Russia: Hunters celebrate fur and animal skin trade

In Russia's Far East hunting and the fur trade are very much still part of life for the indigenous village and nomadic communities.

Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky (Russia): Hunters in Russia's Far East have been celebrating the fur trade with an exhibition of dancing, hunting trophies and animal skin products. In the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Koryak, Itelmen and Chukchi communities maintain traditional lifestyles including hunting and producing goods made with animal skins.

In Russia's Far East hunting and the fur trade are very much still part of life for the indigenous village and nomadic communities.

"Furs a fairy tale of Kamchatka" is an annual one day exhibition dedicated to the celebration of the fur trade.

More than 400 miles away from Moscow in the Kamchatka Peninsula, visitors are treated to a day of dancing, traditional food and an array of stuffed animals, fur hats and coats.

"The most popular fur not only here but in Russia in general, is sable. Colour furs like fox, otter are not as popular as they used to be, but women still wear good short fur coats made from the fur of a fox, silver fox," says Alexey Falin, the chairman of the Regional Society of Hunters and Fishermen.

The exhibition attracts hunters from all over the region. The logo for this year's exhibit is the Kamchatka moose which was listed in the regional book of hunting records as 2018's largest trophy.

The fur of the red fox and the Kamchatka sable are considered the best in the country according to the traders here. It is prized for being durable and light, while withstanding moisture and wind.

"Sable costs around 10000-15000 RUB (153-183 USD); A good quality fox like this, which we have presented here in big quantities costs 5000-6000 RUB (71-96 USD); the market price of Wolverine currently is from 8 000 to 12 000 RUB (122 USD - 183 US$)," says Mikhail Samokhvalov, director of KamchatEthnoService.

During Soviet times, the main income in Kamchatka was from fur production. Dozens of enterprises produced furs and animals were bred in special enclosures. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the industry fell too. Companies went bankrupt and since then, animal skin goods have been produced mainly by individual hunters.

Craftswoman Liliya Aslapova says the traditional garments of indigenous people are still popular due to their warmth and comfort. She says she receives requests for hats and coats from various parts of Russia.

"Here we have a hat or Malakhai and the coat. Nowadays these garments are still in demand because they are very comfortable, light and warm. We have requests from Novosibirsk, Irkutsk and sometimes even from Chukotka they ask for items that one can wear on daily basis."

The exhibition also features souvenirs made from wood and bone carving.

(With inputs from APTN)