The spring hunting season for game birds—geese and drakes—will begin in Belarus on March 14, 2026, according to the press service of the State Inspectorate for Wildlife Protection under the President. Hunting for male woodcocks will be permitted on the fly starting March 21. The spring hunting season will last until May 10. According to the Hunting Regulations, the total duration of the spring hunting season may not exceed 28 days (with the exception of hunting for male woodcocks). Each hunting farm has the right to set specific opening and closing dates for the goose and drakes season, based on weather conditions and the availability of game in the hunting grounds. Spring hunting regulations: - Hunting for geese and drakes is permitted only from ambush and by calling in with decoys (including electronic ones), decoy birds, or decoys (profiles). Hunting may be conducted during daylight hours, with the exception of the period from 12:00 to 18:00. - Hunting for male woodcock "on the fly" is permitted from 18:00 to 22:00. Hunting days: Rifle hunting for non-regulated game species is permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, holidays established or declared non-working in accordance with legislation, and certain working days if they are transferred to weekends by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus. Woodcock hunting "on the fly" is also permitted on Fridays. Hunting grounds may establish additional hunting days (no more than two per week). Bird species permitted for harvesting: - Migratory geese: greater white-fronted goose, bean goose, greylag goose, Canada goose. - Duck drakes: mallard, wigeon, goldeneye, shoveler, tufted duck, garganey and teal, gadwall. - Male woodcock "on the fly". Incidentally, harvesting of cormorants, rock pigeons, grey herons and great white herons is permitted. Also, during any legal presence in hunting grounds for hunting purposes, hunters are allowed to harvest wolves, jackals, foxes, raccoon dogs, hooded crows and magpies, using hunting methods and tools permitted during the given periods. Permitted hunting tools: - Smooth-bore hunting weapons loaded with cartridges equipped with shot. - The use of hunting dogs (terriers, dachshunds, pointers, spaniels, retrievers, and water dogs) is permitted for the search and retrieval of harvested game. During the ban on the use of small vessels in fishing grounds, hunters are allowed to use small, unpowered vessels to install or remove decoy ducks, decoys, and profiles, as well as to lift harvested game. Hunting at leks: From March 20 to May 10, hunting for male wood grouse and black grouse is permitted at leks. Since these birds are regulated game species, hunting for them is carried out on the basis of permits for the harvest of game animals and hunting licenses for them in strict accordance with the removal standards. Hunting for male wood grouse and black grouse is allowed from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the lek using a rifle from an ambush or by stalking. Rifled hunting weapons may be used for harvesting.Smooth-bore hunting weapons using cartridges loaded with shot, hunting bows and crossbows. Important reminders: - Only the bird species specified in the hunting license are permitted to be harvested. Harvesting other bird species, as well as female ducks and woodcock, is prohibited and is considered illegal hunting. This entails administrative (Article 16.27 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) or criminal liability (Article 282 of the Criminal Code), as well as the obligation to compensate for damage caused to the environment. - The carrying and/or use of non-standard types of hunting weapons with rifled barrel(s), hunting bows and crossbows, as well as cartridges loaded with bullets or buckshot when hunting game animals is prohibited. Hunting Safety: Hunters must strictly adhere to the hunting safety regulations outlined in Chapter 6 of the Hunting Regulations. Violation of these regulations is the main cause of accidents, including fatalities. Violating hunting safety regulations is punishable by administrative penalties (a fine of up to 15 base units, and for repeated violations within a year, a fine of 10 to 30 base units or loss of hunting privileges). Compliance with all rules and regulations will ensure a safe and successful spring hunting season.
