Hunting in the Comacchio valleys: The typical boats to hunt anatidae in the Comacchio valleys in Italy.
We recently talked about hunting in the Comacchio valleys, techniques and differences. The only costs are water and boats, which as fast as those used for hunting in Comacchio do not exist anywhere else. The structures must be not only agile, in order to slide in lagoon environments in some narrow cases, but also very light and very fast. We have said it, even before dawn, hunters who are passionate about this kind of hunting are literally competing to grab the best location of the day: a very fast boat is always comfortable. Last but not least, boats must be very stable, even better if they are comfortable. Let's find out together.
To begin with, let's talk about the vulicèpi, in Italian velocipio. Without a shadow of a doubt it is a missile that flashes along lagoons and valleys, capable of covering a kilometer in just 4 minutes, as long as you know how to conduct it, this is obvious. Bring the velocipio on the other hand it is not something for everyone: the rowing is demanding and the technique is quite ancient. This is the Valais style, which sees two rowers standing on the boat pushing it by force on crossed oars. Today used by hunters, once the velocipio was also used by poachers and valley keepers. In short, it is the out of series of the lagoons. An example of a boat of this kind could not fail to be used also during the sporting regattas that normally take place on the navigable canal that connects Ferrara with the sea.
Unfortunately, today this five-star boat can only be used during the opening day of the hunt. In front of it, the velocipio is about eight meters long, and its width does not exceed 50 centimeters. A maximum of three people can be accommodated inside and to prevent the keel from touching the bottom, in some places very low, the bottom of the boat is characteristically flat. This factor should not be underestimated as it requires great balance from those who climb it.
The velocipino (locally called el vulicipièn) is also used to reach the bumps. Similar to its older brother, the velocipino can be used throughout the hunting season and as the name rightly suggests, its dimensions are slightly reduced: it is about five and a half meters long and no more than 46 centimeters wide: for this reason at most it can accommodate only one oarsman. The velocipino is also equipped with a flat keel, to better move along the shallows.
La batanine (the betenine in dialect) is the boat that announces the north wind: when the waters in the valleys get colder the level increases and the velocipino is abandoned. Batanine is preferable as it is slightly larger, but above all safer; it is mainly used for fishing for eels that reside in the Comacchio valleys up to the thirteenth year of life and therefore until sexual maturity is reached.
We close our overview with the mamaluk, known locally as el memeluch: it is once again a fabulous hunting boat that allows those who know how to drive it to reach practically any place in the valley. What makes the mamalucco so special, up to five and a half meters long and no more than 80 centimeters wide, is the fact that the boat can be hidden underwater and easily brought back to the surface.
Needless to say, the maintenance of this gem decrees its effectiveness during hunting: it must be painted and covered with resins throughout the surface, but especially in the points where it is most worn. Only the handles of the oars and the shroud will not be painted, to avoid becoming too slippery. And the purpose is just that: to see the mamalucco glide silently on the water. Of course, carrying the boat is not an activity for everyone and particularly heavy, but the contact with nature is absolutely engaging given the surreal silence that can be heard. Only the cries of a seagull, the kisses of a snipe, the moan of a curlew or a redshank can interrupt the idyll, increasing it in intensity.
In short, ancient boats that still offer strong emotions that anyone should try at least once!