I’d probably say “sorry” for a start. Even our web editor (who is, sincerely, a VERY patient person) said “You’re late.” But, writing needs some inspiration – and I obviously had none and needed to get some. Why was that? Too many reasons to mention, too many words to write. Anyway…this past weekend was probably the best in 2011. The real spring has come to Moscow – at last. I went out of the city. Outdoor activities, you know. Famous Moscow traffic – I don’t care about it. I travel at night. Safe, fast and easy. Plus, it saves nerves. No trucks, no overloaded station wagons that usually slow down highway lanes, no speed-record-breakers in custom “Lada sports-cars” with “racing mufflers” which usually add much decibel and not much horsepower.

I’m heading north – to the town of Dmitrov, lying 70 plus kms from the Russian capital. Amazingly, not all the locals know Dmitrov, being only seven years younger than Moscow. Officially, Moscow was founded in 1147 by Count Yury Dolgoruky (yes, Yury, but not Luzhkov and none of the billion-dollar spouses were supplying concrete & cement for the construction site back in 12th century) but the town of Dmitrov was founded by the same Count Yury seven years after and got its name to commemorate his newborn son, baptized with the Christian name Dmitry. The latter became known in Russian history under his secular name, Count Vsevolod the Big Nest. Well, enough of medieval history – the brief course is over and I’ll tell you the absolute truth – I love the place. Because of its nature. It’s beautiful – in every season, just believe me – or have a look.

Duck hunting Russian style

Duck hunting Russian style

Duck hunting Russian style

Duck hunting Russian style

Duck hunting Russian style

Lakes, ponds, small rivers, woods, swamps or huge plains and steep hills – you name it.

Every single type of Central Russian terrain is present. Plus, I have very good friends here. This weekend I got an invitation to go hunting. Okay, okay, I understand it may not sound inspiring for some folks, but we have our own traditions, habits and ways of living – at last I’m not forcing anyone to study the Koran or burning holy books in public. Well, there is a long-held Russian tradition of spring season hunting. It’s probably older than the famous British traditional fox hunt (which was effectively buried by legislators a couple of years ago).

But I’m going to take the reader into a couple of precisely traditional spring hunts. Number 1 – a duck hunt. Two things should be mentioned here: modern hunting regulations are strict (well, unless you are not a poacher), and a hunting license is issued by a local forest-ranger only after you show a live call-bird sitting and quacking in a transportation basket.

Yes, you may take a couple of plain wooden calls or a dozen of plastic decoys to accompany the live duck performance, but “The Bird” is obligatory.

Duck hunting Russian style

­Say NO to electronic calls, for God’s sake! Well, you’ve got a duck – but this fact can not guarantee you a good hunt. First of all the duck should be well-kept during winter, well fed and well taken care of. What do I mean here? – Yes, it’s no secret a duck is waterfowl game – so simple H2Ois essential to keep ‘em alive. Literally. They just live there, in the natural environment, but who told you a city dweller can simulate “a swampy area” in an urban apartment? I may foresee some strong argument with female family members or, to say the least, with some “vigilant neighbors” tired of duck calls in the early morning hours. To cut it short – you have to rely upon your friends living somewhere out of urban zones, preferably in private houses with spacious backyards and, on top of that, some natural or artificial water resources.Plus, there’s a whole net ofsmall “rent a duck” private businesses around Moscow where you can get a decent call-bird for decent money (a duck may cost around 3000 rubles, or $10 for a two-week season). Please, make sure the bird you’re taking to the hunting trip has got used to water. (Ask the owner or pay attention to the conditions in an aviary – a small pond is more than enough) Ain’t no joke here, guys – ducks have special glands which secrete some sort of substance (yes, like a waterproofing treatment) for their feathers and is essential to keep the bird afloat. Well, one of the rangers told me of an incident at a “Russian Call-bird Club Championship 2010” when a careless owner almost sunk his bird by not letting it swim before the event. The result was nearly tragic – after 30 minutes in the water the bird was somewhat close to a scaled-down version of a Nessy monster, with only neck and head visible on the lake’s surface. The duck, which was expected to perform brilliantly, was disqualified. Let alone the fact it almost drowned.Well, moving on with the hunting process. “The rules of target engagement” are pretty strict and they seriously differ from summer-autumn hunting rules. The only “legitimate target” for the spring season is a mallard drake. No hens, no flying ducks. Despite the well-known fact that in a duck pair a hen is always flying first and it’s quite easy to tell which is which, a hunter is to obey the rule. Or you may end your day at a police station. One more hint: the army principle “shoot clear target” works here as well. So it’s preferable to take down the surfaced drake – and, of course, without hitting the call bird. The ultimate traditionalists of spring duck hunting are also obliged to go through some construction work – making a hut where they plan to hunt.

Duck hunting Russian style

­Ideally, a hut of tree branches and covered with local flora is to be made a couple of days before the season opens. Unfortunately, this year the Moscow Region was covered with knee-high snow until mid-April and the lakes and ponds were still frozen.

Duck hunting Russian style

Duck hunting Russian style

­Normally, a simple camo-blind or a ghillie-suit matching the surroundings can do the job.

Duck hunting Russian style

­At last – guns. The “ultimate weapon of choice” here is “patience” – since you are confined to a solitary hut or personal makeshift hideout – don’t move. Any movement may scare the game easily and a perfect position may be spoiled within a split-second.

Duck hunting Russian style

As for the real weapons – any shotgun can do the job. Forget about rifles, carbines, even the small caliber .22’s – they are outlawed for the spring season and that game. A “traditionalist” may choose a side-by-side or an O-U barrel shotgun, “a pragmatic” will take a well-known and reliable gun, no matter a single-shot old Iver-Johnson or a Benelli-Vinci semi-auto. Well, some would like to take a camera and enjoy the trip no matter if it’s “game” or “no game”, taking photos. Plus, there’s a nice bonus of seeing good ol’ friends, normally engulfed in their work. In the end, we’re all unhappy urban creatures who were “born to hunt, forced to work”.

Duck hunting Russian style

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.