50 years of modern Falconry in Poland
The tradition of falconers meeting and hunting together was initiated in 1972, when, after the emergence of a specialized section of the Polish Hunting Association, the Polish Falconers Club „Falconers’ Nest” was established. Since then, each year, falconers from Poland and neighbour countries, meet for collective hunting. In the initial period, these meetings were organized mainly in Kujawy region, then, in search of new hunting grounds rich in small game, in various parts of the country. For more than 10 years, annual field meetings are placed in the hospitable lands of Kielce region near Pińczów and Busko Zdrój.
From the very beginning, Polish hunting traditions were cultivated, most of them were the legacy of the Second Polish Republic. Hunting signals are played during the hunt, along with the observance of the ceremonial due to such an event.
The hunt begins with falconers arrival, the preparation of a hunting list and a list of accompanying persons. Then falconers are split into groups based on hunting birds: hawks, eagles and falcons. To intensify the experiences of this type of hunting, in each group are up to 10 falconers. This makes it possible to fly at least twice for falcon groups, and to fly several times after game for hawks and eagles. The groups also have assigned guides, and falconers leading the group are appointed to coordinate its activities and supervise its activities and the hunting process.
After registration, preparation of a hunting list and division into individual groups, the hunting begins. The trumpeter plays the signal „Hunters’ gathering” on the horn. At this signal, the gathered falconers line up, in accordance with the adopted rules, forming lines or a double line, the main leader of the hunt stands in front of them and the accompanying persons on their left. On the right there is a trumpeter or a team of trumpeters, cause many falconers have the ability to play on the horn.
After positioning, the “Welcome” signal is played, listened with the hats off. The leader of the hunt welcomes the invited guests, falconers, accompanying persons and the present representatives of the local hunters. Then it presents the game to be hunted and the division into groups. Indicates guides, group leaders and location of hunting grounds for each group. He discusses the rules of moving around hunting grounds, safety rules and provides telephone numbers needed in unexpected case.
After the briefing, the trumpeter play the „Appeal for hunting” signal and each groups, in the order agreed at the briefing, leave the place and go to the hunting grounds.
As hunting usually go on over 3 days, on each day there is a short briefing by the main leader of the hunting, during which the results of the previous day are discussed, and the allocation of a new hunting ground for each group is assigned. The signals „Meeting of hunters” and „Appeal for hunting” are played
The tradition of meetings and hunting together is a banquet for participants, usually organized after the 2nd day of hunting. Participants are called with the signal „Hunters’ gathering” and starting with the signal „Welcome”, in its first, official part, the invited guests and participants are welcomed, and falconry awards are given in the setting of hunting signals. After the official part is over, the „Meal” signal is played, inviting to the table and to share the feast.
The culmination moment of a joint hunt, celebrated after the last day, is a ceremonial on which the fished game is placed in accordance with the hierarchy: large game, fur, sedge, feather. And this is how the deer are placed first, then the foxes, hares, and first, pheasants and ducks. The game is placed on the right side, every tenth animal in a row is advanced. Disposition of hunted animals in a proper row is surrounded and decorated with twigs, most often spruce. In its four corners, fires or torches are lit.
Falconers line up from the heads of the game, the main leader stands from the back, the accompanying people stand on his left and the trumpeter on the right.
The trumpeter play the signal „Hunters’ gathering” and when there is quiet, plays the signal „Hunting end”. Then the hunting results are announced. The leader asks you to play the signals in honor of the hunted game in the order for deer, fox, hare and feather. While playing these signals, participants of the hunt take off their hats. After the game is honored, best falconers of the hunt is announced for each group: eagles, hawks and falcons. The “Hunt king” title does not depend on the amount of game obtained, but on the beauty of flights, attacks and the hunter’s attitude. The awarding of a title to each king is framed by the trumpeter with the signal „King of the Hunt”. After the thanks and possible speeches, the Polish „Darz Bór” signal is played, and the ceremony is done.