When hunting weapons are considered unloaded

The Lepel Inter-district Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora frequently receives questions from hunters. When is hunting weapon considered unloaded? What weapon is considered cased? When are hunting dogs considered to be working on wild game? According to clause 4 of the Rules for Game Management and Hunting:

 Weapon is considered unloaded if:

a cartridge is not in the chamber of a firearm barrel and/or in the magazine (clip) attached to the weapon;

an arrow is not nocked to the string of a bow or crossbow;

the string cocking mechanism and/or the crossbow trigger mechanism are not cocked.

A weapon is considered cased if it is in closed (fastened, tied) cases or containers.

Dogs or hunting birds are considered to be working on wild animals if they are pursuing or have caught wild animals.