Visitors to Moscow region had a shock on a recent weekend. High above the snowy fields flew not winter birds, but cows.

As bizarre hobbies go, this one may be one of the strangest. All you need is the right equipment – a helicopter and a cow. OK, not a real one, but a life-size replica.  

Enthusiastic chopper pilots compete in several disciplines, from tossing the plastic cows through narrow gates to playing golf with huge clubs and balls.

“I’m never tired of such games. The most exciting thing is to land a helicopter on a swamp and then dig it out of there with a team of your mates,” said participant Seraphim Shumilov.

Another player adds: “You forget about the problems, the crisis and feel like you want to live life to the max.”

This hobby is not a cheap one. You need to receive a pilot’s licence first. And renting a helicopter costs nearly $US 25,000 per 42 hours of flying.

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