Photography:
Krzysztof Turowski
For Krzysztof Turowski, an experienced hunter, lecturer and TV editor at Polish hunting association, and book author, hunting has always meant way more than firing the shot. He has one of the deepest, most meaningful relationships with nature we’ve ever witnessed, and we’re always eager to learn more about it. So, naturally, we were super excited when he agreed to participate in our Hunter’s Favorites series. The result is wonderful, and without further ado, we invite you to dive in.
Thing about hunting
What I like most about hunting is that it is more than just the act itself. Hunting for me is history, tradition, culture, spending time in the bosom of nature, and meeting friends.
People often perceive the game as the most important thing in hunting, but in fact, it is not just hunting the game but communing with nature and protecting it. During the hunting itself, we often do not pull the trigger, for example, during the rut or spring crop protection, where we often just frighten the game instead of hunting it. Hunting male deer and roe deer are also primarily about watching instead of pulling the trigger because, in most cases, the form of their antlers does not allow hunting.
Type of hunt: I like group hunting for small game (ducks and pheasants) the most. Here, I am not talking about driven hunts, but the type of hunting where you and your friends are walking through the hunting ground and deciding where to hunt.
This is a very exciting way of hunting, where a man hunts together with a dog. I like both summer duck hunting and late winter pheasant hunting, but I think the pheasants are my favorite. The sight of a dog working together with a hunter shows how important a role hunting dogs play in the process. It is also a hunt where a pheasant can jump up from under your feet. Such hunting is extremely dynamic and can give the hunter a lot of emotions and delicious broth.
I am also discovering the world of deer luring, which attracts me more and more, so who knows, maybe soon I will completely change my taste.
Favourite location
Some time ago, I had my favorite tree – a poplar with a seat made of boards hidden between the branches, on which I liked hunting the most. Despite the fact that it had no roof or protection against rain or frost, it was my favorite place. It was related to the first wild boar I hunted. Unfortunately, changes in my neighborhood meant that a piece of the forest that was there had already been cut down, and the area itself is fenced, which means that neither hunters nor animals have access to it.
I have a few other favorite places where I like to sit behind the wild boar, wait for the deer, and walk after the pheasant, but it was that chair on the poplar tree that was the one I would most like to return to and where I would most like to hunt. Each of us should have a poplar or other place he likes to return to both for hunting and memories.
Time of the year: I like autumn the most, our beautiful Polish golden autumn when the forests are drowning in reds, yellows, and oranges. Each tree has its own color, each leaf is different, and the dense fog adds a certain charm to it. This is the time of the rut, the period of hunting for practically all species, and the period when our movements are not limited by several layers of thick clothing. The nights can be cool and even frosty, but the days are still warm and often sunny. The worst days are when it rains all the time, but as hunters say, there is no bad weather for hunting – it is only very good or good.
People often perceive the game as the most important thing in hunting, but in fact, it is not just hunting the game but communing with nature and protecting it.
Animal to hunt: As I have already mentioned, I love hunting pheasants that can take flight from under my feet, but since I started to be interested in luring deer, this species has been intriguing me more and more. The problem, however, is the game reserve itself, which is unfortunately quite far away, and it was difficult for me to go there this year. The deer is the king of our forests; meeting him during the rut is something extraordinary, deceiving him while luring something even more wonderful.
Game to eat: The broth is the queen of soups, but there is no better broth than wood pigeon broth. The period of hunting for wooden pigeons in my area is quite short, its end coincides with the rut. We hunt in stubble using pigeon decoys. The whole thing requires a lot of preparation, but the broth with crested mushrooms tastes so unique that it is worth spending time on preparation. To prepare the broth that will satisfy the hunger of several people, you need to hunt at least four pigeons.
Gear to use: It will not be a surprise to anyone that I will say night vision and thermal vision, which I am a huge supporter of. These devices have changed the face of hunting, making it safer and more accurate. Many accidents were caused by the fact that people hunting at night could mistake a wild boar for a thief of potatoes or corn. Thermal imaging, especially as advanced as Pulsar, gives us a guarantee that our target is exactly what we want to shoot. There are no understatements here; this is a conscious and mature way to hunt.
Pulsar device
Pulsar device: From the Pulsar product portfolio, the Krypton FXG50 had the most amazing image – I was amazed by the details and the quality. It is still one of my favorites. However, I must admit that the Pulsar Merger LRF XP50 also amazed me and has now taken its place as one of my favorite Pulsar products, next to the Krypton.
The most appreciated feature that Pulsar has recently introduced is motion detection. I admit that I can take a nap on the hunting box stand, but using motion detection always gives me the opportunity to wake up quickly thanks to the vibration of the phone when motion is detected.
Thing about being a Pulsar ambassador: It is impossible to describe to an outsider what it is really to be a Pulsar ambassador. Of course, each of us has the opportunity to test products, access news and novelties, and see products before their official premiere, but for many, it has become something more. It is something that cannot be described, something that unites people from many countries for whom hunting is something more than just a hobby. Being a Pulsar ambassador is more than just being in a group of device testers. It is a kind of bond between different people that cannot be described. We call it a family.
Way to practice
Techniques are always best practiced at the shooting range. The more hours we spend there, the more ammunition we shoot, the better shooters we will be. This will translate into greater efficiency on the grounds. It is very important to do it properly when you shoot the game. It is our ethical duty to make one accurate and ethical shot.
Thermal and night vision devices have changed the face of hunting, making it safer and more accurate. Thermal imaging, especially as advanced as Pulsar, gives us a guarantee that our target is exactly what we want to shoot.
Challenge when hunting
As I mentioned before, the biggest challenge for me is mastering the so-called noble art of game calling. There are many ways to hunt, but deceiving the king of our forests – the red deer during the rut – is a truly worthy challenge that I would like to master one day. I am very impressed with anyone who can do it, and I always try to listen to the advice of experienced colleagues who know it best.
Media to get news about shooting/hunting: In Poland, it is best to watch the Darz Bór TV, which I have the pleasure of co-creating, having my own series called Stażysta (Intern) dedicated to inspiring young hunters.
Darzbór!
Before purchasing any night or thermal vision device, please make sure you adhere to the local legislation and only use it when it is allowed. Our ambassadors come from various countries and travel a lot, which allows them to test different devices. We do not encourage or support the illegal use of our devices in any events. If you wish to learn more about export and sales restriction policy, please visit the following link: Export and Sales Restriction Policy.