Opening of hunting for fur-bearing animals

The first Saturday of November marks the opening of the hunting season for fur-bearing game animals in Belarus, including the European hare, mountain hare, red squirrel, pine marten, stone marten, American mink, muskrat, and European polecat. This type of hunting is permitted during daylight hours, using both firearm and non-firearm methods. Firearm hunting for hares can be conducted from an ambush, stalking, or driving. The use of smoothbore hunting firearms with shot-loaded cartridges is allowed, as is the use of hunting dogs of all breeds. For non-firearm hunting, sighthounds and hunting birds are permitted.

Firearm hunting for red squirrels, pine martens, stone martens, American mink, muskrats, and European polecats is permitted by stalking, including with hunting dogs. Permitted firearm hunting equipment includes smoothbore hunting firearms with shot-loaded cartridges, 5.6 mm calibre rifled hunting weapons, and hunting dogs of all breeds except hounds and sighthounds.

For non-firearm hunting, traps and snares (excluding nooses) are permitted. The hunting season for European hares, mountain hares, red squirrels, pine martens, stone martens, European polecats, American mink, and muskrats will continue until the last Sunday of January 2020.

HOWEVER, THE CARRYING AND/OR USE OF CARTRIDGES LOADED WITH BULLETS AND SHOT (LARGER THAN 5 MM IN DIAMETER) IN HUNTING GROUNDS IS PROHIBITED!