Musk-deer is called the smallest deer in Siberia by the hunters. The length of its body is within 85-100 sm., the height is 60-65 sm., the maximum weight is no more than 15-17 kg.
It has no antlers but grown-up male musk-deers have long (up to 10 sm.) tusks, which play the role of the tournament weapon.
The period of hunting: from October, 15 to December, 31.
Musk-deer lives in dark coniferous taiga, windfalls, nooks where it can easily hide from the enemies. Escaping pursuit, musk-deers making huge jumps and changing their direction, can jump into a tiny ledge of a rock and stay there for a long time. The hunters used to call these places „settlings”. Male musk-deers have a special musky gland in abdominal regions (the so called „musk-deers' jet”). The gland has a weight of 10-35 g.; it is of great value in oriental medicine and is used in preparation of high-quality perfume. Dried musk-deers' jet can be stored for many years.
Hunting for a musk-deer („with approach”)
- Hunting is carried out in autumn-winter period from October, 15 to December, 31.
- Air temperature in the afternoon is from –5 degrees C to –30 degrees C.
- The depth of snow is 10-40 sm.
- The optimal duration of the tour: 7 days.
- The number of hunters in a group: 1-2 person.
A hunter and a huntsman go to the grounds and search for fresh traces of male musk-deers. As soon as the trace is found, they start following the animal on its traces. A shot is to be fired from the distance of 50-150 m. Used weapon: carbine or rifle of no more than 7,62 mm. caliber. Only a careful hunter with excellent calisthenics can enjoy this type of hunting.
- Recommended clothes: winter (not heavy) hunting suits of white or any other colour but with camouflage cloak; winter hunting shoes with soft floor; knitted woolen cap of white colour; gloves.
- Departure from Irkutsk for the place of hunting: motor transport; additionally motor boat and horses can be used.
- The road from Irkutsk to the place of hunting takes 4-5 hours. There is 1 hour stop for meal and rest.
- The possible options of accommodation (depending on a place of hunting) are: personal country estate of the hunters, hunting bases, hunting winter cabins, tent camp.
- Service: log houses, furnace heating, 3 meals a day, Russian bath-house, WC in the street.
