Imperial Hunts

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IMPERIAL HUNTS were an important part of Imperial Court life. The Imperial Hunts combined traditions from Russian Tsar Hunts of the 16th-17th centuries, and hunting customs of European courts, which became popular in Russia during the first quarter of the 18th century. All business connected with the Imperial Hunts was managed by the Court Office's Yegermeister Department, headed by the ober-yegermeister (usually a person who enjoyed the special confidence of the Emperor). From 1800, Imperial Hunts were organized by the Ober-Yegermeister (since 1801 Yegermeister) Office; and from 1883, by the Chief of Imperial Hunt. Emperor Peter II and Empress Elizaveta Petrovna were particular to venery, while Empress Anna Ioannovna, Alexander II, Alexander III and Nikolay II preferred rifle hunting. In the 18th century, Imperial Hunts were organized at Peterhof, Tsarskoe Selo, Gatchina and their surrounding, as well as at Kamenny and Krestovsky islands. Imperial Hunts for Empress Anna Ioannovna were also organized in the Summer Garden, on the Neva (for waterfowl), and even in the palaces (the Empress followed birds released under the windows). In the 19th century, Imperial Hunts were carried out in Peterhof, Gatchina, Lakhta, and Lisino Village (in the present-day Tosno District of Leningrad Region). A number of hunting palaces and houses were built for Imperial Hunts in the suburbs of St. Petersburg; menageries were kept, in which the game was raised, and wildlife sanctuaries were organized. Statesmen and chiefs of foreign states who visited St. Petersburg were often invited on Imperial Hunts, both for entertainment and for discussions in an unofficial atmosphere. Imperial Hunt menageries were used as a model for the Petersburg Zoological Garden (see Zoological Garden), the Court's collection of hunting trophies was bequeathed to the Zoological Museum. Security and maintenance principles developed for Imperial Hunts in the outlying principalities laid ground for a state-run game management system which was developed in the 1930s, and still operates today.

References: Зарин А. Е. Царские развлечения и забавы за 300 лет. Л., 1991; Егоров О. Царская охота под Петербургом // Охота и охотничье хоз-во. 1996. № 7-8.

G. V. Kalashnikov. Alexander II, Emperor
Alexander III, Emperor
Anna Ioannovna, Empress
Elizaveta Petrovna, Empress
Nicholas II, Emperor
Peter II, Emperor
Зарин А. Е. Царские развлечения и забавы за 300 лет. Л., 1991
Егоров О. Царская охота под Петербургом // Охота и охотничье хоз-во, 1996 Museum of Zoology