article_snippet.sent: The controversial contest, held in the forests of the diamond-rich Sakha Republic, is celebrated in the region as a way of recognising the best canine bear hunter.
article_snippet.sent: In Russia, hunting of many kinds is a respected and mainstream activity and such contests as shown on these pictures raise few eyebrows.
article_snippet.sent: these pictures were taken by photo-journalist Spiridon Sleptsov during a visit to the Bayanay Hunting Club, near Yakutsk, where he captured competitors taking part in the 6th Republican contest to find the best individual hunting dog, and the best pairing of dogs, reported The Siberian Times.
article_snippet.sent: The pictures were taken by photo-journalist Spiridon Sleptsov during a visit to the Bayanay Hunting Club, near Yakutsk, .
article_snippet.sent: It is thought that the dogs taking part in the competition in Yakutsk were not experienced hunting animals but were instead only there for 'sporting purposes'.
highlights_snippet.sent: Hunting contest is celebrated in the region as a way of recognising the best canine bear hunter .