Top 5 Reasons to use Golden Eagle in the Hunting

Golden Eagle Festival has become one of the main reasons to travel to Mongolia in recent years. It seems unreal to people that eagle hunting tradition still exists in this modern world. Even though Golden eagles can be found in North America, Europe, Asia,  you can only see amazing eagle hunting tradition in Central Asia, especially in Altai Mountain region in Mongolia. Ethnic Kazakhs of Mongolia has kept eagle hunting tradition for about 6000 years according to BBC. Eagle hunters train Golden eagle from very young age. Let me explain why Ethnic Kazakhs use Golden eagle for hunting in 5 reasons.

Arguably one of the Biggest birds of Prey, but not too Heavy

Golden Eagle is not just one of the biggest kind of eagles (4th), also one of the biggest birds of prey on the planet of earth (10th). Golden Eagle uses its own size as advantage to prey small to medium-sized mammals, including field mice, ground squirrels, marmots, rabbits and even corsac fox.

Well trained, experienced eagle in Mongolia can injure wolf and its owner eagle hunter can finish the wolf. They make the best partners. Plus, their weight is suitable for hunters to hold them on their hand without having too much pressure.

Jaw-dropping Speed as Formula 1 car

Golden Eagles have a jaw-dropping speed and agility for their size. When they dive from great heights, their speed can reach up to 320 km per hour. In the freest form of the sky known as “sky-dancing,” a Golden Eagle performs a rapid series of multiple steep dives and upward swoops, beating its wings few times at the top of each rise.

Unbelievable Telescopic Vision of Golden Eagle

Observing small animals such as field mice and ground squirrels from 500 to 1000 meters above is the mighty advantage of Golden Eagles. Their vision is about 8 times as humans', which means humans' eyes need to be almost the same as the size of an apple to match Golden Eagle's vision. This advantage makes golden eagle the best companion of Eagle hunters for hunting. 

One of the Most Trainable Birds of Prey 

Eagle hunters catch and train female Golden Eagles which have already learned to fly because female eagles are relatively bigger than male ones. Those female Golden eagles, which have learned to fly and learned to hunt for a certain time, are relatively quiet, fast-learning, and only attack the animals that fit their power, does not constantly shout, and does not invade domestic animals when they are returned to nature.

Long Standing Eagle Hunting Tradition

Ethnic Kazakhs of Mongolia have long standing tradition of eagle hunting and are proudly keeping it till now. Mongolians have been born hunters and known for their skills in the history. This attribute played important part in eagle hunting tradition. Besides all the advantages I have mentioned above, one of main reason of choosing a golden eagle in the hunting is geographical location of the bird.

They can be easily found in harsh climate of Altai Mountain region. Other suitable birds of prey, vulture and falcon are either too heavy or too small to hunt with hunter. That is how famous eagle hunter tradition is thought be originated. Nowadays, eagle hunters compete in Sagsai Golden Eagle Festival annually to promote and preserve this unique tradition worldwide. 

Experiencing amazing eagle hunting tradition is possible whenever you travel to Mongolia.

You would not want to miss it in your lifetime.