Eagle Hunting Season
The Kazakh tradition of eagle hunting (berkutchi) is one of the oldest forms of falconry in the world, and it is still practiced in the Altai Mountains of eastern Kazakhstan. The berkutchi (eagle hunter) trains a golden eagle to hunt foxes, hares, and wolves. The training takes 3-4 years, and the bond between hunter and eagle is lifelong. The eagle lives with the family, and when it is released back into the wild after 10 years of hunting, the berkutchi is said to cry. The annual eagle hunting festival in Naurzum brings berkutchi from across Central Asia to compete. . 2026: Apr 5. 2027: Mar 28.