Opening of the spring hunting season

The spring hunting season for feathered game – geese and duck drakes – begins in the Republic of Belarus on March 14 of the current year. From March 21, hunting for male woodcocks "on the draw" will also be permitted. This year's spring hunting season will last until May 10.

According to the Hunting Rules, the total duration of the spring hunting season cannot exceed 28 days (except for hunting male woodcocks). Each hunting ground has the right to independently set the specific opening and closing dates for the spring hunting season for geese and duck drakes, depending on the availability of game in the hunting grounds.

Hunters should remember that spring hunting for geese and duck drakes is permitted using the ambush method and only with decoys (using calls, live decoys, or decoys (profiles)). This hunt can be conducted during daylight hours, except for the period between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

Hunting for male woodcocks is permitted using the ambush method ("on the draw"). The permitted time for this hunt is from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

We remind you that shotgun hunting for game animals of non-regulated species is permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, festive days established or declared non-working in accordance with the legislation, and certain working days in case of their transfer by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus to weekends. Spring hunting for male woodcocks "on the draw" is also permitted on Fridays. Hunting grounds may establish additional days of the week permitted for hunting during the hunting season (no more than two).

Traditionally, during the spring hunting season, hunters are allowed to take:

migratory geese – white-fronted goose, bean goose, greylag goose, Canada goose of any sex;

male ducks – mallard, Eurasian wigeon, common goldeneye, northern shoveler, tufted duck, Eurasian teal, common teal;

male woodcocks "on the draw".

Smoothbore hunting firearms loaded with shot cartridges are permitted as hunting implements. Hunting dogs – terriers, dachshunds, pointers, spaniels, retrievers, water dogs – are allowed for tracking and retrieving downed game.

During the period of prohibition on the use of small vessels by citizens in fishing grounds during the spring hunting season, hunters are permitted to use non-motorized small vessels for the placement and/or removal of decoy ducks, decoys, silhouettes, and for retrieving downed game.

We remind you that during the spring hunting season, only game bird species specified in the hunting permit may be taken. The taking of other bird species, or female ducks and woodcocks, is prohibited and constitutes illegal hunting, which entails administrative (Part 1 of Article 16.27 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses) or criminal (Article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus) liability, as well as the obligation for the violator of environmental legislation to compensate for the harm caused to the environment as a result of the illegal taking of such an animal.

We also remind you of the prohibition on carrying and/or using in hunting grounds during hunting for game animals of non-regulated species, rifled hunting weapons (barrels), hunting bows and crossbows, as well as cartridges loaded with bullets or buckshot.

We draw hunters' special attention to the need for strict adherence to the safety rules of hunting during the hunting process, as set forth in Chapter 6 of the Hunting Rules. Practice shows that non-compliance with these requirements is the main cause of accidents during hunting, including those resulting in fatalities. Furthermore, violation of hunting safety rules entails administrative liability (Parts 5 and 6 of Article 16.27 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses) in the form of a fine of up to 15 basic units, and in case of repeated violation within a year – from 10 to 30 basic units or deprivation of the right to hunt.

For additional information or to report instances of poaching, please contact the Verkhnedvinsk Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora at the address: Verkhnedvinsk, Sovetskaya St., Bldg. 193/2, or by calling the "hotline" at 6-17-23.