Открытие весеннего сезона охоты

Opening of the spring hunting season

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

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, garganey, Eurasian teal, grey duck;
  • male woodcocks "on the display flight".

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

Please note: during the spring hunting season, only the 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 liability (Part 1 of Article 16.27 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus);
  • criminal liability (Article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus);
  • the obligation to compensate for damage caused to the environment as a result of the illegal removal of an animal.

We draw special attention to the fact that hunters are obliged to strictly comply with the hunting safety rules set forth in Chapter 6 of the Hunting Rules. Practice shows that non-compliance with these requirements is the main cause of hunting accidents, including those resulting in fatalities.

Violation of hunting safety rules entails administrative liability (Parts 5 and 6 of Article 16.27 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus) in the form of:

  • a fine of up to 15 basic units;
  • in case of repeated violation within a year – from 10 to 30 basic units or revocation of the hunting license.