A hunter in the steppes of the Kazakh SSR.

A hunter in the steppes of the Kazakh SSR. The 1950s. Traditional Hunting in the Steppes of the Kazakh SSR in the 1950s In the 1950s, the vast steppes of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (Kazakh SSR) remained a land of open horizons, sweeping grasslands, and a deeply rooted nomadic heritage, despite the sweeping changes brought by Soviet modernization. Amid collectivization, industrialization, and the push toward urbanization, traditional hunting practices persisted—adapted, transformed, but not entirely extinguished—among the rural Kazakh population. Hunting in the Kazakh steppes during this era was not primarily a sport, as it might have been in the West, but a practical means of survival, a cultural tradition, and a way of maintaining a connection to ancestral ways in the face of rapid societal change. For many Kazakh families, especially in remote rural areas, hunting supplemented food supplies in a time of scarcity and limited access to markets. It also preserved a sense of identity tied to the rhythms of nature and the skills passed down through generations. Methods and Tools Traditional hunting in the 1950s reflected a blend of ancient techniques and Soviet-era adaptations. While firearms—especially the Mosin-Nagant rifle and later, the TOZ shotguns—had become more common, many hunters still relied on age-old methods. Falconry, particularly with golden eagles (*berkut*), remained a revered practice in the mountainous southern and eastern regions of Kazakhstan, such as Almaty and Zhetysu. Eagle hunters used their trained birds to hunt foxes, hares, and even wolves—skills especially valuable during the harsh winter months when food was scarce. In the open steppes, hunters used horses or, increasingly, Soviet-made motorcycles and trucks to cover vast distances. Camels were still employed in the arid southern zones. Traps and snares made from wire or rope were commonly set for smaller game like marmots, hares, and steppe foxes. Marmot hunting, in particular, was widespread—both for its meat and fur, which could be traded or used for clothing. Dogs, especially the hardy Central Asian Shepherd (also known as *Alabai*), played a crucial role in tracking and cornering game. Hunters often worked in small groups, using coordinated tactics to flush out prey from ravines or tall grass. Game and Seasons The steppe ecosystem supported a variety of wildlife. Commonly hunted animals included: - **Saiga antelope** – prized for meat and hide, though their numbers were already declining due to overhunting and habitat loss. - **Corsac fox and red fox** – valued for their fur, which could be sold to state procurement agencies (*zagotovka*) for modest income. - **Hares and marmots** – staple sources of protein. - **Wolves** – often hunted not for sport, but to protect livestock, with bounties sometimes offered by local soviets. - **Birds** – including steppe eagles, demoiselle cranes, and various waterfowl near rivers and lakes like the Ili or Balkhash. Hunting was typically seasonal. Winter was a prime time, as snow made tracking easier and fur quality was at its peak. Spring and autumn were used for smaller game, while summer hunting was less common due to heat and the breeding cycles of many animals. Soviet Influence and Restrictions The Soviet state exerted increasing control over natural resources, including wildlife. By the 1950s, official regulations governed hunting, requiring permits and restricting certain species. The government promoted "rational use" of nature, but enforcement in remote steppe regions was often lax. Many Kazakh hunters operated in a gray legal zone—practicing traditional hunting out of necessity, sometimes in defiance of state rules. State-run fur collection points (*punkt priyoma*) bought pelts from hunters, integrating them into the Soviet economy. However, the prices were low, and many preferred to keep furs for personal use or barter within local communities. Despite collectivization and the suppression of nomadic lifestyles, elders continued to teach younger generations traditional knowledge: how to read animal tracks, predict weather by animal behavior, and respect the balance of nature. This knowledge was often shared orally, during long winter nights or while tending livestock. Cultural Significance Hunting was more than subsistence—it was interwoven with Kazakh values of courage, self-reliance, and harmony with nature. Stories of legendary hunters and eagle masters were told with pride. Even as Soviet ideology emphasized industrial labor and collective farming, the image of the skilled horseman or eagle rider remained a powerful symbol of Kazakh identity. In the 1950s, while the steppes were crisscrossed with new roads and the sounds of machinery began to echo across the plains, traditional hunting endured as a quiet act of cultural preservation. It was a bridge between the past and a rapidly changing present—a testament to the resilience of a people whose spirit, like the wind over the steppe, refused to be tamed. Thus, in the 1950s Kazakh SSR, traditional hunting survived not as a relic, but as a living practice—adapted, enduring, and deeply tied to the soul of the steppe.