The exhibition, being held at the city's 17th-19th century Interior Museum "Madame Hoyer's Guest House" was opened at the same time as the Hunting Day event, introducing interested parties to the skills of hunting dogs, as well as trying to dispel myths about hunters.
The hunting day started in the courtyard of the Interior Museum, where you could watch the parade and demonstrations of hunting dogs of different breeds. Some are trained to follow tracks, others to drive a fox out of a cave, and others to retrieve game which has been shot from the skies. Those interested could also talk to the hunters, who were happy to introduce their work.
"It's a very good event, precisely to popularize hunting as such. Let people see that we are not just animals – we, hunters, are also part of society," said hunter Artis Kapenieks.
Several hunters addressed at the event claimed that they faced various prejudices, for example, that they are cruel animal killers, as a result of which the number of forest animals in Latvia has decreased. Hunters categorically deny this, stressing that the population of both predators and herbivores is growing rapidly in the forests.
For example, at the moment their focus is on the control of the wolf population. It has already been reported that the number of their attacks on livestock has increased, so the number of allowed predators to be hunted has been increased by 20 wolves, now reaching a total of 300 wolves. Also, by shooting wild boars, hunters try to limit the spread of African swine fever.
"We are those nature observers, researchers who also provide a great deal of scientific material to researchers, institutes – genetic materials, in order to have a true understanding of the state of the population. If a person is interested in an animal as game or a trophy, or as a source of livelihood – organic meat then hunters also protect these animals, keep an eye on them so that there is no poaching, so that there is food [for the animals] if the winter is very difficult," said hunter Kate Šterna.
According to the number of issued licenses, there are currently approximately 21,000 hunters in Latvia, of which almost 500 are women. The exhibition opened in Liepāja Interior Museum features many, mostly trophies won by one lady Kate Šterna. They are complemented by stuffed animals from private collections, as well as centuries-old hunting weapons, hunters' tobacco boxes and other items from the collection of the Liepāja Museum.
"Hunting and nature have always interested people, regardless of the era. Since ancient times, hunting was one of the forms of livelihood and entertainment, hunting was always present in society," said the director of the Liepāja Museum, Dace Kārkla.
The exhibition runs until the end of February.
