Hunting in Russia
Something about nature and amount of animals for hunt in Russian woods
Represented on the sight in places for hunting — North-West Region — Leningrad (Saint-Petersburg), Pskov and Novgorod area and Karelia and Kamchatka — are characterized as having sea climate. Weather here often changes and might be windy and rainy. However in spring (hunting season from April,23 to May,15) weather, as a rule, is more stable and sunny. Wood? s in Leningrad region and Karelia are mainly dark-conifers and mixed (mainly, fir-tree, pine-tree, birch, asp, alder-tree and willow) often swampy, clear pine-forest are met on sandy and stony soils, and also clear swamps in the south of Leningrad, Pskov, Novgorod areas there are oaks and maples. Main interest for foreign hunter in Russia might be caused by birds wood-grouse and heath-cook, wood-cook and hazel-grouse, in Karelia there are places rich in willow-ptarmigan (snow partridge), and on the coast of big water-bodies geese land when flying over. Density of these species in these places is high, that allows to start hunting in spring on mating- places from April, 22 to May,7 in Leningrad (Saint-Petersburg) area and from May,1to May,15 in Karelia. In outumn, hunting on these species, as a rule, is open from August, 15to the end of Nowember, but in Karelia in winter too.
The greates interest for trophy huning in our country is coused by brown bear. Size of adult-bears(4 and older) in nord-west region can vary from 170 cm to 220—240 cm. And get pure weight from 100kg to 350 kg, and in Kamchatka mach bigger. Density of this animal in this region‘s woods can vary from 1 per 2000 hectares to 1 per 8000 hectares However, concentration of brown bear is ofte noticed on berry-fields, grain-fields and other fodder-fields. In Kamchatka great concentration of the animal is noticed by rivers, and also on the coast. A Bear, like any other beast of prey, has well — developed sense of smell, that is used by hunters when of smell, that is used by hunters when they put out attraction for them (spoilt meat of fish). Hunting period in outumn from August, 20 to November, 1 and from December, 1 to February, 28 in Leningrad (Saint-Petersburg) area, but in Karelia in addition to this spring hunting is open from April,20 to May, 15. The best time for hunting on bear is spring and from August, 28 to September, 10—15.
Lynx and wolf. The number of these beasts of prey varies depending on number of hares and hoofed. Lynx is settled species, however when hunting zone runs out of food recourse, it can migrate 100—150 and more km in search for places richer in hare and birds, and also roe. Density of lynx and wolf in this region? s woods can vary from 1 per 3000 hectares to 1 per 8000 hectares. Wolves in winter, as a rule keep in packs from 3 to 6—10 heads and the space of their way for hunting can reach 100km in winter. In districts with snow cover 70—90 cm and more, wolves use roads for moving and often visit villages and steal dogs. Organization of hunting in method of surrounding with flags the pack on these clever animals is vary complicated and demands good solid group of professional hunters and good technical base. To hunt on lynx strong and of great endurance husky is needed, hounds are used, and also knowledge of place, cross-country vehicles and hunters of great endurance are needed.
Elk — ear the only hoofed that feel quite well in woods of north-west region. Density of the animal is not even and varies from 1 to 6—12 per 1000 hectares, in average 3—4 heads per 1000 hectares. Density of it very depends on press of hunters and wolves, and in winter migration of elk from especially snowy districts to less snowy is seen. Hunt period is open from 1 to 30 September — on roar (best period from 10 to 20 September). Result very depends on weather condition, ability and Knowledge of chasing places and of course it depends on ability of hunter to walk 5—10 km through the forest. In autumn and winter hunting period is open from Nowember,1 to January,10.
We also can organize hunting on glutton (wolverine) and seal in Northern Karelia (Belomorski area) on wild-boar, on spotted and red deer, on moral and Siberian roe. There are a lot of beavers and martens. It is also interesting to hunt on woodcocks with setter in autumn.
About rules of migrations and carrying personal weapon to Russia for foreigners
To arrive in Russia foreigners need an invitation from tourist company and a visa from Russian Consulate. To prepare an invitation a tourist company in Russia needs to get from you your passport data: First, second names and patronymic, data of birth, citizenship, place of living, number and date of action of your passport.
To carry your weapon into Russia we need to know its brand, caliber and number of barrel and number of butt if they are different, copy of the document proving belonging of your weapon.
Unfortunately, officials in Russian Federation are especially strict and partial to carrying weapon by foreigners at present and carrying weapon to some hunting zones is impossible, but to some it is too expensive is impossible, but to some it is too expensive. In price-lists of the offered tours, service on preparation documents to carry in /out weapon is not included. It can be from 100 to 300 € from the hunter carrying weapon. Professional hunters in hunting farms now have foreign weapon of high quality. Time to prepare documents 35—50 days.
Some rules to export trophy
To export trophy from Russia foreign hunters, first of all, before going to Russia must take care about rules of import to their country those species they are going to hunt on and to send these rules in writing. In € Union at present there is common from of veterinary demands, you can see it lower in English-Russia version, but it’s better to look through it and consult with your agency of veterinary control.
Species liable to special control in organization CITES: bear, wolf, and lynx. For these species you need to get CITES, as a rule, after the fact of shooting the animal. This permission is given only in Moscow, it is normal and time of its preparation, unfortunately, is 40—60 days.
