For each wolf killed, the hunter will be rewarded $400, due to the large wolf population threatening livestock herds, which are the main source of livelihood for people in Siberia.
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| Siberia is one of the coldest places in the world. The wolf population is enormous, forcing the indigenous people to take drastic measures to protect their livestock. The photo shows hunter Ion Maxsimovic with a wolf he shot dead. In winter, an adult can freeze to death in two hours in the Sakha Republic. |
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| The people of Yakutia in Sakha are living in poverty because their reindeer herds are frequently attacked by wolves. Wolves hunt in groups of about 6 or 7, but they are so hungry that they can form much larger groups. A reindeer race takes place during the Khatystyr festival (pictured). This is an opportunity for people of nomadic tribes to socialize and bond with each other. |
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| A layer of wolf skin and fur at the Sakha Bult workshop in Yakutsk, a city in the far eastern part of Russia. It will be used to make clothing or carpets. The photo above was taken in March 2015. |
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| An Evenki man leads his reindeer herd into the forest, where they are always easy prey for wolves. Photo taken in Khatystyr, Russia. |
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| Maxsimovic is preparing his equipment to set wolf traps. To control the wolf population, the Russian government and local authorities in Siberia have offered a reward of $400 for each wolf caught. In addition, the hunter who catches the most wolves also receives a large bonus. |
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| According to photographer James Morgan, who took these photos, Maxsimovic was the best wolf hunter in the region. In addition to using traps, the hunters also used guns to shoot and kill wolves. |
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| Maxsimovic and his companion Yegor Dyachkovsky are carrying a wolf that has just been caught in a trap. On average, a brown wolf can weigh up to 43-45 kg. |
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| After killing the wolf, the two men dismantled the trap and prepared to load it onto a snowmobile. They skinned it and transported the hide to a workshop in Sakha Bult, Yakutsk, while the meat was burned. |
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| Yegor Dyachkovsky assisted Ion Maxsimovic on every wolf hunting trip. Maxsimovic said, "He's a man of few words, but he works very hard." |
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| In 2014, Maxsimovic killed 23 wolves, more than any other hunter, and won a prize worth nearly $4,600 along with a snowmobile. |
According to VNE
