The spring hunting season opens

From the second Saturday of March, the hunting season opens for the white-fronted goose, bean goose, grey goose, Canada goose, cormorant, rock dove, grey heron, great white egret. It will last until the second Sunday of May. Animals of any sex and age are permitted for harvesting. Hunting is allowed during daylight hours, except for the period between 12:00 and 18:00.

The permitted method of hunting is by firearm from ambush, either from a hide or from ambush using a camouflage cloak, and only with decoys using a call and decoy goose (geese), and (or) silhouettes, and (or) goose decoys.

Also, from the second Saturday of March, the hunting season for mallard, pintail, goldeneye, shoveler, tufted duck, garganey, common teal, and grey duck opens. It will last until the second Sunday of May. The hunting of males (drakes) that have landed or flown to decoys (female ducks) or stuffed decoys is permitted. Hunting is allowed during daylight hours, except for the period between 12:00 and 18:00.

The permitted method of hunting is with a firearm from a blind, either from a hide or from a blind using a camouflage suit, and only with the use of decoys (female ducks) and/or stuffed decoys, and a call.

The woodcock hunting season opens on the third Saturday of March and lasts until the second Sunday of May. Hunting is permitted only for males from 6 PM to 10 PM. The permitted hunting method is shotgun hunting from an ambush (during the flight).

Specific dates for the spring hunting of geese and ducks within a given range are established separately for each animal species by order or other decision of the hunting grounds user before the start of the hunting season.

We also inform you that during the spring hunting season for geese or duck drakes, a camouflage cloak (camouflage suit) worn by the hunter and ensuring their inconspicuous presence for hunting animals in the hunting grounds (camouflage) may be used instead of a hide.

Permitted hunting weapons: smooth-bore hunting firearms using cartridges loaded with shot; hunting dogs (terriers, dachshunds, pointers, spaniels, retrievers, water dogs) are permitted for tracking and retrieving game.

Hunting without a proper permit, or in prohibited areas, or during prohibited times, or with prohibited tools, or by prohibited methods, shall incur a fine ranging from 10 to 30 base units, with confiscation of firearms, other hunting tools, and other items used as tools or means of committing the violation, or without confiscation and with deprivation of special rights.

Yury ALEINIK, Senior State Inspector of the Operational Department of the Vitebsk Regional Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora.