The Kazakh Eagle Hunting Training Process in Mongolia

The Kazakh Eagle Hunting Training Process in Mongolia

Kazakh eagle hunting, known locally as “berkutchi,” is a centuries-old tradition in Mongolia’s Altai Mountains. This remarkable practice involves a multi-year training process that emphasizes patience, bonding, and the development of instinct in golden eagles. Hunters form a close, family-like partnership with their eagles, which can last 5–10 years before the bird is eventually released back into the wild.

Selection Process

Training begins with the careful selection of young female golden eagles, captured from nests at 4–6 months of age, just before fledging. Females are preferred for their size and strength, which makes them capable of hunting larger prey such as foxes. Initially, the eagle is hooded and tethered to acclimate safely to human presence.

Initial Bonding

The first stage of training focuses on trust and familiarity:

• Hand-feeding raw meat to the eagle, treating it gently like a chick

• Constant voice interaction through whispering, singing, or whistling

• Daily sessions on perches, teaching the eagle to sit calmly on a thick leather glove

This bonding phase can last several months, prioritizing patience and calmness over force.

Command and Flight Training

Once trust is established, eagles learn basic commands:

• Stepping onto and off the glove

• Returning after free-flight exercises in open areas that mimic hunting conditions

Hunters carefully monitor the eagle’s health and provide a diet of fresh meat to maintain peak condition.

Hunting Skill Development

Eagles gradually learn hunting skills through simulated hunts:

• Using bait like dragged rabbit skins or decoys

• Practicing spotting, diving (up to 150 mph), talon strikes, and prey retrieval

• Gradually advancing to live prey such as hares or foxes during winter

Full proficiency typically requires 3–4 years of seasonal drills. Rewards, usually in the form of meat, reinforce the bird’s hunting success.

Hunt Execution and Release

During actual hunts, the hunter:

1. Spots prey from horseback

2. Releases the eagle via command

3. Allows the eagle to strike and retrieve prey, rewarding successful captures

After the eagle reaches its peak years (around age 5–7), it is released back into the wild, though it may return briefly to its trainer. This practice reflects the nomadic philosophy of living in harmony with nature while preserving centuries-old traditions.

Witnessing this training process offers travelers a rare glimpse into a living cultural heritage, where skill, patience, and a deep connection between human and eagle create one of Mongolia’s most iconic experiences.

The Kazakh Eagle Hunting Training Process in Mongolia