His passion for hunting has made him well-known in the area, where he is respected for his endurance and attentiveness. Locals note that Almamotov often outpaces hunters who are significantly younger than him and willingly shares his knowledge with newcomers.
He emphasizes that the thrill of hunting is indescribable in words.
Kubanychbek is one of the founders of the hunting group "Zhashasyn Sila," which has established itself as a leading team for culling jackals and wolves in the region.
During a hunt, he can walk up to 30 kilometers. However, in all his years, there has never been a case where he got tired and returned home without climbing the mountains. Almamotov starts his hunting season with the first snow, in accordance with the permits issued by the relevant authorities.
He has permits for hunting in the Suzak, Bazar-Korgon, and Toguz-Toro districts, so he often travels there. Last week, at the request of local residents, he and his team headed to the village of Jiyde, where they successfully culled several jackals.
Kubanychbek noted that such outings are often organized at the request of shepherds and local residents, as predators pose a threat to their livestock. Last year, his team culled 130 jackals, and this winter already 27.
"Today we headed towards Achi to cull jackals. They breed as quickly as dogs do. There are 'quiet days' during the week when hunting is not allowed for 2-3 days. We have a permit for culling partridges, valid until January 28. If we are hunting predators, why should we buy permits? Our contribution to the extermination of wild predators is significant. Recently, our team caught 4 wolves; otherwise, they could have attacked livestock," shared Kubanychbek.
For him, hunting is one of the most significant sports, passed down from the ancestors of the Kyrgyz.
"Hunting cultivates strength, will, and endurance. Sometimes, due to deep snow, the horse cannot move, and you need to find a way out of the situation. When you reach the prey, all difficulties are forgotten. We prepare the caught game and share it among ourselves. There is usually no large game that can be taken home. The thrill of hunting is something special; it cannot be conveyed in words. Hunting is a craft that has been inherited from our ancestors, and only those who truly love it and are ready to endure can engage in it. Moreover, physical activity strengthens health," said Almamotov.
He went hunting for the first time in 1989 when he shot a wolf, and since then his interest has only grown.
"In our village, there are hunters named Mardan and Kambar, each with their own methods. Eight years ago, I and another hunter united local hunting enthusiasts with permits and created the group 'Zhashasyn Sila.' We often go out at the invitation of other villages to cull jackals. Each hunter buys a permit depending on their capabilities. I spent about two years in Russia, where I saw ducks and became interested in hunting again.
Taygans play an important role in hunting, helping to find and catch prey. I had a very smart taygan named Uchar, who never let go of the prey until I arrived. Unfortunately, he was hit by a car last year. Now I have two taygans that jump into the car as soon as I take my weapon. For us, both horses and dogs are like wings.
Hunting is only possible in places where there is permission. Our weapons are checked by the local officer twice a year, and they must be stored in a safe. I constantly remind the guys about the storage rules and explain the procedures to those who are interested. We are no longer young, and I consider it important to properly guide the youth interested in hunting," he added.
Kubanychbek Almamotov is the father of three children and a grandfather to about ten grandchildren.
