History

Hunting and Fishing Association – Varna was founded in May 1889. During the first Constituent Assembly it was adopted the name Hunting and marksman's association „Sokol“ - Varna. Its founders were Al. Dyakovich, H. Slaveykov, Dr. K. Slavchev, M. Stanev, Sht. Belchev who ordered the first stamp of the association.

            The first president was Aleksandar Dyakovich – Chairman of the District Court. In 1918 in the so-called "Yunashki salon" (the first sports hall), which then housed the company was seated, French occupation troops settled and scattered throughout all the organization's archives. On 27 to 29 August 1922 the trustees of the association president N. Holevich, organized the first hunting gathering, attended by 3,500 persons.


            In 1929, with the assistance of Y. Sokachev, the manager of "Ticha" farm, created the first hunting big-game and pheasant kennel in the "Marin tepe" locality.


            In the period 1933-35, chairman was M. Madzharov. Then a hunting park with a lodge was built, as well as a shooting range in the "Karantinata" locality.


            In the fall of 1943 in the Makedonski dom building the company held a General and reporting assembly. There was an order read which imposed hunters to assist the police in search of partisans. The forum of 250 people rejected the execution of the order.


            From 1971 to 1976 the building of the National association of the hunters and fishermen "Zvezditsa" was constructed on an area of ​​400 decares, as well as youth schools for hunting shooting and fishing sports under the guidance of V. Angelov and V. Raychev. The land was owned by the association after an exchange had been made with the land of the "Karantinata" hunting park.


            From 1965 to 1975 built was the Fishery called "Krusha" (Poda) with an area of ​​300 decares, where the association activity was carried out. For this purpose there were special pools constructed. The HFA held the so called main herd of fish, consisting of carp, catfish, etc. species of freshwater fish. That herd mainly served as a yearly production of fry and fish for consumption for trading purposes.
            The "Poda" fishery used to provide annually 2 million fry, used to restock ponds for sport fishing in northeastern Bulgaria. In 1994, the association earned a 6 t of catfish catch from the farm. Largest specimen was 85 kg. There have been 24 species of fish stored there from the ichtiofauna of Bulgaria.


            Since 1995, the association has been implementing a program for restocking of the river Kamchiya. The river contains 2 tons of fry from carp, buffalo and other species. The association uses eight dams for sport fishing – in Priseltsi, Avren, L. Karavelovo, Zasmyanovo, Botevo, Krumovo, Yunak, Osenovo.


            In 1935, in the "Karantinata“ hunting park was the place of holding of the first Balkan competition for hunting shooting. Years in succession, the national HFA "Zvezditsa“ has been the place for holding of national and international competitions in hunting shooting and casting. For the period of the 70-80's the Varna athletes won 41 gold, 26 silver and 25 bronze medals.
            Remarkable are also the achievements of Varna fishing competitions. For the period 1970-79, 65 gold, 25 silver and 18 bronze medals were won.


            As of January 1999, the Hunting and Fishing Association /HFA/ Varna has been a legally individual non-profit organization, registered under the law of persons and family. It has had its chairman – on a voluntary basis, and public staff, and has been managed by the Board.


            HFA – Varna has had its member mass separated into groups. They have had their statute that is respected by all members. Each group has its chairman and a secretary to carry out organizational activities.
            The non – profit goal of the association consists in the fact that scouts care for the preservation of game and shooting of some of the game breeding species after an approved schedule of the Union Council of hunters and fishermen.
            The association also performs organized hunting tourism, as the services on it are reported as a business activity. Emphasized is wholly on migratory birds: quail, woodcock, wild goose, wild duck as the natural migration route of birds passes through us, namely, Via Pontika.
            To the company's business also concerns letting objects belonging to the HFA.
            In recent years, the management of HFA – Varna has adopted a new investment policy to build hunting lodges of the groups at the Association.
            Breeding pheasants started in 1925 in the private pheasantry of A. Nikolov, owner of weaving factory "Parvi May". In the last twenty years, the association has yearly displaced between 2000 and 10,000 aviary birds.
            During the 70s there have been displaced 420 rabbits and in the 80's – 80 mouflons.
            During the 70s there were five pheasant farms built – in the areas of Krusha, Priseltsi, Pobiti kamani, Batova, Zornitsa.