From October 1st, the lynx hunting season opens in Belarus. It will last until January 31st, 2027.
Lynx hunting has been banned in the country for about 40 years. Legislation allowed it from 2025 due to the increase in the number of lynx in certain regions. At the same time, lynx, like bears, have a dual conservation status in Belarus: they are simultaneously considered game animals and are listed in the Red Book of Belarus. Therefore, killing lynx is only allowed in specific territories.
Hunting will be permitted in 21 hunting grounds in four regions. In the Vitebsk region, there are four such grounds, in Gomel — 13, in Grodno — one, and in Minsk — three.
It is permitted to hunt lynx regardless of sex and age. Hunting is carried out with a shotgun from an ambush or by stalking, during daylight hours and in the presence of a hunting supervisor. Both rifled and smoothbore weapons can be used with cartridges loaded with a bullet or buckshot. It is also permitted to take hunting dogs, the breeds of which are determined by the user of the hunting grounds.
The cost of a permit to hunt one lynx this year will be 200 rubles, regardless of its sex and age. For individual hunting, an additional permit (пуцёўка) will be required. For members of the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen, it costs 20 rubles, for other hunters — 40 rubles.
If lynx hunting is conducted as part of a hunting tour, the cost of the permit is determined by the hunting ground itself. However, it cannot exceed 700 rubles.
Last year, when the ban on this hunt was lifted for the first time, there was no particular enthusiasm among hunters. It was planned to kill 57 lynx, but only six animals were shot — just over 10% of the permitted number. The chairman of the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen, Igor Shunevich, then called the result "a complete failure of the season." What will happen this season — time will tell.
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