white. There is no "mirror". The hair is rough and brittle. Inhabitant of lowland taiga and mixed forests, less often found in mountain taiga. It adheres to swampy areas, the outskirts of lakes, riverine willows, young overgrown burnt areas and felling areas, forest areas with dense undergrowth and high grassy cover. In summer, it especially eats fireweed, meadowsweet, watchtower, horsetail, egg capsule, water lily, marigold, calamus, calla calla and many other herbaceous plants, leaves of willow, birch, mountain ash and other tree species. In winter, the food is based on branches of deciduous trees (willow, aspen, mountain ash, birch) and needles of pine, fir, juniper, as well as the bark of various trees. A valuable game animal that provides meat and leather. Hunting is permitted only with licenses. Experiments on the domestication of elk are being carried out.
Red deer (European red deer, red deer, red deer) (Cervus elaphus)
A large, slender animal with long legs. Body length about 200 cm, height at the withers 120-150 cm, weight from 100 to 300 kg. The head is somewhat elongated, the neck is short, the ears are long, wide, pointed at the ends, the tail is short. In adult males, there are usually at least five processes on the horns. The color is monochromatic, without spots. Its main tone in summer is from bright reddish brown and yellowish to brownish brown. Around the tail there is a large, reddish or yellowish (sometimes white) spot overlying the croup ("mirror"). The limbs and belly are darker; a longitudinal stripe often stretches along the ridge. Winter color is grayish or brownish yellow. Juveniles before the first molt are spotty. The hair is rough and brittle. Inhabitant of taiga, deciduous and mountain forests. The food consists of branches, shoots, leaves, buds, bark and needles of various tree species, a variety of herbaceous plants and lichens. A game animal that provides meat, leather, skin and valuable medicinal raw materials - antlers (non-ossified horns).
European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus)
A large animal of light and graceful build, with high thin limbs, a long neck and a small head. Body length 100-155 cm, height at the withers 75-100 cm, weight 20-59 kg. The muzzle is relatively short, the ears are large, wide, the tail is not protruding from the fur. Males have horns with 3-5 tines. The coloration is monochromatic, gray or brownish in winter, reddish or rusty-reddish in summer. The belly is whitish. The "mirror" is large, white or yellowish. Juveniles are speckled with white or yellowish spots. The Siberian roe deer differs from the European fur color, large size, developed "mirror" and large knobby horns. Inhabitant of deciduous and mixed forests, the southern outskirts of the taiga, forest-steppe. It adheres to light forests with well-developed undergrowth and undergrowth, with clearings, clearings and burnt-out areas. It feeds on shoots, leaves and buds of deciduous trees, pine needles and a variety of herbaceous plants. Object of commercial and sport hunting, shooting is permitted under licenses. Harvested for meat, hides and skins (horns that are not ossified).
Sika deer (Cervus nippon)
Body length 250 - 350 mm, tail 200 - 280 mm, weight 900 - 1000 g. Auricle barely protrudes from the fur. The tail is strongly compressed from the sides, covered with sparse hair and small scales. The toes of the hind legs are connected by a small swimming membrane. The fur consists of coarse guard hairs and a soft undercoat. Coloring from light, ocher-red to black, but more often chestnut-brown. Young animals are gray-brown. In the groin area of adult animals, there are glands that secrete a musky secretion. Acclimatized on the territory of Russia. The original range is located in North America. It is an inhabitant of different landscapes, where it settles along rivers, lakes, canals and swamps. Leads a semi-aquatic lifestyle, relatively rarely going out on land. It is active at dusk and in the morning. It feeds on coastal and suitable plants. It eats mollusks, frogs and fish fry much less often. He builds burrows and huts for housing. The hole of the burrow is located under water, and the nesting chamber is above the water level. On low shores, it makes huts up to 1 m high from reed and sedge stalks, fastened by silt, one of the most important objects of fur trade.
Comparative sizes of artiodactyls: 
Waders
Great snipe (Gallinago media)
Significantly larger than a snipe. It is distinguished by a dark speckled bottom (there are no speckles only in the center of the abdomen) and bright white spots on the sides of the tail, clearly visible during takeoff and landing. The white stripe on the upper side of the wings, almost invisible in the snipe, is more pronounced in the great snipe. The frightened great snipe flies straight and not quickly, silently or with low, short "grunting" sounds. It mings the most actively in the dark on the ground: males gather together on dry manes of meadows, fight, emit crackling, muttering and gurgling trills lasting several seconds.
Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola)
Large, large-headed forest sandpiper with a long beak, slightly larger than a pigeon. It differs from other snipe in uniformly variegated coloration of the top, wide transverse black stripes on the head, a white stripe along the edge of the tail and a striated coloration of the underside of the body. In the spring, it makes current flights, known as "thrust", over glades, forest roads and clearings in the forest. At the same time, the males emit "humming" sounds - "hrr-hrr-hr-hr", followed by "tsvirkanye" - "tsi-cik". Females make only blooming sounds. In case of danger, it hides and flies out in a nepa a few steps, trying to hide in the thickets.
Medium curlew (Numenius phaeopus)
Sandpiper the size of a dove. The upper body is black-brown with a small light spot on the back, a longitudinal light stripe on the crown and the same bright "eyebrows". Thick longitudinal streaks on the light neck and chest turn into V-shaped spots or a cross-striped pattern on the sides. The abdomen is buffy-white. The back and loin are white. The beak is long, curved downward, black-brown. The legs are bluish gray. Juveniles are somewhat lighter above, while the breast is more buffy in color. Inhabits southern tundra, raised bogs, steppes, muddy sea shallows. Voice-loud cry "bibibibibi ...". They differ from other curlews with a striped head, from large curlews - in smaller sizes.
Great curlew (Numenius arquata)
A large crow-sized sandpiper. The top is brownish, pockmarked with an almost white back and upper tail, clearly visible in flight. The head, neck and chest are in longitudinal streaks, the abdomen is white. The beak is very long, curved downward, brown-black, legs are long, gray. Juveniles are similar to adults, but the ocher color is more extensive on the chest. Voice - loud cries of "Dewey-Dewey", "Quir-lu". It differs from other curlews by the large size of the body and beak, the absence of longitudinal stripes on the crown. The populations of the southern and middle zone of the European part of Russia are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.
Small bodew (Limosa lapponica)
The sandpiper is somewhat smaller than the dove. The back is black-brown, rusty-reddish coloration is spread on the head, neck, chest and abdomen. The tail is white and with transverse dark stripes. White from the loin extends far forward onto the back. The narrow light stripe on the wing is almost invisible. The beak is long, slightly upturned, blackish; legs are dark gray. In winter, the plumage is gray with narrow longitudinal dark streaks. Juveniles are similar to adults in winter plumage, but plumage is rusty yellow. Inhabits tundra, raised bogs of northern taiga, muddy sea shallows. Voice - loud cries of "vyaka-vyaka-vyaka", "how-how". It differs from the great breeder in its somewhat smaller size, striped tail, and a large development of white on the back.
Garshnep (Lymnocryptes minimus)
Somewhat smaller than a starling, the color resembles a snipe, but much smaller, shorter-legged and noticeably shorter-billed. Above, brownish-black, with a greenish or purple tint in the black areas; on the back there are longitudinal yellow streaks merging into stripes. The young are painted like adults. He is very secretive. When approaching it, it hides, often takes off almost from under its feet. Unlike snipe, it takes off in silence and flies straight. In flight, it is noticeable that the tail is wedge-shaped, without bright spots. The male walks in the air, the current song in sound and rhythm resembles the stomp of a galloping horse. It is silent outside the breeding season.
Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
The long-billed sandpiper is about the size of a thrush. It differs from the great snipe in the white color of the abdomen and the absence of noticeable white spots on the tail. From the harlequin - large size, long beak and head color (except for yellow stripes on the sides of the head, there is a light "parting" on the crown of the head). The underside of the wing is striped with alternating white and gray stripes. Takes off with a characteristic cry, similar to a quack; a scared snipe flies in zigzags; the flight is impetuous. When leaking, the male periodically flies up and rushes down with spread wings and tail, making a bleating sound. Voice in the spring "so-ke, so-ke, so-ke ...".
Comparative sizes of waders: 
Cunyi
European and American mink (Mustela lutreola, Mustela vison)
A small animal with short limbs, a flexible, elongated body and a relatively short, fluffy tail. Body length 28-43 cm, tail 12-19 cm. Fur is short, dense. The muzzle is narrow, flattened on top, the ears are small, rounded, almost do not protrude from the fur, the fingers are connected by a well-visible membrane. The color of the fur is one-color, from reddish-brown to dark brown, somewhat lighter on the underside of the body and darker on the limb-chi tail. There is a white spot on the chin that covers the upper and lower lips. Sometimes there is a white spot on the chest. Closely associated with water bodies. 
The food consists of murine rodents, fish, frogs, crayfish, aquatic insects and molluscs. He arranges burrows near water, digs them on his own or uses old burrows. A valuable fur animal. Rare everywhere. In Russia, the American mink is acclimatized, which differs from the European one in a slightly larger size, the white spot usually covers only the chin and lower lip, sometimes entering the upper lip. The American mink is replacing the European mink in most regions. One of the main types of cellular fur farming.
Otter (Lutra lutra)
A medium-sized animal with an elongated, slightly flattened body, a thick neck, very short limbs and a long tail somewhat compressed from the sides. Body length 70-75 cm, tail up to 50 cm. The head is flat, the muzzle is short and blunt, the ears barely protrude from the fur. The fingers are connected by a well-developed membrane. The color is dark brown, shiny, monotonous, without abrupt transitions from the back to the sides. The head and back are colored somewhat darker. The underside of the body is silvery. Otter habitats are closely associated with a variety of freshwater bodies. Perfectly swims and dives, staying under water for a long time. More clumsy on land than other mustelids. When running, the tail drags along the ground. It feeds on fish, frogs, less often mammals, birds, crayfish and molluscs. Burrows burrowed in coastal erosion, often uses natural shelters. The most valuable fur animal. Hunting is permitted only with licenses.
Stone marten (Maries foina)
Very similar to the pine marten, but the tail is relatively longer and pointed. The body is 45–54 cm long, the tail is 25–35 cm long. The color is light, brownish-fawn; the tail and limbs are noticeably darker than the back. The throat spot is white, occasionally light fawn, extending over the front legs in two stripes. Inhabitant of mountain forest and treeless slopes, stone deposits, floodplain forests, ravines, parks and even settlements. It feeds equally on both animal and plant foods. Active at any time of the day. Climbs trees well, but usually hunts on the ground. In recent years, it has been settling and developing new territories. A valuable fur animal. Hunting is permitted only under licenses. 
Badger (Meles meles)
A medium-sized stocky animal, with a narrow, elongated muzzle, a short neck and a relatively short shaggy tail. Body length 60-90 cm, tail 16-20 cm. Badger ears are small, rounded, strong paws are armed with long claws, bristly fur, rough. The color of the animal is rather variegated: the dorsal side and sides are brownish-gray with small ripples, a darker vague stripe runs along the ridge, the throat, bottom of the neck, chest and belly are black-brown or black, the muzzle is white, black or black- brown stripe, ends of ears with linen, whitish tail. Inhabitant of a wide variety of landscapes from taiga to desert. It feeds on both animal and plant foods. Usually it digs intricately arranged burrows with numerous entrances, with a system of underground passages, residential chambers and dead ends. The nesting chamber is located at a depth of 2-3 m and is lined with dry grass and leaves. Unlike other mustelids, it hibernates in the northern part of the range. The fishery is small. Hair is used to make brushes, fat is used in medicine.
Weasel (Mustela nivalis)
A small animal with a highly elongated thin and flexible body, short limbs and a relatively short tail. The body is 13-28 cm long, the tail is 1.3-8 cm. The head is small, the ears are short and wide, the fur is thick, but short. In winter, the color is pure white, in summer it is sharply two-colored: the head, back, sides and limbs are brownish-brown, the throat, chest and belly are white, the tail is the same color as the back, only occasionally there is a dark tip. It lives in a wide variety of landscapes, often found in fields, in haystacks, in outbuildings and settlements. It feeds on murine rodents and shrews, less often attacks water rats, birds and frogs. Nest accommodates other animals in burrows or uses natural shelters.
Black polecat (Mustela putorius)
A small (somewhat smaller than a cat) animal with an elongated body, short limbs and a relatively short fluffy tail. Body length 29.5–46 cm, tail 8.5–13 cm. Muzzle is elongated, with wide rounded ears. The color of the fur, especially on the belly, extremities, and tail, is black-brown; the left-sand underfur is noticeably visible on the sides; the spots around the mouth and edges of the ears are pure white. Inhabitant of the outskirts of mixed and deciduous forests, sometimes found in settlements. It feeds on small rodents, shrews, frogs, chicks and bird eggs, less often fish. It is active at night, less often during the day. The old, natural voids under the roots of trees, sometimes hollows and underground buildings serve as a refuge. A valuable fur animal.
Stoat (Mustels erminea)
A small animal with an elongated, thin and flexible body, short limbs and a long, fluffy tail. Body length 16-38 cm, tail 6-11 cm. The head is small, with a short muzzle and low oval-shaped ears, the hair is thick, but short. The color of the winter fur is white, the terminal half of the tail is black. Summer coloration is sharply two-colored: brownish-brown top and white bottom. Inhabitant of a wide variety of landscapes. Often lives in settlements. The main food is small rodents, shrews, as well as birds, frogs, fish, insects. It moves by jumping, in winter it often moves in the thickness of the snow. It does not dig holes, using natural shelters and burrows of other animals for housing. One of the most important objects of the fur trade.
Comparative sizes of mustelids: 
Shepherdesses
Crake (Сreх crex)
A small bird (slightly larger than a thrush), somewhat resembling a quail. Sexual dimorphism is not pronounced. The head is dark brown dorsally with small buffy streaks. The back is buffy-brown with dark streaks. The chest and craw are gray. Undertail feathers are buffy with white tops; sides of the body are brownish-rufous with white transverse stripes. The upper wing coverts, axillary and lower wing coverts are reddish brown. Legs are yellowish. It differs from quail in monochromatic reddish-brown wings. Hanging legs are clearly visible in flight. It differs from the pogonysh in ocher, not olive-brown color, reddish-brown wings and the absence of white specks all over the body. During the nesting time it occupies various types of meadows, prefers damp tall grasses with patches of shrubs. Penetrates into various agricultural landscapes. It is most easily detected by screaming, which can be heard in the evening and at night. It sounds like a harsh, dry, usually two-syllable "krex-krex" repeated many times in a row.
Pogonysh (Porzana porzana)
A small bird (larger than a starling) with the characteristic appearance of a corncrake or carrion. Sexual dimorphism is not pronounced. The entire dorsal side of the bird is olive with large dark and small white streaks. The front part of the body is gray with white specks. On the sides of the body, transverse white stripes are clearly expressed. The beak is yellow with a bright orange spot at the base. Legs are olive green. Occupies boggy meadows, old peat extraction sites, lakes and pond shores, low-lying bogs. Unlike other purrs (small and crumbs), the entire bottom of the body is densely covered with small white specks, and the undertail is light buffy, without stripes. Unlike the shepherdess, the beak is short and straight. Most often it is found in the evening and at night by its voice, which resembles the whistle of the whistle-whip of the whistle-whip.
Baby girl (Porzana pusilla)
Small carrion (approximately from a starling). The upper part of the body is olive-brown with black streaks, some feathers have individual white streaks or specks. The anterior part of the body is slate gray. The sides of the body are dark with a white cross-striped pattern. In females, the lower body is slightly lighter. Scream - various variations of the "trrr" crackling sound. Inhabits the shores of fresh, less often brackish water bodies with stagnant or slow-flowing water, adhering to thickets of reed, cattail, lake reeds, sedges. It differs from the small pogonysh by a monochromatic greenish beak, a large number of white spots on the dorsal side of the body, and pinkish legs.
Coot (Fulica atra)
The size of a duck. Single color, dark slate, almost black; on the forehead there is a bright white leathery "plaque" passing into a short white conical beak. The toes are long, with greenish scalloped membranes. Juveniles are brownish-gray, the throat and the front of the neck are whitish, the beak is gray, without a "plaque". Landing on the water is deep, swimming, the bird evenly nods its head in time with the movements of the legs; dives often. Usually seen on the water, rarely ashore; flies infrequently. The voice is varied, some of the screams resemble a sonorous clucking. Inhabits water bodies overgrown with near-water vegetation - floodplain and other lakes, fish farm ponds, water-flooded peat quarries.
Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
The size of a teal, on the water it resembles a small duck, on the shore - a chicken. The plumage is black, the undertail is white, clearly visible from a bird sitting on the water. The head has a bright red short beak and a longitudinal red comb. Young are light chestnut, without a comb. Keeps hidden. Swims well, raising a short tail vertically and nodding his head in time with the rowing movements of the paws; deftly runs through shallow water and plant leaves, snags and other objects. Feeding, turns over plant leaves, pebbles and man-made debris with its beak.
Lesser Gauntlet (Porzana parva)
A small bird (from a starling) of the characteristic appearance of a corncrake and carrion. The male in breeding plumage has the underside of the body, chest, neck in front and on the sides, and the sides of the head are slate-gray in color. The dorsal side is olive-brown with wide dark-brown longitudinal streaks. The posterior half of the sides bears transverse whitish-buffy stripes. Undertail is black with wide white stripes and spots with an admixture of ocher tones. The female in breeding plumage on the dorsal side is colored in the same way as the male, but the sides of the head are light gray, the abdomen is pale buffy, and on the sides are brown. The bill is greenish with a darker tip and a red base. The legs are green. The male's cries most of all resemble melodic croaking sounds that are repeated with acceleration and deceleration. Inhabits various bodies of water with developed aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation.
Shepherd (Rallus aqvaticus)
A small bird the size of a corncrake, somewhat larger than a rattle. Sexual dimorphism in the color of the plumage is not pronounced. The entire dorsal side of the body is olive-brown with wide dark brown bar stripes. The sides of the head, neck, goiter and the front of the belly are steel-gray. On the sides of the body and on the middle part of the belly, transverse wide black and narrow white or yellowish stripes alternate. The undertail is white. The main difference from chasers and corncrake is a long, slightly curved beak, the upper beak and tip of which are black-brown, and the lower beak is red. The screams are very varied, the most characteristic reminiscent of the drawn-out squeal of a pig. Breeds in various bodies of water with thickets of aquatic vegetation. 
Comparative sizes of shepherds: 
Toadstools, mergansers
Great grebe, or crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
The size of a mallard, but much slimmer, with a long, straight neck and a sharp, subulate beak. Landing on the water is deep (the whole back of the body is hidden under water). It differs from other toadstools in spring by a dark-red "hood" with protruding "horns" from bunches of feathers, and a white front side of the neck. In autumn and winter there is no "hood", the "horns" on the head are shortened, the front side of the neck, in contrast to the gray-cheeked toadstool, is pure white; a white eyebrow is visible on the dark cap. Young in autumn retain stripes on the head and neck. In all outfits in flight, two white spots are visible on the wing - in front and along the trailing edge of the wing; in contrast to the gray-cheeked toadstool, these spots are connected at the base of the wing. Swims well, often dives, does not walk on the ground, rarely flies. He rarely gives a voice, it resembles a sharp high croak.
Little Grebe (Podiceps ruficollis)
The smallest of our waterfowl, noticeably smaller than a teal. It differs from other toadstools in breeding attire by the absence of a "hood" and decorating feathers on the head; the cheeks and front of the neck are rufous, at the base of the beak there is a bright lemon-yellow spot. Autumn and winter color is brownish with a darker back, necks and front of the neck are whitish. Young ones are like adults in winter dress, but there are dark stripes on their cheeks. In all seasons it is distinguished by a short ("kurguzim") body and the absence of a white "mirror" on the wing. The beak is sharp, straight. A very mobile bird, it easily spins around on the water and often changes direction of movement, sometimes it flies over. Often dives for a long time. Unlike other grebes, it can walk on land. The voice is loud: a double melodic whistle followed by a trill.
Great merganser (Mergus merganser)
It is noticeably larger than the mallard; it differs from other ducks, except for the middle merganser, in a long narrow beak curved at the end. On the water, the male appears white with a large black head; crest is absent, beak is long, red. In flight, a large white spot is visible on the wing from above, occupying most of the wing. The female is gray with a contrasting red head crowned with a crest; differs from the female of the middle merganser in larger size and a clear border of red and gray coloration on the neck. In flight, a large white field on the wing is visible. Juveniles are similar to a female, with a shorter crest. Swims and dives well, when swimming, the back of the body is deeply immersed in water. Very silent, the voice is a dull cracking or a crackling croak.
Medium merganser (Mergus serrator)
About the size of a mallard or slightly smaller; the beak is long, narrow, bent at the end. The color is piebald: the male's head and back are black, the sides are gray, the goiter is red, the collar and wings are white on the side. On the head of both the male and the female there is a crest. The female is gray with a red head; the border of red and gray on the neck, in contrast to the female of the great merganser, is indistinct, blurred. Large white mirrors are clearly visible on the wings of the male and female in flight. When swimming, it plunges deeply into the water, dives well and for a long time. The flight is fast, with frequent flaps of the wings; rises from the water noisily, with a running start. Very silent, his voice is a hoarse croak.
Black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
Teal size or less. In breeding plumage, it differs from other grebes by its black neck; yellow tufts of decorating feathers stand out in contrast on the black head. In autumn and winter, there are no decorating feathers, the cheeks and chin are bright white, the neck in front is white with gray, on the head there is a dark cap, dropping below the eyes. The best diagnostic sign in autumn and winter is a slightly upturned beak. On the wing, unlike other toadstools, there is only one white field, along the trailing edge of the wing. Juveniles are similar to adults in winter, but the white color is replaced by a dirty yellow. Dives well, does not walk on the ground, rarely flies. The voice is varied; lingering squeak, abrupt whistle and trills.
Smear (Mergus albellus)
Half the size of a mallard, a little more than a teal. The male is predominantly white with a black back; a black mask stands out on the head. The female is dark gray with a red head and white cheeks. In all outfits on the wing there is a white mirror, which is larger in the male. Young ones look like females. It sits deep on the water - the head, shoulders and the front of the back are visible. The neck is usually pulled into the shoulders. Dives well. Flies fast. Relatively little careful. Silent, voice - short crackling "crr ...". 
Grey-faced grebe (Podiceps griseigena)
Slightly smaller than the Greater Grebe, from which in breeding plumage it is distinguished by the chestnut-red color of the front side of the neck, light gray cheeks and less developed feather "horns" on the head. In the autumn feather, a dark gray cap goes down to the eyes, there is no white eyebrow, and there is a brownish coating on the front of the neck. The beak is straight, gray with a yellow base. In the young, stripes on the head remain in the fall. In flight, two light areas are visible on the wing, like in a red-necked toadstool. The behavior is typical for toadstools - it floats on the water, rarely flies, and dives well. The voice is loud, rough, varied; it is compared to croaking, rattling, neighing, sharp squealing.
Comparative sizes of toadstools and mergansers: 
River ducks
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
The size of a domestic duck. The male in breeding plumage is distinguished by a pattern of the head and front of the body, a wing with a gray top and a purple mirror. The female is motley, brownish-beige. In the second half of summer, molted males look the same, differing from females with a dark beak with an orange border and an olive-colored beak. In flight, the white ends of the tail feathers are visible, forming a bright light border along the edge of the tail. Young birds are similar to adult females, but darker. It feeds in shallow waters, submerging its head and neck in water or turning upside down with its tail; able to dive, although normally it does not. Takeoff from the water, like other river ducks, is light, almost vertical, the flight is heavy and non-maneuverable; flies, stretching out its neck, often flapping its wings.
Gray duck (Anas strepera)
Somewhat less mallard; it differs well from other river ducks with a white mirror on the wing, visible at a great distance. The main color tone of males in breeding plumage is gray, of females and juveniles - gray-ocher with streaks. The voice of the male is a sonorous coughing, the female's is a crackling quack. Rare breeding migratory species. Inhabits ponds of fish farms, floodplain lakes and oxbow lakes and other overgrown reservoirs of open landscapes.
Pintail (Anas acuta)
Slightly smaller than the mallard; it differs from other ducks in a longer neck and a long, pointed, subulate tail. The male has a brown head, sharply contrasting with the white neck, gray back, white belly (in the old it is yellowish). The female is grayish-brown with large dark streaks and a poorly distinguishable gray-brown speculum with a white edging along the posterior edge of the wing. The female pintail, in contrast to the female wiggle, is lighter, gray, 8 its color is less than red; dark streaks of the chest gradually lighten on the belly. Juveniles are colored like females, but darker. The voice of the male is a melodic whistle, of the female - a quiet hoarse quack.
Teal Whistle (Anas crecca)
Almost half the size of a mallard. The head of the male in breeding plumage is chestnut-red with a wide metallic-shiny green longitudinal stripe passing through the eye. From a distance, however, this pattern is not visible and the head appears simply dark. On the wing there is a bright green mirror. The female and male at the end of summer are monochromatic, brownish-gray with streaks. Small size and fast flight are characteristic; differs from the crackling in flight in the dark top of the wings and the whistle emitted by the wings. Often it obtains food not by swimming, but by wandering in the water and filtering it with its beak, without immersing its head in the water. The voice of the female is a high quack, the voice of the male is a rattling whistle.
Witch (Anas penelope)
Smaller than the mallard; a high-browed and short-billed silhouette is characteristic. The male in breeding plumage has a bright red head with a high yellow forehead and a short gray-blue beak, a reddish chest; in flight, a large white spot on the wing in front of a narrow, poorly distinguishable green mirror is clearly visible. The female is dark brown with buffy streaks on the sides; the mirror on the wing is gray-green; it differs from the female in pintail by a 6 leu short neck and a sharp border of white belly and dark chest. Juveniles are similar to adult females, but dimmer. The flight is fast, easy, and maneuverable. Able to dive, but rarely does it. The female's voice is a loud rattling croak, the male's is a loud whistle.
Teal cracker (Anas querquedula)
Almost twice as small as a mallard, slightly larger than a whistle teal. The head and craw of the male in the breeding plumage are brownish-brown, but the head is a white longitudinal stripe running in the form of a pigtail above the eye to the back of the head; in flight, a light bluish-blue wing top is clearly visible, the mirror is dull, new-gray, poorly distinguishable from afar. The female is grayish-brown with streaks, rather light; in flight, it is noticeable that the wings from above, in contrast to the whistle, are lighter than the back. The flight is fast, landing on the water is easy. The voice of the female is a resounding quack, the voice of the male is a quiet "wooden" crack. Celebrated throughout the region. Inhabits small water bodies overgrown with vegetation, mainly floodplain, also occurs in fish farm ponds.
Shirokosnoska (Anas clypeata)
Significantly smaller than the mallard; it differs from other types of ducks by a very long beak, which expands towards the end in the form of a spoon. Males are piebald with a predominance of red on the belly, white on the coarse and dark green, almost black on the head. The female and male by the end of summer are reddish-gray with streaks. In adults, in all outfits, the upper wing coverts are light, bluish, which is clearly seen in flight; green mirror. Young ones look like females. When feeding, it often immerses its head or beak in water and filters it, quickly, like a top, rotating in one place. The voice of the male is a soft smacking, the female's is a resounding quack. Inhabits shallow, densely overgrown water bodies with a high biomass of small invertebrates: oxbows, quarries, river and lake bays with open banks, silt sites of treatment facilities.
Comparative sizes of river ducks: 
Grouse, pheasant
Gray partridge (Perdix perdix)
Small, pigeon-sized, meadow hen. The color is brownish above, with dark streaks, below it is gray, without streaks. The throat is reddish, on the belly there is a dark horseshoe-shaped spot. In a flying bird, bright red side tail feathers are striking. The female is somewhat smaller and paler than the male. During the mating season, males emit rather loud dissyllabic cries, in the rest of the year they are silent. They move on the ground on foot, take off reluctantly, only when a person, car or dog suddenly appears next to them. A nest on the ground. Inhabits high-grass meadows. The masonry size is maximum for our birds; nests contain from 14 to 24 solid olive eggs. 
Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia)
Small, the size of a large pigeon, densely built forest hen with a wide fan-shaped tail. The color is brown-gray, on the back there are thin dark transverse stripes, the bottom is with large crescent streaks. Shoulders and sides are reddish brown. The male is distinguished by a black spot on the throat with a thin white rim. A sedentary species of coniferous forests, prefers dense spruce forests. It keeps on the ground, frightened with a noise it flies up the trees, where it hides, keeping complete immobility. The voice is a thin, drawn-out whistle, emitted in the characteristic rhythm of "tiii-tiyutii-ti-ti ...". A nest on the ground. Hazel grouse is quite easy to lure onto a special decoy, emitting a thin squeak. 
Quail (Coturnix coturnix)
Small, slightly larger than a starling, meadow hen. The color is brownish-brown with longitudinal dark streaks. Males in spring plumage, unlike females, have a black throat. It dwells in dense grass, usually found by the mating calls of males: a distant ringing "battle" (it can be translated as "pod-weed ...") and quieter, heard only at close range "hvva-va ...". Land bird, rarely flies, in a straight line and for a short distance; nest on the ground.
Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)
A very large bird, males are larger than females. The color of the males is grayish-black, the wings are brownish-brown, the abdomen is black with white spots. The tail is relatively long, rounded, black with a white pattern. The beak is massive, light. Females are much smaller, brownish-rufous with a dark streaky pattern (ripples). Inhabitant of coniferous forests, mainly pine. A sedentary bird, does not form steam. In the spring, males gather on mossy bogs overgrown with pine trees or along pine forests, where they talk, emitting quiet sounds that are difficult to convey in words. In winter, it often strays into small flocks. It differs from the black grouse in much larger sizes. 
Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix)
The bird is medium in size. The color of the plumage of the male is black, on the neck - with a metallic sheen, the undertail, underwings and spot on the wing are white; the female is brownish-red with a black pattern (ripples). In males, the tail is longer, the outer tail feathers are curved in a lyre-like manner. The inhabitant is mainly a forest zone, but it is also found in the forest-steppe. A resident bird. Does not form steam. Breeds in small forests, overgrown clearings, on the outskirts of moss bogs, near mows. Does not occur in dense forests. In the spring, males gather in the fields or forest edges in groups and talk, and females also fly up here. In winter it keeps in large flocks. It differs from the capercaillie in much smaller size; it does not coexist with the Caucasian black grouse. 
Comparative sizes of black grouse and pheasant: 
Carnivores
Raccoon dog (Nuctereutes procyonoides)
A medium-sized animal, with a stocky body on short legs and a short shaggy tail. Body length 65-80 cm, tail 15-25 cm. The head is small, with a short, pointed muzzle, the ears are small, slightly protruding from the fur, dull, on the sides of the head there are well-visible buns. The color of the upper half of the body is reddish-brown-gray, with a more or less clear black-brown tint; a dark stripe is noticeable along the back. The chest and limbs are brown-black. On the muzzle there is a black "mask" surrounded by a light field. The circumference of the nose and the bridge of the nose are light, above the eye to the ear stretches a white blurry stripe. The hair is long and fluffy, but coarse. It is widely acclimatized in many regions of Russia, where it has occupied various forest habitats. It feeds on small rodents, frogs, insects, chicks and eggs of various birds, fish, berries, carrion. A game animal, extracted under licenses. One of the carriers of rabies in nature.
Wolf (Canis lupus)
A large, proportionally built animal with relatively high, strong limbs and a fluffy, usually drooping, short tail. Body length 105 - 160 cm, tail 35 - 50 cm. The neck is short, inactive, the muzzle is relatively wide and elongated, the ears are pointed. Coloring from whitish-gray to sandy-yellow, usually gray with a reddish or blackish tinge, darkening in the front part of the back ("saddle"). The belly and paws are somewhat lighter. The hair is thick and fluffy, especially on the neck, but rather coarse. Inhabitant of a wide variety of landscapes, most numerous in areas with free grazing of livestock. Easily gets along close to a person's dwelling. It feeds on various ungulates (livestock, deer, roe deer), hares, rodents (mouse-like, ground squirrels), uses plant foods (various fruits and berries). Hunting object. The skins are used in fur preparations.
Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
A medium-sized animal with an elongated body, slender, relatively short limbs and a long fluffy tail. The length of the body is 60-90 cm, the tail is 40-60 cm. The muzzle is narrow, pointed, the ears are high, pointed, wide at the base. Coloring from reddish-orange to yellowish-gray, in most cases bright red with an obscure dark pattern. The chest is white, the belly is white or black, the back of the ears is black, the tip of the tail is white. Black-brown and silver-black foxes are rare. The hair is thick, soft and fluffy. Inhabitant of a wide variety of landscapes from tundra to deserts. It feeds on mouse-like rodents, hares, various birds, insects and berries. It digs only shallow, simple burrows, much more often it settles in abandoned burrows of badgers, polar foxes and marmots. One of the most important objects of the fur trade.
Brown bear (Ursus arctos)
A large or very large animal of heavy constitution with massive thick limbs. Body length up to 200 centimeters or more. The head is wide with a short muzzle, the ears are relatively small, rounded. The color of the fur is from brownish-fawn to dark brown and almost black. There is sometimes a small white or whitish spot on the chest. The hair is thick, rough and shaggy. Inhabitant of forests and mountains, often penetrates far into the forest-tundra and even the tundra. Inhabits mainly taiga, mixed and mountain forests. The food is very diverse: berries, seeds, fruits, nuts, insects and their larvae, green parts of some plants, small mammals (rodents), bird chicks and eggs, fish, far and wide; much less often the bear hunts large mammals (ungulates, including domestic ones). Active at any time of the day. Sleeps during the cold season (from October — November to March — May). It arranges a den more often in the most remote areas of the forest, using for this natural shelters, which the bear expands and lines with moss, branches, leaves, dry needles and grass. In hibernation, very sensitive. It is mined for the sake of skin and meat, but the role in fur preparations is small. A person is attacked in exceptional cases, mainly when he is wounded or in winter.
Lynx (Lynx lynx)
A large animal with a short body, high, strong limbs and a short, as if chopped off tail. The length of the body is 82-105 cm, the tail is 20-31 cm. On the sides of the head there are clearly visible cusps, the ears are relatively large, sharp, ending in long tassels, the fur is thick and high. The general color tone is from pale-smoky to rusty-reddish, the ventral side is somewhat lighter. The back, sides and limbs are more or less covered with dark spots, sometimes the spotting is absent. Inhabitant of dense high-trunk forests with dense undergrowth and windbreak. It feeds on hares, hazel grouses, wood grouses, mouse-like rodents, hunts roe deer. Active at night. The role in the fur trade is small.
Comparative sizes of predatory animals: 
Herons, storks, cranes
Black stork (Ciconia nigra)
The size and appearance is similar to a white stork, but the color of most of the plumage is black with a greenish bronze tint, the belly is white. In the young, the plumage is dimmer. Flight and habits are like that of a white stork, however, unlike the latter, it is very careful and avoids being close to humans. It nests, as a rule, in remote forest areas adjacent to vast swampy areas or river floodplains where the bird obtains food; for feeding, it can occasionally be found in the cultural landscape. Listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.
Gray crane (Grus grus)
Large (larger than a goose) long-legged and long-necked bird; long feathers at the base of the wings hang down behind, resembling a bushy tail. The general color tone is gray, in juveniles with a reddish tinge, especially on the neck and head. He walks with long strides, keeping his body almost horizontal, often digs with his beak in the ground, drooping his neck low; does not sit on trees. It takes off after the takeoff run, the flight seems heavy at the beginning, but it flies well and is able to soar for a long time. In flight, the neck and legs are extended. Migrating flocks line up in a wedge, less often in an oblique line. The voice in the flock is a sonorous murmur; in the fall, the lingering squeak of the young is sometimes heard. In late summer - early autumn, it forms premigratory accumulations on vast open farmland.
Great Bittern (Botaurus steltaris)
Smaller than gray heron (about a large chicken) and shorter-legged; usually looks a little stooped because the long neck is pulled into the shoulders and is almost invisible. The color is variegated, ideally merges with the color of dry reed or cattail stems; the general color tone is straw-reddish-brown. Leads a very secretive lifestyle, rarely leaving the thickets of near-water vegetation; rarely catches the eye. In case of danger, it hides, stretching its beak and neck vertically. Frightened, takes off awkwardly, like a rag thrown into the air, then flies unhurriedly, with slow and shallow flaps of wings; the neck is folded in flight and looks short and thick. In spring and at the beginning of summer, males mate, emitting a low, dull "boom" "u-umb". At night, in flight, they emit a hoarse croaking "kau".
Red heron (Ardea purpurea)
In general disposition it is similar to the gray heron, but noticeably smaller and looks darker. The head, neck and sides of the chest are auburn, the back is gray with a reddish tinge, the wings are dirty gray with dark ends, the crest and stripes on the neck are black, the abdomen is blackish. Young and immature are yellowish-brown or brown with indistinct streaks, the tips of the wings are dark. Inhabits the shores of water bodies overgrown with near-water vegetation from forest-steppe to semi-desert. Compared to the gray heron, it is less careful and sits on trees less often. It differs from the gray heron in a darker color and dark red areas of plumage.
Gray heron (Ardea cinerea)
A large bird about the size of a goose, with long legs and neck. The coloration is ash-gray, the tips of the wings, crest and stripe along the neck are black. The young do not have a crest, the beak is two-colored (black mandible, yellowish mandible). Like other herons, the neck has an S-curve. The bird stands motionless for a long time near the water or in the water, watching for prey (fish, amphibians, etc.). Often sits on trees. In flight, the neck is folded and looks short and unusually thickened. The flight is easy, with unhurried flaps of the wings; plans rarely and, unlike storks and cranes, almost never hovers. The voice is loud, raspy, reminiscent of croaking and wheezing; outside the colonies, birds are usually silent.
Great egret (Egretta alba)
A large heron with a long neck, long legs and beak. The color is snow-white. The bill is black with a yellow base, the legs are two-colored: the tarsus and toes are black, the tibia is yellow. In winter, the beak is yellow. Young birds are similar to adults in winter plumage. Inhabitant of shallow, overgrown with dense reeds and other near-water vegetation of stagnant reservoirs with open reaches and slowly flowing rivers of the steppe zone. She is very careful, she rarely sits on trees. It takes off hard, but the flight is smooth, majestic, with slow flaps of wings.
Small bittern, or spinning top (Ixobrychus minutus)
A small heron about the size of a jackdaw or slightly larger, of light build. The male is characterized by a contrasting coloration: it is yellowish-buffy, with a black back, wingtips and a cap on its head; in the female, the black color is replaced by brown, longitudinal dark streaks are noticeable on the chest; young birds are brown-motley. A rather secretive bird, it prefers to stay in dense thickets, where it deftly moves, climbing reed stalks and branches of flooded bushes. Most often it catches the eye when it flies from place to place low above water or thickets (at the same time, if the bird is adult, the contrasting color of its wings is striking). The male's voice can be heard in May or early June, usually at dusk and dawn; he looks like a distant measured husky dog barking: "ho ... ho ...".
White stork (Ciconia ciconia)
A very large, long-legged and long-necked bird with a long massive beak. It differs from the gray crane in the white color of the head, neck and body, as well as in the red color of the beak and paws, from the great egret - in its general appearance and black flight feathers, from the black stork - in the predominance of white in the plumage. In young birds, the primary feathers are brown. Takes off after takeoff; the flight is calm, with deep flaps of wings and frequent soaring; in flight, the neck and legs are extended. Silent, in excitement can crack a beak. It nests in settlements on water towers, tops of large trees. It feeds on meadows, fields, swamps, and the banks of water bodies.
Comparative sizes of birds: 
(Martes zibellina) is the pearl of our country's fur wealth. Outside of Russia, it is found in small quantities only in China and Korea. The resources of this species of weasel, largely due to the organization of natural resources (Altai, Barguzinsky, Kronotsky and a number of others), which were created as "sable", are now restored to a level corresponding to the capacity of the land. The high price of sable furs contributes to the intensive development of its reserves, which in some places leads to an excessive fishing load. In addition to the press of the fishery, in recent decades, the influence of the industrialization and urbanization processes in Siberia on the sable population has increased.
The level of fluctuations in the growth of sable in different regions is in the range from 22 to 142%, which is due to the cyclical nature of the main forages. The high migratory activity characteristic of the sable determines the rapid leveling off of its density over large areas.
Sable resources in the country in recent years have stabilized at the level of 1.1 million individuals. The highest species densities are characteristic of some regions of Central and Southern Siberia and the Far East.
It has two subspecies: stone marten (Martes foina) and forest marten (Martes martes). The fur is thick, fluffy, very beautiful. In the pine marten, it is usually dark brown, in the stone marten it is lighter, with a fawn tint, less dense.
The pine marten prefers mature and overmature forests of the taiga type with tall hollow trees. Since its diet is rather heterogeneous, it is characterized by smoothed natural fluctuations in numbers. The main food of the marten is mouse-like, hazel grouse, squirrel; from vegetable feed - mountain ash. During the rowan harvest years (about once every 4 years), the marten is inactive, and after such wintering, its reproduction is successful.
The resources of the forest and stone martens inhabiting the territory of Russia have not undergone significant changes in the recent period. The highest average density of martens is characteristic of the Central.
The total legal catch of martens is about 10 thousand individuals.
Stone marten is a more southerly species. She inhabits the south of Russia, Southern and Central Europe, including Denmark and.
(Mustela sibirika). According to genetic characteristics, this is a representative of the genus of weasels and ferrets. The area of distribution covers mainly low-mountain forest areas in the south and middle zone of Siberia and the Far East, in the west it reaches the Cis-Urals. Over the past decades, the range of the column has expanded in Yakutia. This small predator is confined mainly to the forest river network; it avoids vast open spaces.
For housing, the columns use the burrows of rodents - chipmunks, water voles, pikas, settle in hollows, lying logs, arrange nests among heaps of dead wood, under the "inverted" - reared roots of fallen trees.
By the nature of the feeding of the columns, it occupies an intermediate position between typical "mouse-eaters" (weasel, ermine) and polyphagous predators (sable, marten). The food of this animal is based on voles (including water voles), mice, hamsters, small birds of the passerine order. In autumn, anadromous fish is of great importance in the nutrition of the column.
The fur of the column is quite valuable, it is used both in its natural form and to imitate more expensive furs. Long ponytail hair goes into making high quality painting brushes.
Belongs to common predators, however, its number has now fallen sharply due to hunting, deterioration of food resources, destruction of habitats.
Stoat is most abundant in taiga and tundra regions. Their choice of habitat is determined by the abundance of the main food - small rodents. As a rule, ermine prefers to settle near water: along the banks and floodplains of rivers and streams, near forest lakes, along coastal, thickets of bushes and reeds. In years of famine and malnourishment, ermines leave their plots and sometimes move over considerable distances. Sometimes migration is also caused by massive reproduction of rodents in neighboring areas.
Ermine is an object of trade (fur is used as a decoration). It is useful for the destruction of murine rodents.
The number of small mustelids - Siberian weasel, ermine, ferret, weasel living in mountains, forests, in open spaces, often near human habitation - is subject to large fluctuations and is closely related to fluctuations of the main types of food - small mammals (mainly rodents).
(Lepus tumidus) and hare(Lepus europaeus) - the most widespread hunting objects. The lifestyle is twilight and nocturnal. They usually move in jumps, at a speed of up to 70 km per hour. They keep one by one.
In recent years, the number of white hare has been kept at the level of 5.0-5.7 million animals, but in the late 80s - early 90s. last century, it was much higher. More than 30% of the livestock of the species is concentrated in, more than 20% - in the Northwestern Federal District and more than 25% - in I.
More than 50% of the area of the range has a very low (less than 1 individual per 1,000 hectares) distribution density of the hare, over 30% - low (up to 3 individuals) and only 4% - very high (more than 10 individuals per 1,000 hectares).
Over the past years, the resources of the brown hare in Russia were at the level of 800-900 thousand animals, which is 1.5-2 times lower than the average annual indicator of 1986-1990. To date, more than 50% of the number of this species is concentrated in the territory of the Southern Federal District, 20% each - in the Volga Federal District, etc.
The main factors limiting the number of hares are conditions and human activities. With recurrent spring colds with rains and snow, the death of the first litter is great. In open spaces, deep snow falls asleep with branch feed and worsen the nutritional conditions. Predators - lynx, wolf, goshawk, etc. inflict great damage. The greatest damage is caused by ownerless storage and irrational use of fertilizers and pesticides by agricultural workers. Predatory hunting severely undermines the population size. The death of hares from helminthiasis is noted.
- take into account the influence of various methods of hunting on the livestock;
- apply rational methods of processing agricultural fields (from the center to the periphery);
- to prohibit round-up hunting and extermination hunts from vehicles;
- to regulate hunting by the norms of production (up to 30% for the hare and up to 40% for the white hare) and the timing of hunting;
- reintroduce hares and improve the ecological conditions of their habitat;
- to carry out feeding, construction of salt licks.
European, or river beaver(Castor fiber), by the beginning of the XX century. was almost universally exterminated. But thanks to re-acclimatization and the creation of special reserves and reserves by the beginning of the 1980s. its range and number have been almost completely restored. At the same time, the role of the settlement of the beaver of the Voronezh Reserve is especially important, sending more than 4 thousand individuals to other reserves (Pechora-Ilychsky, Khopersky, Mordovsky, etc.), which have become the centers of the secondary settlement of this species.
On the territory of Russia (in the western part of the Republic and the Leningrad region, another species of beaver, the Canadian beaver (C. canadensis), has also been acclimatized.
The well-being of the beaver is mainly determined by the nutritional conditions, the water regime (floods or drying out), as well as anthropogenic factors. In recent years, wolves have begun to hunt beavers. Stray dogs bring great damage to the livestock.
During floods, beavers in some settlements on, where the root bank is located far from the reservoir (200 m or more), experience certain difficulties. A necessary measure for their rescue is the construction of life rafts. During floods, these rafts are also used by other near-water animals: otter, mink, muskrat, water vole.
In the country as a whole, beaver resources have stabilized with a tendency of insignificant growth.
Of the order of rodents, squirrels are of the greatest importance in the fur trade.
(Sciurus vulgaris) can reach high densities (up to 10 or more individuals per 100 hectares of forest) due to the large mosaic nature of forest lands. Its number changes significantly with a cycle of fluctuations of 4 - 8 years, due to natural reasons (yield of seeds of coniferous trees) and continuing felling of ripe coniferous plantations, which provide animals with their favorite food - seeds from cones.
Common fox- the largest of the foxes (in Russia, among the representatives of this genus of wolves, there are also Korsak and Afghan fox). Habitats are diverse - from to deserts. Most active at dusk, lives in burrows.
Since adaptability allows the fox to successfully exist in almost all conditions, the food supply does not limit the number of the species. The fox is chased by wolves, lynxes, dogs and especially humans. She also suffers from the epizootic of itchy scabies, which significantly reduces the number of livestock.
In Russia, a noticeable increase in the number of foxes has been noted since the early 1990s. Throughout the Central Federal District, the population density of foxes is one of the highest in the country and is kept above average. In the Urals and Siberia, its density is below average, but in the south of these regions it is kept at an average level. The fox is scarce in the Far East region.
According to the expert assessment of the specialists of Tsentrohotkontrol, the resources of the corsac in Russia in recent years have been 20-30 thousand individuals. These indicators are significantly lower than stocks in the 1970s – 1980s, when according to statistics, harvests were kept on average at the level of 2.5–7.6 thousand individuals, but in fact, significantly more than 20 thousand individuals were harvested annually.
Wolves are the ancestors of the domestic dog. There are several species in the wolf family - wolf, jackal, coyote and others. The wolf (Canis lupus) lives in Russia everywhere, except for the Solovetsky Islands and some islands of the Far East and the Polar Basin. Lives in pairs, formed for life, sometimes in flocks in winter. In natural ecosystems, it plays the role of an orderly, eating weakened and sick animals, and regulates the number of ungulates. Causes damage and. Wolf hunting is allowed at any time of the year. In a number, in, almost throughout the territory, and the wolf is completely exterminated. Some deterioration in the last decade of the fodder base (the small number of elk, hares, there is almost no decline due to the decline in agricultural production) limits the reproduction of wolves in Russia. Nevertheless, according to VNIIOZ estimates, the number of wolves in the country continues to remain stably high.
Since the damage to hunting and agriculture from the wolf can be very significant, a state system of measures is needed to regulate the number of this species.
(Ursus arctos) is one of the symbols of Russia and the largest predatory animal in the forest zone. It occurs in winter sleep in the second half of October, sometimes even later, with snowfall. Leaves the den in March – April. The bear is omnivorous; selective logging does not have a significant effect on it. Poaching causes damage to livestock.
The decline in the number of bears that took place in the first half of the 1980s has now stopped, and the population has stabilized. Only in the Central Federal District, in some constituent entities (the Republic of Buryatia), the Northwestern Federal District and the Far Eastern Federal District, the tendency of a decrease in the number of this species persists.
The wild pig or wild boar (Sus scrofa), the most productive hunting species of wild ungulates, belongs to non-ruminant artiodactyls and is the ancestor of domestic pigs. Boars live in groups (males singly outside the rut) and are active at dusk and at night, omnivorous. The wild boar is one of the important objects of the trade; it gives valuable meat, skin, bristles.
The distribution of wild boar is mainly due to the availability of food and the protection of habitats in the winter. The animals are reluctant to leave the selected places, even with prolonged pursuit. 10–20 years ago, in winter, they often spent their daytime near or right in silo pits, near uncleaned crop residues (animals can live up to 2–3 months near such food reserves, if they are not disturbed). In the forest, they arrange their beds on anthills. March is the most difficult month in the life of a wild boar.
Due to the high ecological adaptability and the ability to restore the population due to good fertility and early reproductive ability, wild boars can rapidly increase their numbers. The high growth rate of young animals makes it possible to maintain at a high level the norms of removal (production) of these animals (30–50% of the pre-commercial population).
Of all hunting animals, the wild boar is the most responsive to feeding (artificial feeding in troughs and laying forage fields with various crops). Feeding fields serve as the basis for creating foci with an increased concentration of animals during the hunting period, and in the summer-autumn period, in addition, they perform the function of distracting animals from agricultural crops and forest plantations, to which this species can cause serious damage.
Currently, the boar population is emerging from the depression that gripped it in the early and mid-1990s. In recent years, the total legal catch of all types of ungulates in Russia has amounted to 100-120 thousand individuals.
Elk or elk(Alces alces) is the largest species of deer and the most valuable among wild ungulates in our country. Body length up to 3 m, height at the withers up to 2.3 m, weight up to 570 kg. It keeps singly or in groups of 5–8 (up to 20) individuals.
It is characteristic that as a result of massive forest felling, the abundance of food for this species increases significantly (up to 20 times). Despite a significant increase in the forage capacity of the land in recent years, the existence of the elk is limited mainly by the quality of the forage base and by factors limiting the availability of forage (disturbance factor, the abundance of blood-sucking insects during daylight hours). Disordered hunting sometimes leads to grazing of the forest in areas where elk hunting is not carried out, as well as to a decrease in the proportion of adult females in the population (females are less fearful and more attached to their habitat).
The elk population is also subject to natural cyclical fluctuations lasting 14–18 years associated with changes in the quantity and quality of preferred feed, in turn associated with fluctuations in weather and climatic conditions (mainly precipitation) and successional changes in vegetation cover.
By the beginning of the XXI century. the population density of elk in Russia (0.67 individuals per 1 thousand hectares of forest area) decreased to the level of 1956. The beginning of the decline in 1987–1991. coincided with the period of maximum rejuvenation of forest communities by clearcutting industrial felling in the 1960s – 1970s. The main factor of this crisis is anthropogenic: overfishing, violation of the sex and age composition of the moose herd, etc.
The general decline in the moose population, which began in 1988 and covered all regions of Russia to varying degrees, had stopped by 2001. However, the general tendency of a decrease in density towards the borders of the area remains. In general, the relatively low population density of elk in Russia (about 10 times less than in the Scandinavian countries) is due to irrational hunting and poaching.
The legal catch of elk is about 20-25 thousand. individuals.
The main limiting factor for roe deer or wild goat(Capreolus capreolus) is the height of the snow cover more than 50 cm, which prevents the expansion of the range to the north. Due to their high fertility, roe deer are able to rapidly increase their numbers. Roe deer are not inferior to elk in terms of catch.
After a sharp decline in the number of roe deer in the country in the second half of the 90s of the last century, the population has now stabilized. Its numbers are limited mainly by the factor of disturbance and poaching.
The main limiting factors for another species of deer are wild reindeer(Rangifer tarandus) - are: press of predators (mainly wolf), snowy winters (mass death from exhaustion); return of cold weather in spring (death of young animals); anthropogenic factor. The resources of wild reindeer are almost universally used extremely inefficiently. "Planned", legal hunting of animals is not much different from poaching and is carried out by the same - with the use of helicopters. Moreover, in many regions of Russia, the extermination of individual populations is methodical and massive. The defragmentation of landscapes by pipelines that disrupt the migration routes of this species has also become a serious problem.
The population density of the red deer (Cervus elaphus) practically throughout the country is currently several times lower than possible. The most important reason for this is poaching. Sika deer, elk, and roe deer compete with deer in the biotopes inhabited by them.
(Tetrastes bonasia), a bird of the grouse family of the chicken order. Body length 35–37 cm, weighs 350–500 g. Distributed in Russia - from the western border to; in the forests of the North Caucasus and is absent. The hazel grouse lives sedentary, makes only short forage roaming. They settle in separate pairs in raw littered conifers (spruce-fir) or. In winter, hazel grouses feed on the trees on catkins of birch, alder, etc., and spend the night in the snow. The main food in summer: green parts of plants, berries, seeds and insects. The hazel grouse is a valuable game bird.
(Tetrao urogallus), a bird of the grouse family of the order chickens. Males weigh on average 4100 g, females - 2000 g. A resident bird, but sometimes makes seasonal migrations. Inhabits conifers, mixed and Europe and Asia. The area of distribution and the number of wood grouses over the past 100 - 200 years has greatly reduced, in some places it has disappeared. In Russia, as the forests are cut down, the capercaillie retreats to the north, in a number of areas in the south of the forest zone it has completely disappeared. During the mating season, from year to year, they gather at the same places - the currents. Food - in summer, plant shoots, flowers, buds, berries, for chicks - insects, spiders; in autumn - needles of larch, in winter - pine and spruce needles, buds. Capercaillie is an object of sports, in places of commercial hunting.
(Tetrao), like the wood grouse, belongs to the order of grouse. The best known are the black grouse (Tetrao or Lyrurus tetrix) with a lyre-like tail, the Caucasian black grouse (Tetrao mlokossewiczi), the common black grouse, the field grouse (Tetrao Tetrix), the glade, the field grouse, the birch, the pole. The male kosach is a rather slender bird with a strong beak, legs feathered not only to the toes, but also between them, short wings, blunt and trough-like concave from the inside. The tail of males has a characteristic deep notch. The plumage of males is generally black; the head, neck and lower back are blue, on the wings there is a white band, the lower plumage of the tail is pure white. The area of distribution of the kosach occupies the whole of Europe and Siberia. The Caucasian black grouse, a kindred Caucasian grouse, which was discovered only in 1875, is taking the place of the kosach. Kosach prefers wild, dead forests, rich in low bushes, birch is his favorite tree. He also loves marshlands, although in fact he does not meet. He is more agile than the wood grouse. Very sensitive, his eyesight and hearing are excellent. The food consists of the buds and leaves of trees, berries, grains and insects. In summer, he eats blueberries, lingonberries, raspberries, blackberries, in winter - juniper berries, buds of heather, birch, beech, and sometimes green cones of conifers, he never touches needles. Chicks are fed exclusively by insects.
Hunting animals
Brown bear. Body length from 130-150 to 240-250 cm, weight from 58-80 to 250-300 kg, some specimens reach 640 kg. Distributed in the forest zone of the CIS from the western borders to the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk and from the forest-tundra to the forest-steppe, it is also found in the Transcaucasia, the Caucasus, the Pamirs and the Tien Shan. The usual habitats of the brown bear are vast dark coniferous or mixed forests with swamps, burnt-out areas and berry fields. It feeds mainly on plant foods: berries, angelica, unripe oats, acorns, nuts, wild fruits; animal feed also plays an important role in his diet: ants, beetles and their larvae, rodents, frogs, lizards, birds and their eggs; the bear eats carrion greedily, the hungry one eats the buds of trees. The "connecting rods" not lying down for the winter attack domestic animals and even humans. The brown bear lays in its den in late autumn; leaves it in April-May. The she-bear mates every 2 years; rut occurs in June-July; cubs appear in the den in winter. Bears molt once a year - in summer. Brown bear hunting is permitted only with a license. Hunting methods: in a den and from an ambush on oats.
Wolf. it is a large stocky animal with a wide forehead, narrow muzzle and always drooping tail. The size and color of wolves in different regions of the CIS varies markedly. The largest wolves live in the taiga and the middle lane. Their usual weight is from 32 to 50 kg, the color is rather dark. Tundra wolves are smaller and lighter in color. Even smaller are the steppe and desert wolves, which are reddish in color. Wolf tracks are larger than those of a dog - the length of an ordinary wolf's paw is 12-18 cm, width is 5.5-8 cm. In addition, the track of the wolf is oblong, the fingerprints are longer. This animal keeps the correct trot all the time and puts its paws on the track. The wolf lives wherever there is food and remote corners for wolf cubs to hatch, but prefers open places, alternating with copses, bushes, ravines and swamps. It feeds on ungulates, hares, birds nesting on the ground, ground squirrels, in case of young domestic animals, goslings, dogs, therefore it is considered a harmful animal and is subject to year-round extermination by all means. Wolves form permanent pairs. Rut occurs in them in January-February, pregnancy is 63-63 days, cubs (4-6) appear in April. In the fall, the brood of two seasoned wolves and newcomers, that is, those that appeared in the spring of the same year, are joined by pereyarks - young wolves born a year earlier. A pack of 8-15 wolves is formed, which all roam together. The methods of hunting are as follows: with flags, on dens, on ambushes at the bait, from an airplane, with poisoned baits, with a twist, catching with traps. Cartridges are equipped with large grapeshot.
Fox... An ordinary beast. Body length 49-90 cm, weight 2-10 kg. The coat on the back is bright red with a dark cross along the ridge; the chest and abdomen are white. There is great geographical and individual variability in the coloration of the fox. Distinguish between red foxes with a fur color from fiery red to gray, silver foxes, crosses and black-brown ones. The fox's footprint is easy to distinguish from that of a dog's: in dogs, the pads of the lateral fingers go beyond the rear edges of the front ones, covering them from the sides, while foxes, like wolves, have free space between the middle and lateral fingers. In addition, the fox footprint (nap) stretches exactly like a chain - all paw prints are in one line. The fox lives throughout the territory of Kazakhstan. Common habitats are forests interspersed with fields and meadows, river floodplains. The fox feeds on mouse-like rodents (mainly), large insects, various fruits, birds, hares, even carrion and food waste (in winter). Foxes race in January-February. For puppies, parents dig a burrow with ridges and several entrances, and sometimes they occupy someone else's burrow, for example, a badger. The number of foxes over the years is subject to large fluctuations due to massive diseases or the absence of murine rodents. Hunting methods: with flags, decoys, approaching, with hounds, surging, catching with a trap.
Mink... Body length 28-40 cm. The coat is brownish-brown, shiny; the lips and chin are white, there are often white spots on the chest and along the bottom of the neck. This animal has swimming membranes between the toes. The mink tracks are more rounded in comparison with the ferret tracks; the nails are noticeably shorter, the mink puts its paws wider, and the length of its jumps is much shorter. Distributed from the western borders of the CIS to the river. Irtysh. Inhabits near forest rivers, oxbows and lakes. In winter, it prefers to swim near wormwoods, non-freezing streams and rifts. Lives in a hole, which it digs itself or expands the hole of the muskrat and water rat; entrance under water. The main food is water rats, murine rodents, fish, molluscs, crayfish, frogs, and on occasion - birds. In autumn and winter, minks stock up on snakes, water rats and fish. Rut in March-April; in a brood of 4-7 cubs, which keep together until autumn. Minks molt, like other aquatic mammals, slowly and gradually, and therefore hardly noticeable. The European mink is caught with a gun and a hunting dog, traps, as well as traps and a net.
Badger. It has a squat, wedge-shaped, tapering to the head, body, its length is 50-63 cm, the tail is short - 16-20 cm, weight in autumn is up to 25-30 kg; legs are short, strong, with long claws; the coat is coarse, brownish-gray in color. Subspecies of badger, have dark brown or black stripes going around the ear and covering the eyes, between them a white stripe runs along the neck and head; in smaller badgers living in Sebir, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Altai, the stripe on the head is brown-gray; badgers living in the lower reaches of the river. Ussuri, even smaller, their head is dark brown, the back is dark. Inhabits forests and steppes, in places with uneven relief and thickets of bushes; sometimes lives in deserts and in the mountains up to an altitude of 2500 m. The badger digs a hole with a large number of passages, snorkels and dead ends. In it he rests, takes the children out and spends the winter in hibernation; is nocturnal. The badger is an omnivorous animal; it eats roots, berries, acorns, larvae and caterpillars of insects, frogs, lizards, rodents, and sometimes birds and their clutches. By the time of hibernation, it becomes very fat. Heat begins in late June - early July; ending in October or November; whelping from late December to late March. There are 3-4 in the litter, sometimes 6 badgers. The badger sheds once a year - in the summer. They hunt badgers with burrowing dogs or watch them at dawn with a gun. From the killed animal, the strong-smelling glands at the base of the tail must be immediately cut out, otherwise the meat will be impossible to eat.
Otter. It is an animal adapted to swimming with an elongated (63-90 cm) streamlined body; tail length 35-50 cm. The head is flattened, the neck is thick and long, the paws are relatively short, with membranes between the toes, the tail is thick at the base and long; the body is covered with short, dense and sliding brown fur with a whitish tint on the abdomen. Otter tracks are similar to those of a badger, but they can be easily distinguished by widely spaced fingers with short, barely noticeable claws and by a large distance between the prints (80-90 cm, while in the badger 20-25 cm). The imprints are in groups of 3 or 4 in each oblique row, each of them shows 5 fingers, sometimes 4. The front edge of the swimming membrane is often imprinted on the sand, in the snow between the paw prints a furrow from the tail is visible. If the snow is deep, the otter leaves a trail in the form of a continuous furrow. The otter also leaves traces in the form of droppings, consisting of undigested remains of fish, crayfish, frogs, water beetles; it can be found near water on stones, logs, sandbanks. Inhabits fish-rich reservoirs that do not freeze completely in winter. The otter swims and dives perfectly, catching up with prey in the water. It hides in burrows with an entrance below the water level or in crevices of stones. Shedding gradually throughout the year. Hunting is permitted only with licenses. An otter is harvested with a gun and a dog or traps.
Muskrat. A small rodent with valuable fur, imported from North America and successfully acclimatized. Its weight is about 1 kg, body length is 30 cm, tail is 23 cm. The tail is flattened laterally, covered with scales, hind legs with swimming membranes, the fur is brown above, yellowish-red below. Distributed everywhere, especially developed on the territory of Northern Kazakhstan. It inhabits bodies of water with rich vegetation, which is also available in winter. It feeds on aquatic and coastal plants, sometimes molluscs, worms and insects. He builds dwelling and feeding huts from plant residues held together by silt, digs holes with underwater outcrops in steep, densely overgrown banks. She has from 1 to 4 litters per year, depending on climatic conditions. Each litter has 7-8 cubs. The number of muskrat is now so great that in many areas it has become the main commercial species, but its numbers fluctuate from year to year. Muskrat is obtained mainly by traps.
Squirrel. Its color depends on the habitat: in the western regions it is brown or reddish-red, in the eastern regions it is reddish or copper-gray with a blue tint; the belly of all squirrels is white. In winter, tassels grow on the ears. Squirrel tracks in the snow are easy to identify - these are two large prints in front and two smaller ones in the back; like a hare, a squirrel, when jumping, brings its hind legs behind its front. The paw prints are located at the corners of a trapezoid; track width about 11 cm, length 7 cm. In fine snow, five long toes on the hind legs and four on the front legs are clearly visible. Most often found in tall forests. It feeds on seeds of conifers, nuts, willow and aspen inflorescences, mushrooms, berries, insects; on occasion it eats chicks and eggs of small birds, in hungry years it eats spruce buds. Breeding time, number of litters and number of pups depend on seed yield and weather. The first litter for squirrels is in April-May, the second - after 2-2.5 months. The number of squirrels in the litter ranges from 2 to 12. The number of squirrels in the same area decreases noticeably in the years following a poor harvest of spruce seeds, and increases several times in years of abundance of forage. Methods for obtaining squirrels: hunting with a husky, listening by ear, using nuts (nests). Shot for equipping cartridges No. 6, 7; you can shoot with reduced charges. 
Hare-Rusak. The largest of the hares: body length 55-68 cm, weight 4-6 g. The color of the coat is yellowish-red, lighter in winter, but never white. A wavy strip of dark gray hair is visible on the back; the tail is dark on top. At a gallop, the hare brings both hind legs behind the front ones and places them side by side, while the front ones are located one after the other. Therefore, two larger paw prints in the front and two smaller ones in the back are visible in the snow; prints are small, oblong. Hare droppings are nuts, in winter they are dark brown in color. Rusak is common in the northern part of Kazakhstan. It is an inhabitant of cultivated fields, meadows and steppes, it also keeps on the edges of forests and near villages. It feeds on herbaceous plants, in winter it eats winter crops, bark, buds and young shoots of fruit and berry plantations. In the middle zone of Kazakhstan, hares give litters in March and August, and in the south - up to 4 times a year. The number of brown hares varies markedly from year to year, as they suffer from putrefactive invasions and other diseases, especially in rainy summers; young animals often die during spring frosts. The main methods of catching are hunting with hounds, greyhounds and on ambushes, tracking on powder. When firing from under the hound and on ambushes, shot No. 4 is used, and for a hare raised from a prone - No. 2 and 3.
Hare-Belyak. Much smaller hare: 45-55 cm, weight 2.5-5.5 kg. The coat is reddish-brown in the warm season, snow-white in winter, only the tips of the ears are black. The paw prints are larger than those of the hare; more rounded and wider toes move apart on loose snow; the droppings are yellowish-brown in color, lighter than that of the hare. Distributed in the forest and forest-steppe zones of Kazakhstan. The usual habitats are a forest with dense undergrowth, marshy thickets, and bushes in the steppe. It feeds on grasses and shrub shoots in summer, dry grass and tree bark in winter; especially loves to gnaw on the bark of aspen fallen in the fall. In the steppe, white hares in herds of 15-20 animals make seasonal migrations from north to south. During the rutting period, they make loud squealing sounds. Males seek out females using their instincts. In the tundra, females give one, but very numerous (up to 13-14 pcs.) Litter, in the middle lane - two. Like hares, white hares are susceptible to various infectious and putrefactive diseases, they often have pestilences. The main methods of production are hunting with hounds and snares. In some places they are hunted by the corral; in fishing areas they catch with loops and traps. When shooting, they use shot No. 2-4, and at close range, half-charges with shot No. 6.
Marmot. Body length 40-70 cm, tail 8-22 cm, weight up to 7 kg (in autumn). Its body is dense, legs are short, with strong claws; ears are small, barely noticeable, semicircular in shape; the coat is thick and soft, light yellow or dark brown; tasty meat, high quality fur; yields up to 2 kg of edible and medicinal fat. Baibak, gray marmot and tav-rabagan are common in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of East Kazakhstan in the steppe areas of the Tien Shan, Menzbir's marmot and red marmot - in the western part of the Tien Shan at an altitude of more than 2000 m. Marmots live only in unplowed steppes, live in colonies. They lead a daytime lifestyle. They dig complex burrows with nesting chambers, outcrops, numerous passages tens of meters in length and exits with a diameter of 20-30 cm. Each family also has simpler protective burrows. The earth, thrown to the surface, forms a marmot up to 1 m high. There is a visual-sound connection between the animals, the alarm signal is a whistle. The food of the marmots is green grass; in the spring they eat the ground parts of plants, shoots of grasses and sedges, in the summer they eat flowers and unripe fruits. In early September, they hibernate, clogging the entrances to the burrow with corks. Marmots mate in March, still in burrows, and emerge in April. There are 4-6 marmots in the litter. With overfishing, the number of marmots recovers slowly due to the late onset of maturity, the high barrenness of females and the large mortality of young animals. Their range is rapidly shrinking due to the plowing of land. Hunting methods for marmots: hiding or watching by the burrow with shooting from a gun, catching with traps (arc No. 3).
Boar. A close relative of the domestic pig. It differs from it in a large cone-shaped head with long protruding fangs in adult males, a relatively high front part of the body, coarse and long hair. Body length up to 2 m, height at the withers up to 1 m, weight up to 150 kg. The color of the hairline is dark brown in winter, grayish-brown or gray in summer; piglets are light brown with dark longitudinal stripes. The footprints have side toe small hooves pointing to the sides. Inhabits dense littered forests, reed thickets along the banks of rivers and lakes, broad-leaved and tall cedar forests, in high-mountain meadows. The wild boar is an omnivorous animal; it eats acorns, beech nuts and chestnuts, pine nuts, young cane shoots, cattail rhizomes, water walnut, as well as animal feed - insect larvae, earthworms, fish. Adult males-bats, or lonely, keep alone and only for the time of rut they mate with pigs. Rut in November-December. Piglets appear at the end of March - April. There are from 4 to 6 of them in a litter. Two or three females, together with piglets, unite in a herd of 10-20 heads and keep together. In summer, they are often joined by piglets from last year's hatching, gilts, and sometimes barny females and immature males in the third year. The number fluctuates sharply depending on weather and forage conditions. In snowy frosty winters, many of them die due to lack of food. The methods of hunting for wild boar are as follows: with dogs, on ambushes, corral. They shoot him with a large buckshot or a bullet. The most lethal place is the neck in the spine.
Roe. Body length up to 1.4 m, height at the withers 1 m, weight 25-60 kg. Males have small horns sticking up with 3-5 processes. Summer wool is yellowish-red, winter is grayish-brown; there is a white spot around a short tail hidden by hair. Distributed in Eastern and Western Kazakhstan, in the mountains of Central Asia and the Tien Shan. Inhabits forests and forest cuttings of the forest-steppe zone, the southern part of the taiga, shrub thickets in the steppes, mountain forests, reed thickets. The roe deer avoids places with a snow cover of more than 50 cm. The usual food is various herbaceous plants, fallen leaves, and less often branch food. Rut in July-August. Pregnancy lasts 9 months, of which 4.5 are in the resting stage. Cubs (1-2) will be born in May, have a spotted color. Hunting for roe deer is prohibited in some places; in others, it is licensed. Elk Body length 2.5-3 m, weight 300-500 kg. The head is hook-nosed with a long muzzle; the upper lip hangs over the lower one; under the throat there is an elongated hair in the form of a beard. On the head of the male there are spatulate horns with processes along the edges. The color is dark brown, lighter on the legs. The footprints of the sharp hooves of an adult moose are clearly visible even on the black trail. They are larger than cows (about 15x25 cm in the male); female hoof prints are smaller and more elongated than males.
Elk. Distributed in forest and forest-steppe zones in the Crimea, the Caucasus, Central Asia. Inhabits forests with burned-out areas and clearings, in swamps overgrown with willows and pines, in young deciduous plantations, floodplains of rivers and lakes. In spring and summer, it feeds on succulent herbaceous plants, leaves and young shoots of trees, eats marsh and aquatic plants; in the fall it switches to woody food - aspen and willow bark, thin branches of pine and juniper. Elks keep singly or in groups of no more than 8-10 animals. Rut in August-September, pregnancy lasts 8-9 months; calves (usually two in a litter) appear in May-June. Males shed their antlers in November-January, new antlers grow back in summer. Elk are shot only under licenses. The main way of hunting is corrals, they are mined using a husky. Cartridges are loaded with a bullet. Slaughter places - neck, scapula, chest near the scapula.
Saiga antelope. Steppe antelope, 110-146 cm long and 20-25 kg in weight. The muzzle is humped with a movable trunk at the end; light yellow horns, sharp, as if corrugated, curved forward at the ends; the coat on the back and sides is yellowish-red, on the chest and belly it is white. Traces are heart-shaped, large and wider in the male, with a blunt front end. Large, cylindrical litter. Widely distributed in dry steppes and deserts of Kalmykia, Astrakhan region, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. In terms of numbers, they are in first place among wild ungulates, in the CIS - more than 2 million heads. These are valuable game animals that provide tasty meat, medicinal raw materials (from horns), expensive leather used for the manufacture of chromium. Saigas usually graze in the lower places of the steppe or semi-desert, relatively close to water, since they go to water every day. They do not live on plowed lands. They feed on cereals, wormwood, and succulent plants of saline meadows. They are kept in herds of several dozen heads; during migrations they gather in herds of thousands. Rut in November-December (one male fertilizes more than 10 females). Cubs appear in May, two per litter. Saiga hunting is of a commercial nature. For this, special teams are being created.
Hunting birds
This section describes, in addition to hunting, some species of birds included in the Red Book, hunting for which is currently prohibited. This was done to prevent tragic mistakes leading to the death of rare and valuable representatives of the fauna. The hunter needs to know these birds in order to refrain from shooting when meeting them. In addition, acquaintance with the appearance and biology of birds prohibited from hunting has a cognitive value, expanding the hunter's horizons and his knowledge of their native nature.
Capercaillie. The length of an adult male reaches 1 m, weight 5 kg. The plumage on the back is gray; on the upper coverts and shoulder feathers there is a brown bloom, a craw with a greenish metallic sheen; belly with white streaks or completely white; wedge-shaped tail; tail feathers are black with white streaks at the base; whitish beak; feathers on the chin and throat are elongated. The female wood grouse is much smaller than the male - her weight does not exceed 2-2.5 kg. Feathers on her back are brownish, craw is red, often with dark streaks. Young wood grouses are colored like females before the autumn molt. It is a permanent inhabitant of pine and cedar forests, as well as large tracts of mixed forests: it leads a sedentary lifestyle. Capercaillies are polygamous birds - they do not form pairs. Females are fertilized during the spring current by different males. The height of the current in April; in late April - early May, the capercaillie lays 6-8 eggs in a nest on the ground; incubation lasts 25-27 days. Immediately after hatching, the wood grouse can run, and after two weeks they can flip; They feed on insects, snails, ant pupae, berries. Broods fly out in September. Autumn food for wood grouses - withered, "sour" aspen leaves and needles of larch; at this time they greedily swallow small pebbles; in winter they eat the buds and needles of pine, spruce and fir, rowan berries, viburnum and juniper, in shallow snow - lingonberries and rosemary leaves. The methods of hunting wood grouse are as follows: in the spring on the current - skrad; in the fall - with a cop, spaniel, husky, shooting on aspens, from the approach or from a hut and on pebbles. In August and September, they use fraction No. 5 and 6, later - No. 2 and 3. The stone grouse, living in Eastern Siberia, is distinguished by darker, almost black plumage, white spots on the wings and tail coverts, a much longer body and tail, smaller head, beak and wingspan; the female is dark brown.
Teterev. Body length 40-50 cm, weight 0.8-1.4 kg. The plumage of the male (kosach, blackie) is black with a bluish or greenish tint on the chest (young males have brown specks on the shoulder feathers). The lining of the wings, the undertail and the "mirror" on the wings are white; extreme tail feathers are long, bent to the sides. Grouse and grouse brown dorsally with reddish transverse speckles; the ventral side is lighter, the streaks on it are dark; middle feathers are shorter than outer ones. In males and females, the metatarsus is feathered, there are red leathery folds above the eyes. Little goslings emit a low melodic whistle, adults cackle; Kosachi on the current mutter and chuff. Black grouse is widespread in the zone of mixed forests and forest-steppe. Inhabits forest edges and clearings with shrubs, in small pine forests on moss bogs, birch and alder copses, young coniferous plantings interspersed with deciduous trees and shrubs. Does not form permanent pairs. Kosachi fertilize females on the currents. In late April-May, grouse lay eggs (8-10 pcs.), Grouse hatch in early or mid-June. They feed on insects and berries. In September, the males turn black and look like adult kosach. At this time, broods break up, and at the end of September black grouse gather in flocks. In October, when the leaves are already flying around, flocks of black grouse sit on trees, often fly to grain fields to feed. In winter, they feed on birch buds and catkins.
White partridge. Slightly larger than the gray partridge, weight 550-700 g, wing length 188-202 mm. The plumage is snow-white in winter, only the tail feathers are black; in early spring the head and neck of males is rusty-brown, the rest of the plumage is white; in the midst of spring, the back is black-brown with transverse stripes of a rusty color, in autumn the plumage is lighter; flight feathers are white all the time. In females, the back is black-brown with yellowish spots and light edges on the feathers, the underside is brown with dark transverse stripes; autumn plumage is darker, very similar to young partridges. The beak is massive, 9.5-13 mm high at the base. The bridle is white in winter. Partridges inhabit the Arctic and mountain tundra, moss swamps in the forest zone, birch, aspen and alder groves and copses of the forest-steppe part of southwestern Siberia and northern Kazakhstan. During the nesting period, they keep in pairs; in the fall, broods unite in small flocks. In winter, they migrate from the tundra and accumulate in large quantities in sparsely populated parts of the forest-tundra, where they are the object of intensive fishing. In the spring there is no hunting for ptarmigan. In the fall they are shot from under the cop. The brood found by the dog first runs, then together rises on the wing and flies away quite far. It can be difficult to find it, as the direction of flight usually changes. Found a second time ptarmigan lie tight, stand up well and let the hunter close to them. Cartridges are loaded with shot No. 7, 8, in autumn and winter No. 6. Fishers catch partridges with snares and watchdogs.
Grouse. A relatively small bird weighing 400-450 g. The plumage on the back is gray with dark transverse streaks, sometimes of a reddish hue; the throat of the male is black, the female is whitish; on the abdomen, feathers are brown with a light border; on the head is a tuft of elongated feathers; on the tail there is a black pre-peak stripe 1-3 cm wide. Inhabits mixed forests, preferring spruce-alder stands and young forests with a well-developed juvenile and undergrowth. In summer and autumn, it eats lingonberries, mountain ash, raspberries, rose hips; in winter it eats alder and birch buds and seeds; in spring and early summer - last year's seeds of deciduous trees, as well as young lingonberry and blueberry buds; during the snowless period, it swallows small pebbles, which are needed to grind coarse plant foods in the stomach. Grouse, unlike other grouse, are monogamous; from autumn they mate in pairs for the breeding season. The mating season begins in April, when the buds open on willow and alder. At the end of April, the female lays 6-12 eggs in a nest on the ground and incubates them for 18-20 days; chicks hatch in late May - early June. By the end of August, young hazel grouses differ little from adults in size and plumage. Broods of hazel grouses often die in cold and rainy springs, many young birds are destroyed by feathered and four-legged predators. Nevertheless, their number, especially in Siberia, is still high. Hunting methods for hazel grouse: from the approach, to a peephole (fraction No. 8), fishing with looped and wooden trailers.
Vyakhir.(Vituten; Columba palumbus), a bird of the pigeon family; the largest pigeon found in Russia. Length about 45 cm; weight 420-620 g. From other pigeons in flight, wood pigeons can be easily distinguished by white spots on the wing, and sitting - by white spots on the neck.
Vyakhir is distributed throughout Europe, with the exception of its northern regions, in North-West Africa, Asia Minor and Western Asia, the Himalayas, Central Asia and Western Siberia. In temperate latitudes, wood pigeons are migratory and only in the south of the range is sedentary. Wintering areas are located in the southern parts of the nesting area or slightly extend beyond it. In spring it arrives relatively early, in March in the south, in April - early May in the north of the range, when the land is completely free of snow and food becomes available.
The wood pigeon lives mainly in coniferous forests, sometimes settles in parks. It keeps secretively in the forest, choosing trees with a dense crown, and it is quite difficult to see it, except perhaps flying by. During the mating season, a pigeon can be easily detected by a peculiar, far-audible cry ("ghu-u-huhu, ghu-u-huhu"), unlike the cooing of other pigeons. The male shouts, usually sitting on the top of the tree, but sometimes in the middle part of the tree, on a horizontal branch; in this case, he walks around the dove, loosening the plumage of the neck. From time to time, the male makes a current flight: flapping his wings strongly, he takes off obliquely up 10-20 m, and then slides down on his spread wings and, having described a wide circle, returns to the same place or close to it.
Pigeon nest is usually placed on lateral branches of trees, less often on bushes. It is a flat floor of thin dry twigs, rather loosely folded. The diameter of the nest is 30-40 cm, and the height is 7-14 cm. There are two pure white eggs in the clutch of the wood pigeon. The female incubates more, although the male also takes part. Incubation lasts 17-18 days. Both parents feed the chicks - first with a cheesy discharge of the walls of the goiter, and then with food brought in and softened in the goiter. Chicks stay in the nest for about 20 days.
The first time after departure, the young stay with their parents, who continue to feed them for several days. Having begun to fly, the pigeons return for some time at night to the tree on which the nest was placed. Soon they fight off the old ones, form flocks, to which, apparently, old idle birds join, and wander through the surrounding forests. These migrations gradually pass into flight to wintering grounds.
Nesting in the forest, the pigeon flies to feed on fields and other open spaces. This is the only Russian pigeon that collects food not only on the ground, but also in trees. Its main food is the seeds of cultivated grains and wild plants, especially cereals and legumes. He also eats various berries - honeysuckle, mountain ash, currants, rose hips, mulberries, blossoming tree buds, and where there is an oak, he willingly uses acorns.
Common turtle dove. Unlike the wood pigeon and klintukh, her entire hock is bare. The tail of the dove is strongly rounded; tail feathers, except for two middle ones, with white tops. The color of the body is dominated by bluish-pink and coffee tones, on the neck on each side there are three dark spots, surrounded by a light outline. The voice of the common turtle dove is a gentle murmuring coo. Inhabits deciduous forests, gardens and parks of the European part of the CIS, Western Siberia, Kazakhstan and North Asia; in the east - to Altai; in the highlands it is not. The habitats of the turtle dove are copses, forest edges, groups of trees along the banks of rivers and overgrown gardens. Arrives at the end of April, leaves at the end of August - beginning of September. The turtledove is quieter than other pigeons, does not gather in large flocks. It is much easier to hunt for her. Hunting methods - from approach and from ambush using shot number 8 and 9.
Mallard. The largest of the river ducks. Drake weight 1.1-1.3 kg, ducks 1.0-1.2 kg. A drake in breeding plumage has a head and neck of a brilliant dark green color, an incomplete white ring on the neck; the goiter and breast are dark brown; the back and lower part of the body are gray with a streaky pattern of thin transverse streaks; the tail is bordered by a narrow white stripe, the middle tail feathers are bent upwards in the form of a plait; the wing has a purple mirror with black and white stripes on the sides; greenish beak, red legs. The duck is dark brown on top with rusty streaks, on the bottom - brownish-gray with longitudinal streaks; olive-green beak, yellow on the sides, with dark specks; the legs are gray-orange. The plumage of young ducks before the autumn molt is the same as in adult females, they can only be distinguished by their legs - dark or yellow-orange with dark membranes. It lives on overgrown shallow water bodies, feeding on aquatic plants and insects, frogs, in the fall - on cereal grains. Its arrival coincides with the formation of melt water edges and wormwoods, when the air temperature rises slightly above zero. This usually happens at the end of the first half of April. At the time of breeding, mallards are paired. The number of eggs in a clutch is 8-12; incubation lasts 26 days. Ducklings hatched from eggs can immediately run and swim, and after 2 months. - and fly. Drakes do not take any part in nesting and breeding ducklings. During the incubation period, they flock and fly off to the places of molting - to the Volga delta, to the large shallow lakes of Kazakhstan and Western Siberia, the Rybinsk reservoir, where they stay in hard-to-reach places and change their bright spring outfit for modest summer plumage, becoming like ducks. During molting, the primary feathers fall out all at once, and for 20-25 days the birds become completely helpless, since they cannot fly. Together with the drakes, "single" and lost clutches of ducks fly off. The hatched ducklings molt at the nesting sites in August. In September, the autumn molt occurs, and the mallards again acquire a dense and bright (in drakes) winter outfit. Departure from the central regions begins in late September - early October. Hunting methods for mallard ducks: with decoy; from the approach and entrance by boat; on flights. Cartridges are loaded with shot number 5-7.
Pintail. It differs from the mallard in smaller size, more elongated body, long tail and narrow wings. The head of the drake and the upper part of the neck are brown; a white stripe runs along the side of the neck; the back and sides are gray with a dark wavy pattern, the goiter and abdomen are white; on the wings of the drake there is a bronze-green mirror with a brown stripe on top and a velvety black and white one on the bottom; the undertail is black; the middle tail feathers are dark (up to 20 cm long), sticking out back like spokes. The duck is grayish-white with a light belly; tail feathers with oblique light stripes. In summer dress, drakes look like ducks. Pintail is widespread everywhere. The main nesting sites are in the forest-tundra. Spring migration in the middle lane and in late April, autumn in late September - early October. In nutrition, pintail prefers animal feed, in the taiga it eats blueberries. 
Teal whistle. A drake the size of a pigeon (250-450 g). The head is chestnut-red with a shiny black-green stripe on the sides, the goiter is yellowish with black spots, the sides are gray, the speculum is shiny green with a velvety black edge; the beak is black. The female is brownish above with reddish streaks, whitish below, pale mirror; the edges of the beak are yellowish with black spots - a good distinguishing feature at any time of the year. This is the most abundant duck. The teal whistle is widespread everywhere, with the exception of the coast of the Arctic, Eastern Siberia, Southern Kazakhstan and Central Asia. It inhabits small ponds and lakes, in oxbows, in large puddles and ditches, in the immediate vicinity of human habitation. Arrives in mid-April, departs in the second half of September.
Teal cracker. Slightly larger than a whistle. The head of the drake is brown with a white stripe behind the eye, the back is gray-olive, the speculum is gray-blue, the goiter and the upper part of the breast are brown with dark spots, and the beak is gray. The female is dark brown with a light abdomen, craw and sides with a reddish bloom, a little mirror in the summer feather, and a dark gray beak. Distributed everywhere, but does not nest north of 62-64 ° N. NS. and in Central Asia; rare in the east of Siberia. It inhabits mainly in the area of mixed forests, forest-steppe and steppe, avoids taiga water bodies and tundra. During molting, it feeds on plant foods. The rest of the time it eats animal feed. Arrives in the second half of April; leaves in September. Crested Duck Medium size duck weighing 600-800 g. The drake has a black head with a purple tint, a crest of narrow black feathers on the back of the head, the back, craw and chest are black, the abdomen and sides are white; a mirror on the wings of the same color. In females and young birds, the back and chest are black-brown, the transition to light plumage is gradual, feathers are lighter at the base of the mandible; beak slightly widened in apical part. The voice resembles a croak, the flight is noisy and fast. Distributed in most of Kazakhstan, Central Asia and the basin of the river. Cupid; it is especially abundant on the lakes of the forest-steppe part of Western Siberia. It arrives at nesting sites early, but the nesting period is often delayed. Nests near water and lays 8-10 eggs. Sheds at nesting sites, without accumulating in large flocks. It flies off in huge flocks rather late, sometimes lingering until freeze-up.
Coot. A bird from the shepherd family, but similar to ducks in habitat and way of life; the size of a medium-sized duck, wing length 192-222 mm. The head and neck are black, there is a white plaque on the forehead; the back is blackish-black, the abdomen is smoky-gray, from a distance it seems black. There are swimming blades on the front toes. Coots fly badly, rise reluctantly, and run for a long time in the water during takeoff. In case of danger, they prefer to hide in the coastal vegetation. The voice is nasal, whimpering. Common habitats are ponds overgrown with vegetation, lakes with a slow current; keeps in shallow areas. It feeds on aquatic plants, insects and partly fish, which is why the meat often smells like fish. Arrives later than ducks in spring and departs early in autumn. Hunting methods - from approach and from ascent by boat. Cartridges are loaded with shot No. 7 and 8.
Grey goose. It is a large bird. Its body length is about 90 cm, wings are 398-495 named after, weight is 3-3.5 kg. The back and upper tail are ash-gray, the belly is white, on the chest and abdomen of sexually mature birds there are small dark spots, on the sides there are transverse dark stripes; pink beak with white marigold, reddish legs. The color of birds does not change all year round, there are no noticeable differences between males and females. The plumage of young birds is dark without spots on the abdomen; beak and legs are greenish-yellow. The cry resembles the cackle of a domestic goose. It inhabits large lakes overgrown with reeds and reeds in Western Siberia, Kazakhstan, southern Eastern Siberia, as well as in some places on the European territory of the CIS - from Karelia to the Volga and Danube river deltas. Gray geese always, except for the nesting period, keep in flocks. Arrivals usually start in mid-March and end in the second half of April. Nests are arranged on large lakes, surrounded by reeds and swamps, in remote, inaccessible places. The goose lays 4-5 white eggs and incubates them for four weeks. Chicks hatch in late May-June. Males, unlike other waterfowl, take an active part in caring for the offspring and are always with broods. In June, adult birds molt: they lose all primary flight feathers, and they escape from enemies only by diving or climbing and aquatic vegetation. Young geese keep all the time together with their parents and almost simultaneously rise on the wing when the flight feathers grow. The food of the gray geese is the shoots of grass and grain, aquatic vegetation; on the lakes - crustaceans and leeches. After molting, the geese join in 2- 3 broods together and begin regular flights for feeding - in the field, steppe, in shallow water.Flying to the south from the tundra begins in late August - early September; in the middle lane fly in late September - early October; winter in the southern part of the Caspian Sea. Hunting: on flights, skradom, from the entrance, to the profiles Cartridges are filled with shot No. 2-4.
Great snipe. Kulik, wing length 135-146 mm. Vertex is black and white with a yellowish longitudinal stripe, sides and abdomen with large transverse streaks of dark color, often in the form of squares or brackets, outer tail feathers are white. It maintains a dog's stance better than a snipe, flies straight and low, moves relatively close - at 100-200 m. It is easy to recognize by the characteristic "convex" noise of the wings during takeoff. He walks on the ground, gathering at night in places that are beloved and unchanged from year to year. At dusk, you can see their loose white tail feathers and hear the characteristic crackle. In autumn, during migration, it is often found on arable land and in vegetable gardens. Arrives in late April - early May, leaves two to three weeks earlier than snipe. Hunting for great snipe is allowed only in the fall, the best way is with a cop, use shot No. 9 and 8.
Garnshnep. Wing length 101-117 mm. Mesonotum brownish-brown with longitudinal buffy stripes on sides; part of feathers on the back and shoulder feathers with a metallic sheen of greenish and lilac shades; chest and goiter with indistinct longitudinal streaks. It inhabits swamps overgrown with reeds. It arrives at the same time as the great snipe, and in autumn it flies away even later than the snipe, when the swamps begin to freeze. The hornbeam sits very tightly, takes off at the very last moment. The dog makes a stance on the hornet at a close distance ("short-cut") because of its small size and the habit of hiding in the depressions of the soil and dense grass. Having taken off, the harshnep first flies against the wind, then, as if unable to fight it to the side, or even downwind, again forward, etc., so it is not so easy to shoot it. Cartridges are loaded with shot number 10.
Spindle. Sandpiper the size of a common pigeon; wing length 176-240 mm. Vertex is black-brown with longitudinal streaks of rusty color, throat is white, craw and thorax are rufous with dark transverse stripes, abdomen and sides are gray-white with stripes; the back of the back is blackish; uppertail is white, tail feathers are black with white bases. The feathers on the back of young birds are blackish-brown with light edges, the abdomen is without mottles, the chest is light with an ocher-smoky bloom. The voice of the spindle resembles the cry of the pigeons (lapwings). Inhabits grassy bogs in the forest-steppe and in the southern part of the forest zone of the CIS. Wild boar hunting is prohibited in the spring. In the fall, it is harvested from the approach (the rack does not stand) along the way with the hunt for other marsh game; cartridges are loaded with shot No. 7 and 8.
Landrail. The body is oblong and laterally compressed. Crake runs fast in the tall grass. The back is dark brown with yellowish and gray spots, the underwing coverts and axillary feathers are reddish-brown, the sides are yellowish-red, the breast and craw are yellow with white transverse stripes, buffy-red in autumn. The beak is short, no more than 25 mm, much smaller than the metatarsus. Chicks are black. Inhabits damp and marshy meadows and fields; in autumn it is found in shrubs and forest edges. Corncrake is often called a dergach, as his loud raspy voice during the mating period can be conveyed by the sound combination "derg, derg, derg". The flight of the jerk in spring, summer and early autumn is slow and awkward (it flies with its bottom down, as if sitting), so it prefers to flee from danger; on the wing rises only as a last resort, if the dog forces him to do so. In late autumn, before flying away, the corncrake rises even without a dog, and flies horizontally and very quickly. Arrives in mid-May, departs in early October. In the spring, corncrake hunting is prohibited. In the fall they shoot him from under the cop. He usually does not stand a stand and runs away, so the dog must work well not only on horseback, but also on the trail, have a quick eyeliner (preferably a throw), and be disciplined. The spaniel works great on the crake, preventing it from running away and quickly raising it to the wing. For shooting, use the shot number 8 and 9.
Pheasant. A medium-sized bird with a long wedge-shaped tail; wing length 190-240 mm; feathers on the head and neck are shiny, blue or green. The color of the plumage in males of different subspecies is different, the females are colored almost the same. Distributed in the river valleys of the plains of Central Asia and South Kazakhstan. It lives in thorny berry bushes, reeds, crops, bushes along the banks of rivers and lakes, in forests with dense undergrowth. Pheasants live sedentary, singly or in groups of 4-5 individuals, some subspecies make small migrations, gathering in flocks of 80-100 individuals. This bird is well bred in captivity and acclimatized in the central regions of the CIS, subject to feeding and protection from predators. They hunt pheasants with a cop, and a dog with tight eyeliner is unsuitable for this. Hunting with a spaniel gives good results. When shooting, it must be borne in mind that the pheasant first rises vertically upward and only then flies horizontally. Cartridges are loaded with shot number 5-7.
Gray partridge. Small bird; male weight 400-500 g, female 350-450 g, wing length 143-159 mm. The back is gray with an olive tint and a black streaky pattern, the crown is brownish with light streaks, the throat and head are rusty on the sides, the goiter and chest are light gray with a gray or speckled pattern, the neck is buffy in front, on the belly there is a horseshoe-shaped dark rusty spot. In females this spot is small or absent at all; on the upper wing coverts there are transverse stripes. Inhabits the steppe, in the north it is distributed up to 50-60 ° C. sh., in the east - to Altai, in the south - to Azerbaijan and the northern outskirts of Central Asia. In physique and habits, the gray partridge resembles a domestic chicken, easily tolerates captivity, so it can be bred in cages. In severe, snowy winters, partridges perish from lack of food, stray cats and dogs, poachers, under the ice crust after thaws, followed by frosts. Therefore, in many places, despite the long-term ban on hunting for it, the gray partridge has almost completely disappeared. In autumn and winter, partridges keep in flocks, in spring - in pairs, in summer - in broods. In spring, gray partridges are not hunted. In the fall they are shot from under the cop. For the first time, the brood rises all at once, often unable to withstand the stand and outside the shot, but moves not far. After one or two or three rises, the partridges are firmly hidden; hold up well and rise one at a time. When shooting at a brood or flock, you need to aim at one bird, otherwise only an accidental hit is possible. Shot for shooting in the right barrel - no. 8, in the left - no. 7. In late autumn, partridges become very cautious and rise at a long distance. In the steppes of the foothill zone of Central Asia, the bearded partridge (Daurian) lives. Unlike the gray partridge, its throat and head are buffy on the sides, yellow-buffy feathers on the goiter, the spot on the abdomen is dark brown or black. In autumn and winter, tufts of hard feathers 18-20 mm long grow on the sides of the chin.
Quail. The physique resembles a partridge; slightly larger than a starling. Wing length 97-111 mm; the upper part of the body is brownish, on the vertex there are three light longitudinal stripes (one in the middle and two on the sides), on the back there are sharp longitudinal streaks, the goiter and chest are light rusty; the male's throat is brown (light in autumn); the female has a breast with dark streaks, a whitish throat. The cry of the current male quails (fight) consists of two knees: "va-vva, va-vva" and "go-podd". He repeats the first quiet knee 2-3 times, followed by the second, that is, the actual fight, which is heard at a great distance. It lives in fields and meadows, feeds on insects, grass seeds, grain grains. Appears in the middle lane in early May, migrates in mid or late September. The breeding period is extended for 2-3 months, so quail can be found even in August. Quail hunting is prohibited in the spring. In autumn, they are shot from under a cop and from an approach with shot No. 9. In the southeast of Siberia, a mute quail lives, which is smaller and brighter in color; his throat and cheeks are rusty-red, white in autumn; sides are rufous with longitudinal white stripes. It lives in damp meadows, less often in fields.
The basis of this unique publication was the observations and notes of Leonid Pavlovich Sabaneev, a recognized expert in hunting and fishing, long-term editor of the most authoritative magazines devoted to hunting. In his "Hunting Calendar" the author pays worthy attention to each game.
The habits of animals and birds and the methods of hunting them, various methods of training and training of hunting dog breeds are described: for example, the famous hound hunting, gun hunting with hounds. The book of the famous Russian hunting expert includes articles on the life of hunting animals: wolf, bear, elk, fox, marten, ermine, etc.
; and birds: ducks and geese, partridges, black grouses, woodcocks and many others. Methods for the selection of guns and their care and other devices for hunting are described in detail. A large section is devoted to the care of dogs, their diseases and treatment. We hope that this edition will be a real present for all amateur and professional hunters.
Hunter's Handbook
Absent Encyclopedias The world in pictures (OLMA Media Group)The Hunter's Handbook contains the Big Universal Calendar of Russian Nature and Hunting, which includes the famous Hunting Calendar of the outstanding hunting expert L. P. Sabaneev, in the modern edition, as well as a unique collection of images of hunting and guard dogs.
A special section of the book is a detailed description of the footprints of all hunting animals and birds and more than two hundred images of footprints from rare German and Russian hunting publications. The book contains about a thousand illustrations.
The book is of interest to zoologists of a wide profile and specialists in the field of monitoring and management of animal resources.
Victor Tochinov Horror and Mystery To fall…Werewolf. Fairy tale. A legend ... a fairy tale? Is it a legend ?! People disappear again and again in villages and summer cottages. Over and over again they find torn bodies in the forest. The squads of experienced beaters are looking for the Beast in vain. Doesn't take his most modern weapon ... ... Werewolf.
Not a fairy tale, not a legend - a nightmare that suddenly came true. Who will look into the eyes of Death? Who will load an old hunting rifle with a consecrated silver bullet - and go out to hunt for a HUNTER ?!
For a wide range of readers.
Stories
Mikhail Prishvin Children's prose AbsentPrishvin Mikhail Mikhailovich (1873-1954) - Prishvin Mikhail Mikhailovich (1873-1954) - Russian writer, whose philosophical and lyrical prose is associated mainly with themes of nature, with folk life and folklore. "The singer of Russian nature", Prishvin begins as if with a simple study and rises into the poetic, spiritual spheres, into the spheres of deep art.
In fact, to evaluate Prishvin as a writer and thinker, the words that we find in the letter of Alexei Maksimovich Gorky to Prishvin, written in Sorrento on September 22, 1926, could always and under all circumstances be enough. This is what Gorky writes in this letter: “I think that such a nature lover, such an astute connoisseur of nature and its purest poet, like you, Mikhail Mikhailovich, did not exist in our literature.
I guessed about this even in the days of the "Black Arab", "The Land of Unafraid Birds", I finally regained my sight, reading the absolutely amazing "Springs". Aksakov wrote excellently "Notes of a Rifle Hunter" and "On Eating a Fish", Menzbir succeeded in wonderful pages in his book about birds, and from Kaigorodov and many other people, Russian nature sometimes evoked heartfelt words, but ... from none of them I found everything embracing, piercing and exultant love for our land, for all its living and supposedly mortal, no one like you is truly "the father and master of all his visions."
In your feeling and word, I hear something ancient, prophetic and paganly beautiful, that is, truly human, coming from the heart of the son of the earth, the great mother, revered by you. And when I read your "Phenological" conjectures and reasoning - I smile, laughing with joy, so much so that all this is amazingly charming with you.
I am not exaggerating that my true feeling of absolutely exceptional beauty, the power of which your brightest soul illuminates all your life ... Everything you merge into a single stream of living, everything is comprehended by your clever heart, filled with exciting, touching friendship with a person, with you - a poet and a sage " The disc contains cycles of stories by M.
M. Prishvina: “The Forest Master”, “Dogs”, “Beasts”, “Conversation of Birds and Animals”, “Hunter's Stories”. FOREST OWNER Lisichkin bread "Inventor" Guys and ducklings Duck bathing Hedgehog Golden meadow Chicken on poles Zhurka The Queen of Spades Talking rook Khromka Grandfather's felt boot Hawk and lark Forest doctor Vasya Veselkin Forest owner Dead tree Old mushroom DOGS Friend of man Pity First meeting Hedgehog mittens Romka-vacuum cleaner How Romka crossed the stream Yarik Treacherous sausage Lada Reflection A sip of milk How I taught my dogs to eat peas How a cat and a dog quarreled Warm places Zhulka and a cat Zhulka in the grass Zhulka and a butterfly How Zhulka and I work Dog in human affairs Mink and Zhulka Ownership in the rain Dream Crooks Robik Kado ANIMALS Beast Chipmunk Birth Saucepots Animals Eagle's nest Blue foxes Leopard Bear Fighter and Crybaby Hydrochloric acid Mysterious box White necklace BIRDS AND ANIMALS TALKING BIRDS AND ANIMALS Meadow Birds and animals talking Gadget Dergachi Piglette Eagle owl Forest floors O h crayfish whispering HUNTER'S STORIES Blue bast shoe Cranberry Familiar snipe Turlukan goldfinch Hunting dogs Faithful Anchar School in the bushes Sharpie white hare Purple sky Double shot Nightingale-topographer Gon Like a hare ate boots Traces of a hawk.
Birth of the Gods (Tutankamon in Crete)
Dmitry Sergeevich Merezhkovsky Historical literature Egyptian novels“… - Yes, the talisman saved everything from everything,” he spoke again, “from fire, from poison, from the beast; from one did not save ... - From what? She asked. He did not answer, and she understood: "From you." Both were wrapped in animal skins: he was in red, lion skins, with a mouth on his head instead of a helmet; she - in a gray-haired, wolf, with a choir's helmet.
Both have hunting spears in their hands, bows and quivers behind their backs. It was difficult to find out who the man is, who the woman is. Throwing the lion's mouth from his head, he brought his hand to his neck. - Hurts? She asked. - Not good. What a wound - a scratch! As a shepherd, in Khalikhalbat, he walked on lions with one club.
Once the whelped lioness lifted her up; claw mark and now on the back. Well, yes, I was stronger then, younger ... ".
Little Red Riding Hood
Evgeny Schwartz Dramaturgy Drama Library of the MTF AgencyThe classical plot, retold by Schwartz in a new way, turns out to be transformed, although on the main points it fully corresponds to the well-known plot of the fairy tale. Little Red Riding Hood goes to visit her grandmother. But the wolf does not come across to her suddenly. On the contrary, all the animals warn her, talk about the threat.
Little Red Riding Hood's plan is to lure the wolf into a hunting trap. Not knowing this trick, many animals want to help her, but they are hindered by an insidious fox, hoping that the wolf and the Hat will deal with each other, and then she can improve her position in the forest.
The well-known story, imbued with the good humor of Schwartz, will be of interest to both children and their parents.
Night fright
Dhan MukherjeeBloody water of Africa. Book 3. Property of England
Nina Zapolskaya Travel Books AbsentFor fans of African stories by E. Hemingway. Based on modern hunting reports. Africa today is in many ways dangerous, but in the eighteenth century it was deadly dangerous. Only a few Europeans have managed to return from the wilds of the continent. But the search for the schooner Arkhistar, captured by pirates, leads Captain Lynch to Guinea.
On the Futa-Jallon plateau, his detachment, fleeing the intrigues of the native sorcerer and the leader of the tribe, is drawn into an internecine war. Departing from the pursuit, they go deep into the rainforest, where cannibals, fires, predatory animals and deadly diseases lie in wait for them.
Such stories usually took place in a hunting pavilion built by Munchausen, hung with the heads of wild beasts and known as the "Pavilion of Lies." The baron's stories: the entrance to St. Petersburg on a wolf harnessed to a sleigh, a horse cut in half in Ochakovo, a horse on a bell tower, furious fur coats, a cherry tree growing on a deer's head, widely dispersed around the neighborhood and even penetrated the press ... Over time, the name of Munchausen became a household name for a person who tells amazing and incredible stories.
Hunting Animals Foundation. The fauna of hunting animals of the Russian Federation is an integral part of the economic potential of our state, and its reserves are considered the fund of hunting animals. In the production of sports hunting, animals and birds are the main objects from which hunting products are obtained. Until recently, fishing farms, in addition to obtaining hunting products of animal origin, were engaged in the collection and processing of plant raw materials, carrying out, in fact, integrated nature management.
The Russian Federation has an exceptionally diverse and rich hunting fauna. Hunting animals include the following:
mammals– moles (2 species), flying squirrel, common squirrel, chipmunk, marmots (3 species), ground squirrels (9 species), half dormouse, beavers (2 species), gray and black rats, mole rat, large jerboa, Altai zokor, common hamster, water vole, muskrat, hares (4 species), wolf, jackal, common fox, arctic fox (except for the Commander subspecies), corsac, raccoon dog (except for areas of natural range - Primorye, Amur Region), brown bear (except for Tien Shansky and Transcaucasian), raccoon-raccoon, Siberian weasel, wood and steppe chori, European and American mink, sable, pine and stone marten, harza, ermine, weasel, wolverine, badger, otter (except for the Caucasian subspecies), lynx, house (reed cat), wild boar, musk deer, roe deer, red deer (except for Bukhara), elk, reindeer (except for the Novozemelsk subspecies), saiga, chamois, Siberian ibex, bighorn sheep (except for the Putorana subspecies);
birds– white and tundra partridges, black grouse, common and stone capercaillie, hazel grouse, quail, dumb quail, partridge, desert partridge, Himalayan snowcock, pheasant, gray and bearded partridge, goose-goose, gray and white-fronted geese, pis-bag, black goose, ogary, mallard, black mallard, gray duck, witch, killer whale, pintail, teal whistle, teal cracker, teal-kloktun, shirokonoska, moth, long-tailed duck, gogol, red-nosed, red-headed and white-eyed divers, crested common and pacific sanguis, common and hump-nosed scoopers, comb eiders, spectacled and small eiders, common eiders (shooting of eiders is prohibited, organized collection of down is carried out), grebes (4 species, except for the small one), red-throated and black-throated loons, large bering and small cormorants, guillemots (2 species), puffin puffins, puffin, large and long-nosed merganser, sodok, large Far Eastern and medium curlews, woodcocks, Asian and common snipe, common and wood snipe, turukhtan, garshnip, large and small fowls, gyrfalcon, avdotka, black-bellied and white-bellied sand grouse, common saja, coot, corncrake, gray, rocky and brown pigeons, common, large and ringed doves, clintuch, wood pigeon.
In the Russian Federation, hunting objects are approved by the decision of local authorities, their lists are placed in the regional hunting rules. This or that animal in one locality can be numerous and defined as an object of hunting, and in another it can be protected.
The hunting fund does not include wild animals that are legally kept in captivity and on which funds and human labor are expended in caring, as well as domestic animals. Legal protection of animals in captivity is carried out in other forms and in accordance with other legislation, i.e. at the level of property, a social thing, and their extraction is qualified as theft of state and public property. The hunting fund also does not include marine mammals - whales, dolphins, seals, etc.
Hunting products. Hunting products include everything that is obtained in hunting farms. These are skins of valuable fur animals (furs), meat and wild products (meat of wild animals and birds), raw hides (skins of wild ungulates), medicinal raw materials (antlers of deer), musk (musk glands of musk deer, beaver), down and feather of a bird , trophies (horns, fangs, skulls, etc.).
Fur and fur raw materials consider furs, fur raw materials and skins of marine animals, from which various fur products are made.
Fur raw materials– these are unmanufactured skins of fur-bearing animals caught in the hunt, or obtained by cage breeding. Winter species of furs (harvested in winter): skins of sea otters, otters, free-style mink (European), cellular mink (American), river beaver, nutria, muskrat, desman, brown bear, black and white bear, wolverine, badger, Ussuri raccoon , all types of foxes (red, cross, sibodushka, black-brown, silver-black, silver-black white-faced, platinum, platinum-white-faced, snow), wolf, jackal, corsac, arctic fox (white and blue), striped raccoon, sable, marten (soft, mountain), kidus, kharza, polecat (light, dark, dressing), column, saltcoat, ermine, weasel, tiger, cheetah, wild cat (forest, reed, Far Eastern, caracal, manul, steppe), leopard, leopard, lynx, hare (hare, hare, sandstone), long-tailed chinchilla, squirrels, flying squirrels.
The assignment of a particular species according to the classification to the composition of fur raw materials does not mean that hunting is allowed for it.
Spring types of furs: skins of marmot, tarbagan, mole, chipmunk, water and barn rats, pikas, gerbils, mole rats, zokor, hamster, gopher of all kinds, dormouse, i.e. animals harvested in the spring and summer.
Cage fur farming is recognized to compensate for the shortage of natural fur resources and to meet the needs of the domestic and foreign markets in natural furs. The objects of fur farming are mainly representatives of the Predatory order - foxes, arctic foxes, minks, sables, raccoon dogs. Of rodents, nutria, beavers, and muskrats are successfully bred in cages. In recent years, experiments have been conducted on breeding trore, Siberian weasel, lynx, river otter, sea otter and a number of other valuable animals.
Along with fur farming, a significant contribution to the enrichment of the fauna of hunting and game animals is made by game breeding - keeping in nurseries of hunting farms on special farms of pedigree livestock of various hunting animals and birds, raising the resulting offspring to a certain age with subsequent release to hunting grounds. The released animals quickly run wild and become objects of hunting.
TO raw fur includes unmanufactured skins of domestic animals, also divided into winter and spring types. Skins of dogs, cats, rabbits belong to winter. The spring types include skins of cattle calves and reindeer (whipping, fawn, non-spit), skins of kids, foals and lambs. Moreover, the skins of lambs of the astrakhan-smushkovy breeds are distinguished into a separate, especially valuable group of raw materials.
The skins of various marine animals are also distinguished into a separate group of fur raw materials.
In order to obtain mainly meat products, hunting is carried out for a number of species of wild animals, primarily ungulates (elk, reindeer, wild boar, saiga, maral, red deer, musk deer), as well as bears, hares, etc. Depending on local traditions quite edible meat of beaver, badger, lynx, marmot, muskrat, squirrel is also used. The commercial product of the fishery is also the fat of many game animals, which is allowed to be sold on collective farm markets if there is a certificate confirming the species origin of the fat and issued by a veterinarian. The fat of bears, badgers, and some species of marmots is especially appreciated. However, the most important commercial product is the meat of wild animals, which is a dietary product; it is consumed mainly fresh (winter harvest).
Many types of wild game are considered objects of commercial and sport hunting. Of particular importance is the order Chicken-like (primarily capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse, ptarmigan and tundra partridge). Among the subfamily of duck, the dominant role is played by the mallard, gray duck, witch, shirokonosk, teal, and pintail. Mainly for sport hunting, the use of resources of waders (woodcock, curlew, snipe, snipe), shepherd birds (coot, corncrake) is characteristic.
The most promising objects for game breeding are rightfully considered game birds: pheasants, partridges and waterfowl. Pheasants were bred in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century. Since the 1950s. XX century began mass work on breeding pheasants, gray and dahurian partridges, Japanese quail, mallard ducks. At present, experiments are underway to breed wood grouses, black grouses, gray geese, and eiders.
Depending on the habitat, game birds are divided into upland(forest), swamp, waterfowl, steppe and mountain; by size on large and small.
According to the methods of extraction, the game is divided into fired and caught into traps (crushed). The best quality is shot game of winter or late autumn prey.
Hunting and fishing enterprises organize the collection and procurement of products mainly of the following classification groups: nuts and berries, mushrooms, medicinal and technical raw materials.
Antlers - non-ossified antlers of sika deer, as well as two subspecies of red deer - red deer and red deer - occupy a special place among the hunting products. The content of antlers (blood-gelatinous mass) is used for the manufacture of a number of the most valuable medicines, in particular pantocrine. Antlers are obtained by shooting male deer (pantachs) in May – July. Such a hunt is called antler, and hunters are called antlers. Hunting requires high professionalism, since at this time deer are extremely cautious and live in the most remote corners of the land. At present, the bulk of antlers is obtained from open-air and semi-free keeping of animals.