Czech hunting traditions
Have you ever asked horseback riders why they mount a horse from the left side? They’ll probably answer, "That’s just how it’s done." But is there a reason for it, considering that both sides of a horse and saddle are the same? Absolutely. In the past, soldiers mounted their horses with a sword hanging on the left side, and getting on from the right would have been awkward. Over time, this became a tradition. Some traditions have been around for ages and have roots in ancient history, while others are simply made up. What’s important, though, is that customs and traditions serve as a bond that connects a nation and its culture, distinguishing it from others. And Czech hunting is full of these.
In the distant past, hunters were held in high regard (along with doctors and teachers). They could carry weapons, weren’t afraid in the woods (a barking roe deer or a hooting owl didn’t scare them as they weren’t considered monsters), and enjoyed many benefits. In the Czech lands, hunting rights were tied to land ownership, so the nobility had the most say. Over time, hunters formed a special class, developing their own language and customs, which were incomprehensible to ordinary people. Similar traditions remain strong not only in the Czech Republic but also in Austria, Poland, and parts of Germany — the countries of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Czech hunting traditions even survived the forty-year period of communist rule, perhaps because maintaining traditions, solidarity, and communicating in a “secret” language was a form of resistance against the regime. The importance of these traditions is so significant that in 2012, Czech hunting was added to the list of intangible cultural heritage of the Czech Republic.
The alpha and omega of hunting is hunting ethics — this is what sets hunters apart from shooters and mere hunters. This has its roots in 17th century where hunting with ethics was set as a standard. For a shooter, the target is irrelevant — the goal is simply to shoot and harvest. A hunter doesn’t see game as just a target but as a partner with a right to a fair chance. As a worthy opponent, the hunter is obligated to show the game proper respect, even though hunting is no longer necessary for survival, and there are almost no species that are rare in the wild or inaccessible to regular hunters. We could define hunting customs as a set of hunting ceremonies and other rituals and codes of conduct passed down by tradition. Some of these are even enshrined in Czech regulations and guidelines, others are passed on through literature or adopted during hunting practices.
Czech Hunting Language
One of the first things a layperson notices (aside from the hat, green clothes, and rifle over the shoulder) is the hunting language. There are specific terms for different parts of the body of various game species, distinctions between gender and age, and descriptions of their behavior. Hunting gear, equipment, hunting methods, breeding practices, care for game, and hunting dog training all have their own special terms. The unique Czech hunting language began to emerge in 17th century foundation and has been preserved to this day thanks to many hunting writers. Although very old, it is still alive and adapts to the changing conditions of hunting. The terms of the hunting language are official, and every hunter is required to master and continuously improve their use. In fact, its use has been mandated by the Ministry of Agriculture since October 22, 1946, and this regulation remains in effect today. The need for the language likely arose from the desire to distinguish, unite, and perhaps even appear somewhat mysterious and inaccessible to the common folk. The terms usually reflect external features — so, eyes aren’t eyes but "lights" (because they shine in the dark), blood isn’t blood but "color," ears aren’t ears but "hearings," and so on.
Czech Hunting Clothing
Wearing green or brown hunting clothes during hunts, drives, and various hunting events has become a given in our country. A hat is typically worn, often adorned with decorations, with the hunting trophy placed on the right side. Of course, the long green hunting coat and rubber boots have given way to modern materials and designs that are comfortable and functional. Apart from pure green in various shades, patterns imitating fallen leaves or branches are also acceptable. However, military camouflage is, and always will be, a no-go. Driven hunts and all social hunting events even require people to be well dressed in the formal hunting clothing.
Hunting Horns
The hunting horn remains the main signal during group hunts. While radios and cell phones are commonly used on well-organized hunts, the horn’s signals are clear to all participants. Standard signals indicate the start and end of the hunt, the break for lunch, or the conclusion of the event. Hunting music includes a wide range of fanfares and tunes, composed for specific purposes or types of game. Originally, the horn was made from an actual animal horn, but since the Baroque period, various musical instruments have replaced it — naturally, for the enjoyment of nobility at grand hunting festivities. However, hunting horns have also found their place in symphony orchestras, and hunting motifs appear in many famous classical works (for example, in the world-renowned Vltava by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana, where there’s an entire section called “Forest Theme,” featuring hunting horns in the lead).
Even though modern times influence hunting, it’s something that hunters refuse to let go of. For example, offering a toast with your right hand, not congratulating a fellow hunter on their catch, or laying game on its left side is seen almost as sacrilege, reducing the offender to the status of an ordinary "shooter." But we’ll discuss specific traditions in the next part.
Martin Brozek, Norma Ambassador Czech republic